THere was a time long ago when the dominant tone of the Cat was one of enevolent inclusion, fueled by the love of folk music but also protecting open dialogue both serious and whimsical on a world of other topics. When things got tense between opposing viewpoints it was routine for someone to inject a healthy dose of levity. The big difference was, that while people batted all kinds of ideas back and forth, they rarely resorted to the kind of ad hominem sarcasms which are prevalent in threads below the line today.

As Bill Day points out, it is a very different thing to dispute someone's logic or data, than it is to assault there personal character or inherent nature. Some of the more vitriolic posters here are so accustomed to insulting and being insulted that they probably think it is normal discussion.

It's not. It is essentially a form of prepubescent banter, resorting to the most primitive and unthinking of styles in order to defend some bizarre and distorted sense of personal rightness which has long since lost any real merit or need for defense.

I would challenge the respondents who frequent these hallowed halls to try an experiment--to post regularly on the Cat for a month without a single instance of insult or ad hominem slurs. It would be a most enlightening experiment if any of the usual suspects had the curiosity and spine to conduct it.

I am not aiming these remarks at any individuals, but at a practice of communication which has sadly darkened the atmosphere of a once-homey and friendly discussion site.

A.