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Nick wrote:<br>
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<p class="MsoNormal">We may disagree. I think that some spaces
should be safe for some purposes. The question to be
discussed, on a case by case basis, is, Are the functions of a
space improved or diminished by making it “safe” in some
specific way. But there’s another point, here. Assuming one
is trying to convince others, not just mouthing off, when does
aggressive rhetoric assist in changing minds. And if one is
NOT trying to change minds, why exactly are we talking?
That’s NOT a rhetorical question.</p>
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<p>Glen has suggested variously that he doesn't believe in
communication, and that in humans "dialog is a form of social
grooming" (I stand prepared to be corrected for
mis-apprehending/stating Glen's positions).</p>
<p>I'm inclined to agree with him somewhat, though I DO believe some
of our chatter is at least an *attempt to communicate*. So is
that *all* we are doing when we blather away here? Or perhaps
just Bombastic Careening (nod to Jon)? Mental Masturbation?
Dominance Aggression? Random Neuromuscular Spasms?<br>
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<p>Marcus has stated (or implied) something closer to anarchism as a
philosophy/politic (again, I'm prepared to be corrected). I also
value that perspective... like out free-marketing the
free-marketers, or out darwining the Darwinians. I believe we
are *very* selective as to which rules to put in place and
enforce, and it is that selectivity that leads to many of our
problems. I have at least one friend who has a very
paradoxical/hypocritical? style of wanting to "pass laws against
passing stupid laws" and "punish extremely, those who wield
extreme authority". We are in agreement on a LOT but there is a
"cusp in his manifold" on this one (nod to Frank... I know there
are no cusps in manifolds...).</p>
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<p>Blather,</p>
<p> - Steve<br>
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