MJ Ray <[email protected]> writes: > Manoj Srivastava <[email protected]> wrote: > > Calling a daft idea silly is being rude now? > > Not necessarily (it depends how one phrases it), but being rude is one > way of being "not overly genteel" (as the earlier message advocated). > I feel one shouldn't discourage politeness here.
Agreed, politeness toward people is IMO too infrequent on our lists and is to be actively encouraged. However, I don't think it's necessarily impolite to attack an idea; even to attack it harshly or ridicule it. Care must be taken, by all parties in these conversations, including those who receive the messages, not to inject personal attacks where unwarranted. Strive to craft messages without personal attacks, and to interpret them that way. If what remains is an attack upon an *idea*, so be it; ideas don't have feelings and are not automatically deserving of respect or politeness. “This is a silly idea” attacks no-one and is impolite to no-one. Let those who support the idea come to its defense as they choose; if an idea has no able defenders, let it fall under the attack to clear the way for better ideas. -- \ “All my life I've had one dream: to achieve my many goals.” | `\ —Homer, _The Simpsons_ | _o__) | Ben Finney -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [email protected] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [email protected]
