Re: [CR]Corso brand (chilled speech)

(Example: Production Builders:Cinelli)

Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 11:53:41 -0400
From: "Christopher Oliver" <oliver@fritz.traverse.net>
To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]Corso brand (chilled speech)
References: <12b.1f6d7dd.28918422@aol.com>
In-Reply-To: <12b.1f6d7dd.28918422@aol.com>; from MasiGC3V@aol.com on Thu, Jul 26, 2001 at 10:33:06AM -0400


On Thu, Jul 26, 2001 at 10:33:06AM -0400, MasiGC3V@aol.com wrote:
> I hope that such scathing criticism of Mr. Browns honest candid assessment
> does not have a chilling effect on his willingness to offer his educated (and
> free) advice in the future.

The trouble is that harsh replies also are chilling of the sort of discourse openly encouraged in the CR introduction:

"Don't hesitate to ask a newbie question. Everyone starts at the beginning!"

Trouble is if we aren't careful that our words can't be taken even with trivial misinterpretation as a slap in the face, all we do is chase people away rather than encourage their interest in classic and classic style bikes.

"Courteous exchanges only. The list is not intended as a debate forum; in fact, it is not intended to be a "chat list" at all but one in which every post contributes to the communal knowledge base. Passionate disagreements may not be indulged in on-list."

I'd like to relate a story from my youth. I remember when my parents used to rent out a room to local college students, and one student had a visitor in the afternoon, and at one point he said of an instrument I had hanging in my room, "mediocre guitar." Later he said of the piano I had learned on as a child "mediocre piano." Now neither of these comments were incorrect. The instruments were in fact poor quality, however they were what I knew at the time, and the lack of tact that his statement showed basically shut off ANY desire I had to speak further with him. Why offer my face to be slapped again. These instruments, albeit poor, played significant roles in my growing up, and the brusque dismissal of them also served to belittle my experiences as well. On what faith should I take that I wouldn't be the next thing to be labeled "mediocre?" It is important to be truthful, but it is important to be diplomatic as well.

I do apologize for this diversion, but I feel it necessary to show that chilling can occur on both sides.

--
Christopher Oliver, oliver@traverse.net
Got vole?