From: maedhros@yabbs
To: all@yabbs
Subject: re: None of you get it
Date: Wed Jun 15 19:15:48 1994

     "...objectivity is not just a social virtue.  It goes beyond
openmindedness to opposing views, and it goes beyond sensitivity to the
cognitive needs of others.  The ability to step back from our train of
thought and examine it critically is a virtue even if we are not
interested in communicating it.  It is a virtue because it is the only way
to check the results of our thinking, the only way to avoid jumping to
conclusions, the only way to stay in touch with the facts.  The results of
our thinking cannot be any better than the processes by which we arrive at
them.  There is no Book of Life with answers in the back where we can see
whether we got it right.  Good thinking is a self-directed,
self-correcting process, alert to the dangers of hasty judgement, and
never afraid to ask-or answer-the question "why?"  Once again, this is
partly a matter of attitude, a matter of choice, and logic won't make the
choice for you.  But it will give you the tools you need.  It will give
you a compass to steer by." -David Kelley

To be so bold as to answer a question itterated at this board so often
lately-what is the point of this arguing?.  Argument, or critical
discussion as I prefer to call it, are the necessary exercise requirements
of a healthy, agile (for the most part :) mind.  It is a process by which
one refines his ideas, hones his proofs, and validates his conclusions.

Is it an exercise for all?  Definately not.  If the thought of someone
saying your conclusions are false throws you into fits of ire, then stay
clear.  It's necessary to be (1) firm in your beliefs and competent in
defending them and (2) at the same time, be capable of acknowledging
something you hadn't considered in the first place and being able to admit
that mistake.

What's the primary purpose of the board?  Damn good question.  I can't
speak for all, but I can tell you it's primary importance to me.  The
board is a testing ground for new ideas.  I feel competent in
understanding alot on my own.  However, I also can recognize that I'm far
from omniscient.  The board gives me a chance to see things from others'
perspectives.  It gives me an invaluable chance to assemble a "think tank"
to try to turn over anything I might have missed.  One thing I've never
found tolerable is the company of a person who's afraid to support their
opinions, yet they're still willing to spout their conclusions to you all
day.  An opinion from someone like this is less than worthless.  They have
come to a conclusion, but they're unwilling to share or argue the logic
which provided it?  How did these people make it to the top of the food chain?

Granted, the board sometimes runs into tangents which have little to do
with critical thinking (discourses about someone's probable sex life or
sentence structure), but hey, tempers sometimes flair.  It's natural.  It
always dies down eventually and the board goes onto more worthy pursuits.

...which brings up the purpose of antagonists.  Like I said before, if
someone challenging your views pisses you off, what the hell are you doing
here?  Unsubscribe and join channel "Blind Right".  Face it, this is for
people with confidence in themselves who are willing to stand under the
line of fire.  If it's too hot...

Hell I don't know how to put it any simpler.  I'd write a damn charter for
the board if this wasn't the Anarchy base (any form of governing document
would probably be met with by the resident anarchists with immediate
destruction of my dwelling, slaughtering of my cattle and defilement of my
woman :)

Just one person's opinion.
As usual, all comments welcome.
Yes, even you Arachnoi, like you need an invitation :)

Maedhros /\
        /--\
       /    \

Ps. If the world's doomed and all our actions are for not, then why don't
we just get some fucking razorblades and vacate this ball?