To all on the net:
 
   Andy Nachbaur recently wrote:  "I don't [know] about censoring, but all
my posts are filtered to remove the big chunks or something."
 
   In that connection, I have followed the exchange about New Zealand and
Hawaii bee diseases with great interest, particularly the degree to which
personal affronts have been alleged to have occurred.
 
   Oftentimes, differences of opinion become construed as insults (perhaps
justified in some cases).  Such was the case early this year when a
beekeeper concluded that I had personally insulted him in one of my
messages --- a supposed intent of which I was unaware.
 
   Might I suggest routinely engaging in a practice that some of us view as
the Ann Lander's rule (after the advice columnist) and try to follow.  In
each of the cases where I have read a posting that contains potentially
sensitive topics, and to which I wish to reply, I draft a reply immediately
but do not post it right away.  Rather, I wait at least a day, read it over
again, gain input from other postings on the topic, soften the language of
my own expression, if necessary, and then post it on the net.
 
   Such a practice differs considerably from a "shooting from the hip" upon
first reaction and can save a lot of net time for all of us.
 
   Of course, some people still can become offended by opinions that differ
too radically from their own and can consider expressions of such opinions
as offensive.  We just have to live with that circumstance sometimes.
 
   (And, yes, I did wait several days before posting this message.)
 
                                                Adrian
 
 
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* Adrian Wenner        E-Mail   [log in to unmask]  *
* Dept.Ecol.,Evol.,& Mar.Biol. Office Phone    (805) 893-2838 *
* University of California     Lab Phone       (805) 893-2675 *
* Santa Barbara, CA  93106     FAX             (805) 893-8062 *
*                                                             *
* "Once a structurally complete and closed system of opinions *
*consisting of many details and relations has been formed, it *
*offers enduring resistance to anything that contradicts it." *
*                                   Ludwik Fleck, 1935 [1979] *
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