RussellMc wrote:
> People may quote (and already have)  "sticks and stones ... but words
> will never hurt me" and similar BUT it's not true. Different people
> react differently and some are severely impacted in physical ways by
> Olin's in the face approach THE major issue is the fact (and it is a
> fact), that Olin's input does considerable real-world damage to an
> ongoing and significant number of people. Some may be argued to be
> deserving - but this is by no means always the case - and people
> neither know many are effected or what %age are never known about
> publically.

The point of the "sticks and stones" is that one can learn to choose not to=
=20
be offended (not to describe the current reality).

Trust me, I know what it's like to be hurt by words. The problem is, if you=
=20
measure the damage as perceived by the victim, you very quickly reach the=20
absurd. Yesterday I heard a colleague get upset about the fact that another=
=20
engineer questioned his interpretation of the symptoms exhibited by a devic=
e=20
he was troubleshooting. That's just silly. In my home country, a dissident=
=20
recently spent a year in jail for publicly calling the President an idiot.=
=20
Does the punishment fit the crime?


[snip]
> I am concerned when I hear people suggesting giving Olin some special
> rope because of this capabilities (he takes all he gets and more
> already), or that we should warn all newcomers to be wary of him and
> ignore him

Me too. All men are created equal, no special privileges for anyone.


[snip]
> By allowing or condoning him damaging people as certainly as if he had
> broken a finger or two or kicked them in the shins, or worse,
> sometimes much worse,

That is just sheer nonsense. I dare anyone to come up with the most hurtful=
=20
language they can muster, call me the worst names they know, and I would=20
gladly take that abuse over the pain of a papercut.

"Oh, but *other* people... diversity... the human psyche..."  You can learn=
=20
to choose.


> is to make those who support his behaviour
> jointly responsible for the trail of damaged people he leaves behind
> him.

A while ago I proposed (and suggested it several times since) a simple=20
solution that will satisfy, to a reasonable extent, all parties. Olin agree=
d=20
that it was fair, it would make the victims feel that justice had been done=
=20
on their behalf, and it will reduce the admin workload. Why you refuse to=20
even try the policy on a limited time basis, is beyond me.

Vitaliy=20

--=20
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist
.