On 22 Oct 2009 at 8:48, Pollak, Edward wrote: > Extinction hasn't worked because there always some list > neophytes who will respond. So we're really dealing > with some form of partial reinforcement and we all know > the result of that vis a vis extinction.
Not an accurate observation, I'd say. There is a wide range of response to his posts, and not always from list neophytes. Some write to express outrage, some to mock him, some to correct factual errors, and others to take his comments, misinformed, inane, or wrong-headed though they may be, as a starting point for occasionally interesting discussions on novel topics. I think the list would be less lively without him, although I wouldn't miss the mean-spirited posts some on this usually tolerant and good-natured list generate in response. I think the outrage is overdone myself, over such matters as whether "chick" is an intolerable insult, or whether a juvenile stick-drawing is "semi-pornographic", whatever that means. Surely members of this list are strong enough to withstand such shocking content. But one thing does puzzle and dismay me. As others have pointed out, no one on this list is forced to endure such stuff, as it is easily avoided either by filtering or by hitting the delete key without reading it. So there's really no reason why this problem must be dealt with by expulsion. The purpose of these expulsion calls appears primarly vindictive: although we don't have to read your posts, we insist on doing so, and are predictably outraged at what you have to say. Our response is to insist you be publicly punished and humiliated. In addition, we want to ensure that others who may not feel similarly are also prevented from reading them. Not a big loss, those outraged would respond. But why should you be the deciders for others as well as for yourselves? The fact that these posts often elicit serious and informative responses (e.g. most recently from Chris Green on John Dewey) suggests that there are those on this list who find educational potential in at least some of them. And while I may not appreciate the originating posts, I do find such thoughtrful responses valuable. Stephen ----------------------------------------------------------------- Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology, Emeritus Bishop's University e-mail: [email protected] 2600 College St. Sherbrooke QC J1M 1Z7 Canada ----------------------------------------------------------------------- --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
