[SystemSafety] help in Barcelona Spain

[Les Chambers]

Andy

No apology necessary. I for one do not favour restricting any subject on
this list. This is a good case in point. A serendipitous request for
information on Barcelona revealed the real risk of an encounter with a
pickpocket. It is not pleasant to be mugged from behind - my experience is
worth noting. Believe me, the probability is quite high, even the residents
of Barcelona suffer. 

 

In 40 years of working in teams responsible generating new ideas I have
observed that the spark of creativity and new learning is often the result
of stupid questions and half baked ideas, 'off topic' discussions on the
margin of a problem by people not expert in the issue at hand.

 

This point is worth labouring as, over the years of my participation in this
list, I have received several off-list emails from people who have been
intimidated by the troll-like activity we just witnessed. Some of them
highly experienced with valuable insights that should be aired (but won't be
because they've been bullied out of expressing an opinion). 

 

As I said in IET London last October, "The intelligent are full of
self-doubt." It is therefore easy for a troll to shut down what could be a
productive discussion. As a defence the intelligent should remember that,
"Charisma is the first sign of incompetence."

 

Not long ago this list suffered through a prolonged handwringing by
bleedingheart Brits over brexit. Using the logic applied to your post this
could have been classed, and I think was tagged, as 'off topic'- yet it
persisted with no troll activity at all. It didn't bother me. It was a
momentous occasion in British history over which Brits have a perfect right
to ring their hands. And if talking it through would help with their
bleedinghearts more is better.

 

So can I make this suggestion to those who would anoint themselves thought
police: would it not be a better use of your time to think of something new
to say rather than to attempt to control what other people are posting?

 

Cheers

 

Les

 

From: systemsafety
[mailto:systemsafety-bounces at lists.techfak.uni-bielefeld.de] On Behalf Of
andy
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2017 1:51 PM
To: 'andy'; 'The System Safety List'
Subject: Re: [SystemSafety] help in Barcelona Spain

 

I sincerely apologize for abusing this list.  It will not happen again.  If
you are upset with me, feel free to take me off the list.

 

Andrew Loebl

 

From: andy [mailto:loeblas at comcast.net] 
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2017 2:15 PM
To: 'The System Safety List'
Subject: help in Barcelona Spain

 

I do not know if this is appropriate, so I apologize in advance.  I am
seeking advice about what to see and where to stay (area or hotel) in
Barcelona Spain.  I have not been there before but will be staying 5 nights
and 5 days.  I will be arriving on a cruise ship.

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://lists.techfak.uni-bielefeld.de/mailman/private/systemsafety/attachments/20170215/1512fb69/attachment-0001.html>