That filling out the big issues on one's DDO profile is beneficial

This is the end of a good debate. I really need to stop procrastinating, as I only have a matter of hours left xDRelevancy of Open Challenges/DA DebatesI still stand firm in my belief that there isn't any real correlation between DA debates and the BI. Whether or not I choose to fill out the big issues, I will still either like or dislike DA debates. It isn't possible that the BI can change a person's view towards DA debates, since they don't have any sort of relation. The claim that the BI can reduce DA debates doesn't seem practical. If a person likes DA debates, the BI won't change their opinion on DA debates. Concerning open challenges, my opponent brought up this idea as a response to my argument that the BI act as a mechanism to socialize or challenge others. He claims that since open challenges do the job fine, the BI isn't actually much of a benefit. However, there can only be positive gain from the BI, since the BI can't really stop you from finding friends and rivals. The BI also allow you to find debaters on a larger scale to see how many members are Pro or Con on a certain issue. Further looking into the issue, the BI has a list of all the people who listed Pro or Con on a single issue. Not all members are looking for debates and open challenges don't really have the ability to help you find friends. Although, I concede that open challenges can somewhat do the same job, the BI can further a person's productivity. In the end, open challenges and the BI are not two mutually exclusive options, and hence open challenges are not relevant. It is not necessary for me to show that the BI have the most "benefits" but rather are just "beneficial", even if it is only by a little. Other mechanisms shouldn't be any influence in determining whether or not the BI cause more good than harm. Finding Friends and RivalsAll in all, open challenges and the BI can have different impacts. Open challenges can help you find debaters- sure, however the BI allow you to find friends also. Open challenges can only bring up one issue at a time (i. e. .. I can only debate on one topic per challenge), however the BI allows you to look at many topics and gives you the agreement rate you have with other members. My opponent also said that DA debates can "turn off" other debaters. Contradiction much? Anyways, I don't see how realistically the amount of debaters who actually care whether or not their opponent is arguing in a DA position affects anything. Their numbers shouldn't be that high, as many debaters do not seem to care. As to my opponent's argument about members putting "no opinion" in the BI, nothing can solve this, so this isn't much of a disadvantage. If members naturally do not care about certain issues and other members don't have the incentive to talk to them, there isn't much that people can do about this. Once again, I am not advocating for people to use the BI as the only method of finding friends. I'm saying that finding ideological allies that you agree with is much more likely to lead to a friendship and coupled with communication, you can expect to see a much more efficient way of finding new friends. The forums can provide some insight into certain people - but only if they are constantly active in the "Politics" forums. The BI can act like a indicator for people. Vague issues? Not a problem - the comments box is there for a reason. Also, recent events seem to show that Juggle might get to improving more aspects of the site. Time? If you are actually pressed this much for time - to the point whereas you cannot afford to spend a meager 5 minutes filling out your BI, then you should get off DDO. Increasing ActivityAnother argument about open challenges. .. Anyways, open challenges obviously do have the ability to constantly allow you to debate, but sometimes one desires a debate with a more difficult opponent. Open challenges practically leave your debate to anyone. Selecting your opponent allows you to hopefully create a more productive debate. My opponent also argues that any time that a person isn't debating is a "loss". However, the BI either lead to conversations about an issue or a debate. Conversations aren't all automatically bad, since many of them challenge you to defend your own views. This is practically the exact same thing as a debate, except in a much more informal and comfortable manner (there aren't any time or character restraints). BI doesn't limit the range of debatesTo be honest, I don't see how DA debates are a necessity. In the act of debating, you are already forced to consider your opponents arguments and argue against them. At the very least, you read your opponent's arguments. DA debates aren't the only way for debaters to improve nor does it create the best possible image. Some people might be offended by your flip-flopping. Also, I still do not see how DA debates have any relevance. If a person doesn't like doing DA debates, filling out the BI won't change their opinion. If a person does like doing DA debates, filling out the BI won't change their opinion. My opponent basically conceded that people receive debate challenges from the BI here. It's in the hands of the member to choice whether or not they want to do the debate in the end. Also, if they really wish to do a DA debate, they have other options that they can utilize, such as open challenges (which would be really useful in this case). Does filling out the big issues stop you from putting up an open challenge? That's basically impossible. Do the BI lead to constructive debates? What my opponent is misunderstanding is that constructive debates are not required for people to debate. There isn't any real harm in debating any issue that is no longer "constructive". Another fact is that people still have the option on whether or not they with to debate on "constructive" issues. They get to click on the "Accept Challenge" button. Also, I haven't seen any real response to my point about the Comments Box. I brought up the fact that the comments box can be used to clear up your point on any issue, solving the agree/disagree dichotomy. The comments section can solve for any sort of misunderstanding, not to mention that usually members first message each other before diving into "non-debates". I also brought up the argument that people are naturally discouraged from messaging you or challenging you on your beliefs, when you fail to fill out the BI. When people see that you do not have yourself listed as "Pro" or "Con" on any issue, then they don't have the incentive to challenge you on anything. If I disagreed with someone, I would feel a much more compelling desire to challenge him/her than someone who didn't have anything listed. My opponent also attempted to say that members who choose not to fill out the BI still have the ability to put up open challenges themselves. I've addressed this matter already, and the fact is that you as an individual will prefer to debate only the issues you yourself see important. Other issues that don't receive as much attention are forgotten and eventually you fail to justify your own beliefs in other issues. The BI allows other people to constantly ask you about many of your views. BI BrokenEventually, new members as they progress have more and more incentive to fill out the BI. There is the natural incentive to fit in with the rest of the members and they'll get around to it eventually. Also, the big issues have been fixed. (They were updated and issues with the BI have been patched). ==Conclusion==Issues such as division of members or inaccuracy of the issues are already solved through the current system - where the ability to add your own comments is introduced. On the other hand, the BI at the very least provide some benefit towards helping someone find allies or enemies. No harm + Some benefit is still equal to "beneficial".