From: Asmus Freytag (asmusf@ix.netcom.com)
Date: Wed Jan 07 2009 - 22:50:53 CST
On 1/7/2009 8:19 PM, Phillips, Addison wrote:
> It is useful to say (sometimes, not always) "+1" when one emphatically agrees with something on a topic where general agreement would be desirable... as a means of showing support.
>
> Composing original replies may ...
>
... not always have the same effect.
Instead of supporting a particular argument, it introduces a new
argument into the discussion, increasing the chance that the discussion
can now derail (or be derailed) based on small differences in the
wording of two equivalent arguments.
There's a time for advancing a separate argument, and there's a time for
emphasizing something that has been said already. I can tell the
difference, it's not that hard.
In any case, the technique of blowing up any discussion by latching onto
an off-topic meta-discussion about style is also a well-known, tried and
true technique. Because of that, having explained my reason for using
"agreement" instead of "original argument" I will not be part of any
further digression.
A./
PS: replies to this, off-list please.
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