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[voxprincipalis]

Also that when they do, shrugging isn't part of the reaction.

I didn't say people should shrug it off. There are, and should be, consequences for violating the law. But that's not the same as "being offended" -- or, it ought not to be. Otherwise, you ought to be being offended by every criminal or amoral act going on anywhere on the planet at any time.

This is the same argument that is often raised about whether or not profs should be personally offended by plagiarism. My stance has always been "no", because emotional involvement of that nature is neither healthy nor constructive. Should the plagiarizer be punished? Heck, yeah -- but without personal vitriol.

But, as I said before, I know that most don't agree with me. I just think that we like to get angry way too much.

VP

[gennidad]

Also that when they do, shrugging isn't part of the reaction.

I didn't say people should shrug it off. There are, and should be, consequences for violating the law. But that's not the same as "being offended" -- or, it ought not to be. Otherwise, you ought to be being offended by every criminal or amoral act going on anywhere on the planet at any time.

This is the same argument that is often raised about whether or not profs should be personally offended by plagiarism. My stance has always been "no", because emotional involvement of that nature is neither healthy nor constructive. Should the plagiarizer be punished? Heck, yeah -- but without personal vitriol.

But, as I said before, I know that most don't agree with me. I just think that we like to get angry way too much.

VP

I agree with you on this one VP.  Most people let their emotions rule their brains instead of their brains ruling their emotions.  A problem one person on here seems to be demonstrating a lot lately. 

[spicoli]

I take offense to getting pelted with peanuts at a baseball game for wearing the away team's gear.

Just happened today, had to vent.

[daniel_von_flanagan]

I lived in Providence for 18 months and was violently offended by it the entire time.

You lived under God's benevolent care for that long and it started to grate?  I don't understand. - DvF

[normative_]

I know most here don't agree with me, but that's OK.

I agree with you, VP. Glad you said it.

[invinoveritas]

I take offense at people who are 'offended'.  Seriously folks, what is so offensive about anything?  If you really find something 'offensive', then call the person out on their stupidity and offer an argument for why they are 'wrong', not 'offensive'.  

Actually, I've found that any kind of 'aggresive argumentation' is often met here with claims of 'I'm so offended' or some such reaction.  Get over yourself...welcome to the world of open debate.  I find it odd that so many posters on the CHE are so 'sensitive'.  There's nothing wrong with getting a little 'riled up' over a topic that you are passionate about, but please.....enough with the emotional name-calling and 'politeness-policing' that often occurs here.

I'm not making a blanket-claim here.....I understand that there are some 'offensive' posts, but I think that many posters here take any post that disagrees with their opinion on a matter as 'offensive'.....this occurs quite frequently and it is ridiculous, childish and annoying.  Does anyone recall ol' JS Mill's famous argument for why any opinion should be heard, regardless of how wrong/offensive it might be?

[goldstein]

I am always amused when younger faculty bring me particularly egregious plagiarisms.  So often the discussion includes personal outrage and comments such as, "Why are they doing this to me?  Do they think I am stupid?"  I think these faculty are most "offended" when I suggest that they played no part at all in the student's thinking, and ask if they would be complimented by more cunning attempts.

I am, however, deeply offended by anyone who is offended by Providence, which I am thoroughly enjoying.  Stop assuming that I am corrupt.

[tolerantly]

Goldstein, if you are at Brown, you are not in Providence.  You are exempt from Providence.  So don't worry.