There is a vast difference between interrogation, intimidation and discussion/debate. I think somewhere along the line some of the people here have forgotten that difference.
Basically, any conclusions drawn here amount to very little.
QUOTE
interrogation
5 dictionary results for: interrogation
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
in·ter·ro·ga·tion [in-ter-uh-gey-shuhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. the act of interrogating; questioning.
2. an instance of being interrogated: He seemed shaken after his interrogation.
3. a question; inquiry.
4. a written list of questions.
5. an interrogation point; question mark.
[Origin: 1350–1400; ME interrogacio(u)n < L interrogātiōn- (s. of interrogātiō). See interrogate, -ion]
—Related forms
in·ter·ro·ga·tion·al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
in·ter·ro·gate (ĭn-těr'ə-gāt') Pronunciation Key
tr.v. in·ter·ro·gat·ed, in·ter·ro·gat·ing, in·ter·ro·gates
To examine by questioning formally or officially. See Synonyms at ask.
Computer Science To transmit a signal for setting off an appropriate response.
[Middle English enterrogate, from Latin interrogāre, interrogāt- : inter-, in the presence of; see inter- + rogāre, to ask; see reg- in Indo-European roots.]
in·ter'ro·ga'tion n., in·ter'ro·ga'tion·al adj., in·ter'ro·ga'tor n.
(Download Now or Buy the Book)
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
interrogation
c.1386, "a questioning," from O.Fr. interrogation (13c.), from L. interrogationem (nom. interrogatio) "a question, questioning," from interrogatus, pp. of interrogare, from inter- "between" + rogare "ask, to question" (see rogation). Interrogate is a 1483 back-formation.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
interrogation
noun
1. a sentence of inquiry that asks for a reply; "he asked a direct question"; "he had trouble phrasing his interrogations" [syn: question]
2. a transmission that will trigger an answering transmission from a transponder
3. formal systematic questioning
4. an instance of questioning; "there was a question about my training"; "we made inquiries of all those who were present" [syn: question] [ant: answer]
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Interrogation
In*ter`ro*ga"tion\, n. [L. interrogatio: cf. F. interrogation.]
1. The act of interrogating or questioning; examination by questions; inquiry.
2. A question put; an inquiry.
3. A point, mark, or sign, thus [?], indicating that the sentence with which it is connected is a question. It is used to express doubt, or to mark a query. Called also interrogation point.
Note: In works printed in the Spanish language this mark is not only placed at the end of an interrogative sentence, but is also placed, inverted [as thus ([iques])], at the beginning.
Based on these dictionary's definitions, I personally see no problem with the concept of "interrogation". What issue do you have with this word?
As for intimidation, how do words on a web forum compare to someone physically intimidating you? I'm not claiming one cannot be intimidated by words alone, but there is virtually no restrictive threat of physical violence based on what you say on a web forum. I believe that to claim otherwise is being overdramatic.
Now, as for what "people here have forgotten", I believe common courtesy goes a long way to help facilitate a meaningful discussion. Politeness and respect. Some people, in my opinion, have never been much for displaying "common courtesy". But thats ok, too.
Any conclusions I draw here amount to whatever value I place on them. We have the freedom to make our own decisions about who's opinions and beliefs to respect, or not respect. And we have the freedom to express our own opinions, no matter how unpopular.