Still working my way through the tsunami. :)
John D. Giorgis wrote:
> Someone wrote an interpretation of _Startide Rising_ that he disagreed
> with. Mostly, the difference in opinion was a major misunderstanding, but
> emotions got out of hand, and he left. He may have been considering
> taking a break before then, but that post on interpreting _SR_ was most
> certainly the impetus.
Huh, so that was it. I never understood why he left.
> The essence of discussion is disagreement. Without disagreement, there is
> almost no discussion.
Yep.
> ... As it is, I count among my best friends those who have the strongest
> disagreements with me, and who continually challenge my mind with new ideas
> and perspectives.
>
> In my humble opinion, the greatest danger to human civilization is to
> become too insular and too isolated. I think we all would like, at some
> internal level, to be surrounded by people who think and act like we do.
> Yet, as long as other ideas persist around us, those ideas need to be
> engaged. If we are convinced that our positions represent our best
> conclusions as to "the truth", then we should *want* to share that truth
> with our friends and fellow list-members. Likewise, if we are convinced
> that our positions represent "the truth", then we should have nothing to
> fear from testing them in the fire of critical examination, debate, and
> discussion.
Very well said, John!
I'm not sure I agree with you about wanting to share the truth, but I
whole-heartedly agree with that last statement. Good ideas aren't hurt by
testing, they're only improved.
A most excellent post.
Kevin Street
