Time and time again I encounter threads where its just like three or four users who enter into this never ending debate, spanning upwards of a dozen pages in certain instances. Let it be known that I whole-heartedly believe that online debate is the most useless activity you can possibly engage in. (Yes even more than watching paint dry because in that situation at least you are becoming frustrated trying to win an unwinnable war.)

My rule of thumb has always been to give online discourse conversation a couple of messages, and if it is clear that neither side is going to budge, then explicitly state in your follow up reply: "I'm going to drop this convo here. It doesn't look like either of us are going to budge on this... agree to disagree. If you've got anything else to add, feel free to share and I'll definitely read."

I think that, when you debate, you practice argumentation and writing skills, and, in my case, all of this in English, which is not my native language.

Firebush says we need to stop though

I understand his point. I just don't agree

So youre not going to follow his rule of thumb then?

hm, I don't think he was asking, demanding or saying that we should follow his rule

Oh no you're taking the bait and it wasn't even for you ... 

As for the topic in general I miss the heated debate of the site of old.  Back in the mid teens it was quite lively and entertaining. Now even the most heated debate is pretty Vanilla.