Posted by Larry Hoover on September 25, 2004, at 16:21:53
In reply to Support, posted by Toph on September 23, 2004, at 17:29:51
> If a poster shared their agony over having, say, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in which they repeatedly washed their hands or were compelled to collect things, I assume that contibuters here would be supportive. Well, wouldn't a contributor who manifests this disorder through an unconventional posting style also be afforded compassion and support here of all places?
I'm interested that you chose to reiterate your own post, emphasizing the idea of conventional behaviour. Hmmm. It reminds that there are two parties in such a determination; the conventional, and the unconventional. Just as I fully support anyone's right to swing their fists about, that right ends at the tip of my nose. The issue cannot be satisfactorily addressed by considering only the characteristics of one party in the "debate", such as the arm swinger. Persistent requests for clarification are unsettling to some, according to what I read. Even non-persistent requests for clarification may be unsettling to the most sensitive among us. Those considerations, though, do not bear on the "conventionality" of the posting form. I don't know where the line of civility ought to be drawn, but I dare say that I would place it much lower than that seen in a post sequence terminating with "Dr Hsiung's decision-12". I would place the threshold at one request per post by the other party. If the party does not respond, the inquiry should be terminated, under penalty if continued. One request is reasonable. No one need respond to such a request. Two requests (without intervening reply) is harassment, and ought to be considered to be uncivil.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:394224
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20040902/msgs/394934.html