why is arguing a bad thing?

So this is a tricky bit of the English language. Arguing has two definitions:

Giving reasons or cite evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory, typically with the aim of persuading others to share one's view.

And:

Exchanging or expressing diverging or opposite views, typically in a heated or angry way.

The former is amazing -- we encourage active, friendly, informed debate on the boards.

The latter is NOT amazing when it devolves into heated, angry conversation. That thread definitely did the latter. Here's a handful of quotes:

No need to get upset because your other comments were deleted xD

If I didn't know any better I would say its the same person using three different accounts. But I know you would never do that...

This is a classic case where you bring up literally any other topic to talk about, usually some sort of accusation against the other person in the discussion, because you know you've lost the discussion.

So no, I dont want to have a rational discussion with someone who is going to call me a dumb fuck moron and spam downvotes on multiple account to make it seem like more people agree with him. But hey, he acted somewhat calm on one of his accounts after he got temp banned on multiple others so go ahead and be baited into thinking he wants a rational discussion.

In effect, it was getting into personal attacks, accusations of multiple accounts, and calling out individual board members with accusations, none of which was relevant to the original discussion topic. That's not an acceptable sort of debate.

That said, I do agree that the lock message in this case wasn't as clear as it could be. I'll talk to the team about how we present lock messages going forward.

An unfortunate thing about this language is that arguing is used a few different ways in situations where many of them could fit. For instance, there's "presenting your reasoning and position on something in a discussion" like you wrote but people also use it to mean instead "mutually fighting and attacking other people with words". I didn't read the thread thoroughly, but it looks like it was locked for the latter reason; that the thread has "devolved into attacks against each other."

Maybe some fresh mods needed to test his new board powers.

Go and read the comments on that thread. Using offensive language isn't the only thing that's makes an argument. People started to attack each other personally while neglecting the actual topic.

classic internet nowadays

1. Strong point with evidence
2. Counterpoints
3. Counter counter points'
4. Repeat steps 1-3 until...
5. Somewhere a slip occurs that is taken as a personal attack
6. Divulges into a petty grade school name calling fight :/ nothing gets done...

rinse repeat

My general viewpoint is that it's a difference between debate and argument.

Debate is constructive - people sharing ideas that just happen to differ. They attack each others' points to help either strengthen their own points or to force the other person to reinforce the point using additional data, facts, or evidence.

An argument tends to be most destructive. People attacking the other PERSON trying to destroy their credibility or distract from the issue by devolving into insults or the like.

Because ad hominem attacks are bad

Considering that the Gameplay boards exist almost exclusively to argue about the balance of the game, this confused me too

That thread was full of downvotes against everyone who said the title is misleading and Zed didn't hit aa or e , he only hit double q that hit a minion first many angry replies followed that , I guess thats the reason

Remove mod status...