*de-lurk*
Hi all!
For several months, I have been concerned that the majority of disputes on this forum
are the unnecessary result of: (1)failure of contributors to define key terms;
(2)excessive haste in usage of terms whose meanings are too varied or controversial;
and (3)impassioned or dogmatic attachment to rigid compliance with particular
interpretations or conventions (such as "THE definition" of a given term, for one).
For definitions and such, I frequently use the "One Look" internet search meta-engine.
This often yeilds an astounding survey of the multitude of ways in which I might be
totally misunderstood!
Further, I have in my posession three well used and back-breakingly unabridged
dictionaries from Oxford, Webster, and Random House respectively. After years of
pillaging their pages, I have become firmly convinced that if these books ever
suddenly grew arms and legs, they would instantly leap up and viciously beat each
other to a bloody pulp.
Now, having written this, and then having stroked my ego for such a colorful
illustration, my first ill-considered impulse was to quip thusly:
"Perhaps Mr. E would care to tell us which of the infinitely many available
reference works happens to be in posession of the single-handed stranglehold
on reality proper."
Five seconds later, I realize that this is precisely the kind of wisecracking which I
have so railed against (and indulged in) in previous posts. This brings me to the
next, but perhaps most important, addition to the above list of cautions: (4)too much
use of sarcasm or other vitriol in the posting of one's point of view.
A few more lines from "Amused To Death" by Roger Waters drive home the folly of so
many, including myself, which is especially problematic in internet discussions:
"We strafe the train
With the bravery
Of being out of range.
We zap and maim
With the bravery
Of being out of range..."
I, for one, am not happy at having displayed this sort of "bravery", and this brings
me to my long overdue mea culpa:
I have been reluctant to submit any further posts ever since I witlessly badgered
David Prince out of this forum. I very much regret my own indulgence in too much
sarcasm which played an essential part in depriving this forum of a highly valued
contributor. It always "takes two to tango", to be sure, and we each did our part in
leaving our posts open to misunderstanding, but MY responsibility is to monitor and
govern MY behavior, which is, to put it mildly, a full-time job. I now have a mirror,
placed strategically in my home, on which are printed the words "Physician, heal
THYSELF" along with expicit prohibition against "offering" this advice to ANY of my
fellow human beings. We'll see how well this works, but for now, let me offer my
sincerest apologies to all of you, and especially to David.
Rome can go hang.
Logic can go chase its tail in the corner.
I say we all meet at Zeno's for a pint.
You can't miss it. It's in Elea, halfway between points A and B.
(Where all roads lead.)
See you there.
Peace,
"Riff"
(dkm)
*re-lurk*
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