conflicts on the forum

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Posted by cwatbay on June 30, 1999 at 10:26:37:

I wanted to address some of the matters that have recently been happening on the forum. First let me give you a little background on me. I started working in bio labs when I was 10, cataloging species, taking care of animals, etc.
I also raised lizards and other animals most of my life. I have degrees in behavior psychology and business administration. The last 20 years I have been involved in international trade, negotiations and management. Currently, after
semi retirement, I design and sell large system fire, security and surveillance systems. The point of this is that I often have to deal with a wide variety of personalities and points of view. Not everyone approaches differences of
opinion in a mature and understanding manner ( regardless of their age ). Unfortunately, many people do not have the background, experience and/or maturity to handle differences without taking the matter personally. A difference of
opinion or differences in knowledge or experience are seen as challenges/attacts on their egos, self worth, etc. I am often reminded of the saying " an expert is anyone 50 miles from their hometown".

I realize that there are a wide variety of people here on the forum. However I have yet to run into anyone with phd in biology, regardless of whether they have a specialty in herpetology or even animal husbandry. What this means is that
we are all pretty much amateurs here, with varying degrees of knowledge and experience, most if not all of which is purely subjective and anecdotal. I have seen a great deal of anthropomophism ( ie: treating animal like humans with
human type thinking processes and behaviors ), which I personally believe is detrimental to both the owner and the well being of the animal

Regardless of what my opinions are concerning what I have just said, I truly believe that an active debate is what makes the exchange of knowledge beneficial for all parties envolved. When the debate degenerates to the level of personal
attacts ( ie: name calling, questioning one's profession, background, motives, etc.)then the debate is no longer beneficial and the exchange of opinions and ideas no longer has precedence. It also demonstrates that one's basis for argument
is extremely weak and cannot hold up against challenges or scrutiny. It also shows a lack of preparation of the individual to defend his/her position and ideas.

Nonetheless, I realize that there will be conflicts of opinion here on the forum. There will also be conflicts of philosophy of hobbyists, breeders, importers, pet store owners, etc. There will always be common ground amongst all participants here
along with varying degrees of differences. The maturity, professionalism, and the validity of the point of view of the debators will be determined by the language of their arguements.

I believe that it is everyone's responsibility here at the forum to welcome all participants and guests, regardless of their backgrounds and opinions. It is also our responsibility to immediately and completely end any debate that starts to degenerate
to the levels that I have previously mentioned. It is also everyone's responsibility to provide as factual as possible the information that they share here at the forum.

Anyway, that's my two cents worth. I apologize if it took a while to say it.

Clifton( Cliff) J. Wilder

Follow Ups:

Re: conflicts on the forum. I apologize for the typos cliff 6/30/99 (0)
Re: Will you, Bosse & Joan be my interpretors? BabyHerp 6/30/99 (0)
Re: conflicts on the forum Bosse 6/30/99 (0)

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: I wanted to address some of the matters that have recently been happening on the forum. First let me give you a little background on me. I started working in bio labs when I was 10, cataloging species, taking care of animals, etc. : I also raised lizards and other animals most of my life. I have degrees in behavior psychology and business administration. The last 20 years I have been involved in international trade, negotiations and management. Currently, after : semi retirement, I design and sell large system fire, security and surveillance systems. The point of this is that I often have to deal with a wide variety of personalities and points of view. Not everyone approaches differences of : opinion in a mature and understanding manner ( regardless of their age ). Unfortunately, many people do not have the background, experience and/or maturity to handle differences without taking the matter personally. A difference of : opinion or differences in knowledge or experience are seen as challenges/attacts on their egos, self worth, etc. I am often reminded of the saying " an expert is anyone 50 miles from their hometown". : I realize that there are a wide variety of people here on the forum. However I have yet to run into anyone with phd in biology, regardless of whether they have a specialty in herpetology or even animal husbandry. What this means is that : we are all pretty much amateurs here, with varying degrees of knowledge and experience, most if not all of which is purely subjective and anecdotal. I have seen a great deal of anthropomophism ( ie: treating animal like humans with : human type thinking processes and behaviors ), which I personally believe is detrimental to both the owner and the well being of the animal : Regardless of what my opinions are concerning what I have just said, I truly believe that an active debate is what makes the exchange of knowledge beneficial for all parties envolved. When the debate degenerates to the level of personal : attacts ( ie: name calling, questioning one's profession, background, motives, etc.)then the debate is no longer beneficial and the exchange of opinions and ideas no longer has precedence. It also demonstrates that one's basis for argument : is extremely weak and cannot hold up against challenges or scrutiny. It also shows a lack of preparation of the individual to defend his/her position and ideas. : Nonetheless, I realize that there will be conflicts of opinion here on the forum. There will also be conflicts of philosophy of hobbyists, breeders, importers, pet store owners, etc. There will always be common ground amongst all participants here : along with varying degrees of differences. The maturity, professionalism, and the validity of the point of view of the debators will be determined by the language of their arguements. : I believe that it is everyone's responsibility here at the forum to welcome all participants and guests, regardless of their backgrounds and opinions. It is also our responsibility to immediately and completely end any debate that starts to degenerate : to the levels that I have previously mentioned. It is also everyone's responsibility to provide as factual as possible the information that they share here at the forum. : Anyway, that's my two cents worth. I apologize if it took a while to say it. : Clifton( Cliff) J. Wilder

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