jctriguy wrote:
As always, you are quick to label people who have different opinions. Should people label you? What would that label be?
That is the sort of thing that upsets me most about the nature of some posters\' forum participation. It is fine to persistently and strongly hold a point of view that differs from that of others - in fact, it is a good thing in many cases.
But responding to another person who also has a point of view - just one that isn\'t your point of view - by questioning their personal integrity, their taste, whether they are serious photographers, their ability to think, and more is classic poor behavior in discussion and argumentation. The use of the ad hominem (all too frequently combined with the straw man argument) as the final stab in an argument is not, as the writer may think, seen as the final and authoritative discussion-ending point but rather as a tacit admission that the person resorting to the personal attack is probably trying to divert attention from the fact that he/she has nothing else to offer.
There is a small number of forum participants whose ad hominem attacks on the people (as opposed to the ideas) they disagree with are so consistent and predictable that I decided some time ago to never respond to them. (The person to whom you were responding is not necessarily in that category, and I might actually agree with some of his thoughts about cameras. There is at least one other person in this thread who is - his first and only response to my thoughts, here and in other threads, is to make up straw man characterizations about me and then insult the imaginary character he has invented. No thanks.)
And, to those who engage in this stuff, stop and think and realize that in nearly all cases you actually know next to nothing about the people whose character you so casually insult and about whom you post personal accusations. Not every person with whom you disagree is a fool, a thoughtless jackass, or a \"fanboy.\"
Persistently and directly calling out this boorish behavior and those who use it might improve the quality of the discussion here a great deal. If that isn\'t possible, at least don\'t take the bait. Ignore them.
Take care,
Dan
Dec 23, 2013 at 10:13 AM
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