Let's see whether I have this clear. A discussion was started about wood
substitution. Someone opined that the difficulty of the calculations
wasn't worth the effort, and Gordon, who is obviously extremely
intelligent and exceptionally knowledgeable on the subject, demonstrated
by example that the calculations aren't all that complex.

Someone else piped in with a dissenting opinion, and included some
disparaging comments about Gordon in his post, which of course is common
on usenet, but nevertheless, widely considered inappropriate.

In a subsequent series of exchanges, Gordon referred to his new-found
adversary as:

mouth foamer xx
heel-nipper
sociopath
intellectual dwarf
complete jackass
wild-eyed moron
annoying idiot
crazy nut
wild-eyed idiot
Mr. Personality Disorder
idiot xxxx
(completely worthless) clown xx
stupid ass
pathetic moron
know-nothing
annoying moron
irritating moron

each x represents a repeat of the same slur.

Gordon also said:

"Yes, I can see how he hates suffering from a personality disorder that
compels him to behave inappropriately and then causes acute
embarassment. Still, I would caution that self-hating tendencies are a
very serious matter and I would strongly counsel seeking professional
help."

I'm not sure how others feel, but I find this situation more than
slightly ironic. I've never believed that hostility, anger, and
condemnation of others in any way makes us better people. Nor does it
add to our credibility, make the other person less credible, enhance our
standing in the community, sway opinion in our favor, or otherwise "win
friends and influence people."

There are obviously some very knowledgeable people here. But when we
disagree, why not just debate topics based on our individual knowledge
and beliefs? I personally deduct a few "credibility points" when I see
the above-referenced types of attacks, *whether or not* the poster
believes them to be justified. Two wrongs *do not* make a right. The
most convincing way to discredit a jerk is not to act like a jerk
yourself.

I hope Gordon doesn't feel picked on, because I'm using his posts as an
example of widespread behavior that, frankly, I find distressing. (The
inane zzzzz thread is another fine example.) Nevertheless, if he chooses
to refer to me in some derogatory fashion, you will not see me retaliate
in same fashion.

I'm using the news reader that comes with OS X. After composing a post
and hitting the "post" button, I get a dialogue box that says:

"Are you sure you want to post? This machine posts news to thousands of
machines throughout the civilized world. Please be sure you know what
you are doing."

This dialogue box is easily disabled, but I choose to leave it active.
Perhaps other news programs should include a similar admonition.

NOTE: I realized recently that there are two Smittys on this group;
since I'm relatively new I think it's appropriate that I adopt another
moniker to avoid confusion, so in the future I believe I'll be Smitty
Two or something to that effect.