Newsgroups: comp.lang.fortran
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!csus.edu!beach.csulb.edu!sichermn
From: sichermn@beach.csulb.edu (Jeff Sicherman)
Subject: Re: arguning babies
Message-ID: <1991Apr8.222914.353@beach.csulb.edu>
Organization: Cal State Long Beach
References: <69656@eerie.acsu.Buffalo.EDU> <1991Apr8.174709.1852@unixg.ubc.ca>
Date: Mon, 8 Apr 1991 22:29:14 GMT

In article <1991Apr8.174709.1852@unixg.ubc.ca> buckland@cheddar.ucs.ubc.ca (Tony Buckland) writes:
>In article <69656@eerie.acsu.Buffalo.EDU> v134pvkh@ubvmsd.cc.buffalo.edu writes:
>> .... That kind of stuff is for WIMPERING
>>WEENIES. Let's get our act together and act like the professionals
>>we are.
> 
> Fine; perhaps you'd like to start with the language you use
> in characterizing your fellow professionals.

  Thsi kind of thing can get out of hand and become personal, not to
mention the signal-to-noise reduction incurred but let's step back and
recognize:

1.  People in high-pressure, intellectual jobs sometimes need a form
    of release. Flame wars can serve this purpose, especially if they
    are treated with an attitude that the goal is not to 'win' (whatever
    that means) but to have a good, stimulating time with *no* significant
    consequences (except wasted bandwidth). Being a 'professional' does
    not exclude this.

2.  If you *really* feel it's necessary to get insulting and violent
    or want to have a serious, extended discussion of the metaphysical
    merits of your position, take it to an appropriate newsgroup or
    email to spare everyone else the necessity of weeding through it.
    Nobody will begrudge you the right to express yourself, just the
    right to do so at others' and the net's expense.

Therefore: have fun but keep it short and get it over with.