An internet list such as this is a great microcosm of the world. It proves that civility never wins out over incivility - and this is why humanity is ultimately doomed. Calls for civility are futile as long as such obtuse and hostile people exist, which they always will. It's the same problem we civilized First World countries have in co-existing with terrorists - as long as they exist, they will never consent to any higher rules of Civilization. It's like the question of who wins in a debate between Wittgenstein and a bear. (Answer: the bear.) Asking people not to swear or be needlessly hurtful is like asking terrorists to stop blowing people up - it's silly to attempt it. And, again like terrorists, people come up with the silly arguments that any attempt at order (or in this case, merely a plea for voluntary compliance!) is "policing"
All you can do is live with it, be realistic, and remind yourself that this is why the world can never be a place of peace, enlightenment, civility, etc. Every day I get on the bus and witness young punks/gangsters swearing to each other in the most insanely vile language right in front of peacable old folks. It is a sad thing, but not surprising. Once long ago there may have been manners, but no longer. Now there are only feelings of licentiousness (combined with a haughty sense of entitlement to any sort of behavior). Manners will never work on an unmoderated list and calls for better manners only really incite people who are hostile to civilization. RSW Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 04:49:19 -0700 (PDT) From: Bob Poe <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: favourite photos Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii GET THE ... OVER IT... ETC, ETC [Bob Poe] _________________________________________________________________ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx
