On Fri, Apr 1, 2022 at 9:02 AM Seth Rosen <[email protected]> wrote:
> Katy, I agree the moderators make the rules. They do this for free, so > it’s hard to get too pushy. But ultimately they do it because it’s a > community service, so they want it to add value. > > I wonder - is he really “dominating the discussion”? It’s email and it’s > asynchronous. At town meeting there’s a room full of people with limited > time and attention — this is not that. No one has to get drawn into the > debate if they don’t wish to. > What actually happens in my experience - having read his posts for many > years. Someone makes a statement or expresses support for a fairly popular > opinion. Sometimes it’s not very well supported or lacks substance. Lots > of people throw their support behind that statement, because it appeals to > the majority. Dennis comes in and provides a detailed thoughtful and > well-supported analysis of why he disagrees. > > When I see those long treatises I don’t feel annoyed that they’re too > long. I feel grateful that he took the time to propose a counter-narrative > and even more grateful that he did so knowing that it wasn’t popular. > > If we’re looking for neighbors to affirm neighbors, that’s what it’s > turning into. Candidly I’m encouraged that even the people who don’t agree > with Dennis at all are chiming in to support him. > > Totally agree. Dennis cannot drown anyone out over email. If you want to simply state your opinion and not back it up with facts or studies feel free to do so. Feeling annoyed because someone with a differing opinion takes their own time to support their opinion isn't valid in adult conversation. If you do not want to engage with Dennis simply do not reply to his lengthy emails. Anyone is free to disagree and not follow up. Dennis is writing those emails mostly to provide information for people who don't already have an opinion set in stone - in fact I view his emails almost like a public service. I definitely disagree with him at times but I love that he has done a ton of research. That makes it easier for me to hone my own disagreement or, for issues I haven't thought about, gives me simple information.
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