Re: [Marxism] Flamewars revisited

[Nicolai Brown <nlb@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sat, Dec 04, 2004 at 10:09:37AM -0800, jerry foster wrote:
> Message 10 by J.Alam was well inside the category
> -flamewars-I think it would do well to remember that
> we have enough enemies off list and that generally
> speaking-the people who post are deserving of more
> moderate language.I sure as hell don't like everything
> I read-I almost mess my pants sometimes-but take it
> easy-  Rev.Jerry

To everyone, and no one in particular:

Please take this for what it is worth.  Now let's pretend I'm some
Democrat/Republican walking into flame wars here, or observing the nasty
division between sects of Leftists in general.  I would walk away with
the impression that Socialism is a joke, because "even the Leftists can't
work together."  End of argument.

I think if Leftists want to counter bourgeois belligerence, we can't
employ some of the same methods between ourselves.  It can be difficult
sometimes... I struggle with it too.  Leftists tend to have rather
spirited and assertive personalities.  We need to be aware of that and
not respond to anger with more anger.  It rarely helps.

I agree with Jerry Foster.  The people posting here deserve more
moderate language.  One person may be "right" on a certain issue, but it
doesn't give that person carte blanche to blast someone who disagrees.
It's a complex world and people don't give others the benefit of the
doubt as often as they should.  It is difficult to change a person's
mind by implicitly calling the listener an asshole throughout the
discussion.  If changing that person's mind, educating people and
raising understanding are the goals, then it should be clear that we
need to use more humble language sometimes.  On the other hand, if the
point is to use the mailing list to work out our aggressions by treating
people rudely, then by all means, let's add more fuel to the fire.

Like I said I'm guilty of it too.

Peace.
Nicolai

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