The Lost Art of Debate: Have We Lost Our Ability to Counter Argue?

As I have posted before, a former client and ‘friend’ blocked me on LinkedIN, presumably because I ripped his research (it also could have been because I threatened to expose him for his lack of credentials as well). It turns out he blocked a number of people who disagreed with his research…

This guy .... XXYZ is an absolute clown who is not really able to debate people, but will do anything for some money...{redacted}. Hey XXYZ, i know that you are huge hater of XXZY, which mean you spend time here and you will see this ... so when you see this, fuck you and have nice life, looser. [credit: Reddit]

Honestly, at this point, I share the guy’s sentiments….but one thing he wrote really resonated - “who is not really able to debate people”... debate and the ability to respond to criticism is a critical skill and a necessary factor for anyone who is publicly publishing, posting, or writing anything that others will consume. Have we lost the ability to debate? To welcome counter opinions or facts and engage in meaningful dialogue??

andreas jonsson wrote a very nice post which I respectfully disagreed with about “being nice and supportive” when someone posts on LinkedIn (especially when they start out).? My response was the following:

When you write and express an opinion or facts and put it out publicly you are opening up to scrutiny. Writing is not the realm for "snowflakes" who melt under criticism. Taking criticism and learning how to respond to it is a critical skill for writing and editing, for any journalistic endeavor....for any personal endeavor. It is not fair to the author to not be subject to criticism or a critique - it goes with the territory. Now...I am not advocating for calling people names or saying generic statements, like "that is the most stupid thing ever"....that is not professional, fair, or helpful. But "simply carrying on" is not helping the author think more critically and do better, not helping readers think and do better, and providing alternate perspectives that can help people learn. Ergo, I disagree with your point about "simply carrying on" and counter that with - professional, constructive criticism should be shared whenever possible.?

Whenever anyone writes anything, it opens them up to scrutiny. Here are three examples of authors and responses that illustrate the point and how the situation was handled/resolved (or not): :

My former friend wrote a research article about the demise of Wal-Mart’s health clinics - citing an unnamed source (who sounded like a disgruntled employee), called the executives? assholes, and cited inaccurate information about marketing people pulling folks off the street to get them into clinics.?

• I called BS on that as I actually worked for Wal-Mart and knew that methodology is not used or would not be used by any employees and talked to a retail manager who cited the real reasons for Wal-Mart's health clinic demise. I responded with factual information and real inside knowledge. Plus proposed what they should do from a marketing perspective to provide service to the community - my speculation was later realized as fact when a healthcare company partnered and took over the ‘abandoned’ clinics.?
• The author did not respond to my callout nor was there a response to another person (of higher stature professionally) who stated that his facts were not correct - as the respondent knew someone on the Wal-Mart board and knew the facts of the situation.?
• An appropriate response to both of us, may have been something along the lines of:? “Thank you for clarifying this. This is what my source, a Wal-Mart clinic worker (or whomever) told me…maybe that happened in his location?? Those are valuable insights to share and I will look into this further.

An article appeared on Facebook some time ago about a single mother who had to have her child miss a Kindergarten graduation due to a conflict with a cousin's wedding.

• There were a lot of mixed comments about her being selfish and having the kid miss the wedding to the kid won’t remember anything anyway.? I responded that the woman was selfish for asking the school to move the date and could not understand why she couldn’t miss the ceremony, but get to the later afternoon reception. Therefore, the kid graduates, she sees family and celebrates later.?
• A woman disagreed with my statement and responded to me pointing out that the mom is a single mother and that my proposition would be very expensive.?
• I responded to her that that was something I did not think about and thought her insight was very interesting and appreciated that added fact. I still thought the woman to be rather selfish, but could understand why she may not have been able to reschedule the trip.?

A long time ago, when I was managing the Sales Intelligence practice at SWOT Management Group (now defunct), a researcher was assigned two research deliverables. She was considered a junior researcher, I was essentially “Editor in Chief”.? The work product she produced was nothing short of awful. It lacked solid research and was very light on useful information that would help our client. The amount of work I or another senior person would have to do was immense and we were on deadline. She came into my office, we had a closed door discussion, and I did the “U” - give a good comment, critique, and then say something nice.? I never got to the second positive comment as the woman got up and walked out of my office a third of the way through the research plan critique. Later, she claimed I bullied her - the guy who the founders promised my job to - jumped in and supported her (really?).? I was called into the office, after a suspension, and told that she left the company and I was no longer to do any research or editing. Actually I was told - save the Marketing division or I have no job.? I declined their offer and founded Magnus Marketing Group in August of the following year.?

• While there are a number of issues here, the key one is that as “Editor in Chief” I have every right to critique research plans especially when they are deliverables that clients are paying for (that was my job!).? As a researcher and someone who is being paid to write research that will create an outcome or result - in this case, providing a salesperson the means for getting into an account and having quality conversations with prospects, it is imperative (and part of the job) to be able to take criticism and…to learn from it. The researcher in this case should: a) never have been hired into the role? and b) like who doesn’t know how direct my communication style is? I was her boss…learn to manage up and deal!

Some key takeaways from the above 3 examples:

1. If you are going to create research or articles that people are paying for or consuming for educational purposes, it is imperative to be open to criticism and counter-views and use that as a means for creating further education.? Also, do not put anything to the public that is inaccurate, half-assed, opinionated (without denoting it is opinion), or not thoroughly researched and then not respond when called out on it. To believe that anything being written is perfect or your opinion held as gospel is reflective of a serious ego problem. People question God all the time - so why wouldn’t a mere mortal author be questioned as well??
2. Blocking people has a net-negative effect.?

It causes a great deal of anger in the people whom you have blocked which creates more animosity and drive to discredit you.?

It creates communities of “Yes-Men/Women” whose support is exceptionally biased and does not create open dialogue where even greater education can occur.?

Dissenters will shut up, if you can counter and discredit the person who is ripping your content. If the content is that solid and the author that knowledgeable - then the author should be intelligent enough to counter in such a way that will shut detractors up

3. It is all in the way you respond. In example 2, the person who disagreed with me was very factual and professional in her response and brought up a great point which I acknowledged. I also learned something valuable - gained an insight I did not have before.? I did not take it personally nor should anyone unless it is a personal attack or a less than professional response - such as the people who love to call others a “moron” - always one or two of them especially in the Facebook crowd.?

4. One other point, someone had mentioned something about blocking “trolls”.? Be aware that if someone disagrees or rips the research, that does not mean they are a troll. Trolls act maliciously with intent and may bully, be offensive, and/or cause harm (internet definition).? Someone who disagrees or rips research, even repeatedly, particularly if they are responding factually and in a corrective or educative fashion - is not a troll and should be respected! Per point 2, if the content is solid and author knowledgeable, a troll can be discredited.?

Have we lost the great art of debate? The ability to respectfully disagree without personal attacks, being blocked, or disrespected for having a valid and counter opinion?? If the person writing the post, article, or research has done a thorough job and is a credible expert on the topic they are writing about - meaningful debate and defense of the point or content should be achievable without resorting to ‘drastic’ measures. Counter should be strong enough to “shut up” dissenters and detractors and bring greater education to all readers.?