Hi A member just queried me off-line about whether I was aware that many people responding to this thread don't celebrate Christmas, perhaps hinting that I might be adding fuel to the fire. Such was not my intention. In case it is not obvious from past discussions on TIPs, I am a devout atheist and attach absolutely no religious significance to Christmas. That does not mean, however, that I do not harbour some of our shared cultural associations with the season, as I suspect do many of us no matter what our religious affiliation or lack there-of might be. Who cannot, for example, be touched by anecdotes of enemies at war making momentary truces to celebrate the season? Or by the extraordinary charity of many people around the season. If the comment did come across inappropriately, my deepest apologies.
Take care Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax [email protected] Department of Psychology University of Winnipeg Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E9 CANADA >>> "Jim Clark" <[email protected]> 04-Jan-09 7:47 PM >>> Hi I vote with Joan, especially since we are just out of the Christmas season and should have some lingering spirit of forgiveness (unless eradicated by the thought of returning to classes?). Best wishes Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax [email protected] Department of Psychology University of Winnipeg Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E9 CANADA >>> "Joan Warmbold" <[email protected]> 04-Jan-09 6:27 PM >>> Hey folks, how about considering simply ignoring some silly and unreasonable posts? Remember Skinner's excellent research showing how much more effective extinction is versus punishment in discouraging behavior--or at least what is perceived as punishment--as sometimes it is actually a source of attention and so acts as a reinforcement. And, irregardless of the validity of expressed concerns, I'm a bit concerned about the repercussions on the poster who is being severely critiqued. Just a thought anyway. Joan [email protected] --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected]) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected]) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
