The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #15604   Message #141017
Posted By: lamarca
26-Nov-99 - 03:08 PM
Thread Name: From Pills to Purge Melancholy
Subject: RE: From Pills to Purge Melancholy
I, too, am troubled by the name-calling - for another current example you need only read some of the responses to Watching grass grow. The initial thread poster was deliberately trolling for flames, got a few reasonable responses, and an assortment of rude remarks.

Why do we feel so defensive, or feel the need to publicly call someone an "asshole" for criticizing one side or the other? I enjoy babbling with friends on some threads, and trying to be Ms. Music Reference Librarian on others. I guess I would add my plea to frame our disagreements over substance, not personalities. Try also to read hasty responses through the lens of this quote:

"Never attribute to malice what can be adequately explained by stupidity..."

If someone posts "I don't like BS threads because...and lists their reasons, is it a reasonable response to post back "Yeah, and your sister swims out to meet troop ships!"? Count to 10 (or 30...or even 100) before firing back your response to someone who has struck a nerve. Now behave, or I'm going to send you all out for a "Time Out" in the corner!

P.S. Good to see you back, Joe!