The difference between face-to-face conversations and free-for-alls on the blog
In today's Counterpoint, George F. Sowers presents an idea he thinks is pure brilliance:
Mechanically restrict all vehicles to a top speed of 55 mph.
"I have spoken to a lot of people personally about this proposed law and have not found anyone yet who would oppose it," he writes.
Obviously, he didn't speak with the people who comment on the letters blog. They're subjecting his idea to considerable ridicule.
How to explain the different reactions?
My guess is that Mr. Sowers is a nice man, and people who listened to him explain his idea in person simply didn't want to be disagreeable. They preferred to humor him rather than risk hurting his feelings.
There are no such sensitivities on the letters blog, where almost everyone is anonymous and unrestrained. Without having to "face" anyone else or reveal their own identities, they feel free to bash away.
It's not polite discourse but it's honest. Sometimes brutally honest.
Comments (5)
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Doug, Please believe me when I say that I would much rather speak to these folks face to face. I would be free to express myself in terms not appropriate for public dissemenaton!
Of course, there are some writers that I'd like to thank in person for proposing some ideas that I wish I'd done as eloquently. Yes, I know that's hard to believe!
Posted on August 22, 2008 10:33 AM
Tony, you're an exception. You'll be, er, frank with anyone.
Posted on August 22, 2008 10:43 AM
Seriously? I would openly laugh in Mr. Sowers face without even pausing for one iota to think about his ridiculous idea. Sure, it might save a little fuel and help to reduce our dependency on foreign oil, but at what cost? Incessant traffic jams? Illegally modified vehicles to remove the limiter? I can even envision an increased likelihood of accidents because it will become increasingly difficult to merge onto highways.
What a horrible, laughable idea.
Posted on August 22, 2008 10:46 AM
Yes, definitely there are times when the ability to accelerate gets you or keeps you out of trouble.
On a two-lane road with fairly short straightaways, you'd be doomed to stay behind a car or truck driving 45-50 mph. "Accelerating" to a max of 55 wouldn't let you pass.
Posted on August 22, 2008 11:30 AM
Somehow I'm really not all that interested in saving gas -
Posted on August 22, 2008 2:25 PM