Flame wars imply life?!?! (Score 1)

Such idiocy presumes that controversy can only be expressed in the language of vulgarity and ad hominum. The fallacy of that position is self-evident.

What all these flame wars really represent is the fact that Linux and the Internet have superceded the old BBS nets as the forum of choice for the socially illiterate, self-proclaimed mavens of the computer "underground".

The truly sad result is that flaming is a self-perpetuating phenomenon that seems to engulf even the most civil and intelligent of individuals once they have become the brunt of it. Civil debate and discussion require effort and thought; flames only a keyboard and a command of the cruder elements of language.

Fortunately, there seem to be relatively few flame-baiting topics in the Linux universe so far. Sadly, these subjects seem to be in the forefront of conversation far too often.

Freedom of speech is a vital part of the Net. It carries with it the responsibility to use that freedom properly. Express your opinions. Do it forcefully when necessary. But recognize that flaming is not speech but assault. It presents no opinion, but rather attacks those whose opinion differs from yours, and in so doing, spits upon the very freedom that allows it to occurs. It is the ultimate hypocrisy.