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in reply to Re: What is "aggressive" argument?
in thread What is "aggressive" argument?

In recent weeks, I've repeatedly seen you jump on nodes that concern threading and forking in an aggressive (per the above definition) way. You attribute malicious intent to the writers of such nodes where, to my eye(tm), there is none. You also read meanings into these nodes that I cannot detect, then proceed to tear apart these meanings. You attack authors of such nodes personally, when you could just as well argue against the content of their nodes.

I'd ask you to reconsider 4 things:

  1. Is my participation in node on the subject of threading, "jumping"?

    What delineates "jumping" from: supplying answers; or questioning other supplied answers?

  2. Your primary choice of definition of "aggressive", suggests that "initiation" is an important characteristic.

    The time-lines in threads are clearly delineated. Did I initiate?

  3. How can I definitively argue "content" where no technical content is provided?

    Other than by asking for technical content, which I do.

  4. In the absence of an obvious technical reason for the posting of (questionable) content, one does try to discern one.

    Add context, history, knowledge of patterns to the mix, and individual interpretations will differ.

    For example:I find the posting of the assertion "I don't know any of a,b,c to be X", as an "answer" to the question "Is p, X?", to be of extremely questionable value.

    • Does it answer the original question?
    • It is phrased as a follow on question?
    • If it were so phrased, could the asker of the original question reasonably be expected to know the answer?
    • As an assertion, if true, it might shed some light on the original question. But as it is false, what then?
    • As an assertion by a monk known--even renown--for their accuracy and knowledge, what effect does such a false assertion have? What effect was it intended to have?

    I picked that example, because it has (eventually) been honourably withdrawn and corrected. As such, my questioning of it was right, proper and successful.

    There are other, similar assertions in that thread less well, or honourably resolved.


Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".
In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.

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Re^3: What is "aggressive" argument?
by tirwhan (Abbot) on Nov 02, 2010 at 08:20 UTC

    Briefly:

    Is my participation in node on the subject of threading, "jumping"?

    No.

    What delineates "jumping" from: supplying answers; or questioning other supplied answers?

    It's "jump on", not just "jump", and again, the Wiktionary supplies a good definition.

    The time-lines in threads are clearly delineated. Did I initiate?

    From what I saw you initiated the hostile style, yes.

    How can I definitively argue "content" where no technical content is provided?

    "Incorrect content" (in your eyes) is not equivalent to "no content"

    Other than by asking for technical content, which I do.

    "I dare you to", "Utter FUD" is not asking. Not politely, anyway.

    ..one does try to discern one

    "One" should consider that ones conclusion may be wrong (I know of two times in the past where you were definitely wrong in your discernment). And even if one thinks one is right, jumping on a subjectively perceived and tenuously established malicious intention is still aggression. IMO.

    to be of extremely questionable value

    Agreed. The bait-and-switch tactic you then employed was more distasteful though.

    As such, my questioning of it was right,

    Yes.

    proper

    Not in style or tone.

    and successful.

    In an Operation-Enduring-Freedom-successful sort of way, yeah.

    Update: shit, I really just shouldn't have bothered replying, what an utter waste of time. I am now and forever done with this discussion.


    All dogma is stupid.