On 12 Dec 99, at 19:40, Richard Charles Holloway wrote:
> So, you see that you and I have discovered that we are different in our
> learning styles and needs. And, we agree that dialogue or dialectic may
> include opposing ideas or beliefs.
>
> You also inquired about my use of the term, cynicism. Cynicism is a
> behavior or style that implies a disbelief in the sincerity of others'
> motives. Interestingly enough, it seems that I'm a cynic when I think
> that others are being cynical...isn't that a conundrum for us?
I've snipped out much of your wonderful message, not because it's
uninteresting, but because I wanted to focus a bit. First, I think your
definition is an interesting one, and one I hadn't thought of.
Second, I think one issue is whether a forum (this one, a live one, or
whatever) can support the discussion of people's motives, so they can be
put on the table and dealt with. There can be value in that process, and
when a person is cynical (using your definition), should they voice it and
deal with it in as constructive a way as possible, or should they keep it
to themselves, yet still laboring under what may be prime misconceptions
and mistrust?
It seems to me that a learning org. needs to support openness and
frankness, so all can get feedback on their behavior.
> That being said, it seems to me that there are "judgments" voiced in this
> list that appear to me to be cynical. I've found this on a number of
> lists...less so here, probably because of Rick's moderating skills. To
> some extent, this disbelief is inherent in the nature of our
> conversations, remote and faceless as we are. In reflecting (and looking)
> at some of the postings over the last several weeks, I've become aware of
> (am I being cynical, here?) what seems to be a growing pattern in this
> behavior among certain contributors. Lately the cynicism has become even
> more explicit.
I suspect it is not that it is growing, but it is less suppressed by Rick
so we are seeing it (which I happen to think is a good thing). And, I
think, in the end that makes this list MORE like a non-virtual LO than it
was before.
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