My problem with debate is that its geared towards winning. Not truth. Since I'm not representing someone in these discussions, it doesn't benefit me to take such a stance.

It also doesnt seem well suited for questions that have multiple correct answers. For these discussions, I'm interested in expanding my understanding of the subject matter, and learning what others have to say about it. But if someone's views on an ambiguous topic are too concrete and self-assured, like in a debate, I cannot take them seriously. It'd be like if someone fervently defended life on other planets, discredited any evidence to the contrary, and interpreted any positive evidence in a rosy way. At that point, discussion ceases as it isnt worthwhile to continue.

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I encourage you to have debates though. I'd just prefer you warn us in advance. I assume, by default, that we're just discussing our views on this forum, and not strictly adhering to any particular viewpoint. If the presumption for a particular thread is instead that we are debating and purposefully sticking to a side, that assumption vanishes and I can treat the thread and argument in a different way...without criticizing techniques that are perfectly valid in the debate setting.