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From: "David Ewing" <>
Subject: [DNA-R1B1C7] The serious student.
Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 21:17:44 -0600


Gene Ashley said, "The serious student should maintain a open mind and have
respect for another person's opinion Unless he knows it all. then it's
ok.?"

I am sorry to have hurt Gene's feelings, but let me share some thoughts.
1. I am not an expert in these matters.
2. I do not know it all, or indeed, very much.
3. Having an open mind involves at minimum not swallowing legends found on
the Internet whole without consulting and citing other sources.
4. One does not need to be an expert or to "know it all" in order to
recognize hooey. The easiest way to recognize hooey is to find an opinion
offered as fact without sources or arguments, which when questioned is
defended by sarcasm and ad hominem attack.
5. It would not be respectful of Gene or any of the members of the list to
remain silent when hooey is published on the list.
6. In no way am I suggesting that one should not post opinions on the list,
well supported or otherwise. I even welcome hooey. But I consider it a
responsibility of all of us on the list to call it by its name when it
appears.

Respectfully,

David Ewing

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