…by and large most ‘excess’ surrounds political intractability and arrogance.

One of the things drummed into the heads of graduate students in academic fields is the ability to give a good and fair account of positions with which we do not agree. I may sometimes adduce a position which I do not necessarily advocate, but I do so in order to make a point, or to advance or evince discussion. I recall remarking to Suzanne that in one wise I was playing “devil’s advocate” and she wondered if I saw that as my rôle in FDL. I do not, if by that is meant a professional gadfly for the thrill of it. I do believe that there is much to be said for following through discussions where one sometimes adduces arguments (in the intellectual sense of argumentation) for the sake of pointing up aspects. This will entail taking various positions for the sake of argument (discussion). I think that I make it quite clear where I stand, personally, but there is so much more to the field of discourse than merely personal hobby horses.

Anyway, I have a constitutional aversion to being

pik’d up and sorted to a pip

–Keats

/s

[To avoid misunderstanding, argumentation, in the philosophical and mathematical senses, in rhetorical senses, means adducing a coherent position statement.]

here?

Fainting couch, STAT!!!

;~P

This poster was quite lacking in the social amenities, and I confess, I was most happy to leave said poster as ‘found’.

Most of us here are happy to learn from others, some of course, are probably not, but by and large most ‘excess’ surrounds political intractability and arrogance.

Misunderstandings do occur, but most here take themselves to task when the misunderstanding becomes uncivil or personal.

At least such I have observed.

;~P

And I have been a lifelong believer in the community.
How old are you

I wrote: “in community”. Clearly I could not have believed in FDL all my lifelong! But I have done since the very inception of FDL. I was there at the very beginning.

And thanks to Firepups who are tolerating this exchange tonight.

DW, I may have misused the term “posters” here. I have in mind those who post comments. Seems from what you have written that they are more properly denominated “commenters”. The worst attack I have suffered here has been from a poster to me, a commenter.

Thanks to one and all for allowing me to get this matter off my chest. Glad now to be among most of you.

Thanks for your very kind words, which are appreciated.