Frequently Asked Questions

 
What is a wiki?

A wiki is software which allows users of a website to easily create and edit the content of a page. Wikis encourage different people to pool their knowledge and expertise. Wikis enable the content of documents or pages to be written collaboratively by users who are likely not to know each other and may live at opposite sides of the globe. This debating area is a wiki.

 
Are all debates open to all?

The vast majority of debates are open to all but some debates between particular individuals or teams may be closed. The debate may later be opened to everyone once the debate between those particular individuals is over.

 
Do you close debates after a certain length of time?

No. Open debates are always left open for changes. In many debates there may be new ideas, research or events that add new perspectives to the debate; we want to be able to include these. We also want the debates to be living, breathing entities; able to be edited by anyone who has a good idea within the context of the debate, no matter that they may have come to the debate years after it started.

 
Is there any limit on the length of debates, points or comments?

No there is no limit on the length of debates, points or comments. However for all of them we encourage you to be as concise as possible, this gets the point of what you are trying to say across better and you will better be able to keep the reader's attention. Most people prefer short, punchy, points.

Editing debates

 
How do I create Points for a debate?

Points can be created by clicking "Add a new yes point" or "Add a new no point" on the Executive Summary or Join the Debate sections. Once that's done, enter a title in the box and the argument you want to make in the large box below. Click the button marked "Add Point" and you're done.

 
How do I edit points?

In the Executive Summary click 'Can you improve this point? Click here to strengthen it' beneath the point and make any edits you want.

 
I've put a point I've made in the wrong section of the debate. How do I change it?

Unfortunately, this is quite difficult to do right now. Essentially you need to copy the argument from one side and paste it into the other. However, the system doesn't allow duplicate points and doesn't allow empty points. Which means you actually Cut the argument from one side, replace it will a full stop (or some character) and paste it into the other. Alternatively alert the moderating team by email and we will do what we can to help. We're working on a better system!

 
What is 'Join the debate'?

Join the Debate is our comments system. It enables users to participate in the debate without editing the Executive Summary (which we know some of you don't like doing). You can ask questions of the main debate, raise an issue to see what other people think or simply comment on what other people have said.

 
How do I 'Join the Debate'?

To get to the Join the Debate section click on the handily named "Join The Debate" tab beside the Executive Summary on the debate page. You can Applaud a comment if you like what's been said, Flag it if you find it abusive, quote it if you want to reply or just click Comment to add your point. You will need to be logged-in to do any of the above

 
Can I post links?

You can post a link to your own blog, a news article, reference paper and so on if adds something to the debate, or is used as evidence for a point of view. To find out how, click the Format Codes link (you'll find it when adding or editing points).

 
How do I vote on a debate?

You can vote on the entire debate by going to the bottom of the Executive Summary. You can also vote on a point where the point has both an argument and a counterargument.

 
When should I add a new point?

When the argument you wish to make within a debate has not been made by anyone yet. It is better to split arguments up into smaller points rather than adding onto someone else's argument and in the process making it long and difficult to follow.

 
When should I edit a point?

A point should be edited if you have something to add to that point that you do not think deserves a point of its own, this may be adding to the way the argument is substantiated, adding figures, or a source. You may also wish to edit spelling or grammar within a point in order to improve the flow of the argument.

 
How do I headline my point?

The headlines for a point should be short, simple and summarise the core of the point you are making. Avoid long descriptive headlines as that should be in the substantiation. If your headline is compelling then readers are more likely to want to read the substantiation.

 
How should I go about my argument?

Always argue against the argument that has been made not the person making the argument no matter how different their views may be to yours. Make your argument logical and as easy to understand as you can. Not everyone will be able to follow a complex convoluted argument. If a concept can be simplified to explain, it is probably best to do so.

 
What length should my argument be?

A point can be any length. It will depend on the point you are making, not everything can be explained in a small compact style. However it is best to make the point as succinct as possible, avoid going round the point; get to the core of your argument as quickly as possible.

 
Does writing style matter?

Style does not matter to nearly the extent that it does in a spoken debate as the other participants can simply read back over what has been written if they don't understand what you have written the first time through. However style still matters. Your argument is much more compelling if it is easy to read and understand.

 
Does spelling and grammar matter?

