Posted by Dr. Bob on January 16, 2003, at 18:57:22
In reply to Re: where to draw the line » Dr. Bob, posted by Noa on January 16, 2003, at 17:00:55
> I believe the writer was trying to say he thought some person's life had become centered around desire for money, and that the flawed desire grew from the person's historic cultural enviornment. Whether the writer was accurate or not, we benefit from understanding and exploring the expressed opinion. We need the opinion expressed in terms we can use. In practical dialogue, "asshole" is about useless as a descriptive term.
>
> To ban criticism of others because others might hurt from the criticism impairs our ability to criticize ourselves. Requirements that criticism, whether flawed or accurate, be expressed in reasonably accurate laguage improves our ability to correct our own flaws.
>
> Mitchell[13.75 Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level]
So that's an argument for more rephrasing and less blocking...
> I think that to expect to find the exact line is not realistic and ends up trivializing the whole matter.
> I think it is like what the Supreme Court Justice said about smut--and I paraphrase--"I can't define it but I know it when I see it".
>
> NoaI already have that quote in the FAQ -- and it's already been the topic of some discussion itself. Somehow I got off course with this, but I think you all have righted me. It's been interesting to have said to me what I myself have said to others! Sorry again about all the disruption.
Bob
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:8766
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20021128/msgs/8847.html