[oclug] How does that saying go?

[Brad Barnett]

On Thu, 17 Jun 2004 02:23:22 -0400 (EDT)
Robert Brockway <robert at timetraveller.org> wrote:

> On Thu, 17 Jun 2004, Michael Bazdell wrote:
> 
> > Why do people have the urge to argue on this list so often with one
> 
> It's not just this list.  It's just about every list, and Usenet.  I've
> known many people who are really nice in real life but argumentative
> online.  I think there are various reasons for this - increased boldness
> from behind the monitor, or a lack of social skills in the medium, or
> one of a number of other reasons.
> 

Or perhaps a comfort level with the medium?  Personally, I treat all
mediums the same.  I am the same with people on the phone, with people in
person, with people in email.  I hope everyone else is the same.  I do not
change my methods of discussion, simply (as you imply below) because it is
recorded for future masses.  This would be hypocritical.  

> I say sit back, relax and accept that other people have different
> opinions.  You know what, they might actually be right too :)
> 

Quite true.. except that you should not sit back.  You should become
involved in the discussion.  You should have your ideas heard.

> Here are a couple of things I find sobering about mailing lists and
> potential arguments:
> 
> 1) You really do not know who is watching.  Possible future employers or
> clients perhaps.
> 
> 2) Thanks to the wonderful world of archiving anything you say here will
> be around in the time of your great great grand children.  I wonder what
> they will think of us.  Some people said this didn't matter to them last
> time I mentioned it on a list (this one I think).  That is ok - see my
> earlier comments on accepting the opinions of others.
> 
> > another? Who really cares what one person says to the other. It's the
> 
> Apparently a lot of people do, but I think they should not.
> 
> > Really. Who cares? I maybe one of the youngest on the list, but
> > sometimes, there are people who act three times younger than I am.
> > Let's grow up, stop bickering at each other, and ejoy the list.
> 
> You're sounding pretty mature to me.
> 
> Thanks for improving the signal-to-noise ratio :)
> 
> Shalom.
> 
> Rob
> 
> -- 
> Robert Brockway B.Sc. email: robert at timetraveller.org,
> rbrockway at uqconnect.net Linux counter project ID #16440
> (http://counter.li.org)"The earth is but one country and mankind its
> citizens" -Baha'u'llah-- 
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