tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124539381685751273.post8256075099331568788..comments2023-06-19T04:35:06.263-07:00Comments on Skeptic's Play: How I deal with trollsmillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05990852054891771988noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124539381685751273.post-21176112321794678932012-08-13T20:17:48.478-07:002012-08-13T20:17:48.478-07:00I learned that on the internet I was not the self ...I learned that on the internet I was not the self righteous harbringer of Truth after finding out that usually my Messages were not semantically disambiguous even to myself after one day.<br /><br />That ambiguity was in addition to the inherent vagueness of natural language. Now, given the prevalence of semantic discussions over actually constructive ones, we can wonder why we argue so much as a species when it is so ineffective. I think that we do because it is the way in which natural language is being <i>calibrated</i> in a community. Individual enthusiasm and motivation for argument is selfish, but its purpose is largely a social one.<br /><br />On the internet it is wise to not always act on impuls and invest in semantic agreement, because generally it will never be reached. Thus arguing with 'idiots' on the web is actually a waste of time.<br /><br />You give a good guide. I like the "whatever corners of the internet" comment, because it implies that people argue in the same manner no matter the subject.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9124539381685751273.post-91659418566994009242012-08-13T10:11:36.184-07:002012-08-13T10:11:36.184-07:00This is the lesson I have learned from The Barefoo...<i>This is the lesson I have learned from The Barefoot Bum's "The Stupid, it Burns" series. It's my source of peace of mind on the internet.</i><br /><br />I'm pleased to be of some small service. <bows>Larry Hamelinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08788697573946266404noreply@blogger.com