Returns and volleys

[jay]

Working on my taxes, taking the morning off of work. I should get small refunds on both federal and state returns. Meanwhile, patgreene has taken the kids to the beach so I can have peace to get the taxes done.

Periodically, I've been trading posts yesterday and today with a few folks on a local mailing list known for its combativeness (sfbay-poly). Accused of whining, of talking too much, of being manipulative... if folks there are really that incensed by my communication style, I wish they'd just killfile me and go on.

When commenting in public posts on topics that are emotionally or ethically sensitive, I prefer to be oblique or indirect, even unclear. I've learned that if I speak openly and clearly on some issue on a mailing list or newsgroup, I lose control of my words -- they may be used by others against third parties, or even brought up against myself at some future date. If I instead use metaphor, obscure anecdotes or indirect counter-examples, I may be misunderstood... but at least I still have a line of defense, in that I can later dispute whatever interpretation someone else tries to apply to my ramblings.

And there's a certain puzzle-solving fun, too... watching to see who, if anyone, on a given group, will actually figure out what I'm trying to say (instead of rushing to knee-jerk reactions or simple interpretations). I suppose that's a bit arrogant, but otherwise I'm easily bored...

Comments

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

What can I say? This is a common approach among scientists (ever hear one speak publicly on a finding without lots of qualifications, so-called "weasel-words"?), politicians, and anyone else in an adversarial public speech arena...

[the-ogre.livejournal.com]

And in what way is a scientist who is presenting a paper or giving a lecture in any way related to the current conversation on sfbay-poly, or the exact same tone that you've taken in the majority of your journal entries to date?

Personally, if I find out that someone is purposefully attempting to manipulate me, as you have all but admitted to doing, I will make certain that person stops doing so, by revoking their access to me and my life..

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

What the h--- are you talking about? What tone "in the majority of your journal entries"? Really? Since October 2001? Where's *your* data?