I’ve never been averse to the idea of debate on important issues. But a person entering a conversation online—especially with strangers—can’t be assumed to be armed with Robert’s Rules of Order. In an actual debate—formal or not—both people are usually aware of the stakes and have previously agreed on some rules. On social media, you never know when someone might swoop into a comment thread and demand that everyone else start playing by their rule book. And if you don’t comply, they “win.”
