Thread: The Infraction system explained

Originally Posted by Reprobate

When I were a an argumentative youngster an elderly man I worked with who I really liked said to me: "Choose your battles carefully". I remember this because I didn't understand it at the time but over the years I have come to understand it.

Some of the people on this forum, you can understand why they don't seem to get anywhere in politics. Before you start arguing with someone you have to ask questions like: What am I hoping to get out of this argument? How will the person respond? What power does this person have over me or others? Will this argument alienate people from me or will they respect me? If I lose will I withdraw, and do I lose out by withdrawing? Am I better off by staying quiet, or staying out of this argument altogether? This is the skill. It has to be learned largely be trial and error, although some people seem to have a much better instinct for it than others.

This skill, and the willingness to learn it, seems to be sorely lacking in some of the people who post here.

Just adding something to what you have already covered, hope you don't mind.

And also will I conduct myself with grace and dignity while engaged in argument with someone or will I just embarrass myself for everyone who views the thread to see. Will I allow myself to resort to petty namecalling and insults in the argument instead of countering the other person's argument with a factual or opinion based post.