Mutual respect and game theory
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| Author | Content |
|---|---|
| montezuma Dec 31, 2007 5:57 AM EDT |
Nice rant TC. I can completely relate (and I'm 50 too ;-)). What really annoys me when I try to help someone is if they do not show me the courtesy of reading and trying to understand what I am saying. This happens all the time especially online where people don't bother to properly read posts. I think this shows a lack of respect. It is one thing to disagree with advice it is another altogether to ignore it and act like a baby starling with its beak open. After much grinding of teeth on the Ubuntu forum I have adopted an approach which has been shown rigorously in game theory to produce the optimal outcome: Always give someone the benefit of the doubt at the beginning of any interaction. Then as soon as any lack of respect becomes evident let them know kindly. If they then persist with lack of respect terminate the interaction rather rapidly. I find the basic dynamic above reduces blood pressure and ends up helping those who can be helped. |
| mvermeer Dec 31, 2007 7:43 AM EDT |
You call it game theory. Looks to me like 'don't feed the troll'. |
| gus3 Dec 31, 2007 8:12 AM EDT |
Quoting:Always give someone the benefit of the doubt at the beginning of any interaction. Then as soon as any lack of respect becomes evident let them know kindly. If they then persist with lack of respect terminate the interaction rather rapidly."Assume stupidity before malice." And as soon as the malice becomes evident, act accordingly. |
| montezuma Dec 31, 2007 8:57 AM EDT |
Martin, I find it more irritating than trolling since the latter can always be quickly dismissed. Figuring out whether someone is genuine about learning takes interaction and time unfortunately hence the pretentious reference to game theory ;-) |
| happyfeet Jan 08, 2008 10:08 AM EDT |
@montezumaQuoting: ...act like a baby starling with its beak open... hehehe |
| thenixedreport Jan 08, 2008 11:14 AM EDT |
Yes, but things can be taken a bit too far as well. I once heard a story of how a brilliant software developer was basically treated like they no longer existed because they couldn't understand the "no top posting" rule for the developer mailing list... |
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