Words Have Meaning

I say that often here - words have meaning.   I bring this up because I have noticed over the last week or so some wording being used here that is pointed at the person and not the argument.   It both hurts this blog and the argument when that happens.  

There is also some unsaid (but implied) arguments that aren't really helpful.

I noticed things like:

• someone saying he/she is open-minded (and implying that others aren't).  Opposing ed reform doesn't mean you aren't open-minded to new ideas in education.   For example, I think most everyone here would agree that technology - both in teaching and learning - is and is going to be, a larger part of the education picture.  That's a new idea that has gotten stronger and stronger.  

• I especially dislike the implication that if you aren't for new trends in education, you are for the status quo.  That is a weak and tired argument and not a worthy one.

• someone saying that someone hates someone else.  C'mon, that's a little junior high.  You can be unhappy or dislike someone's work performance without hating them.  Hate is a big word that should be used for people who really deserve it.  

• Using words like "hater" - again, a little junior high.  You can dislike something or someone without being a hater if you can explain your position in a rational manner.   A hater is someone who hates someone else for an irrational or petty reason.

• a lot of far-reaching leaps from simple statements.  Just because a reader says that he/she isn't sure how someone else knows something is a far cry from that same reader believing that someone else is dumb or stupid.   And yet I'm seeing a lot of striking back when a simple question gets asked.  If you want to know what someone means, please ask and don't assume you know. 

So Charlie and I will go on trying to barely moderate comments.  (We only get rid of anonymous ones or those that are crude or hurtful.)  But we're all bright people.  Let's keep the comments and discussions on the topic itself and not directed at a person.  It's fine to disagree.  It's fine to think that person's argument is full of holes.  But it drives people away who might otherwise want to read this blog if it is not focused on topics and not people.

I'm not saying that Charlie and I don't sometimes stray ourselves.  We all do but we can all try harder to moderate ourselves so that some good and useful ideas and actions come out of this blog. 

I would also ask that if you post, that you do not post again immediately afterwards (unless it is a correction).   Multiple posts are fine but allow others to chime in as well.

Last, let's try to stay on topic.  Again, I can be as guilty as the next person but it really is better to stick with the topic at hand.  There are other ways to introduce a new topic including contacting us to request a new thread or at the Friday Open Thread.  To that end, we'll be trying a Tuesday Open Thread to see if we catch more new topics as they come up during the week.