Loud

Fear and the inspiration of fear is a proven tactic in debate, rhetorical or not. Threats, intimations of violence, even a casual use of words that would be innocent in another context can be used to shift the debate of an issue towards that of character, actions and participants and away from issues and the causes of issues.

There is a reason why Kathy Sierra conflates two tactics: harsh rhetoric intended to distract and misdirect and violent mysogyny. From her perspective scathing and sarcastic remarks exist on the same spectrum as threats of violence. When the two happen, they are to her two of a kind.

She may be right. She may be wrong. It doesn’t matter. When dealing with people you must focus on the consequences, not the intent, because we are not a race of mind readers.

The damage done here is not just to a single party or a single person.

As the Icelandic saying goes: “Care must be taken in the presence of a soul.” 

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