Re: arguing with idiots

On Tue, 19 Jul 2005 20:49:18 -0700, quasi <quasi@xxxxxxxx> wrote:


I guess I'm dense but I missed the mathematics here.


>"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.
>
>quasi

.

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