[LINK] Fwd: [ PRIVACY Forum ] Brits' Failed Heavy Metal Censorship Attempt Disrupts Wikipedia Edits

[Ivan Trundle]

On 08/12/2008, at 9:01 PM, rene wrote:

> On Mon, 8 Dec 2008 20:40:29 +1100, Martin Barry wrote:
>
>> David, Irene, Jan
>>
>> Please take the personal stuff off list.
>
> You know, I get really tired of people telling other people to take  
> stuff
> off list merely because one person attacks other people who are  
> attempting
> to discuss government policy about the Internet. This "take if off  
> the list
> stuff" has the effect of enabling anyone who starts ad hominen attacks
> being able to shut down discussion. And people who have been on this  
> list
> for over a decade, like me, are well familiar with the tactics.

I don't see it that way: 'the personal stuff' (that Marty is alluding  
to) is what gets in the way of helpful, informative, and persuasive  
debate.

It's perfectly possible to separate and filter the ad hominem attacks  
from the actual discussion.

The first alarm bells ring when one Linker makes a judgement about an  
individual who has already made a contribution to Link, and is  
compelled to broadcast that (very personal) judgement to all, as  
though it is likely to win favour.

I believe that this is what Marty was referring to - ...but it's only  
*my* judgement...

iT