Why Do We Bicker?

[_Quasimodo]

I think it's true that bickering seldom (or never) resolves a point. I also think there is some cathartic element in being able to verbally blast an opponent in a safe medium that maintains anonymity (who knows, you could be calling your in real life boss bad names).

I think the bickering is most valuable in providing the bystanders information about the combatants. If a person is new to the board, pahoran might seem reasonable without someone bringing out his true personality.

Bicker away! You're providing a valuable service.

[_mentalgymnast]

Why do we bicker?

Personally, I take the injunction, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good", seriously. As "bickering" occurs between parties that have a direct interest in "proving" their "things" to be true, the "good" and the praiseworthy becomes manifest. Of course, the perception among individuals as to what the good and praiseworthy is will vary depending upon the makeup and life experience of each individual. Thus, the bickering continues. For me, observing and at times participating in the bickering that goes back and forth on this board has been enlightening in many respects and has helped me to hold fast to that which is good.

"By proving contraries, truth is made manifest."-- Joseph Smith

Regards,
MG

[_Buffalo]

Four simple words:

It's the internet, baby.

[_mentalgymnast]

If no believers were here to bicker with, this board would be boring.

And visa versa!

Regards,
MG

[_Quasimodo]

If no believers were here to bicker with, this board would be boring.

And visa versa!

Regards,
MG

So true! It's good to have a place where differing points of view can be aired without members being banned. Please, more bickering.

[_beastie]

Here's an interesting article that speculates the primary purpose of the evolutionary development of the ability to reason is to win arguments, not to seek truth.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/article?a=803 ... gle=1&f=29

For centuries thinkers have assumed that the uniquely human capacity for reasoning has existed to let people reach beyond mere perception and reflex in the search for truth. Rationality allowed a solitary thinker to blaze a path to philosophical, moral and scientific enlightenment.Now some researchers are suggesting that reason evolved for a completely different purpose: to win arguments. Rationality, by this yardstick (and irrationality too, but we'll get to that) is nothing more or less than a servant of the hard-wired compulsion to triumph in the debating arena. According to this view, bias, lack of logic and other supposed flaws that pollute the stream of reason are instead social adaptations that enable one group to persuade (and defeat) another. Certitude works, however sharply it may depart from the truth.

If there is an evolutionary imperative to win arguments, then all this bickering makes sense.

[_why me]

This board has gone beyond debating. It has become a place where one can trash another poster and get away with it. The internet can be a very impolite and aggressive place and this board is an example of it.

I have said it before: this place is a place where people with stress, anxiety and angst can let loose with a tirade of abuse. In most cases, these people are as polite as grandma serving apple pie in the real world. But here, there insecurities can be let loose on the board. And it is not a pretty picture.

It is sad because this board could be one of the best Mormon boards on the internet. Instead, it is a place where informants are used, threats are made and personal mocking and bashing gets support.

[_beastie]

This board has gone beyond debating. It has become a place where one can trash another poster and get away with it. The internet can be a very impolite and aggressive place and this board is an example of it.

I have said it before: this place is a place where people with stress, anxiety and angst can let loose with a tirade of abuse. In most cases, these people are as polite as grandma serving apple pie in the real world. But here, there insecurities can be let loose on the board. And it is not a pretty picture.

It is sad because this board could be one of the best Mormon boards on the internet. Instead, it is a place where informants are used, threats are made and personal mocking and bashing gets support.

I have no idea why in the world you continue to post here. It's like droopy, constantly whining that this place is a cesspool and yet posting away like crazy. The LDS church counsels its members to stay away from cesspools. Perhaps you ought to listen to their counsel.

[_Quasimodo]

It is sad because this board could be one of the best Mormon boards on the internet. Instead, it is a place where informants are used, threats are made and personal mocking and bashing gets support.

I think this IS the best Mormon board on the internet. I agree that things do get out of hand on occasion. Maybe that's the price that must be paid for having such a free exchange of ideas.

I do see you here quite a bit (a good thing). You must be willing to pay that price, as well.

[_why me]

I have no idea why in the world you continue to post here. It's like droopy, constantly whining that this place is a cesspool and yet posting away like crazy. The LDS church counsels its members to stay away from cesspools. Perhaps you ought to listen to their counsel.

Didn't you start the thread asking why people are bickering here? I gave an answer. Their angst and anxiety come from someone or somewhere out there in their life process. Here they can let loose with abuse and mocking as a angst release and get away with it. And lets face it, some of the posts seem like a case of anger release. And I am sure that these posters when they close their computer get a feel good rush for a short while.