Recruiting?

[Kuan]

So ive really enjoyed this forum a ton and I really appreciate everyones time, especially Otseng for keeping this place running.

One thing ive noticed though is that most people who are recurring in the debates are A LOT better than me. So I was just wondering what people thought about the idea of recruiting people. Would it hurt the site? Although it would contribute a lot of new and active members, would the less experienced annoy those who are experienced?

I understand the feeling that others have; that they dont want a ton of high schoolers around but it would be somewhat nice for me. I mean, sometimes it would be nice to not be torn apart after one post if you know what I mean... ](*,)

[otseng]

I don't mind recruiting at all. And I don't really care how old participants are. But I do care if they are capable debaters. If they're only going to add noise to the forum, I would prefer they just lurk.

[Zzyzx]

.
Mormon Boy,

I have, with Admin's knowledge, contacted quite a few religious educational institutions inviting faculty and students to visit our Forum and participate. The results were zip, zilch, zero.

It appears as though a major problem we have is balance. While there are a number of very capable Theist debaters, there are more Non-Theists who post regularly.

Additionally, it appears to me as though it is much more difficult to defend theistic positions (particularly mono-theistic) than non-theistic because all forms of theism rest upon unverifiable assumptions; whereas the non-theistic position "I do not accept those assumptions" makes no claims or assumptions, but asks for verification of what is put forth by Theists.



Z

[WinePusher]

I don't mind recruiting at all. And I don't really care how old participants are. But I do care if they are capable debaters. If they're only going to add noise to the forum, I would prefer they just lurk.

I've invited one or two very capable debaters from Americas Debate through PM to come here, and I wanted to check to see if you wanted me to stop. I'm just concerned that I'm overeaching my boundaries by soliciting this forum on another forum.

[Kuan]

.
Mormon Boy,

I have, with Admin's knowledge, contacted quite a few religious educational institutions inviting faculty and students to visit our Forum and participate. The results were zip, zilch, zero.

It appears as though a major problem we have is balance. While there are a number of very capable Theist debaters, there are more Non-Theists who post regularly.

Additionally, it appears to me as though it is much more difficult to defend theistic positions (particularly mono-theistic) than non-theistic because all forms of theism rest upon unverifiable assumptions; whereas the non-theistic position "I do not accept those assumptions" makes no claims or assumptions, but asks for verification of what is put forth by Theists.



Z

I have no doubt you have tried hard but it seems that many theists, especially younger one closer to my age, are discouraged from participating in these types of places which might be the problem since they are religous.

What I am wondering though is if having more less experienced debaters around would hurt or help the site. I was thinking that maybe a subforum for rookies and those less experienced so they could get practice and then when they feel comfortable move up to the more serious and experienced forums.

[Zzyzx]

.

I have no doubt you have tried hard but it seems that many theists, especially younger one closer to my age, are discouraged from participating in these types of places which might be the problem since they are religous.

I do not understand how being young and religious would discourage people from participating in these debates. Can you elaborate?

What I am wondering though is if having more less experienced debaters around would hurt or help the site. I was thinking that maybe a subforum for rookies and those less experienced so they could get practice and then when they feel comfortable move up to the more serious and experienced forums.

That is an interesting thought.

Having new members spend some time in a "Newcomers Sub-Forum" (or some such) would have advantages (but might pose some administrative difficulty?).

[Kuan]

.

I have no doubt you have tried hard but it seems that many theists, especially younger one closer to my age, are discouraged from participating in these types of places which might be the problem since they are religous.

I do not understand how being young and religious would discourage people from participating in these debates. Can you elaborate?

Parents and religous leaders might fear the loss of the young to false beliefs and discourage intellectual debate.

What I am wondering though is if having more less experienced debaters around would hurt or help the site. I was thinking that maybe a subforum for rookies and those less experienced so they could get practice and then when they feel comfortable move up to the more serious and experienced forums.

That is an interesting thought.

Having new members spend some time in a "Newcomers Sub-Forum" (or some such) would have advantages (but might pose some administrative difficulty?).

It would require more moderators and probably is too time consuming for otseng but it was just a thought.

[Lux]

I don't see a problem with it (for the record I'm very recently out of high school myself). It'd be nice to have more theists here to debate with.

I think we have an interesting process of "natural" selection here. If you invite a bunch of people, some of them might annoy some people for a while. But those who are not as interested (or articulate...) as the average forumer usually either go away on their own or go down the evil road and end up banned. So even if some of the people you invite are not quite up to the task as soon as they sign in, they'll probably either learn or leave. So you wouldn't be bringing down the average level of debate, I don't think.

[otseng]

I've invited one or two very capable debaters from Americas Debate through PM to come here, and I wanted to check to see if you wanted me to stop. I'm just concerned that I'm overeaching my boundaries by soliciting this forum on another forum.

I think if it's by PM, it's OK with me.

[otseng]

It would require more moderators and probably is too time consuming for otseng but it was just a thought.

No, I'd rather not have a subforum just for "less capable" debaters. There are plenty of other forums out there that can accommodate those type of people.