These are the same words. If you are applying differences to them, they are not inherent within their definitions.

They are in my lexicon, but I appreciate perhaps not all (or yours)! Argument and debate are pageantry and for entertainment and manipulation (convincing). I just discuss, and never want to manipulate (convince).

Never assume such a thing about me. I am a seeker of Truth. I have no beliefs (as they are defined in the vernacular).

My humble and sincere apologies. A fellow earnest student (interested in evaluating other viewpoints, including ones verboten in modern academia) like yourself is an extreme rarity! We are in accord, once again.

That we teach there is no aether, and then go around calling it "spacetime" or "quantum foam" or "higgs field" etc. is the greatest fraud. I knew that long before I was awakened to the larger fraud.

I feel we are already friends. I love physics too. It's not for everybody. I had a very similar experience/path.

Nevertheless, these "deflections" as you call it don't account for how they are exactly what one would expect based on latitude

Or perhaps they do!

You can create a sphere, spin it, put a device on it to measure that effect, and come up with the same results you get on Earth, at specific latitudes.

I recognize that, and with the "gravitational force" in/during that demonstration, that ought not be the case (not exactly anyhow - but perhaps close enough for government work).

I suggest bias is not a bad thing at all, in fact it is both inevitable (we have our own perspectives) and an essential part of the debate process (rational discussion, whatever you want to call it).

I agree with the spirit, and that bias is inevitable (we are subjective creatures) but otherwise you could not be more wrong. Bias/belief is what hinders science/knowledge, and is our enemy. Whenever identified it must be excised if we are to make any progress and/or have the slim chance at objective study. It does have limited use in generating hypothesis, but the vast majority of hypothesis derived from belief will be wildly wrong and a waste of time. Reality doesn't care what we believe, and humans are deluded subjective/religious/superstitious/mythologically inclined creatures.

Nevertheless, I appreciate this statement, and I am sufficiently enticed to see what you have to say.

Splendid!

I really think you don't understand what this word means. Perhaps you are basing your definition on some past bad experiences?

I quote popeye, "I means what I says and I says what I means." Debate is a game and a pageant for fools. It has rules, and judges, and points. You appear to be using a colloquial definition of the word - a synonym for argument, which is likewise a pastime exclusively for fools. Rational discourse, very much including vehement dissent and disagreement, is never to devolve into base argument or debate - because it is a waste of time. Winning an argument or debate has never determined anything about manifest objective reality, and never could. It is merely a game for fools.

You say "reasoned discussion", I say "debate", or "present an argument" I'm fairly certain we mean the same thing.

As am I. Though I hope you can appreciate how rare this is, and regrettably uncommon your views.

I looked at all your posts in this thread. I can find no link to what "community" you have created for your discussion.

I don't like to spam the link. Some mods don't take too kindly to that, and I don't blame them!

If you click on a username the communities they moderate should show up on the top (one below the post/comment count box) of the right menu/panel under "Moderator for...". Please let me know if you don't see such a thing!

I am willing to take a look, if I know where to look.

Most excellent! Here is the link : https://communities.win/c/flatearthresearch

I very much look forward to our discussions/exchanges. It has been a sincere pleasure to meet you!