Comments on: Irony, Hypocrisy, and Being Human

By: Deb

Deb — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 11:32:44 +0000

I think the important point you hit here is about goals. So much of the discussion I’ve seen is getting hung up on who and what a dick is, rather than asking what are you trying to achieve and how can you achieve it. And there seem to be a plethora of different goals out there.

By: badger

badger — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 07:11:18 +0000

In Daniels blog entry, he quotes a humanist principle “Every person needs to be accorded a modicum of respect and dignity”

The word ‘needs’ is important, due to our evolutionary and cultural history as homo sapiens. We have relied on our group for support and for the majority of our history would die without that. If a person is not accorded respect and dignity, at a base level they respond as if their existence is threatened.

In my humble opinion, this mitigates constructive communication.

Combined with what you write above, Barb, I think that a lot of progress can be made in fostering critical thinking.

By: Seantheblogonaut

Seantheblogonaut — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 02:04:59 +0000

I think side with Daniel in his point about questioning why or whether DBAD really needs to be explained. But then I have an education background and generally am fairly nice around people generally, even when they are being arseholes. I think this debate is now flogging a dead horse, yep be truthful, give good reasoning don’t sugar coat things and remember you are not there to beat the other person into submission.

Similarly it doesn’t mean don’t speak up if you have a view.

By: Mandi Kaye

Mandi Kaye — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 00:53:09 +0000

Yours is probably one of the more calm and rational responses to the whole mess. Like you, I tend to be more centrist. I think being a dick is usually a bad idea, but I can see that it has a place every now and again.