"Dave de Villiers" wrote in message
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"Tim Martin" wrote in message
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"Dave de Villiers" wrote in message
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Have been away from this NG for some years...
I see it has not changed that much...
Pity...

A chap called Davis Folger (aka Dava Foulger) did his PhD thesis on
computer
conferencing; and he dubbed certain kinds of forum as "lightning rods",
which perform the function of protecting the other forums from noise.

This discussion group seems to be a lightning rod.

Tim

"Lightning Rod?" Good analogy - describes the symptoms, if not the cause.

One aspect of computer conferencing, forums, chat groups, etc. is that the
"post-er" does not have to be face-to-face with anyone.

This "distance" combined with "anonymity" is, I believe, one of the major
causes of this "flaming" behaviour - there is little or no risk of
injury/retribution for one's actions or "utterances".

This lo/no-risk situation tends to encourage those who would never
consider
the same "behaviour" in a physical face-to-face dialogue, to indulge
themselves by venting their spleens at others.

One could be uncharitable and describe such behaviour as "cowardly" or
"spineless", but it is, unfortunately, fundamental in human nature - its
called "The Go-For-The-Gap Syndrome"... :-)

In some groups this behaviour manifests itself beyond the individual level
and takes on aspects of group behaviour - one individual may trigger the
process, but, once triggered, more individuals jump on board. The next
thing you know, you have some luckless person becoming the target for a
Mongolian horde of vituperative "flamers".

I remember many instances of this "ganging-up" 8 years back when Steve
Zipser (among others) became the favorite target.

At the moment it would appear that Arny has inherited that mantle - but
then
Arny is quite capable of handling it and gives as good as he gets. Its
always great to see that there some immutables on this planet of ours.

While being a spectator to a flame-war can be mildly amusing for a short
while, it does become a bit wearing after a time. Wouldn't it be nice
(catchy phrase that - would make a great song title... actually, it did -
Beach Boys, if my memory serves) if we could stow the flamethrowers and
indulge in some non-acrimonious exchanges of opinions (to which, I am
told,
we are all entitled).

But I think Arny is the cause. He seeks to invalidate the opinions of
others, constantly raising the spectre of ABX.
It's not good enough for Arny if someone "likes" ABX. It must be used for
every comparison, or he attacks.
Arny has a whole list of people he thinks want to "destroy" him. In no
fewer than FIVE posts, he says this:

http://groups-beta.google.com/groups...=2005&safe=off


This is tragic; a man following the path of pseudo-science arrives at the
door of mental illness.

Arny, I respect your right to exist, and I'd probably send you one of those
little CARE packages.
And you are a terrific examplar of all that is wrong with pseudo science. I
would greatly miss your absence from this group.