From: Lee Daniel Crocker (lee@piclab.com)
Date: Thu Sep 19 2002 - 11:49:55 MDT
> (Eliezer S. Yudkowsky <sentience@pobox.com>):
> You know, I'm glad to know that I am not the only one in the world who,
> for some reason that neither I nor Lee Corbin can ever understand, manages
> to completely piss off some people.
>
> I don't get it.
> I really, really don't get it.
Join the club. Although I must admit, I /do/ understand why /some/
people see me as comabtive/offensive/whatever: people who aren't
used to detailed, rigorous, intellectual combat often misinterpret
it as personal. Take, for example, my debates on intellectual
property or transparency with Mike Lorrey; we tossed around some good
jabs, dug into small issues with pedantic detail, and many other
things some people would see as "game playing" or personal affrontery.
Some people might think we actually dislike each other, but nothing
could be further from the truth. I know, respect, and admire Mike;
indeed, I choose to thrust-and-parry with him precisely because I deem
him a rare worthy opponent, and I know that he'll call me on any
mistakes I make just as I call him on his. On issues where we agree,
I would rush as quickly to fight /on/ his side.
Some people just refuse to see the great life-affirming human value
of hearty competition, and see any "uncooperative" behavior as a bad
thing. Such attitudes are irrational and counterproductive, but they
do exist and it pays to at least understand them.
-- Lee Daniel Crocker <lee@piclab.com> <http://www.piclab.com/lee/> "All inventions or works of authorship original to me, herein and past, are placed irrevocably in the public domain, and may be used or modified for any purpose, without permission, attribution, or notification."--LDC
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