From: carl@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU (Carl J Lydick)
Subject: Re: Dan Tops Himself -- Netiquette & Politeness (Was: Re: IC conspiracy NOT! (Was: young earth creationist...))
Reply-To: carl@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU
Organization: HST Wide Field/Planetary Camera
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 15:54:59 GMT

In article <1992Aug31.000512.29124@augean.eleceng.adelaide.edu.AU>, dabbott@augean.eleceng.adelaide.edu.AU (Derek Abbott) writes:
>>When you're engaged in an
>>argument with an idiot who's willing to make sweeping statements and who
>>refuses to provide even the slightest evidence to back up those statements,
>>I see nothing to be gained by politeness.
>>
>Politeness is professional. If you went to see your bank manager and he
>used Dan's language (say, because you had no evidence of being able to
>repay a requested loan), you'd say to yourself "hmmm, that guy ought to be
>fired, how unprofessional."

And if someone repeatedly comes in asking for a loan with absolutely no
collateral, the bank manager's supposed to continue wasting his time by being
polite to him?  Derek, what world do you live in?

>The manager just lost a customer and respect.

The manager just got rid of someone who was repeatedly wasting his time, and
who was of no value whatsoever to the bank.

>That's what's to be gained by being polite.

I.e., absolutely nothing, in some circumstances.

>>>Breaking that law of etiquette harms the net (and thus yourself indirectly)
>>>as it puts off most high calibre people from participating in net discussions.
>>
>>Bullshit.
>
>That's the kind of language I'm referring to. Carl, you've let Dan corrupt
>you. You're degenerating. Take those tablets quick.

If you don't want to see me using that language, then stop spouting your
bullshit.  Actually, it wasn't Dan who corrupted me this way, it was a fellow
by the name of Richard P. Feynman.  

>>>(As their status would be offended by such immaturity).
>>
>>Not likely.  What makes you think a high caliber person gives a damn about
>>"status"?
>
>Important high calibre people associate only with things that add to their
>importance.

More bullshit.  How many high-calibre people have you known in your lifetime,
Derek?  I've known a couple.  Dick Feynman's last book, published posthumously,
was called  _Why_Do_You_Care_What_Other_People_Think?_.  I suppose Dick must
not've been an "important high calibre" person.  After all, he didn't give a
damn about status, and he was quite willing to use strong language when a moron
refused to either listen to him or quit pestering him. 

>That's how they got important in the first place.

Ah yes!  I should've known.  Derek belongs to that shool of thought that
believe in achieving importance through sycophancy, and confuses high caliber
with importance.  I.e., if you kiss enough ass, you're high caliber.  Explains
a lot about Derek's rantings.

>They wouldn't be seen dead getting involved in arguments that degenerate into
>"name calling" a la Dan.

>That's why you never see "famous" names on sci.skeptic.

Gee, and here I though that Marvin Minsky, James Randi, and John McCarthy were
all famous.  I guess we've got to wait until Paul Hogan subscribes before Derek
recognizes any famous names.

>Okay, you see posts from James Randi, but that is aways an
>announcement through an intermediary. He if knew about some
>of the degenerate language & attitudes that perpetuate in this
>group he'd think twice.

Have you ever heard James Randi speak?  I didn't think so.  Randi wouldn't be
the least bit uncomfortable participating in sci.skeptic.  Really, Derek, one
of these days you ought to try to get into the habit of knowing something about
what you're talking about before you say something.

>I must be some kind of masochist, myself, to still keep hanging around.

No, you're simply an idiot.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carl J Lydick | INTERnet: CARL@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU | NSI/HEPnet: SOL1::CARL

Disclaimer:  Hey, I understand VAXen and VMS.  That's what I get paid for.  My
understanding of astronomy is purely at the amateur level (or below).  So
unless what I'm saying is directly related to VAX/VMS, don't hold me or my
organization responsible for it.  If it IS related to VAX/VMS, you can try to
hold me responsible for it, but my organization had nothing to do with it.