i have a few controversial opinions (i consider mildly myself a gender critical woman even though i respect everyone and love all and am close to people whose views oppose mine strongly, believe that drugs should be regulated and sold, favorable views on anarchocommunism etc. things like that.) and i would love to have conversations with people who are opposite my views, to see if maybe i’m wrong. i consider myself well informed but have no way to communicate with people in a way that’s intended to be a completely respectful debate, especially with things surrounding controversial opinions i hold. i’m not politically leaning one way or another. i just want to talk to strangers about things that are devisive and learn! sorry if this isn’t the place to ask, just couldn’t think of anything else
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I too love a debate, it’s so interesting. Thanks to the guy above, External Chart for his recommendations
Maybe r/seriousconversation but i don’t know their policies; you could ask its mods or see if the rules cover any concerns.
I firmly believe in NationStates’ forums, but stick to the rules. They have, for years, decided against an upvote system, which I think was crucial for what they are.
Debates died when they became about taking people’s rights away. When people’s rights are safeguarded, we may be able to have debates again. Until then, its polarized war.
Not on Reddit
Hello fellow gender critical! I have to say in my short-lived Reddit experience, it’s quite difficult to find a subreddit where any topic is allowed to be debated, especially that one. I’ve already been banned from two subreddits for very respectfully trying to discuss why I believe the way I do on that topic (and both times, it was in direct response to someone else’s questions). Reddit doesn’t seem to be the best forum for that.
I’m going to be real I think that serious conversationss like the ones you are seeking are usually only productive in richer environments like an in-person discussion with someone you know personally that disagrees with you. Its a lot easier to maintain mutual respect when both sides recognize the other as a human being.
That said, depending on the gender critical views you may hold some may see those views as you not recognizing their existence via their identity. I am not trying to project any views onto you, only saying to proceed with caution.
r/PoliticalDebate maybe?
Seems tough on reddit because of their tendency to use controversynto drive engagement. Also the vote system can be a problem if most people vote on how a post or comment makes them feel vs how well thought out or how reasonable or respectful the post or comment is.
Just the fact that we have to issue these constant disclaimers to remind people we aren’t extremists presents a problem. For example it’s reasonably unsafe for me to say that modern ghetto culture is a drain on our society without first shielding myself by admitting that im a black dude who grew up in a poor town.
As long as we are required to self censor and are limited on what we can think based on who we are, it’s going to be tough to have honest useful discussions. Too many people refuse to tolerate criticism and too many people insist on focusing all their efforts on proving those people over there are bad.
To make matters worse, reddit folks seem to form cults where they all agree to use summary labels as ways to disqualify the opinions of others. If you live in suburbs, if you live in cities, if you drive a car, if you ride a bike… they set up a network of traps and use them to block honest discussion.
Example: Maybe you point out to me that water isn’t actually golden. My response to you as a reddit cult member might go something like this –
Why do you, a honey baby who obviously just throws things away, think that you understand anything about my struggles and pain as golden water drop? You probably just need to go back to your (insert unapproved form of housing) in your (insert unapproved form of transportation) and focus on (insert unapproved hobby or lifestyle).
But the way people vote is mostly based on how closely your stated or assumed lifestyle aligns with their chosen identity, instead of voting on whether or not you have a point and water is indeed not golden.
Reddit has subreddits like r/changemyview.
[removed]
On Reddit? No, the platform is a haven for trolls and people that are cowards irl and will take advantage of the benefits of online anonymity and not being in person to say all types of crazy things to people and face no consequences just because someone disagrees with them. Unfortunately some of these people are mods and they can be very petty and ban you for no legitimate reason other than they didn’t like what you said.
Not really the type of qualities for respectful discussions and debates really
Feel free to message me. I’m always down to have a discussion about my rights being stripped away. Obviously, we’d have to agree on some conditions ahead of time, but I’m up for it, if you are.
Quota was place like this but I don’t visit it anymore and even don’t know if it’s still exists it public there was pretty respectful
Def not here lol
Of course not
Hit me up if you like. Personally I’m more concerned with how people think than what they think, and if that means playing an equal and opposing role for the duration of the conversation then why not.
Definitely not Reddit
Trans woman here! Um we don’t tend to like debating Gender critical women very much. Actually don’t you mean TERF rather than gender critical? It’s a little demeaning to justify basic things about us
I suggest you read https://slatestarcodex.com/2014/09/30/i-can-tolerate-anything-except-the-outgroup/ and https://slatestarcodex.com/2019/02/22/rip-culture-war-thread/ in order to understand why this is so difficult. :/
Maybe this too: https://slatestarcodex.com/2017/05/01/neutral-vs-conservative-the-eternal-struggle/
Just say transphobe lol
Probably not, since such behavior is not a function of the design or environment of a forum, but the people populating it, and those averse to civil discussion exist all over the internet.
r/changemyview is pretty good. With the caveat that you have to actually be open to changing your view, if you just want to come in and argue your perspective over and over without considering others’ that’s not the point of it