[QUOTE=Jodi]
Common politeness should prevent you (general you) from being intentionally extremely offensive about something that is extremely important to someone else – something that is, as Zoe put it, literally sacred to them.
[/QUOTE]
So where does this end? Are all heartfelt beliefs equal? Say someone really in truly believes white people are superior to black people. Should we still treat racism with scorn, even though it is a heartfelt part of this person’s life? Say the German from “The Producers”, who had been a household servant type figure in Hitler’s home and had a personal attachment to him, showed up here. He truly believes Hitler was a good guy who got a bad rap. Should we refrain from speaking ill of Hitler in his presence?
I’ll admit I’m making a reductio ad absurdum arguement here, but I have a larger point. I actually agree with most of the sentiment Jodi expressed. I believe the best way to change individual hearts and minds is by first finding the common ground and then working together, respectfully and openly, at some of the areas where you disagree. Then our hypothetical German friend may be receptive to showing him evidence of what Hitler did when he wasn’t lounging about his villa with Eva in the springtime. Ensure our German friend knows we have a common goal, the fair evaluation and undrestanding of Hitler’s character so we can come to an agreement where previously we disagreed. Listen to his evidence for the “Good Hitler” and present, in an objective way, evidence for the “Bad Hitler”. Trust in his own intelligence and reasoning capabilities to sort things out.
This is my preferred way of handling disagreements in person. Step back, eliminate the personal/emotional issues, agree on a common goal, then work together to present your case and listen to theirs. Common understanding is generally possible, although occasionally you just have to agree to disagree. Still, when you remove the emotional aspects, ensure both parties know the ultimate goal of the discussion is to improve both parties lot, it becomes easier to reach consensus. If your philisophy on resolving interpersonal disputes is along these lines, then absolutely you should refrain from insulting the deeply held beliefs, or the objects thereof, of the person you are conversing with.
I’m just not sure that philisophy applies to communication on message boards. I tend to consider discussion here more akin to a debate or trial. Attorneys arguing a case aren’t trying to reach consensus with each other. They can say horrible things about the client of their opponent or their opponent’s positions. What they’re doing is speaking to the silent majority in the room. The judge and jury, and to a lesser extent, the gallery. On at least one occasion tomndebb has expressed a similar sentiment. He said he addresses the rediculous claims of people who probably aren’t at all interested in re-evaluating their position, not for the sake of the other participants in the thread, but for those who are merely reading.
Any given thread on this board has more readers than responders. Often many, many more. The feelings of the other parties in the discussion, and if they believe you to be poite, civil, etc. are simply unimportant when it is the silent majority you’re really addressing. Thus the harsh reality we see every day on this board, throughout the blogosphere, shows like Hannity and Colmes, etc.
It’s the system which creates this environment. Behavior like badchad exhibits is merely a product of said environment. It doesn’t matter, to him, if Polycarp, or tomndebb, or anyone else is hurt by what he says. As long as he believes the silent majority is receiving his message, and finds it impressive, the goal is achieved. I suppose it could be argued that people who manage to remain civil to their opponents AND impress the peanut gallery are the role models to emulate. Given the success of people like Ann Coulter, Michael Moore, and others who specialize in talking about their opponents instead of talking to them or working respectfully with them towards a meaningful consensus, it would be a difficult line to argue though.
It’s a new communications paradigm. Dueling soapboxes, disguised as interpersonal communication. The rules of polite interpersonal communication, including not insulting their mother, just don’t apply here. None of us is speaking to each other, or invested in the conversation per se, we’re all playing to the peanut gallery.
Enjoy,
Steven