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From: kort@hounx.UUCP (B.KORT)
Newsgroups: net.religion.christian,net.religion.jewish
Subject: Re: Historical Persecution of Jews
Message-ID: <691@hounx.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 14-Mar-86 11:51:59 EST
Article-I.D.: hounx.691
Posted: Fri Mar 14 11:51:59 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 15-Mar-86 23:32:47 EST
References: <852@leadsv.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 28
Keywords: isolation,holocaust
Xref: lsuc net.religion.christian:379 net.religion.jewish:1901

Based on my observations of the postings and responses on the
net, I have begun to form a hypothesis as to the cause and
effect of persecution.  We have seen some examples of strong-minded
intellectual presentations which, in some cases were treated with
contempt and derision aimed at the person presenting the views in
question.  We have seen many-on-one collections of negative opinion,
mostly centering on a strategy of ignoring the presentations of
the offending poster.  Its easy to imagine how such treatment
could lead to feelings of persecution.

So I draw two tentative conclusions, both speculative theories
to be further tested by experimental evidence:

1.  Intellectuals are at risk in our society.  By exhibiting their
    powers of intellect, they expose themselves to ostracism and
    alienation.

2.  The degree to which a particular intellectually-minded individual
    is subjected to such treatment is highly correlated with the
    degree of civility and diplomacy with which he presents his
    lines of reasoning. 

Does this theory capture the dynamic of the interplay that we have
seen both historically and here on the net?  If the theory is on
the right track, can it be elaborated and perfected to achieve
a deeper understanding of this recurring human tragedy?

--Barry Kort   ...ihnp4!hounx!kort