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Online Arguments

Reddit offers a place of sharing, communication, and discourse which can lead to arguments. I happened to come across a post that may lack some aspects of a successful and civil argument.

In-N-Out Burger, a highly popular restaurant chain, has received praise from many as having food that is very good and at a great price. The locations are mostly limited to California (while slowly expanding), leaving many, like myself, curious about the food and whether these claims have merit. 

Well, one of these curious people finally got to try it themselves, leaving them disappointed with what they received versus the hype that praised it, which was followed by a post on Reddit.

While frustration is understandable, this argument leaves more to be desired.
  1. The argument lacks constructive feedback. Claims such as "why are people obsessed with innnout? ... but shake shack is actually really good. So WTF?," dismiss others' preferences without offering constructive feedback. It focuses on personal dissatisfaction and compares negatively without providing specific reasons or constructive criticism.                                                                                                                                
  2. The post contains possibly offensive language. Quotes such as "I was more disappointed than the GOT series finale" can come off as overly dramatic and offensive to fans of both In-N-Out and Game of Thrones. It dismisses others' enjoyment and can provoke defensive reactions.                                                                                                                                                             
  3. The argument has generalization.  Stating "Is this just something ppl say when talking about Cali or do ppl actually enjoy eating there?" generalizes the preferences of an entire region, implying that people from California might just be following a trend rather than genuinely enjoying the food. Such generalizations can create regional tensions and misunderstandings.
To argue online in a better manner, we can consider these 5 rules:

Be Respectful and Considerate 
Always approach online discussions with respect. Other people have different experiences and preferences. Avoid derogatory language and personal attacks.

Provide Constructive Criticism
If you disagree with something, explain why in a constructive manner. Offer specific points of critique rather than vague or overly negative statements. 

Avoid Generalizations
Avoid making sweeping generalizations about groups of people or regions. Acknowledge that individual preferences vary and that your opinion is one of many. Our statements should be phrased in a way that reflects personal experience rather than attributing it to a larger group.

Stay on Topic and Be Relevant
Keep your comments focused on the topic at hand. Avoid bringing in unrelated issues or making comparisons that are not pertinent to the discussion. This helps maintain a coherent and productive conversation.

Encourage Dialogue and Understanding
Create an environment where people feel comfortable sharing their opinions. Ask questions to understand others' perspectives and share your views in a way that invites discussion rather than shutting it down. For example, you could ask, "What do you like most about In-N-Out?" instead of sounding confrontational or dismissing it outright.


References:

In-N-Out Burger. www.in-n-out.com

Kayslay8911. "In-n-out is not good." Reddit, 30 May 2024, https://www.reddit.com/r/offmychest/comments/1d473is/innout_is_not_good/.


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