Scott's response to ??? about limiting posting: > Yes it is a harsh proposal...limiting individual bandwidth...but I feel > that *something* should be done. It's fine to call for everyone to be > civil and reasonable but I'd bet that shortly after this current "state of > the list" discussion ends, things will be right back to the "state" that > has prompted this thread >
Maybe the "state" that prompted this thread is just something that always happens. I wonder if limiting invidual bandwidths will really be much more than a placebo for what ails the list. I can be biting and abrasive with 1 post or 100. Maybe nothing ails the list. Maybe the things that got riled up are what happens when a large community posts on passionate subjects. And everyone's passions are different. I know that the things that got me going and spurned to state my side are now limited to people who litter and those who mix gruyere cheese with Velveeta slices. Other than that, my personal path has moved my focus elsewhere. Other people are different. There is just too wide a variety of personalities, communication style and interpretation style. Within that, there are those with a buttload of free time or those who are extremely eloquent at the drop of a hat. I think that limiting the bandwidth just puts an unnecessary crimp here. A while ago, I read a wonderful suggestion for handling one's road rage and that was to drive as though the person ahead of you was your grandmother. Maybe she has stress incontinence and just had a big sneeze and is trying to get a more comfortable spot on her seat. Maybe she's just having a slow day. The point is to gently channel your "rage" to compassion, understanding and peace. As Scott pointed out, people just aren't always going to be civil but maybe we can practice the Grandmother technique. Instead of firing up with "jesushchristonapopsiclesitck-I'm gonna mow you down with rhetoric" we can think: "wow, that was some heck of a sneeze, I hope you get to change your Depends soon." And sometimes we won't be able to do that and it gets bad and then it gets better and so it goes. Life is for learning. MG
