To all -
There are two reasons that I often refrain from adding my comments to
one debate or another. The first reason is simple - I knw that my
view will be met with bad jokes or sarcasm, or in some cases off-list
abuse. Maybe abuse is too strong a word but definitely some people
asking me who the hell I think I am 'young so and so' putting such a
view down. Or may be off-list sarcastic jokes made of my view - none
made recently. Don't get me wrong, I have a sense of humour, but I
can't help but laugh and worry at the same time when I see quite
intelligent, articulate people making bad, sarcastic hurtful jokes at
serious issues when they are capable of giving a more intelligent
response. There is humour and there is sarcasm, there is no call for
the latter,I have found it to be a debating skill employed when the
person can think of no intelligent reply.
My second reason is that in some cases I am scared to give my view. An
fictious example of what I mean would be this. Say I actually liked
Peter Singers philosophy (i don't but I don't want to use my real view
that I would never speak of here), and during our debates on him
supported it, saying that I liked Utilitarianism et cetera. With a
view like that I would of course expect argument, but not to the extent
that I am abused. People are passionate about issues as am I but I
would never attack someone off-list as I have been (a cowardly act) for
their views. This list often talks about free speech in connection
with dis studies. Would that be free speech when the ideas spoken of
agrees with yours? Unfortunately off-list is sometimes the only place
frank discussion can take place.
Michael
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|