Re: foundations of relational theory?
Date: Sat, 25 Oct 2003 18:55:30 -0400
Message-ID: <E_SdnR1nd7AwYgeiU-KYgw_at_golden.net>
"Marshall Spight" <mspight_at_dnai.com> wrote in message news:Npymb.25335$Fm2.12425_at_attbi_s04...
> "Bob Badour" <bbadour_at_golden.net> wrote in message
news:kNudnaXpW-cD4geiU-KYgQ_at_golden.net...
> >
> > "Marshall Spight" <mspight_at_dnai.com> wrote in message
> > news:J0omb.23423$HS4.91063_at_attbi_s01...
> > >
> > > For myself, I find it extremely useful and clarifying to debate
> > > with people who hold different views than myself. This is
> > > the essential reason I'm on Usenet: to learn through exposure
> > > to new ideas, and debates thereon.
> >
> > Let me know when Dawn or Mike expresses a new idea.
>
> They don't actually need to for the dynamic I described
> to work. (I misspoke somewhat.) It is enough for them
> to question the ideas that I already have. The act of
> defending them clarifies and deepens my understanding.
> If there are weaknesses, they are exposed; if my understanding
> is flawed, I find that out and can correct it.
True. I have a friend who operates several blogs. He used to spend a lot of time debating fools online for the same reasons. He tells me that polishing arguments for publication gives him better results faster. Since his blogs are excellent, they attract a better, more intelligent readership who engage him at an even higher level.
> > It's a question of cost and benefit. I suggest you can get the same
> > intellectual benefit for much less effort.
>
> The choices I'm aware of are: reading, attending classes, and
> debate. For whatever reasons, debate works extremely well
> for me; the other two I find distinctly harder. (Although I do
> both of them. Well, it's been a few years since my last class.)
> I think the cost function may vary from person to person.
> (But if you have any tips on easier ways to learn, believe me:
> I'm all ears!)
See above. Publication is basically a debate with posterity.
> Debate works particularly well for areas where I'm at the
> intermediate level, which is roughly where I consider
> myself in relational theory. Areas I'm a beginner at, I mostly
> try just to ask questions. Areas where I'm expert, (Java
> programming, say) I don't learn so much from Usenet, but
> I can contribute back, which has its own rewards. Although
> answering the same questions eventually gets old.
That last sentence describes Fabian's answer for why he published his books.
> > However, if you find the exchange
> > entertaining or otherwise psychologically rewarding, that may offset the
> > added cost.
>
> That's a pretty good description of my situation.
>
>
> Marshall
Received on Sun Oct 26 2003 - 00:55:30 CEST