Moreover, I was being rhetorical with my question regarding LBO, because I get a sense that ideas, thoughts are shot down before they are sincerely discussed. I expressed an opinion and was skewered as it being useless. So, I ask what is the alternative? This is an honest and genuine question.
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In my experience, the issue isn't that "thoughts are shot down before they are sincerely discussed", or that there's a "hazing" period (wtf?) it's more the case that many people here are very experienced with the ideas you're presenting - i.e., they have thought deeply about them for many years - and often get impatient when they're introduced as if they're startling and new.
This impatience may or may not be regrettable. I believe in being polite but I also believe in learning to vigorously defend your ideas: with evidence, and without becoming verklempt. Occasional headaches aside, I'm thankful to LBOTalk for helping me loosen up and give as good as I get while maintaining a low heart rate.
I've often thought that it might be a solid service to new list members to provide archive links to themes already covered - a sort of Major Subjects FAQ.
The archives are here:
<http://mailman.lbo-talk.org/pipermail/lbo-talk/>
Over the years, I've developed the habit of searching for topics before posting about them - to get a sense of where the discussion has gone before so I don't retread old ground. Much of the reaction you've gotten has been from people who are already very familiar with what you're saying and who're maybe being a bit short about letting you know they're familiar.
.d.
-- "I somehow doubt that 20 years of amphetamines and failure have changed you."
Dr. Impossible
...................... http://monroelab.net/blog/