http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005 by the authors Tue, 31 Jan 2006 21:32:25 EST http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/01/31/053338.php#comment-313597 You're right that this is not a black or white issue. Like much in life it is more gray. 313597@blogcritics.org Tue, 31 Jan 2006 21:32:25 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/01/31/053338.php#comment-313200 DJ: Great post. A few things in particular you said really resonated for me: "For three or four days they talked about nothing else than this comment. It's like they'll do anything to avoid talking about something real." "Especially in the US, where the 1st amendment/ freedom of speech so highly valued, I'm not finding people very accepting of other opinions. Threatening to knock someone head off, beat them up and generally harassing them for having a different opinion, well it's kind of childish." Yes, freedom of speech is sacrosanct, but it seems like we Americans are particularly fond of what I like to refer to as "freedom of screech." Like 2 year olds, we seem to think the louder we yell and the more we insult and verbally decimate others, the more "correct" our opinion is. Particularly since anonymous commenters eager for "blood" can hide behind a pseudonym to give them the "courage" to vent, a difference of opinion can quickly devolve into a kind of subhuman battle of the dimwits. Very depressing--at times even frightening. 313200@blogcritics.org Tue, 31 Jan 2006 06:03:51 EST