Phil's Phettish

[sjw]

I'll be the first one to agree with Phil that some basic semblance of civility in forum posting is a virtue, so long as it doesn't interfere with the sincere expression of one's opinions. In my opinion, the most egregious type of incivility on OL is when someone carries a grudge from thread to thread, continually sniping at the special someone they hate. This vicious behavior is analogous to stalking and harassment. There are lesser problems as well that still continue.

The big problem lately is that we keep coming back to the same subject: Phil. On this thread Phil writes:

"I've got a bunch of computer files and journals which have actual posting exchanges -- I wouldn't use the names of real people in my writing, but some of the raw files which have a few clips from posting exchanges are: "civility and positive vs. negative relations and interactions (escalation)", "civility, proper discussion", "how to spread ideas and movements, influence, persuade", "objectivist and libertarian pratfalls", "thinking and argument errors - sweeping claims, unclear generalities, pretentiousness, claiming authoritative status or inflated expertise beyond actual knowledge", etc."

It is clear that Phil absolutely loves this topic. The subject of civility is to him as the subject of physics was to Issac Newton: “I was like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.”

I'm not going to criticize Phil for the love of his life, but Phil, for god sakes man, we don't love it like you do.

Since Phil is such a celebrity here, I think Michael should consider creating a "Phil's Corner", in which he can pontificate and collect all the instances of incivility on OL to his heart's content, and talk about them there, not leave his pebbles scattered throughout every thread on OL.

Shayne

-Note: I have created this thread in "The Garbage Pile" on purpose.

[Michael Stuart Kelly]

The big problem lately is that we keep coming back to the same subject: Phil.

Shayne,

You think his core interest is civility?

I don't.

I think you identified it correctly above.

Scolding people in all contexts over civility is the most effective means I know of to piss off the maximum number of people in the smallest amount of time, in other words, to "keep coming back to the same subject: Phil."

And, yes, I think he knows this and does it on purpose.

I wish I had been around when he was growing up. I would have given him some hugs. Now there is this craving for attention we all have to deal with.

Michael

[caroljane]

The big problem lately is that we keep coming back to the same subject: Phil.

Shayne,

You think his core interest is civility?

I don't.

I think you identified it correctly above.

Scolding people in all contexts over civility is the most effective means I know of to piss off the maximum number of people in the smallest amount of time, in other words, to "keep coming back to the same subject: Phil."

And, yes, I think he knows this and does it on purpose.

I wish I had been around when he was growing up. I would have given him some hugs. Now there is this craving for attention we all have to deal with.

Michael

I don't mind giving Phil some attention till his cheque clears.

I think he is really trying. I even sent him my magic maple leaf thinking socks, and after the usual evasions and rationalizations that they didn't fit, were too heavy for 100 degree weather, symbolized socialism etc., he agreed to don them and presto, he was pledging his commitment to civility and reaching out his hand to former foes.

I would not have parted from those socks except in such an extreme case as this so I expect to see further benevolent results.

If he backslides we will know he is taking them off in the shower.

[kiaer.ts]

Phil . . . Phil . . . Phil . . .

Blah, blah, blah

[Philip Coates]

> craving for attention

> I don't mind giving Phil some attention till his cheque clears....pledging his commitment to civility...reaching out his hand to former foes...I expect to see further benevolent results.

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[Michael Stuart Kelly]

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[Selene]

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[Philip Coates]

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[pippi]

I think we need a Daunce corner more than a Phil corner.

[caroljane]

Never doubt the power of the Global Domination Conspiracy of the Sacred Igloo!

Not that I ever heard of such a thing.

[Rich Engle]

You can always go over to my Phil Shrine<tm>. I haven't been there lately, even to weed it out, and that is my bad.

rde

I Guess I Either Defected or De-Culted

[Selene]

Phil:

This ones for you and only you...

No Name-Calling Week Pledge

Phil Students can help to end name calling in their school society, by taking the No Name Calling Week (NNCW) pledge and encouraging other students citizens to do the same. Download the pledge cards during NNCW and encourage your students fellow citizens to commit to:

- Not bully other students citizens or call them hurtful names.

- Intervene, if they safely can, in situations where students citizens are being called names.

- Support efforts to end bullying and name‐calling.

You can then display students' citizen's pledges on classroom or hallway bulletin boards, to let other students citizens know that their peers are standing up against name-calling. Be sure to let citizens students keep a copy of their pledge, as it also includes tips for staying Safe in name-calling or bullying situations.

[caroljane]

Phil:

This ones for you and only you...

No Name-Calling Week Pledge

Phil Students can help to end name calling in their school society, by taking the No Name Calling Week (NNCW) pledge and encouraging other students citizens to do the same. Download the pledge cards during NNCW and encourage your students fellow citizens to commit to:

- Not bully other students citizens or call them hurtful names.

- Intervene, if they safely can, in situations where students citizens are being called names.

- Support efforts to end bullying and name‐calling.

You can then display students' citizen's pledges on classroom or hallway bulletin boards, to let other students citizens know that their peers are standing up against name-calling. Be sure to let citizens students keep a copy of their pledge, as it also includes tips for staying Safe in name-calling or bullying situations.

Having seen the repetitious, boring, childish nature of the names called heretofore, I think we can have no fear of actual sticks and stones.

Edited March 21, 2011 by daunce lynam

[Michael Stuart Kelly]

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After that, what do we get?

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Dayaamm!

Phil still has a problem with the quote function.

Michael