Debating and how Flat Earthers can be useful

I am guilty of it, probably so are you, Going onto Facebook or Twitter and joining a group meant for Flat Earthers. Now there is nothing wrong with debating a topic, as long as you keep it respectful. The whole point of a debate is to use facts and knowledge to assert one point/position as having more weight than the other. But calling a flat Earther a 'Flattard' is definitely not factual nor is it respectful, even if it is funny. When I debate, I try to let the other person speak more than myself because the majority of times I can just point out logical inconsistencies in an argument or just ask so many questions that they give up.

Now, the thought of, I don't know, a POLITICAL debate may seem scary or stigmatized and don't get me wrong, in a lot of households, including mine, debating politics is strictly prohibited. This is because, in most cases, family's will often times share radically different beliefs be it about politics, religion, or whether medium rare steak is the best. These radically different opinions/views can cause fighting and 'head butting' between members. Familial disputes are almost never encouraged and thus debates have become rather taboo as far as home discussions go. It also doesn't help how sensitive and opinionated individuals are as late, for instance, just yesterday I had made a post using a throw away account on Reddit and the post basically talked about how 'according to some whom I will link to below' say that there are 56 genders. 56, 56 genders. I don't discriminate for any reason what so ever and nor am I a racist, sexist, bigot, white supremacist, etc. what I am however is a very opinionated individual who basis his views on science. With that in mind, you've most likely guessed that my Reddit thread addressed the 'problem' with a healthy dose of skepticism. This skepticism wasn't taken well by the individuals in question and I was very quickly flooded by hate mail, more specifically messages trying to get me to hang myself among other things. To put it frankly, I am not to keen on the whole 'Hang yourself' thing, I would like to life a little while longer, Opinionated buggers aren't they. (That was a joke with an unintentional hint of truth)

So, I know what you are thinking, "Marcus, I though we were talking about FlAtEaRtHeRs?" to which I say, YOU ARE RIGHTTT....WRONG!!!! We are talking about debates and why they can be so hard, the title was just to draw you in.

Debating is a hard skill to build upon because to build Upon a skill you need practice, practice requires opportunity, and opportunity in everyday life seems rather scarce. BUT!! there is another source of debate practice out there in which you can hone in your skills...its called FACEBOOK!!!! more specifically, the Flat Earth Society Facebook page. This page is full of blood thirsty individuals who simultaneously practice zero debate etiquette and seem to always win.

The fact that Flat Earthers always seem to win may be a that A.Home turf, B.Seemingly no sense of common courtesy, C.They seem to believe that a lack of evidence to support something is evidence to the contrary. And, let me just point out that Flat Earthers win, not for the other reasons, but because they disengage before they have had a chance to lose. When arguing with an FT, expect to be left on seen a few times. like...A LOT!

I guess now I have to give you debating tips don't I...Ok

Debating tip number one, Know your stance. after all, there is nothing worse than engaging in a debate and realizing that you no very little about your side of it. This situation can be countered by a few simple google searches. Tip number two, Let the person you are debating do most of the talking, if you have a strong case then this should be easy because coming up with a rebuttal is easier if you hear what they are saying rather than what you want to hear. Tip number 3, I actually don't have a third tip other that to practice.

Well, goodbye then, skedaddle all of ya

PS. I know I said I was going to put a link for the 56 genders but you made it this far so you obviously have some time to kill. Just type it into ya search engine ya lazy bum .