Posted by Timne on July 9, 2009, at 15:35:14
In reply to Re: trying to get a cat out of a tree, posted by Dr. Bob on July 9, 2009, at 15:21:11
> Incivility in some form is probably inevitable. Even if we approved messages before they were posted, we might consider something civil and others might not. So the question is how to respond. Wouldn't ignoring it actually be more like tolerating it?
>
> BobCould that be formally classified as a false dilemma? Are there other options, such as deleting it?
I'm reminded of the old practice of putting heads on pikes to remind newcomers not to do things that might result in their head being left on a pike. An image comes to mind of a front yard along a busy sidewalk, covered in dog droppings and maybe copies of citations -- or pooper-scoop bags, left there as the owners way of telling dog owners not to let their dogs act that way.
If poop-bags are left in a dog park where there are not stools left lying around, the hint might strongly compel dog owners to use the bags. If the bags are left in a park littered with dung, broken windows theory suggests other dog owners will ignore the bags and leave their dog's leavings unattended.
Broken windows theory does not involve leaving windows broken and placing court records of convicted vandals alongside broken windows. Broken windows theory says keep a clean house and guests will start to clean up after themselves.
poster:Timne
thread:905306
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20090707/msgs/905839.html