[List Admin] Re: [sumo] Sumo topics

[Joe Klemmer]

On Thu, 2007-09-27 at 19:15 -0700, Barbara wrote:

> My other complaint about this mailing list is how some subscribers 
> freely indulge in PERSONAL attacks instead of continuing a thread.  I 
> won't be baited.

	I would like to put forward to the list some information specifically
on point with this statement by Barbara.  (Damn, I watch to many "Law
and Order" reruns)

	Anyway, there have been numerous studies done that track the kind of
behavior people exhibit in lists and email.  The vast majority of people
who have hair triggers and are prone to flamage would never act so in
the "real world" conversations.  The relative anonymity of email/lists
acts as a suppressor of the cognitive functions normally performed by
the frontal lobe of the brain.  This is where things like judgment,
morality, logic and such reside.  (Side note: this part of the brain is
the least active during puberty and just after.  It explains much of why
teens act so much like, well, teenagers)

	This is why I have always tried to use the comparison of "talking to
your sainted mother" while discussing potentially inflammatory issues.
It's even in the FAQ for the list.

	One way of avoiding devolving into a personal flame fest that worked
for me was that I'd replay with my best personal insulting flame then
delete it before sending it.  This let me release the hellfire and
respond with a much more rational reply.

	And if that doesn't help, try remembering this little ditty...  "Which
is worse, the fool or the one who argues with him?"

Bottom line: 
If you feel that someone has personally insulted you or taken a position
on an issue you feel very passionate about that is diametrically opposed
to yours, take a step back and a deep breath.  Remember, it's only words
on the screen.  If you don't like them, just hit the D key (or click
"delete", whichever is more appropriate).  Nothing anyone says on this
list is really going to have any effect on anyone in the "real world"
out there.

-- 
Boring Home Page - http://www.webtrek.com/joe
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