[Haskell-cafe] strict, lazy, non-strict, eager

[Gregory Crosswhite]

On Dec 24, 2011, at 6:47 PM, Murray Campbell wrote:

> It's too late to avoid success at all costs but please don't banish our
> precious pedantry!
> 
> Scare on!

Please don't misunderstand, I have absolutely no problems at all with people arguing voraciously and pedantically over ideas, as long as they are doing so respectfully, impersonally, politely and open-mindedly.  In fact, like you I welcome such discourse, and the fact that this list provides such a nice environment for it is part of the reason why I like it so much.  :-)  (See, for example, the argument that I started a few days ago over whether some/many belong in Alternative a few days ago.)

Having said that, there is no small difference between

"Hey everyone!  I have been thinking about something for a while, and I have an idea with which many of you will most likely strongly disagree.  Here it is, and I welcome your feedback on it!"

and

"You all have long been maintaining a cognitive dissonance that in some cases turns into plain hypocrisy, and the only reason I hadn't complained about it until now was because I have been waiting for unmistakable evidence, a smoking gun, a red hand so caught that you cannot explain away.  Here it is.  Now people, could you please make up your mind already?  It has been more than 13 years."

The former invites open discussion in a friendly and positive environment, whereas the latter at best turns people off from wanting to respond positively, and at worst provokes angry responses that further poison the well.

Cheers,
Greg
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