Is a Climate Change debate, discussion, argument, one that avoids political or religious aspects, allowed in Sails Call? Or maybe it's just too toxic a topic for friendly discussion here?
Of course it would be allowed, as described by your question, jviss. However, even the very next post contained elements that could quickly degrade to logical fallacies of ad hominem, begging the question, and irrational appeals to authority. Not that I think Parsons was guilty of any of that, only that there was a challenging tone that could easily be misunderstood by others.
On another forum, I participated in several threads on this very subject of AGW. The last one was called, "Is the Ocean Broken", and it went on for hundreds of pages until it degraded to two opposing extremists punching at each other, before the thread was locked. I would say the answer is, yes it is possible for a time. I enjoyed the debate and learned a lot that I hadn't known. I don't know that everyone who participated did. It takes a lot of strength of character not to respond as though the counter opinion is an attack upon you, rather than simply a firm belief and strong expressions of such.
I don't believe citing someone else's published opinion helps, there's plenty of that on both sides, and facts are difficult to pin down because they are often taken out of context, misrepresented, or misinterpreted by both the source and the reader. One must be able to maintain a high level of tolerance and have the patience to explain themselves, not simply provide a link. I would be interested in participating in such a debate or even an exchange of opinions again, but not in name calling or simple counter attacks based upon a political-ish opinion that refuses to make allowances for differences.
It should always be okay for others to not believe what I believe, just as it is always okay for others to not be as smart or as correctly educated as I am. If I thought my thinking was in error, then I would think otherwise.
-Will
