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From: jpn@teddy.UUCP (John P. Nelson)
Newsgroups: news.misc
Subject: Re: Abuses of the net
Message-ID: <3508@teddy.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 24-Nov-86 12:13:21 EST
Article-I.D.: teddy.3508
Posted: Mon Nov 24 12:13:21 1986
Date-Received: Mon, 24-Nov-86 23:25:53 EST
References: <225@mind.UUCP> <378@cartan.Berkeley.EDU> <226@mind.UUCP>
Reply-To: jpn@teddy.UUCP (John P. Nelson)
Organization: GenRad, Inc., Concord, Mass.
Lines: 17

In article <226@mind.UUCP> harnad@mind.UUCP (Stevan Harnad) writes:
>  ...                             I imagine that redundant posting by
>neophytes is a predictable initial error ...
>                                         ... but is the rude style also
>to be a hallmark of the experienced net user, along with its apparent
>sympathy for pathological abusiveness?

I am afraid that this effect is because the majority of "cool-headed"
experienced users simply avoid the debate - it is not productive.  I
have to point out the similarity to a parlimentary body with over 50
members - unless you have something worthwhile to say on the current
subject, the most EFFECTIVE technique is to say nothing.

Unfortunately, this means that the "net hotheads" have a much higher
profile.  Believe me when I say that there is a large body of users who
take the mostly-silent view, and refrain from comment to avoid
"stirring the pot" unnecessarily