Re: abandoning the rules of discourse
Hi,
I think that this topic has reached the end of it's utility
(much as I like the discourse). I think we are beginning to repeat
ourselves. In concluding my participation on this thread, I have this
to add:
a) The list is not a place where the first amendment to the US
constitution holds sway; as there are other means of offering one
opinion (the dissent list?). You do not, for example, have a right
to be rointed on the front page of the New York times (or of any
other newspaper), this is not seen as violating your first
amendment rights.
b) This is a group of people who have gotten together to put up the
best free Linux distribution. This is a co-operative
effort. Disruptive behavior prevents (or at least militates
against) the primary purpose of this activity. The group has a
right to insist on a modicum of civility.
c) I refuse to admit that intelligent discourse is impossible without
resorting to ad hominem attacks or crude language. The ill will it
causes is also (in my opinion) detrimental to the espirit de corps
of the project in general.
d) I also think that people *are* hurt by rudeness, and worse, the
whle project suffers even more from the resultant ill will. We are
heer not because this is our job, we are here because we like
doing so. Abuse generally is not considered to be fun. There is a
threshold, and abuse me more than that, and participation shall no
longer be fun. Some one remarked that Debian lost when Lars left,
and yet are unwilling to do anything to prevent others from
leaving because they have been insulted in this forum. How many
have we lost, turned off by all the rottenness that seems to
permeate the lists of late?
d) If the rules of discourse mean that some freedom is lost, then
chalk that up to requisite discipline. No work of any worth can be
accomplished without discipline, *any* discipline is a loss of
freedom; albeit 'tis often voluntary.
Such limitations on the debian are not likely to destroy the
freedom of speech of the free world. I would accept any loss of
freedom I felt to be amply rewarded by the resulting peace and
amicability ;-). If people want to practice free speech, they can
write to the washington post ;-).
manoj
--
Wild swans take the path of the sun. Men with powers travel through
space, but the wise step right out of the world, by conquering Mara
and his host. 175
Manoj Srivastava <srivasta@acm.org> <http://www.datasync.com/%7Esrivasta/>
Key C7261095 fingerprint = CB D9 F4 12 68 07 E4 05 CC 2D 27 12 1D F5 E8 6E
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