Aswad
Posts: 9374
Joined: 4/4/2007 Status: offline
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ORIGINAL: Level But looking at the topic of the OP, I suppose it all depends on how much value one places on the spilling of blood, and the breaking of bones, for problem resolution. Both have a place in the world still, but to solve a personality conflict on an online forum? I would say that's up to the people whose bones and blood are on the line, wouldn't you? Respect sometimes comes down to gauging commitment, what some fluff up and call "being real." And as far as male values go, the willingness to sacrifice, struggle or suffer is a measure of commitment. How are glowing points on a screen different from alternating compression and rarefaction of air, when both perform the function of conveying the words of one person to another? Like beer, a forum is disinhibiting. Contextual clues and threats of reprisals are absent. People behave as they are inclined to. Once you take it offline, you are present to enact consequences for behavior, the credibility and severity of consequences- as perceived- generally leading to both parties moderating their behavior more than they would online. In that sense, online is as authentic a form of communication as any other. It just happens to be more honest in terms of how one expresses oneself (though not necessarily in what one expresses). If you're looking for a reason, a few have been provided by Michael already, some by others. It's their asses, so their personal whys and wherefores are what matter. quote:
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Guess I'm still holding out too much hope for humanity. That is quite likely true. I intend to remedy the problem. Health, al-Aswad.
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"If God saw what any of us did that night, he didn't seem to mind. From then on I knew: God doesn't make the world this way. We do." -- Rorschack, Watchmen.
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