Have you noticed that we have become this “politically correct” society that reacts to any and every thing we deem “un-PC”………..but instead of it making us a nicer and more civil society, we have created a meaner and less civil society and we are more sensitive to OUR feelings than others.
I believe there are many cases where a comment is taken out of context or a statement made with authority is taken as aggression and/or of being obnoxious and insulting. It really can come down to the way WE are feeling when we read these posts or how we feel about the poster.
Sure, there are times that insults are masked by sarcasm or insincerity, bullying masked by the bragging of one’s years of experience, one’s profession, etc.
What it all comes down to is we want people to take our words at face value and not challenge them. Unfortunately, that is not the way society is leaning. We are being challenged on everything we say and do and if you don’t think so, look at the way politics has turned in the last few decades. Our personal behavior is affected by the media and their bullying, cynicism, sarcasm, condescension, etc has been contagious.
Our mothers used to say, “If you can’t say something nice, say nothing at all”. Well, this society isn’t going to let that happen. Not only will we say something not nice, we tend to say it again and again, but in different ways.
I am on many online lists and have been for about 20 years, and there is no doubt that posting on these lists allows us to say things that we may not have said to the person’s face. It is much easier to insult and offend in writing and without the immediate consequences that an in person dialogue might. It is easier to brag, too. It is easier to apologize. Oh heck, it is easier to do many things. BUT, it is not easier to read the person’s face to discern their intent……..are they being jovial? Are they giving you a playful hard time? Are they glaring and angry? Are they looking down their nose at you with a smirk? Are we imagining these things?
My feathers have been ruffled (fitting for this list, huh?) on occasion, but I have yet to leave a list over it. Unlike being in a room full of living, breathing people that demand not to be ignored or outdone……….I CAN ignore, delete, laugh, curse (admittedly, on occasion) read, reread, reread again.
This internet and e-mail is a gift and a curse. It’s a tool. It can be used in good ways and not. Keep that in mind.
I choose to stay unless and until I find no value in the list. I find it hard to believe that with as many members as this list has, that I wouldn’t find value.
Should I ever say or do something to ruffle one’s feathers, do me a favor and take a break……..then come back and reread it. It might not be my words that bothered you, but the tone you put into them.
Happy birding!
Laura
“Cluck cluck cackle cackle”, said with a twinkle in her eye.
Laura Roberts
R Half Pint Farm
From:
Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2011 9:17 AM
To:
Subject: Re: [CHICKENS-101] Re: Adios
I just don’t understand why we, as grownups (supposedly) can’t just have a good old fashioned debate (argument if you like) and not get our undies is a snit.
Why does everything have to turn personal that is what I don’t understand. I have strong opinions like most of all of you but why I do n=or do not heat my coop is my opinion that I want to share I am not telling you that you are wrong or that you have to listen (just an example)
Opinions are just that an opinion they are not the final word and when someone has an opinion you cannot argue with it, If someone insists it is a fact and it is not then you can argue but to become personal is just wrong. Name calling went out back in kindergarten. Just my opinion
Ro
CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
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