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What's the difference between discussion and debate?

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Paige:
By definition a debate is a discussion between people with apposing points of view.

A discussion is “Consideration of a subject by a group; an earnest conversation,” where the topic and/or premise is generally agreed.

You cannot have a discussion between people with apposing points of view.

Problem: with so many people coming at a topic with varying amounts of information, egos, and beliefs a “discussion” will more often turn to debate.

The only way to avoid (or at least lessen it) would be to make a section strictly for “discussion” wherein the topic and the opening post are accepted and agreed upon by all following posters and a question is posed for discussion based on that topic and opening post. (If you don’t agree with the premise you don’t post.)

It’ll probably still degenerate into name calling and flaming but...what’ya gonna do?
 :-\

Priscellie:
I tip my hat to you, Ashton!  And now I'm really craving hummus...

iago:
It sounds to me like discussion takes an idea and elaborates on it, essentially as a collaborative exercise. 

So by contrast a debate takes an idea, determines two or more opposing viewpoints, and discusses the merits of each of those viewpoints in conflict with one another.

Yes?

Shiggy:
Yeah, most of the TV section appears to be debate, and the Timelines discussions are generally discussion.  Other than that, it's a mix of the both.

Elanel:
In my experience from 6 loooong years of running the same web forum a debate is where an idea or two are put under the spotlight for formal analysis whereas a discussion is an exchange of ideas with no formal cessation. Good ideas survive to be adapted as you learn more about your subject matter.

So in that regard it comes down to language and conduct of individuals. How you begin a discussion will largely decide how others respond. Control of debates & discussions is essential. That's where the forum staff come in. User reputation is another problem. If a regular user starts threads with intent to moan; they fall, sometimes subconsciously onto the watchlist of other members. You think - 'Oh it's so-in-so again... What now?' On the opposite end you have the user who will often defend the virtues of the 'product', so what occurs is a battle of extreme opposites. This can in turn dictate the way in which a forum is managed. Achieving a balance is a huge endeavor and you may have to assume it cannot be achieved, though I would say in regards to this site the influx of new members having a go at the TV adaptation are the short-sharp-shock types who fizzle out as time passes. Some remain and become calmer and more constructive, fitting in with the forum ethos.

I had a bigger entry detailing how I handled it on my web forum as we had this exact same problem a while back. It resulted in a lot of changes and enforcing rules to ensure debate didn't turn into a heavyweight ego clash by page 2. Of course different people have different ways of solving problems.

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