Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
I don't think one's level of "prototypical focus" has a darn thing to do with it. I believe we all intuitively know the difference between constructive advice, someone offering an opinion with perhaps a lack of tact, and someone who has gotten trapped in the "I'm going to prove I'm right and you're wrong" or "my way is better than yours" cycle. And you know what? I believe that we can probably all do all of these things at times depending on mood, time of day, how our day at work, our weekend, our last phone call, or whatever affected us. I know I've certainly done all three, and about every mode in between. I still find myself tempted to get into "no, you're wrong!" mode semi-regularly, though I think I've learned to stop myself when that happens. Dave nailed it. It's purely semantics. I could say "rivet-counter" or "newbie" or "plays with trains" and mean it as a deadly insult, or as a simple and accurate statement without any perjorative meaning. You're not going to eliminate people being twits by banning particular words from the vocabulary. Now, as to the regrettable few who truly, genuinely and consistently seem compelled to be pedantic, condescending and denigrating of others... I've definitely never found their 'level of prototypical focus' to have a darn thing to do with it. I do have a very, very clear and concise term I myself use for them, which nobody has to debate, interpret or wonder about semantics. Regrettably, the system will replace that word with a lot of asterisks if I type it. Let's just say "donkey-pit" pretty much covers it... I also find that any folks who truly fall into this category tend to depart about as abruptly as they show up, so large dose of "move on" is my prescription for handling them.
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community