Posted by leeran on April 18, 2003, at 0:45:17
In reply to Re: Politics not in itselt uncivil IMHO » lil' jimi, posted by jane d on April 18, 2003, at 0:16:01
I agree. Some topics can be real button-pushers.
Because I'm so wishy washy I can usually identify with both sides (or at least a few components of each argument) on almost everything.
If I do find myself starting to get irritated (not something that's happened since reading here on psycho-babble) I try my best to put the thread, the poster, or the post on "ignore" - which means (for me) that I observe the words but try not to react to them. In Buddhism I think they refer to something similar as detachment but for me it's just a survival mechanism to steer clear of cortisol (a.k.a. a feeble attempt to preserve that area once known as my waistline).
SO, I totally agree with your practice: "I'm a big fan of 'just don't read it' if you don't like it."
Additionally, I read this portion of your post (copied and pasted below) a couple of times and although I had never thought of it this way I think you make a very valuable point. The ice can get thin before you know it with these discussions.
"I also worry that when you have these discussions with people with whom you have not already established a strong relationship that you don't end up knowing them better - but less well."
poster:leeran
thread:220134
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030414/msgs/220287.html