I have interest in many of the discussions here.  My favorites are those that address military, education, and gospel issues, because I think I can contribute something meaningful to those discussions.

With very rare exception, the discussions here are respectful.  I have only witnessed ad hominem attacks once, and that person is no longer an active participant.  The discussions are usually well-reasoned and well-articulated, and rarely have emotional outbursts occurred. Folks here seem to understand that disagreement does not mean rejection, and that disagreement is not a context in which to get all emotionally defensive, and that just because someone sees the world from a different perspective, it doesn't mean that person is an idiot, or that person is evil and going to Hell.  (Okay, maybe the idiot thing is often true as evidenced by one's position on immigration--everyone except Ray and myself, and the evil thing is occasionally true as evidenced by one's avatar--Valhalla, or as evidenced by one's liberal use of the headbanger graemlin--Coco.)

But even though most are idiots and some are evil, I still love 'em

I think that is the most important part of a discussion - respect and civility. Go ahead and disagree with me - but explain your positions logically and consistently. For instance, I know why Ray and Roper believe the way they do on immigration, even though I disagree with them. I don't like it when drama and histrionics enter into a discussion.

Without pointing fingers or making it an us vs. them discussion, I would like to add that here, we all agree to be on our best behavior and know that if we aren't, anyone can call them to task about it and that no one is immune to that expectation. In so far as possible and practical, everything is done in the open and transparently. We don't take ourselves too seriously, and yet we realize that at the core, how we act here does reflect how we would act in person if social conventions were not in place.

As such, like roper said, we don't have to worry too much about the lowest common denominator of emotional response gaining control. We understand that there is a difference between debate and contention, the first being fact based discussion and the latter essentially something like "I don't like what you said so put up your dukes" or "You, Sah, have offended me and the honor of my family... prepare to defend yo'self!"

Personally, I like two kinds of discussions: First, the ones that make me think, do a little bit of mental exercise (cuz it's good if I can at least get that sort of exercise ); and Second, the ones that are just plain fun (and sometimes silly, cuz inside I'm still just a kid who never wanted to grow up); and then I guess there is a third type (yes I need some remedial basic math), the ones that really do edify each other spiritually (and not all so-called gospel related discussions merit that honor... while we do have gospel discussions, we have a lot less of the "so-called" discussions of this form here probably for the same reason I indicated I like the ones we do have... those of us here don't find much utility in the chatter type discussions that do not edify and build us up spiritually).

That is just my observation and opinion. 

It has to be a topic that interests me or that I find amusing. You will see me post multiple times to a topic that really gets me going. Anything about firearms will get a post from me. The immigration deal doesn't get much attention from me anymore, mainly because it has pretty much been all said before so at this point I would be mostly rehashing what I posted in the past. The current events usually gets me going as well as changes or church news. I will also take any and every opportunity to turn someone's post around and make it into a joke only a 11 year old boy would find funny. Anytime I can reference the Cow Bell skit from SNL or use the name Turd Fergusson is a good time. Turd Fergusson, that's a funny name.

I like threads that make me go   


Not so much   


I was sad the Nauvoo thread got closed, too.  I didn't think it had heated up that much, but that's just me.

I enjoy discussions with a little bit of controversy. If people have strong feelings about a subject, I am immediately drawn to them, and want to pick at them... Often I know the intellectual arguments, but the feelings intrigue me. For me, it's as much about a person's reaction as the discussion they're carrying on about. I find it fascinating the types of things people care about.

Other basic topics...

I also like to discuss the effects of popular culture on our Spiritual wellfare. Often there are subtle forms of entertainment coming out all the time, and we gobble them up without thinking about whether they're good for us. Often there are things that catch us offguard.

I like to discuss technology and uses for it--especially good uses for it--and the ways that we in the church are falling victim to it, to warn each other of the dangers of it.

I like to discuss topics that don't have a clear and easy solution. The reason I enjoy discussing Immigration with Arbi is because I honestly don't see an easy solution, and I think there are a lot of downsides to EVERY choice we make to try to correct it... well that and I see it as a prophetic fulfillment of the Lord's promises to the seed of Lehi--but I digress...

I like sharing personal stories, and I like to hear what other people do with their children. Especially clever people, who have good kids. :) I like hearing about folk who overcome challenges. I also like learning about learning...

I like new ideas. I like humor. Sometimes I just post to get my post count higher than Cat's...  

I love to hear the LDS people comment on the world around them. I am fascinated by all the various perspectives that LDS people have on things--especially when they disagree... because I think there fascinating possibilities in those places, or perhaps a new weakness about to break over the body of members...

Okay... so I just love talking... Just ask my hometeaching partner. He's a 16 year old boy who wants to spend all his time having fun and doing what he wants... he really doesn't like it when I get going... :)

--Ray