Thumper’s Mother

I join the thumb up crowd, thanks @uncledemp 

Behaving is not an attack on free speech.

Audiogon, for me and many others, is more than a marketplace. It is a forum, a community. I have got much good advice, and even some friends, over the years. But some of the bitter discussions, e g the ASR thread, throws me off. I get tired of it. Some writers want us to know their opinion all the time, and it can be a bit too much. Others write from a 'superior' position - 'I know better'. A few go over the limit, and slander the opponent, e g some of what is said against Amir, in the ASR thread. I react against this. And I note that the more heated the debate, the further we get into 'principles' (e g pro and contra measurements), the world tends to become black and white, and the concrete listening - which always calls for nuance! - seems far away.

Maybe a thumbs up / down system would work, as long as we dont turn it into a popularity test. But maybe the best thing would be that we all take the "be nice" rule more seriously, and post when we think this rule is broken.

@pennfootball71 

In Bambi, Thumper’s mother said ‘if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.’

One of my superiors in the Navy made it his own, and he said, ‘if you can’t say anything nice, keep your blankety blank mouth shut.’ Wish I had taken that advice more in my life! (Language aside, he was a pretty good role model for us young  guys.)

Best-

Or - be nice, especially when you are critical.

Critical listening is what this forum is about. Most of the good advice I have received over the years has come from members with long-term hands on experience with a component or system arrangement. Semi-commercial announcements are a nuisance, often with over the top 'I know better' type of message. But I survive, looking for the cooperative spirit.

@o_holter 

Your point is well communicated, nuance and balance are key, and very difficult to articulate. I can see how things get out of control both ways. I’m not for limiting contrary ideas at all- with due respect. 
 

Thanks for the thoughtful post.

based on what you said to me in the past, I can't say you always adhered to your own (communication) principles. But maybe you are changing your approach to be kinder, that's nice.