The Kilt Kops

[DWFII]

I say this in the almost desperate hope that some form of collegiality really is extant on this forum, because I have a somewhat different view of things...

A forum is a place for discussion. For expressing opinions...and often divergent opinions.

If divergent opinions cannot be expressed then what is the purpose except to stroke each others' egos?

It seems to me...just for instance...that expressing the opinion that white hose looks tawdry with a kilt (if only because it is so associated with rental kits) is not only appropriate on a forum such as this (if not here, where?) but innocent when compared to calling people names and casting them as villains for expressing that opinion.

It's just an opinion, for goodness sake. It's neither written in stone nor in the legal code. Those that feel threatened by divergent opinions need to stay home and dern sure never wear a kilt of any kind in any circumstance.

But calling people names is another thing altogether.

Again, I say...it is divisive. It is vilification. It is vitriol. It is neither "civil" nor is it "respectful."

And in another sense, from my perspective, it is also irresponsible.

Yet the usage of such a pejorative as "Kilt Kop" (or any variation) is so rampant on this forum as to suggest it is sanctioned behaviour.

In my time (nearly four years as a member) I have never seen the moderators step in and even attempt to curtail or caution a member for what in any other venue would be recognized as an outright ad hominem attack.

I know I am not alone in feeling this way but I also know that this is not a popular point of view here.

"Ce la vie...say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell."

[davidlpope]

A forum is a place for discussion. For expressing opinions...and often divergent opinions.

If divergent opinions cannot be expressed then what is the purpose except to stroke each others' egos?

I find that I think in the same way in most contexts. If someone posts a photo of themselves and asks the members of the forum for critique it seems disingenuous to type the old standby: "Nice kilt, you wear it well!" if I believe the kilt is neither nice nor worn well.

If the underlying concern is that opinions are stated too "forcefully" and come off as being proscriptive, I guess we could preface all such statements with "IMHO" or with some circuitous disclaimer, such as "I don't like to wear my kilts with the pleats in the front, but...", though this seems to be form over substance. I fear that some simply don't want to hear opinions that they disagree with when the subject is kilt-wearing.

One of the things I prize about XMarks is that a majority of the members here make courteous, well-informed, insightful, and well-reasoned points on a wide range of interesting kilt-related topics. I may not agree with these assertions, but I value their addition to the public discourse. I'd hate for constructive discussion to be lost in the name of avoiding honest disagreement.

Cordially,

David