I think that the purpose of debate, at least once, was about getting to the solutions so that we know how to solve the problems. I no longer see this to be the point of the debates I observe. Now it is simply about winning, and because so few people in this world have a logical stance in any regard, winning in a debate has become about exposing your opponents position to be more ridiculous than your own, rather than elaborating upon why your opinion is correct.

It is becoming quite dangerous. I was booted from not one but two debate servers on discord yesterday, for arguing that it is not okay to inject children with poison. Yes, in a debate server, supposedly a place where intelligent people can discuss and pick apart ideas, having the position of an anti-vaxxer is not permitted. This is not even up for debate, it is settled science apparently - which shows a very poor understanding of what science is.

It is unfortunate to behold, but people have become brainwashed agents of government or of corporations and human interaction has become the newest and most effective form of propaganda. If you cannot convince someone through logic or reason to believe what you wish them to believe, then just shame them into believing it, or make them so afraid of being on the side that believes otherwise that they will lie to themselves about what they believe until it is not a lie anymore.

I believe that if you can truly see the core issue underpinning most discussions, which is a talent that in my greatest moments, I seem to be blessed with too; that you step into the noise and be the voice of reason, which in this day in age is always also a voice of treason, and show the world that there are still some people out there who will not submit to comfortable lies. I think there are many out there who are looking for a role model. I have been, for many years, and none have I found. But I am not so cynical as to believe they do not exist. Perhaps they are too busy ignoring the noise. But maybe that is why we now believe practically everyone is an idiot. So for sure, it seems to me, that is time for those with the ability to think for themselves to set an example that others might follow.