Are you honestly able to criticize an organization or cause you believe in a public forum?

Thu, 2009-10-01 00:04

martin dufresne

I don't understand. According to this, you have certain criticisms which you feel are valid, but of others read them and draw what may be appropriate consequences, this is deemed hostile? Are you saying you don't want to share a contradiction if it risks tipping the balance away from what remains your overall belief in the cause or organization you support but critically? Is this simple mistrust because we don't share your level of adhesion to the cause or organization in question? But this may be for good reason given your own critiques...

Thu, 2009-10-01 01:40

#3

Pogo

I am with Webgear. Of course it is a judgement call, but it is easy to turn the focus from the good works to some internal problem.

Thu, 2009-10-01 09:55

#4

martin dufresne

But the division between "internal" and "external" is belied by the fact that an "internal" problem can totally sabotage the organisation's mission and effectiveness. This rationale is more reflective of an "us vs. them" mindset, that doesn't sit well with the notion of debate and collective examination.

Thu, 2009-10-01 10:15

#5

remind

La la la la la, la la la la

A Seinfeld thread?

Personally, I think most people here are up front about their causes and affiliations.

Thu, 2009-10-01 10:28

#6

Pogo

I think it is a question of proportion.

Thu, 2009-10-01 10:30

#7

Caissa

I think it's a game of chess.

Thu, 2009-10-01 12:35

#8

Lard Tunderin Jeezus Lard Tunderin Jeezus's picture

Caissa wrote:

I think it's a game of chess.

It is for some. Some even think it's a game they can win.

Frankly, I've learned to walk away when confronted with one of our 'winners'. Not that I hold back from making my point, but there's no use engaging in a fight-to-the-finish with someone who is out to beat you into submission (generally by repetition and abuse) rather than have a conversational debate.

Thu, 2009-10-01 12:37

#9

Caissa

LTJ-It was a pun on my screen name.

Thu, 2009-10-01 13:18

#10

Lard Tunderin Jeezus Lard Tunderin Jeezus's picture

I hadn't made the connection (because I didn't remember the myth).

Thu, 2009-10-01 14:04

#11

Catchfire

I think the Caro-Kann is superior to the Najdorf.

Fri, 2009-10-02 11:52

#12

Caissa

I was playing the Caro-kann at lunch today. My favourite defence against e4. I have a book written by Beliavsky and Karpov where the former approaches the Caro-Kann as white and the latter as Black. I never play the Sicilian, too much theory to learn.

ETA: off to play the Caro-Kann

AETA: Won them all.

Fri, 2009-10-02 12:08

#13

Slumberjack

When criticism of organizations and causes that one is part of is withheld, it becomes easier to accept when they run roughshod over individual rights as is often the case, as being necessary for the greater good of said organizations. If left unchecked, they become increasingly inhumane with the insatiable need to control every aspect of the individuals who make up the organization. Every group should have people within to challenge the status quo and go against the grain in their own way. It certainly makes life more interesting than having to constantly interact with obedient zombies who value artificially scripted ethos over the human values of their peers.