Incivility

[Sam Pawlett]

Its very simple. Do not engage in name calling and personal attacks.(
I'm not exempting myself from this criticism.) Name calling and personal
attacks serve no purpose whatsoever. If you strongly disagree with
someone's intellectual position/arguments attack the arguments and not
the person. Of course, when someone attacks your intellectual position
you're bound to take it a little personally but that goes with the
territory. One has to learn to seperate being attacked intellectually
and being attacked personally. Speaking for myself, if someone disagrees
with what I say or the manner in which I say it, I would rather they
take 5 minutes and explain why instead of calling me an idiot.That way,
I know where I can improve for next time. Constructive criticism and
thoughtful disagreement are always welcome, name calling isn't. The
question of personal attacks is most important for those who have
professional reputations to uphold. I would suggest that one can refute
personal slander campaigns without engaging in them oneself. There are
enough stalinist slander campaigns coming from the right wing, the left
need not engage in them. Things would be quite dreary if everyone agreed
with one another. It would not be healthy if everyone agreed with each
other.'Bout all I have to say. Of course, there is a distinction between
name calling and proper identification.....

Sam Pawlett