From: mlt@gdwb.oz.au (Mee Teng)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean
Subject: Re: Racial Harmony: Where are we heading?
Date: 9 Nov 92 02:05:42 GMT

yewhan@tartarus.uwa.edu.au (Yew Han Hee) writes:
>task, and most people can't achieve this goal.  Just on your above point,
>is everybody has a sinful nature?? I doubt so... Offensive language can
>always be prevented to use in order to tell/"teach" the other party what
>you think he/she is "wrong" (instead of "sin"). 

Oh yes. I totally believe that not only everybody has a sinful nature
but also the tendency to sin. like the sayin goes " it takes 3
days to learn to be bad, but it takes 3 years to learn to be good."
Offensive language can not be prevented, but it may be minimized.
This is especially so in a net like this where people feel relatively
free to express themselves. On top of that , it is so easily to
misinterpret someone else tones and intentions. Things will
just get too sensitive, and  the next moment you find all the 'mud
slinging, & what not."

>Flaming argument, is one of the most inconstructive thing.

To certain extent, and to certain people I think. Since you
can't avoid 'flames', you got to learn how to handle it - like
wearing 'fire-proof under garments. :)) . After all it's only
exchange of words, and not face on confrontation where one
or many may get killed, or whatever. Don't get me wrong, I totally
deplore those using 'four letter & equivalent words '. But I won't
get 'heart attack', when I do come across them. 

>: With your mind prepared for all these eventualities, you will not
>: feel totally shocked, dismayed when you enter into this net -
>: I would liken it as a parliamentary seating where they too
>: throw abuses & insults at each other. If we are not worst than
>: them I think we should be doing pretty well. For all who takes
>: things to hearts, who can't stand the intense heat created here 
>: at times, I suggest they should come with a fire-proof 
>: abestos cement underwear (or panties). :) (no flame)
>: 
>This is a matter of how you look at a problem, you can either make the
>situation worst, by using insults to bash one and others, or try to 
>find a mutual-understanding, to generate a "result", or "solution".


Exactly, tune your 'thinking' when your are in the 'war-zone'.
To find a solution, or mutual understanding ? Well , not exactly
IMPOSSIBLE, but often if not always un-achieveable. That thinking
is too idealistic & naive. Flames on ?? :) You see it is so easy
to get on someone nerves, his self ego & pride & ....

>Let the other party know your situation, or feeling, and try to 
>let her/him experience what you felt, is the best way to solve the
>problem. Anger can only ruin/worsen the situation.

But many are hot tempered, & no education (ordinary) , teaching etc.,
can do much to change a person character. Another saying, 'it's
easy to change a mountain but not a person's character". It requires
divine intervention.

>: As to whether flames would make matters worse, I don't
>: think necessary so. It should make one more mature.
>: For example,I personally have nothing against En. Othman
>: or anyone in the net, neither do I think that our
>: flames would have any negative effects on the country.
>: Well, I may even call up En. Othman & say 'hello' to
>: him when I drop in Singapore next time. :)
>: 
>: cheers.
>: 
>Try to think in this way, what is your current feeling when you see the 
>above statement you have typed, if you are En. Othman, and somebody write
>the same thing to you?

Sorry, your question is a bit misleading. Do you mean 'if I were En.
Othman, how would I feel " ?

If I were En. Othman, I would most proably send an invitation note
to 'Mee Teng". Serious. 

>Sincerely,

>-- yewhan.


>-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>  Yew Han Hee (Yao1 Han4)            Malaysian
>  University Of Western Australia    yewhan@tartarus.uwa.edu.au
>  Computer Science 2nd year          Tel: +61 (09) 389 1128
>  Add: 3/70, Broadway, Nedlands, 6009 Western Australia, Australia.
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean