You are absolutely correct that arguments can be constructive but IMO only when they don’t devolve down to the personal level. When the discussion becomes about the people having the argument and not the subject at hand it’s time to end it since its value is gone.
Agreed, 100%.
I've often thought that another factor at play is the relative anonymity of the message board format. It's much harder for an argument to devolve to the personal level when you've met someone and broken bread (or tipped a few) with him.
((Also, it's easier to misinterpret someone's typewritten posts than it is their spoken word. Nuance and inflection are often lost in the written format.)) - jinx, I typed this before reading your last post. Great minds think alike, eh? Now, where's my lunchbox?