We are not going to punish anyone for poor spelling and grammar. As with style, spelling and grammar are really helpful in getting your point across to the other side and the audience. As we are wiki based it is possible that poor spelling and grammar in the Executive Summary will be corrected by others.

Moderation

 
What rules and regulations do I need to follow?

You should have already read the terms and conditions when you signed up. These set out what you should/should not be doing to maintain a good open atmosphere for debate.

 
Do you moderate the moderators?

Yes, any decision which there is a complaint over will be looked at, and some decisions may be examined at random. Any decision to suspend or ban a user is taken by more than one moderator.

 
Can I become a moderator?

As a lot of our content is wiki-based we already rely on everyone to moderate to some extent. To find out what you should do look at our 'What can I do to help' section.

 
When do you look at posts?

Everything on thejc.com is post-moderated. This means that your edit or comment goes onto the site and it can be seen by anyone. The editors will review what they have been alerted to. Doing this helps to keep debates going by allowing them to be closer to real time.

 
Do you just delete comments or do you edit them?

As a wiki, it's just as easy to edit points as to delete them, so moderators may do either. The decision will depend upon how much of the post is considered against the rules; someone may have written a good point even if they breached the rules for one sentence.

 
What is counted as a personal attack?

Personal attacks include vicious or persistent name-calling or accusatory comments and ad-hominem attacks. We encourage criticism of ideas, arguments and positions but will not tolerate attacks on individuals. It is important to remember someone may be playing devil's advocate; making an argument to stimulate the debate rather than out of a deeply-held belief.

We take abusive or defamatory comments made against someone's religious, sexual, racial, gender or ethnic contexts very seriously.

 
I have a complaint about moderation, what should I do?

Although we can't guarantee to enter into correspondence with all complaints, every emails about the issue will be read and investigated. If you wish to complain about the moderation email:

 
What is 'off-topic'?

Off-topic posts are where a user makes comments, points or edits that are unrelated to the matter being debated. How related is specific to each debate, as some will cover broad areas while others may be tightly focused. If a topic is too far off-topic to be placed within a particular debate why not start a new one yourself on the issue you want to talk about? It will be up to the moderators' judgement to decide if a particular post is off topic or not based upon the content and context of the post in question.

 
What is Trolling?

Trolls are users that come to a site specifically to draw attention to themselves, they are not interested in the topics of discussion and in-depth debate. They post radical views, or barely intelligible comments specifically to get a reaction from other users and derail the course of the debate.

 
Do you allow discussion of moderation in 'Join the Debate'?

We would prefer that you did not discuss moderating in 'Join The Debate' as it will most likely be off topic and not relevant to the debate at hand. However we would be perfectly happy to have debates on moderating policy so long as the topic is suitably broad and is not a complaint about a particular decision.

 
How do I know if a comment was removed?

The moderators will leave a marker saying that a comment has been deleted. This will include a message stating why it has been deleted only if the moderator deems it in the best interests of the site to do so.

 
How do moderators decide what deserves deleting?

The moderators use the Terms and Conditions as the basis to judge whether any post breaks our rules. This is, however, taken within the context of the debate and the number of complaints from other users. However as moderating is done by humans there are bound to be times where a mistake is made or borderline cases where a decision might have been made differently by a different member of the team.

What can I do to help?

 
What should I do if I see something that I believe breaks the terms and conditions or rules?

Use the Flag button in the Join The Debate section. This will draw the comment to the attention of the moderators.

 
What should I do to counter 'Trolls'?

The best way to counter trolls is simply to ignore them. They are looking for attention, so don't give them any. The more we respond to them the more encouraged they become. Leave it to the moderators, they will spot persistent trolling and deal with it. If you spot trolling coming from a persistent offender, flag the comment.

 
Can I do any moderating to help?

The best way to help with moderating is to keep your comments within the standards of debate so making the moderator's job easier. For the Executive Summary area, where debates are open to all to edit, it is possible for users to help by editing the points in the debate in the same way as moderators can. Users rather than moderators will most likely come across any breaches of terms and conditions or standards of debate first. Although you can edit it we would prefer you informed the moderators so that they can decide if any further action is necessary.

 
Can I apply to be a moderator?

We do take on moderators on a voluntary basis. We encourage applicants to come from the community and will look at your posting record as part of the basis for considering users as moderators.