Yes, i agree Spy. I tried to delete my comment, after cooling off a bit, but i was already quoted!! I think it actually happened at the exact same time. Sorry for my bitchin'
But, it still makes for a very frustrating read. (The constant bickering back n forth) and while still in the "gathering info stage" I don't really have any specific questions just yet.
I completely understand, and actually share your frustration despite being one of the people involved in that argument that is frustrating. Still, when you saw someone posting things misleading and potentially dangerous to new investors, it's hard not to say anything (though recently I haven't, just to avoid the same argument and have felt quite bad).
But I don't think it's accurate to say that the way someone phrases a question causes the argument.
Unfortunately it is accurate, and if you understood the two investing philosophies at play, you might be able to see why.
Let's see if this example helps it make more sense.
Imagine someone going on a politics forum and asking "how should I vote?" That will lead to people on opposite sides rehashing the same argument (their viewpoint versus the other side's - say, Republican posts, then Democrat posts, they argue, etc.).
If instead the OP in that scenario went on and said "I support A, B, and C. Avoiding taxes is important to me, but I also understand the need for a social safety net. I live in County XYZ. Which of these (links to websites) people should I vote for for my state senate?" - That will garner a lot more helpful responses, I guarantee you.
Now your point that new people don't know what they don't know is a fair one, but that's also the case in our hypothetical, and I would absolutely say someone going to a politics forum and asking "How should I vote?" will stir up an argument every time.
Similarly a "where should I invest" will do the same on a real estate investment forum.
Until members agree to avoid that argument (unlikely based on the type of people typically involved in it) or enough complaints occur such that members get banned (unlikely based on our community's stance about open discourse) it will continue to be a problem.
Really unfortunate, I realize.
My solution is community-driven: it's up to the users to help out and support the forum they'd like to see and be a part of. For example:
So many times there is an interesting question and by the 2nd or 3rd response it is already completely off topic and hostile. It looks like as soon as a certain person comments everyone piles on. There must be some history there that I missed so I'm not sure why the more seasoned folks here bother to engage in those arguments.
If it's a particular person causing an issue, report them. If an issue gets off topic with that discussion, quote the part of the OP that you think is interesting, and get it back on track. Those are the two ways I can think of that a member can help fix this problem. But when everyone ignores the person being an issue, or closes the thread that got off topic, rather than trying to steer it back, the problem remains.
If you have a solution, I'd love to hear it.