On Thu, Feb 10, 2000 at 01:49:49PM -0600, elaine@chaos.wustl.edu wrote: > Chip Turner [chip@zfx.com] quoth: > *>Perhaps such an atmosphere grows from a lot of people having been here > *>for a long time and have become comfortable with each other, but as > *>someone who isn't in this clique it can be quite intimidating. > > They say that children in abusive families learn that dysfunction is > 'normal' and thus measure everything accordingly throughout life. This > list is abusive at times and if people have become comfortable then they > are enabling those who abuse. Every time I step away from the Perl > community I find it amazing that there are civil disagreements elsewhere > on a regular basis. Well, I think you're laying it on a bit thick. As far as I know, p5p has never crossed the line of physical violence. Arguments are fierce only because we love perl so much. Perhaps in some cases, the intensity of love has made folks partially blind to reason and common sense. I don't think such adulation can be disapproved of with much veracity. It is like a bunch of men vigorously chasing after a beautiful young woman, blind to their own faults or circumstance. I can say this with some confidence because I myself was (am?) an offender. :-) > *>Some of us stick with it and don't give up, but I'm certain there are > *>people who have not contributed publicly here out of intimidation. > > It's like standing on the edge of the Amazon River contemplating the odds > of being able to get to the other side without being devoured by the > piranha. Sure, except that occationally you will see people who are able to walk on water. I think it's worth the navigating the schools of piranha, unpredictable floods, and fearsome undertow in order to share their blessed company. The dug is thick, but not infrequently I am struck with awe in the dizzying sparkle of their brilliance. -- "Never ascribe to malice that which can be explained by stupidity." via, but not speaking for Deutsche Bank