Discussion, not Provocation

[Pat Mustard]

As part of the new "Prime Directive" rule, we are moving to remove and/or shut down threads which serve no purpose but to be provocative and troll people. We live in times where people spend too much time shouting at each other and spreading misinformation about each other, rather than sitting down and having a good discussion about their views. At AF, we want to facilitate the latter and not the former.

As with anything new, there will be some kinks that need to be worked out along the way, but we feel that this will be a positive move for the forum. It is important to note that we aren't too concerned with the subjects of discussions, but are more concerned with how threads start off, and how threads develop. Here are a few tips on how to create a good discussion thread:

1. Avoid false equivocation. Making generalized statements about a person or groups of people almost never goes well. Rather than making blanket statements like "all X are Y", make an argument for why "X has some attributes of Y" and present it for discussion.

2. Be accurate. Check your sources before posting, ensure that you have the facts. If you are presenting someone else's opinion, use quotes and don't editorialize what they are saying unless you make it clear that this is your interpretation rather than what they have said specifically.

3. Add some discussion to your post. Rather than just posting a link and your opinion, try to encourage discussion. Ask whether people agree or disagree, pose questions, ask for clarification from people rather than assuming something. In short, be open about discussing a subject rather than being provocative from the get go.

As always, use the report feature if you feel that someone is being provocative and not trying to have a discussion. Remember why we are all here. Together we can ensure that the forum remains a place where people who disagree can discuss things in a positive and friendly way.

Thanks.

Does this include creationist threads where the op is posting the exact same question he's been posing in many previous threads, or threads about god(s) being real which essentially boil down to "I believe in god therefore god is real"?

Because, frankly if we get rid of those, a lot of the theist posting is kaput.