Re: META: Let's be clear about the ad hominem rule

From: Eliezer S. Yudkowsky (sentience@pobox.com)
Date: Thu Dec 13 2001 - 08:24:14 MST


Samantha Atkins wrote:
>
> I cannot believe that adult, rational human beings are still
> debating whether or not to act civil here. Sad.

Perhaps, as Judith Martin would argue, there are overwhelmingly greater
reasons to be civil than uncivil. But does civility truly come with *no*
disadvantages? Is it a snap decision? For that matter, are there no
disadvantages to *enforcing* civility? I can't see how you would possibly
expect the Extropian list to ever come to an agreement on this. Only the
decision of the list owners enables any resolution at all.

-- -- -- -- --
Eliezer S. Yudkowsky http://singinst.org/
Research Fellow, Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence



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