DDO Win/Loss Record is Detrimental

I absolutely agree with the BoP being on myself. However, I shall outright refuse to point to specific occurrences as proof in order to maintain respect and not offend. I feel everyone familiar with this site has witnessed this before, and if my failure to provide specific examples brings about my defeat, then so be it. Firstly, I disagree with the premise that the detrimental effects of a win/loss record is isolated to the debate section of the site. The definition of the word "overall" is "Taking everything into account". [1] This would infer the inclusion of every component of the site, including the debate section. If one wall of a house is in disrepair, does that not contribute to the overall condition of the house? If a new user first experiences the debate section and finds it distasteful (in the way I originally described), it is very much a possibility that the user may abandon the site before exploring the other aspects of it, or just assume that the rest of the site would be as well. As for my counter-arguments. .. 1.1 & 1.2 (to your responses to my first argument) I agree with you in that bringing a debater's technical flaws to light is a positive thing. How that is accomplished in another issue. If a debater is driven by the competitive feel granted by the Win/Loss record, his intentions can become skewed between being courteous about it and just exploiting it for another victory. For instance, a debater who spots a flaw in an instigator's opening argument could instead leave advice as a Comment (which I've see done, too) rather than accept the challenge and open by exploiting a mistake or oversight. Although both methods will prove to increase the erring debater's skill, those who find themselves on the receiving end may very well be deterred, rather than encouraged, by an opponent showing no motive other than to win. The concept of "Tough Love" doesn't work without the "Love" part. Users who leave DDO with a negative experience or impression of it is detrimental. 2.1, 2.2 (to your responses to my second argument) The Win/Loss record appeals to the competitive nature of people, and its presence can greatly affect their motives. Someone who is more competitive will be more reluctant to take the risk of losing because if he does, that loss will stay with him as long as he has that account. So, regardless of the benefit that one is certain to reap in the way of improving their debate skills, the mere awareness of the Win/Loss record can affect the decisions of the competitive, and shift their focus away from the debate issue and towards building up their record. 2.3 I think the voting system works better for determining and recognizing the strength of the argument. Why should that fear of losing be bolstered by the fact that their loss will always be with them? I will concede that this will lead to higher quality debates, though, but I believe the voting system is more responsible for this than the Win/Loss record 2.4 I meant this issue to be taken generally, and I don't see how anyone couldn't or hasn't seen a competitive debater show his colors. If the few instances I have seen are something that rarely occurs on DDO, then my point has less meaning. As I stated in the beginning of this argument, I would rather suffer the loss than accuse specific users of this behavior. 2.5 Indeed. I have not claimed that the detriment to DDO is substantial; just that it simply is detrimental. [1] Oxford Dictionary - . http://www.oxforddictionaries.com... Thank you, again!