The problem with online debates — and how we're fixing it

The internet has plenty of arguments. How many ever get settled?

Think about the last time you argued with someone online.

You made your case. They made theirs. Other people joined in. The replies kept coming, and neither side gave an inch.

Then the thread went quiet.

Nobody won. Nobody lost. The argument just stopped.

That's how most online debates end. People argue for hours, sometimes days, without ever reaching a result.

We wanted to change that.

Give an argument a proper ending

On Hoozright, you can start a debate about anything you think is worth arguing over.

Every debate has two sides. No middle ground.

You make your case and give people a reason to agree with you. Someone else takes the opposing side. Other users read both arguments and vote for the side they think is right.

When voting closes, the side with more votes wins, provided the debate has received at least 10 votes.

The verdict is final.

There is no referee deciding which argument deserves to win. There is no external fact-check deciding who was correct. The voters settle the debate.

And the result goes on your record.

Take a side before you speak

There's another rule that matters.

You can't comment on a debate until you've voted.

Read both arguments. Decide where you stand. Cast your vote.

Once you've voted, you can see which side is ahead and join the comments. But you can't change your vote.

You have to choose a side before you argue about it.

Your results earn you points

Hoozright rewards you for taking part, with the biggest rewards going to people who argue and win debates.

Win a debate you started and you earn 100 points. Win as the opponent and you earn 70.

You can also earn points by voting for the winning side, or when someone likes a comment you've written.

Those results contribute to your record on Hoozright.

Your Reputation Score records results. It doesn't prove you're smarter than anyone else, or that every winning argument was factually correct.

You can win a debate and still be wrong about the facts. You can lose one and still believe every word you argued.

What matters is that the debate has a result, decided by votes.

Your record follows you

Everyone starts with Jury status.

The 10 highest-ranked members hold Judge status. The ranking updates every 24 hours, so your position can change.

Judge status is earned through your results on Hoozright. It doesn't give you the authority to decide which side wins.

The voters do that.

A closed debate stays visible for one week before it's removed. Your score stays with you.

You've had this argument before. Finish it.

Think of the disagreements you've had with friends, colleagues or strangers online.

The ones where both sides were convinced they were right. The ones that ended with somebody saying, "We'll have to agree to disagree."

You can bring those arguments to Hoozright.

Start a debate. Make your case. Let people vote.

Find out who wins.