- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Posted by: GameJunkieJim
Debates over general topics are generally 'won' by those that are more passionate about it, regardless of knowledge.
Debates over specific topics, will generally go to the more educated debator.
I agree totally. I've had a lot of debate experiance and this is exactly what I've found. When it's on a very general topic such as "evolution", no one seems to be the real victor; the debate continues for so long and there's so much ground to cover that the only real winner is the person who doesn't give up.
I've also noticed that it's difficult to pin an opponent. When topics are complex showing any error an opponent has made is difficult, since that 'error' probably depends on a multiple of subsiquently debatable facets.
They key to debating effectively is to narrow down the subject of debate, then go over with your opponent a list of "givens." This sets a boundary for what you can expect you and your opponent to agree upon. If you agree upon nothing, then try debating about something more simple that has some givens you both can agree upon.
And you most certainly can change people's minds of the internet. Saying you can't is a cop-out for your poor debating skills.
Plus, debates rarely happen for the two participants. They're mainly there for the spectators.