As you plan a trip to Las Vegas, you will often, in jest, be reminded that what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. As if you are handed a free get-out-of-jail card. But if you plan to publish something online it serves as a warning, that what goes online, stays online – forever!

It is understandable that this is used to put fear in some people, because what some manage rationalise to put online is often boggles my mind.

However it is also perfect if you conduct a debate. The transcript is there for everyone to see and scrutinise. It also emphasises the need to not having to repeat yourself.

Of course, to be expected to repeat yourself during a discussion, especially if you have the transcript in front of you is absolutely ridiculous. In any proper debate you shall only have to say a claim once.

Usually when you are asked to repeat yourself, over and over again, warning bells should go off very loudly. If a person is unhappy with your response, what is the chance their opinion change if you repeat yourself? Not much.

If someone makes a statement you disagree with and you can’t retort it. Just walk away. Because replying that they are wrong is not a proper retort, as that is obvious, but what is not obvious is why you think that statement is wrong. Nor is it a valid argument.

Which is why if someone asks me, especially online, to repeat myself, I will ask them to check their own log, as I should not have to repeat myself. Nor am I interested in people who demand me to answer questions, while themselves clumsily avoids answering my questions.

I will keep pushing till you give in or start adhering to proper debating rules. Which is why someone decided to block me on Twitter today.

I don’t repeat myself in a debate, nor do I expect you to either. But I do expect you to provide factual evidence and avoid logical fallacies.