From: CurtAdams@aol.com
Date: Fri Jun 07 2002 - 11:32:00 MDT
In a message dated 6/7/02 8:10:29, lcorbin@tsoft.com writes:
>Suppose someone started a new thread entitled "The Differences
>Between Men and Women", one of the goals of which was to have a
>completely rational discussion of a potentially explosive issue.
>1. Would it be likely that it to remain "entirely rational"?
> (where you interpret that phrase however you prefer).
Very unlikely. I've been boggled over the last year or so
how this list becomes so intensely emotional over what are
basically factual and personal value preference issues. Re
group differences; identifiable human groups may or may not
differ in relevant characteristics; the truth is determined
by biology and culture and getting upset isn't going to change
the facts. Nonetheless, wow, things get contentious.
>2. Is it best that most discussions---serious discussions---
> remain entirely rational? (according to your usage, again)
Well, "entirely" rational might be too strong, but I often observe
interesting thoughts and changes of opinions on more rational
threads while flamewars just make a big mess.
>3. Should people contributing to the thread express their
> *feelings* as opposed to conjectures & criticism (the PCR
> norm)? [Note: I am not suggesting in any way that people
> be *unfree* to post anything: I still go for complete
> openness. I just want to know whether you'd *approve*
> or not of people expressing their feelings.]
I don't see anything wrong with expressing feelings; but feelings
are produced by the pre-concious limbic system mostly for
nefarious reproductive purposes. They are probably your
genes' main leash on you and should always be regarded with
suspicion, ESPECIALLY including your own.
>4. Would you think such a discussion off-topic for this list?
In theory, no. Once upon a time, we discussed things like
gender choice on this list; how can you choose if you don't
know what the choices are between? But if it were started
today I expect we'd end up with a ranting flamewar on the
evils of disrespecting women vs. the evils of feminazism
with subsidiary flamewars spinning off about definitions of
the relevant terms. Sigh.
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