EvC Forum tries to encourage members to build arguments upon evidence and rational thinking, and debate here can often serve as a tool to hone one's skills. But there's an approach to discussion that neutralizes all rational debate: the Black Knight strategy.
Those who use this strategy almost always do so unwittingly. The specific arguments are as varied as the people, but in general they make assertions without support or rational justification or even consistency. Such deficiencies are always immediately pointed out, but the Black Knight debater remains blissfully unaware, indeed appears to have no inkling that positions and assertions need to be supported, particularly after they've been rebutted. Like the Black Knight of Monty Python fame who denies he's been hurt while losing one limb after another, the Black Knight debater continues on regardless of diminishing circumstances. Already rebutted assertions and declarations are reintroduced time and again as if they hadn't already been swatted aside. In fact, so great is their unawareness of the requirements of rational discussion, Black Knight debaters often declare how well they're doing throughout the course of their debacle.
I've been moderating this debate board for a while now, and I confess I've found no reliable approach to moderating Black Knight debaters. They are as uncomprehending of the requests from moderators as they are of the arguments from debaters. Suspension of Black Knight debaters, who usually seem to so obviously want to discuss, seems counterproductive for a discussion board.
So what I've elected to do for the present, at least until a better approach is developed, is to advise participants that board moderation is aware of the presence of a Black Knight debater, and that they should continue to follow the
Forum Guidelines by staying focused on the topic, and by either ignoring the Black Knight debater, or by merely noting the lack of evidence or rationality for his positions. Just don't expect rebuttals to be meaningfully addressed or even acknowledged, else you'll get frustrated and run afoul of the
Forum Guidelines yourself.
AbE: Please direct replies to the
General Discussion Of Moderation Procedures 10.0 thread.
Edited by Admin, : Add comment about where to reply.
| -- | Percy |
| | EvC Forum Director |
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