What is Extended Discussion?


Extended Discussion is a forum intended for involved discussion and debate between all Gaians.

What makes a thread appropriate for ED is not subject matter alone, but the level of discussion and debate the thread topic generates.

How 'serious' a subject is (war, abortion, politics) does not affect a thread's status in ED. If the subject is very broad, for example, "what do you think about abortion?" or if the discussion and debate that arise from the thread are not involved, such as one line posts or posts that do not contribute to the discussion (unsupported opinions, etc.) the thread is not suitable for extended discussion.

ED should be a place for users to have informed, engrossing discussions on topics that interest them and to read about and learn about issues that they are not as familiar with from users who are more familiar. It is not a place to dump opinions and leave, to not support those opinions, or to make short, contentless posts.

In short, ED is for users who would like a higher quality of discussion than available in other Gaia forums without a limitation on subject matter or a requirement that the subject needs to be weighty or intellectual (although such subjects are by no means discouraged).