From: Lee Corbin (lcorbin@tsoft.com)
Date: Fri Jul 25 2003 - 01:23:53 MDT
Alex writes
> Lee, I respect your opinion
yes, I can tell! ;-) No caps! ;-)
> on this but I believe you're missing an important social dynamic.
>
> If I say something truly stupid or despicable and some stranger yells
> at me, it will be counterproductive on their part.
Do you think that it is objectively determinable what is truly
stupid and despicable? You make it sound very much as if you
do.
If you attempt to rephrase that, I predict that you will have
notable difficulty in trying to mean the same thing. There is
a reason for that. What you are trying to mean here, is, IMO,
rather nonsensical.
> My defenses will go up.
>
> If I say something truly stupid or despicable and a friend of mine,
> someone who I respect, mildly tells me that I should reconsider, I may
> or may not pay it much heed, or realize just how egregious a statement
> I've made.
Well, the real dynamic is that he perhaps indeed should yell
at you---because evidently some of his friends are of such
intolerant dispositions, that his security, safety, privileges,
or fortune may be impaired if he doesn't learn to keep his
mouth shut about some things. This is, of course, the true
unconscious message communicated to those we shout down (or
try to shout down): Beware---be afraid.
> If I say something truly stupid or despicable and a friend of mine,
> someone who I respect, reacts with obvious dismay and tells me quite
> strongly that what I've just said is dangerous, then I will take note.
Yes. Exactly. Some ideas---alas even here---are just to
dangerous to speak aloud.
> My defenses may rise, but because I trust, like, and admire the
> person, I will listen. Most importantly, I will realize that this is
> really an important topic to them, and that I should devote some
> attention to their opinion. If they had spoken mildly, I might have
> missed that.
Yes, his primitive fear circuitry would not be aroused.
Olga wrote
> Many people seem to confuse respecting one's right to free speech
> and to hold certain views with respecting (necessarily) those views.
Well, they could hardly be as confused as your sentence! ;-)
Would you clarify and carefully keep the clauses and adjectives
straight?
> If the Emperor has no clothes (and looks to be missing some other major
> assets), we should not be afraid to say it. In fact, it's our duty ...
We DEFINITELY should not be afraid to say ANYTHING. Especially
on this list. Good grief.
But as for "duty", I don't quite agree. Some may feel like not
taking part in certain debates---and that's okay---so it's not
quite a duty. But yes, evil triumphs when good men do nothing.
And so you may wish to construe it that way, in which case I
agree.
Lee
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