The White Council

Explanation: Attitude vs Elocution

Tolkien and Inklings Discussion

The ease of misunderstanding is probably one of the primary weaknesses inherent in online communication. We agree. Consequently, online indicators such as "smilies," "grins," "frowns," and "*" -- action/emphasis symbols -- have evolved to assist in clarifying and distinguishing intonation, intent, definition, and the like, imbued within a written missive. We agree.

However, there is no substitution for the precise word, the correctly and accurately expressed context. Likewise, there is no substitution for courtesy and respect. "Freedom of expression" at the expense of respect and courtesy, we disagree.

We disagree that an attitude intending a personal or offensive attack should be cloaked and indignantly proffered as an exercised right in unfettered free speech. We disagree that such also deserves to be touted arrogantly as an acceptable example of substantive eloquence.

Admittedly, the line distinguishing the forceful from the hurtful, the tacky from the tacit, is fine and fragile. All the more reason for clarity and respect when conducting online discourse. It is not the intensity, the passion, the aggressiveness or even the opinioned of that which is the offender. The culprit is the clumsiness and the ill regard with which communication often is directed.

Therefore, the civil communicator should have no fear of using the exclamation point, the capitalization or even the sarcasm (despite the word's frequent misuse and confusion with the less-intimate intonations of "irony" and the more personally confrontational inferences of "acrimony").

Thusly, those who have difficulty comprehending the nuances of such, those who choose to not practice the complexities embraced within thoughtful and intelligent communication, will find themselves casualties of a "democratic society." Democracy, after all, is not synonymous with "anarchy" or "free for all." It is synonymous with government, control and, in short, order.

In conclusion, the policy of Xenite.Org is basic. We tolerate no flames, no trolls, and no other ill-mannered methods of personal attacks. Posts violating the policy will continue to be removed. There are many other sites which allow broader spectrums of such behavior. Here, we do encourage "the feast of reason and the flow of soul," and wish for all visitors to be comfortable with the knowledge they can come here to enjoy the "banquet of the mind."

Thank you for your indulgence.

The Administrators