Posted by Larry Hoover on September 26, 2004, at 8:26:09
In reply to Re: Support, posted by Toph on September 25, 2004, at 21:41:22
> Lar, if a PB neophyte may be so bold as to address you, I am too new and perhaps not astute enough about civility as it is applied here to discuss when an unconventional posting style is uncivil. I will say this, if a poster uses an unconvetional style with another poster my guess is that the incivility threshold might be lower than when that style is used in an attempt to lure Dr. Bob into a response. Second, I confess that my post was a kind of experiment to see if a somewhat veiled critical message to an individual could avoid a PBC through the use of a hypothetical and rhetorical questions. Finally, I really do think a forum that purports to be supportive of its participants needs to be tolerant to some degree of eccentric comunication styles.
>
> It seems that there are certain rites of passage here. So far, if been booted off for getting offended by someone and making the mistake of telling them, and now I have had the pleasure of receiving a message from one of the more famous/infamous babblers. Thanks for responding.I would sorely hate to misread your intent, but there are some disconcerting implications that I perceived. I hope that you would not feel constrained by being a newish member when you feel that you have a message to express. I would hope that you would not feel particularly hesitant to address me, or any other "established" member, for we too have but single voices.
Yes, a veiled criticism, employing either or both of hypotheticals or rhetorical questions, is a civil way to explore sensitive issues. It requires some care in phrasing, but that's a very good skill to develop. Despite my persistent disagreements with management, I dare say my own skills have developed along the way. I could protest that I ought not to have had to develop them, but I shall retain those abilities even after I leave this place.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:394224
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20040902/msgs/395218.html