[oclug] Concerned Amusement

[The Linux Doctor]

On Thu, 05 Apr 2007 10:05:01 -0400
William Case <billlinux at rogers.com> wrote:

> Thanks Francis;
> 
> Your reasoning is a little screwy and your use of the term 'politically
> correct' could be fine tuned.  I suggest you look up the meaning of the
> expression before throwing it around.  Similarly Goodwin's Law has
> already been adequately defined elsewhere -- with tongue in cheek and
> all.
> 

Well, the term itself is somewhat relative depending on whose
definition you choose to use. That is why I spell it 'political'
correctness to place the emphasis on the rather fluid and political
nature of the thing rather than how it is normally pronounced with
emphasis on 'correctness' which it certainly is not. For my part, when
I am accused of being 'politically' incorrect my usual response is,
"then you have the wrong politics."

In any case, 'political' correctness is the (mis-)use of language to
manipulate personal behaviours and cultural norms to conform to a
particular political viewpoint. Having been developed by German
Communists during the 1920's as a methodology of changing opinions
towards communism in general and their Muskovite masters it was adopted
and used to great effect by Germans of a whole different sort where they
called it 'gleichshaltung.' The tame dictionary definition belies its
sinister nature as does the changing definition of 'political'
correctness disguises its true nature.

> I thank you for starting a new thread for this topic.  First, I do
> really follow most of the threads on the OCLUG mailing list about Linux
> problems and find it really annoying when some one jumps in the middle
> and takes a subject a way off topic.
> 

I follow the threads as well, but rarely jump in any more except when
I'm needed. I, of course, define when I am needed.

> On the other hand.  I am not opposed to a free wheeling open discussion,
> I find them entertaining, even amusing.  I go through them when I am not
> busy working on something else.  Late at night for example.  I even
> engage in them from time to time.  Some of them have been topics of
> interest, like the proper use of English, that are OT as far as Linux is
> concerned but interesting none-the-less.
> 

My view of this list has always been one of community rather than a
special interest. As in any community there are a wide variety of
people with different interests not all necessarily related to Linux
alone. Linux is the common interest that binds us together not the sole
purpose of the community. However, many people prefer not to be
bothered with being a community and have only one-track minds.
Real thinking about things is a hard proposition for humans in general;
perusing a special interest is an easier task to accomplish because it
doesn't really require thinking of any sophisticated sort, just
training. Offer them alternative modes of thought they get flustered
and complain that this is 'supposed' to be a linux list.

Ah, well.

> All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.  There is something
> rewarding about sitting back after a dose of heavy concentration on
> Linux or a computer problem and engaging in a little banter.  So I don't
> want to filter them out.
> 

My thoughts exactly.

> As far as Cyber Bullying is concerned.  I personally object to bullies
> of all kind everywhere.  The easiest way to stop a bully is to give them
> a little of there own back.  If they are arrogant bullies, it is
> particularly easy.
> 

Indeed, but I think that Bruce pulled the 'political' correctness game
by using it as a label to isolate and neutralise his opponent. That is
a form of cyber-bullying as well. I don't particular fear bullies and
concern over them is inflated and disproportionate to their harm.
Measures against bullies and bullying only makes them go underground
where they will fester and become a real danger. I see it similarly
with so-called Hate Speech. Bullies and those who 'hate' have to be
confronted in order to be neutralised not legislated and criminalised.
That isn't dealing with the problem. That only gives advantage to the
opposite point of view (like 'political' correctness) which oftentimes 
is a worse evil.

>>>--fja->

-- 

genius, n.:
            Creatures of divine origin superficially resembling
            "homo sapiens" that comprise the sole intelligence
            on planet earth. (2004)
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