I don't have the right to mediate...but I feel that you both presents valid points worthy for us to respect.
tphuang's points are sincere and honest and valid with what you point out. I think it's something really deserve respect and attention to. It is indeed true that this is not a debate club, and tphuang you did provide a neutral look to this whole J-20 and I liked that a lot. We all have anticipations and excitements for what might come out, but we should also remind ourselves that we're at most netizens ourselves, and there's no obligations for us to get the rights to know anything. Our frontline journalists are also at the fences waiting at their own expenses in proportions to their daily lives, so we can only be grateful when new stuffs show up; when there isn't, there's got to be a reason why.
Also as regards to Engineer's habit, while I suppose it can be frustrating to some, I also do see the merits somewhere of his habits as him pointing things out can be a good thing for us to learn from too. Of course that's as long as we don't take it personally, although again it's easy to rub people the wrong way. Also, I do feel Engineer pointing out flaws in others' argument, imo, had become quite an iconic thing of Engineer, and even I'd say, as a small part of the culture of our forum. An unique particular feature I'd say. People can come into this forum and expect to be challenged, in a way that can be frustrating, but in fact, informative too. I'd personally like to hear the flaws of my words so I can learn more. But of course again not everyone feels the same way, and thus tphuang you've voiced a legitimate concern and it's perhaps great if perhaps the structural-criticism part this can be toned down a bit.
As for Engineer, I always respected your intellectualism and knowledge of the issues. Your strengths to detect mechanics of others' logic in their arguments are also worthy of mention, and believe it or not, I was inspired enough to start looking more in depths of such things, hoping one day if I come to face you I will be more prepared lol(kidding, but if we do get into debates, I know it's substantive and worthy as I'll be walking away learning a lot). I eventually took a critical thinking course to learn about fallacies. In other words, your contributions are irreplaceable to this forum. In fact, a careful and open-minded forum member can learn a lot from how you pointed things out too. Despite so, tphuang presents a valid point that while I think you pointing things out are invaluable, it can be seen as unfriendly and arrogant gestures to some people unfortunately, or frustrates them. I feel you have the right to express yourself, but the same time I guess reducing the frequencies to only the particular thematic flaws of a person's argument, rather than nitpick every mechanics, can be more effective and helpful. I do feel people can learn from it, and you have the right to express yourself..but of course the same time we're talking about avoiding causing unnecessary conflicts and continuing to facilitate a meaningful discussion where everyone feels comfortable to continuing to share, is perhaps the most important.
Anyways that's just my 2 cents, but once again I'm no one to say what anyone should do. You both are much more respectable fellows than I am, so I'm just really just sharing my thoughts and my appreciations of the opinions you both have.
Thanks
