See, when there’s this kind of perpetual snark from some participants, it’s very hard to find any motivation to even try with them.  

Never, and I mean NOT ONE SINGLE TIME, has Armchair Warlord EVER responded to the content of one of my posts.  It’s the same thing every single time.  Some condescending remark akin to, “Is this guy for real??? OMG, that dude’s so outrageous! Good thing we don’t take him seriously.…stand back folks, he’ll probably just threaten to ‘gut you like a fish.’ We know he’s blowing smoke, though, and just can’t see the light of day in his delusional little world.”

That’s it.  Vacuous, insulting fluff.  There is content of mine in this very thread you can respond to, AW.  Others have.  Instead of critiquing my perception of ‘reasonableness,’ why don’t you take a hack at something I’ve said above on the subject matter of this thread.  

I regret how many of our conversations have devolved, and while this doesn’t excuse it, it might help explain why I’ve been “flamethrower mode” at times with even the more level-headed in this crowed.  It’s all about alliances and numbers.  Sure, you disagree with DC, shortchain, and others on a number of issues, but arguably you align with them on far more issues than you do me.  Couple that with there really only being four conservative-leaning regulars here in myself, GROG, rgbact, and parksie.  It’s practically non-existent that all four of us are participating in the same thread and rare for even three of us to be in the room together at the same time.  Generally just 1–2 of us at the same time up against a much larger opposition that is generally much more dedicated “the cause.”  It’s very easy to get into a defensive position with a me-against-the-world mentality in that kind of environment.  So when I’m locked into a war of words with DC, Max, or someone else and it gets heated, and I know you, Mono, or mclever are regular participants but I don’t see you weigh in, my default position, knowing that you align with them on far more issues than you do me, is to assume they’re essentially serving as a proxy for your view on whatever the subject matter happens to be that day.  I know that doesn’t seem fair, respectful, or even logical at times, but it’s a product of having these kind of heated discussions on a blog where we can only respond to sporadic written  comments (which can skew context, tone, and gestures that likely wouldn’t be a problem in a live, face-to-face environment) to one another.  

It is what it is, I guess.  

I submit that your idea of “reasonable” is a long way from what is actually reasonable.

 Maybe “some” but definitely not “all” because I know for a fact I’ve entered threads with a genial tone and had someone jump down my throat for no good reason.  Shortchain comes to mind as a recent example (“take your Austrian BS and stick it where the sun doesn’t shine”).  

If I could get an ounce of rea­son­able­ness out of him, I can promise you my tone would change.

Here’s why I doubt that. Sure, you’ve been reasonable with me at times, but if I ever dare to agree with, say, DC on even a minor point, all of a sudden I’m a partisan hack who devalues the whole of the Interwebs. I’ve been on the receiving end of your flamethrower on numerous occasions, and have never attacked you personally.

“CC has made a big part of his schtick avoid­ing address­ing me in a rea­son­able, ratio­nal, and/​or respect­ful tone and drop­ping con­de­scend­ing remarks”

You REALLY think CC has THAT market cornered? Valjiir hit the nail on the head. As I’ve said MANY times now, “You chose the path we walk”. And when you lay out that path, I and others (well, maybe not mc) will DAMN SURE give back what you give out.

The day YOU stop being an ass, I am CERTAIN that folks will reciprocate. You WANT reasonable, YOU GIVE reasonable.

Til then, don’t whine like a 2 y/o about people treating you as you treat others.

Thanks for answering my question.  The only rebuttal I have (if rebuttal is actually the applicable word here) is that there is more to the audience here than just CC.  Though I can understand having that kind of emotional reaction to someone who, as you say, has been ungenerous to you in the past  :)

Anyway, thanks again. 

One is rather foolish it try to comp “diversity” from one state to another, as you can find what you’re looking for without a lot of trouble either way. The ABSOLUTE best thing you can say is that it’s a matter of degree. That there are “pockets” that are the exception.

So no one, repeat: NO ONE, has the market cornered. Bragging about one over the other is opening yourself up to be made to look foolish! Because the examples are easily found to counter your mistaken assumption.

Take this article for example. Seven assertions.  All sound very nice.  But none really demonstrate exactly how the things that are claimed are actually true.  

I’m a big believer in reciprocity.  CC has made a big part of his schtick avoiding addressing me in a reasonable, rational, and/or respectful tone and dropping condescending remarks (“Yosemite Sam”) at every turn.  If I could get an ounce of reasonableness out of him, I can promise you my tone would change.  In short, to answer your question, audience matters.  

“but it might fur­nish some actual data”

Not in that one, that I could tell.  Looked like more of the same assertive fluff — diversity is good and should be a high priority in providing a well-rounded educational experience — with little data showing HOW it improves the educational experience.