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Culture War Roundup for the week of May 29, 2023

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Hylynka has been in the queue too much lately. Some of the other stuff would be difficult to explain why it's bad. This one was straightforward enough.

And I am currently as strict as I always am. Amadan is the nice one. If amadan leaves the queue clear for too long then I start to notice. If I start to notice I put on my mod cap until I stop noticing.

Since you banned me for excessive snark towards Hlynka a few days ago, I’d just like to register my disagreement towards your severity here, hopefully cleared from accusations of self-serving bias.

Some ribbing between regulars who know each other well is not damaging to discourse the way the same barbs on or by strangers would be. The artificial politeness and stringent rules of civility we maintain towards strangers is just a utilitarian phase, not an end in itself. Deep down we disagree fundamentally, but at first we pretend not to, just to get the exchange going. Later on this allows us to honestly confront each other’s beliefs. So if Hlynka believes what he says and has established rapport, he should be free to express himself without repercussions, not dance around his true beliefs. That’s what I believe anyway. But perhaps nybbler, or Hlynka, prefers his opponent’s opinion sugar-coated ad infinitam, in which case fine, have at it.