A recent post led to a somewhat predictable exchange with someone. In the comments section, I am told that one of my statements is impolite. A couple of months ago I had a stoush with someone else on an email list that then went off-list. I had publicly attacked the mode of arguing that person had used. In an off-list exchange, I was told I was being impolite and unprofessional. Maybe I am.
I'm always a bit dubious when the "politeness" card is played. If I have called you "stupid" then I agree, that is impolite. If I have called what you say "stupid" (and also justified why I think that) then the case for "impoliteness" is much weaker. It often seems to be a distracting tactic. I reserve the right to criticise statements and behaviour. I also accept that my words and actions will get called these things in return. And yes, those who seem generally "nice" will get treated more gently than those who seem to relish verbal battle.
What do you think the rules of etiquette are?
[UPDATE: Well that doesn't seem to have ended well]
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2 comments:
Rules? Etiquette? Dave Snowden? Matt Moore?
???
Well this was sparked by the tangle in the post below but this post isn't really about Dave Snowden. It's more a reflection on the limits of debate. I feel a string of posts on this topic coming on.
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