Two falsehoods

[ChieftheCef]

Keeping with the analogy:

Everyone except severely mentally handicapped people and children under four years of age know what is considerate.

Difficulty to control impulses is what every human being is expected to overcome, even when it is more difficult for one person than for another.

Expected to overcome? You've got a radically different view than the truth is.

 

[ChieftheCef]

Internet discussion groups are not a cult or a school playground.

Nobody forces you to discuss anything. If you want to play the game of 'You must answer my questions in exchange', other people don't have to join in.

Hide hide hide hide hide hide hide

 

[It Aint Necessarily So]

Nobody forces you to discuss anything.

I know. That's why you were free to ignore my questions to you and I was free to ignore yours as a result. The normal, healthy arrangement involves mutual respect and cooperation, and although I was willing to engage in such a relationship with you, you disrespected me by assigning zero value to my questions and zero interest in giving anything in return in discussion.

You were only interested in yourself and your questions, so I lost interest in answering those questions for you.

As you can see, that choice quickly led to a dead end and the death of friendly cooperation, which is not nearly as healthy and productive as mutual respect and cooperation, but it's what you chose.

So how shall I respond to that? If I you are unwilling to respect the rules of civil discourse, then my choices are to accommodate you despite your disrespect and selfishness or treat you in kind. I choose the latter. Respect and courtesy go both ways or neither for me.

the game of 'You must answer my questions in exchange',

That game is called civility and cooperation. You needn't play. It doesn't seem to be a priority for you.

Here's a question I asked you that you also ignored, but in ignoring it, inadvertently answered it in the negative: "Does the Golden Rule play any part in your thinking?" Obviously, you aren't interested in treating others as you'd like them to treat you.

That's a non-starter for this humanist, who actually lives by that rule rather than merely giving it lip service as I selfishly and self-centeredly wend my way through life. My humanist standards are higher than that.