Computer Chess Club Archives


Search

Terms

Messages

Subject: What's a "foul"?

Author: Dann Corbit

Date: 21:43:42 01/11/00


Some notions about what is OK and what is not... just my opinions.

Suppose that someone says, "I think that bishop placement is much more important
than king safety and I can prove it."

If someone responds, "That's the stupidest thing I have ever heard of!" that is
a bit cheeky, but it is NOT a personal attack.  It is an opinion and we all have
the right to hold an opinion.

On the other hand, if they respond, "You are a whinging twit with a brain the
size of a hydrogen nucleus!" that *IS* a personal attack because it is aimed at
the person and not the statement.

Even between these two statements, there is gray area.  But we should separate
when someone is attacking our ideas and when they are attacking us.  If our
ideas cannot stand up to scrutiny (even harsh scrutiny) then perhaps the idea
may really be flawed.

Ad Hominim attacks are valueless insults that do not demonstrate the point of
discussion.  Certainly we should all aim to be as civil as possible.

Just a thought.



This page took 0 seconds to execute

Last modified: Thu, 15 Apr 21 08:11:13 -0700

Current Computer Chess Club Forums at Talkchess. This site by Sean Mintz.