Wednesday, August 7, 2013

a few rules of engagement

It's a dog eat dog world out there. A world filled with angry, argumentative people on the verge of exploding.

 Everyday, people are fighting traffic to get to work on time. Fighting to win a contract for work. Fighting for a better parking place. Fighting to pay their mortgage. Sometimes, they are physically fighting for there life.

 The following rules do not apply to a physical debate.

 Debating. Civilized debate is an argument over facts. One person arguing may have a masters degree from an Ivy League school, and be a leader in the field of the chosen debate. The other may be a janitor, or a lowly blogger.(my apology to janitors for lumping them in with bloggers). - or someone else you may overlook as an expert in any field involving facts or knowledge.

 There are only two ways to know if you win a civilized, nonphysical argument for sure.

 1) The loser concedes, saying "oh, I didn't know that. Thank you for enlightening me with your knowledge." In the whole of recorded human history, this moment has never happened. Not to anyone. This is usually when the nonviolent argument turns physical and the rules will change.

 2) The loser fumes and leaves. It usually involves profanity, slamming of a door, and /or screeching tires. There is a way to win the argument by default. A spirited debate pitting the 'expert' in a topic against a mentally outgunned opponent can swing momentum. This is if the 'inferior' opponent has the right matchup of skills /attributes. Can the underdog take the mind numbing abuse ? Can he just keep fighting with insufficient data (babbling and chirping) and mental stamina? And does he have a very good bladder? If you see sweat rolling down the superior cranium of your opponent, start drawing comparisons to your argument and a waterfall. You can now look him in the eye with your best Eastwood, and think," Go ahead punk. I know what you are thinkin. Did I have one big gulp or two?" A superior bladder and a can-do attitude can beat a PHD and six cups of coffee ANY DAY.

 Thank you for your time, and I hope all is well. --Mark Burkenbine

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