Subject: From where I sit...
Author:
Posted on: 2011-07-19 01:01:00 UTC

I honestly saw the issues I mentioned. I like to think I'm not the sort of person to make things up to appear fair... because that wouldn't be fair.

Betas take note: communication is as much about what we don't say as what we do. Note all the accusations on both sides about not sticking to the literal meaning of every word. Unfortunately, literal definitions aren't always how we communicate. Everything is nuanced, and the more complicated and long the communication gets, the easier it becomes for both sides to make mistakes. For example, the "you" statements I mentioned. Whatever the intention, "you" statements make the argument about the other person, not their ideas, and it's a really quick way to put the other person on the defensive. At all costs avoid the word "you" in a debate. Avoid even a general "you" if there's any chance it could be misunderstood.

Let me restate July's original point in a quick, neutral way:

"I don't think Dann and Makes-Things deliberately send out things that don't work or break easily; it doesn't seem to fit their characters. Agents have a tendency not to treat their gear very well, and DoSAT is as overworked and underpaid as the rest of the PPC. I think they do the best they can, which is pretty good if their fame is anything to go by. Plus, it's funnier if the agents bring their difficulties on themselves."

See what I mean?

~Neshomeh

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