Re: arguing with idiots




Le 20/07/05 5:49, dans o9erd1he07v53d7if04d8pu6mumjp6ql96@xxxxxxx, « quasi »
<quasi@xxxxxxxx> a écrit :

> "Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level,
> then beat you with experience."
>
> While there is surely a kernel of wisdom in the above quote, in the
> real world, it can't be always be followed. We simply don't have the
> luxury of always avoiding these fights.
>
> For one thing, there is a need to defend those who are just learning.
> Their defenses are typically not strong enough to ward off constant
> barrages of nonsense. If we don't defend them, who will?
>
> And what about the great past leaders of math and science. They
> struggled to uncover the truth, to make sense of the mysteries, to
> show us the way. Can we just sit by and let them be slandered by
> morons? Don't we owe them something?
>
> Ok, but what about the quote? If we argue with idiots, won't they drag
> us down to their level and then beat us with experience? Yes, maybe at
> first, but that's just it -- you need the experience. With practice,
> you can hone your defensive skills, at least enough to defend the
> innocent neophytes.
>
> To prevent burning yourself out, pick your battles, but don't avoid
> them all. Someone has to defend.

;-)


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