Ever since university course back in 2007 I've decided I'm done with debate. Just stating an opinion, if you like it that's cool. If not, oh well... sucks to be you 
IRL there's no point of having a debate if it's not just for show (politicians ftw), much less on internet where debate is just a waste of time. On internet it's like this for me: read something, don't like it, leave your opinion (while being polite enough to the other side) and run. Some may call it trolling, I personally don't care.
Debates are better had on the internet than in person. On the internet everyone can provide sources and those sources can be immediately verified. Relevant information can be sought when necessary, terms googled, new things learned on the fly. And perhaps most importantly, both sides can take their time to formulate their argument properly and with thought, and then read the opposition's argument with equal care. Previous posts can be quoted or pointed at, and so on. The advantages of the internet in debating are many, yet many people are quick to dismiss it because it's seen as "low status." A cached thought, barely given any individual consideration, or its absurdity would quickly be revealed. My own personal favorite is the "special olympics" image which is thrown around with wild abandon by people who are about to lose an argument.
There is also the fact that one need not fear violence or other retaliation online, making it best to debate contentious issues online. Or any issue at all, for that matter: politics is the mind-killer, and arguments quickly turn heated.
If an university debate course left you scarred and traumatized, that's one thing, but attempting to justify your own personal dislike for being proven wrong by trying to make debating itself appear low status won't fly, especially with such tenuous arguments. And by tenuous arguments I mean nonexistent arguments; a tautology proves nothing.
