The Falx

[Magnus]

Ah, you misunderstand, Magnus....I am well aware that no-one who argues a point is generally prepared to shift.
The purpose of the 'posts' and 'debate' is not to try and convince the other guy ( immovable, as you say ), but rather to set out different points of view so that the audience can read and make up their own minds..........

No....actually I don't misunderstand. What I said was entirely accurate. I've seen plenty people shift their view points. At least ones with open minds. What you're describing is a documentary, where there is no involvement from the audience. This is rather different. Were you or the other participants only presenting facts or passages from ancient texts, then I'd agree with you. However, the facts you and others present are coupled with your opinons and also your personal conclusions. So in essence, you are also debating those points of view as you say...in which case the audience is getting more than just the facts.

Which brings me back to my point...points of view can prove to be stubborn. Which will turn any thread into a quagmire of circular information which is no longer in a useful format.