On 4/4/00, [log in to unmask] writes:
<< I felt that although we didn't know each other, we were all thinking and
striving for a common goal: treating physiotherapy/physical therapy as it
should be, as a science whereas patients should be able to rely on evidence
based healthcare to become better. Since a few months however, I feel that -
although the input is still very interesting and valuable in a content area -
we are kind of sitting in front of our computer ready to argue rather than
reflect and discuss. . . . .
Nevertheless, I think that restoring the good understanding, reflection and
discussion on this list would be a meaningful activity; it would be a pitty
that it should turn out otherwise. >>
***It seems as if a lot of this came to a head when I commented on the
Pilates claim that this system creates a special type of elongated muscle.
Instead of the content being evaluated and academic discourse ensuing, a few
members, some on the basis of past prejudices, saw fit to personalise the
whole affair.
Interestingly, every contributor who chose to divert the analysis of the
message to analysis of me admitted that they know nothing about Pilates, so
the question arises as to why they even entered the discussion other than to
be contentious.
I fully support the sentiments of this letter and urge that, even if someone
posts a statement that clashes with your beliefs or even if the author is not
your favourite person, then dissect, attack and rebut the content of the
message, but not the messenger. This is what professional discourse is all
about. This means pointing out any strengths and weaknesses of the message
under consideration and supplying an alternative proposition, together with
any supporting references.
This also means that character assassination attempts do not engender
colleagueship or cooperation, so let us always sit back and think before ever
leaping into that territory. Ask yourself if that is the way you would stand
up at a learned conference to comment on what a speaker has just said. After
all, that is exactly what one is doing on Internet discussion groups, namely
standing up before an audience at an ongoing cyberspace conference or
seminar.
Dale Carnegie said it all with the title of his best-known book, "How to Win
Friends and Influence People". Do those who indulge in personal diatribes
really think that this wins friends and influences the ideas of anyone?
Mel Siff
Dr Mel C Siff
Denver, USA
[log in to unmask]
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