Why is everyone so hooked on controversy?

[Kevin Wier]

I believe controversial issues deserve a section of anyone's time, but since when did our society become so hooked on controversy? For example, examine the other topics in this forum. This forum is supposed to be about ethics and morality, but I do not see one positive illustration of ethics or morality posted. I repeat, controversial issues must be addressed, but we cannot let them dominate our lives. I promise there are some good things going on in this world, why not highlight and celebrate them?

 

[WatersMoon110]

Because controversial issues are more interesting, and also some are not allowed to be discussed by non-Christians in other sections of the site.

 

[Kevin Wier]

I understand that controversy can be more engaging at times, but there are many uncontroversial subjects out there that can be equally as interesting. For example, I was going through random videos on youtube earlier today and I came across a very interesting and inspiring story. Check this out and tell me if you think it is less interesting than some of these controversial topics. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2yoOlicmww

 

[quatona]

I believe controversial issues deserve a section of anyone's time, but since when did our society become so hooked on controversy? For example, examine the other topics in this forum. This forum is supposed to be about ethics and morality, but I do not see one positive illustration of ethics or morality posted. I repeat, controversial issues must be addressed, but we cannot let them dominate our lives. I promise there are some good things going on in this world, why not highlight and celebrate them?

I understand you wouldn´t like me to voice my disagreement with your post?

 

[quatona]

Check this out and tell me if you think it is less interesting than some of these controversial topics.

Yes, I think it is less interesting than some of these controversial topics.

 

[SiderealExalt]

Controversy is ultimately conflict. And traditionally people enjoy conflicts.

 

[Kevin Wier]

Why does it have to be that way though? Why do great stories like the one I have posted go under the radar while people argue about things that they have already made up their mind about anyways? Why not do something more constructive?

 

[quatona]

Why does it have to be that way though?

Nobody said it has to be that way. They said it is that way.

Why do great stories like the one I have posted go under the radar while people argue about things that they have already made up their mind about anyways?

Firstly, the dichotomy your question implies is false. There can be space for both, and there is.
Your story didn´t go under the radar - there was a movie about it, the trailer is on youtube, you have posted it, and I and many others have seen it.

Secondly, the "who already have made up their minds" introduces a new quality that hasn´t been part of your question before. There´s a great deal of assumption in this premise, btw.
Personally, I don´t think there is much point in arguing about things you have made up your mind about - unless you feel the issue is important and you are talking with people of whom you think they have not made up their minds already so that there is a chance to convince them.

Why not do something more constructive?

I don´t think discussion is necessarily not constructive, and I don´t think posting videos is necessarily constructive.

I don´t seem to understand what your issue is with controversial discussion. If you don´t like it, don´t go to discussion boards. There are plenty of places where controversial discussion is not to be expected.

I, for example, don´t enjoy chat boards nor do I get their point. I don´t frequent them - case closed, as far as I am concerned.

Did you notice, btw., that your endeavour here is controversial in nature itself? You go to a place where people enjoy discussing and you try to drive the point home that there´s something wrong with it. Don´t get me wrong - I am not criticizing you for that. I am just trying to show you how easy it is to be the origin of controversial discussion: It just needs confusion as to why others think the way they think, feel the way they do, act the way they act, and the will to understand it.
Controversial discussion is usually driven by constructive motives, in my observation.

 

[quatona]

I promise there are some good things going on in this world, why not highlight and celebrate them?

Controversial discussion being one of them.

 

[Uphill Battle]

because you can't go down to the local colluseum and watch men kill each other any more.

you have to get your thrills elsewhere.

 

[Kevin Wier]

Maybe I misrepresented what I was trying to illustrate. I was just trying to say that it is a shame that an ethics and morality forum is completely dominated by controversy. I do not disagree that controversy and argumentation is necessary for progress, but there needs to be some kind of balance.

 

[quatona]

Maybe I misrepresented what I was trying to illustrate. I was just trying to say that it is a shame that an ethics and morality forum is completely dominated by controversy.

The thing is that this is the very purpose of such a discussion forum (and everything else in fact would violate the rules because it´s off topic).

I do not disagree that controversy and argumentation is necessary for progress, but there needs to be some kind of balance.

I just don´t seem to understand what the required balance for in an ethics and discussion forum should be. It´s like postulating that it´s a shame that a cinema is completely dominated by watching movies. That´s what they are there for, after all, and you find this balanced by the fact that there are plenty of other places in town that are dedicated to other activities.
Same here: There are plenty of forums on CF that focus on harmony, outreach, help, support, socializing and whatnot (and even here in E&M there is a "chill out" sticky reserved for off-topic interaction).

I really don´t understand the problem.

 

[Kevin Wier]

Sorry, I just thought that I found a story that illustrated ethics and morality. I thought it fit in this category, but I guess I need to create a controversial argument to write something in this section.

 

[quatona]

Sorry, I just thought that I found a story that illustrated ethics and morality. I thought it fit in this category, but I guess I need to create a controversial argument to write something in this section.

No, you needn´t do that. The controversy will (or will not) arise all by itself.
Just post the story and ask whether people agree with you in that it illustrates ethics and morality, and there will either be agreement or disagreement. This would be completely within the purposes and rules of this forum.

Note: The purpose of this forum is not: to create or provoke controversy.
The purpose is to discuss ethical and moral questions, and since these questions often aren´t agreed upon universally, the result "controversy" is to be expected and in no way surprising.

 

[JCFantasy23]

People just like anarchy and chaos. We are not mellow creatures by nature and when involved in verbal exchange, we tend to go towards the more hectic discussions.

Yet of course we all ultimately complain about stress, too, so try to figure that one out (sigh)

 

[Kevin Wier]

Ok. Do you all think this displays ethics and morality?

 

[JCFantasy23]

Ok. Do you all think this displays ethics and morality?

No, but people in general are just flawed. To them the most interesting subjects are controversial questions about ethics, things that bring about debate or chaos.

 

[Kevin Wier]

What about the story I posted? Does that display ethics and morality?

 

[JCFantasy23]

Kevin
Which one did you just post?

 

[quatona]

What about the story I posted? Does that display ethics and morality?

The video?
What in particular about it do you think displays ethics and morality? Which ethics and which morality?