4phlebas

Comment Threads

• Charlie Stross commented on "Yes, but what are your <em>credentials</em>, Mr Stross?"
  Just knowing that someone has a degree/graduated from highschool / isn't a convicted felon or park-ranger can go a long way in a policy debate round. Maybe, but your argument is wholly specious: I am not interested in formal debate. It's not my shtick. Badgering me for information of use in such debate is like grabbing a random stranger and demanding the latest news on the India v. Pakistan Test Series: vanishingly unlikely to be productive, and liable to annoy the random stranger in question. Finally, going back to the original essay I wrote that the troll in question wanted...
• Charlie Stross commented on "Yes, but what are your <em>credentials</em>, Mr Stross?"
  Yes, it sucks that some people are dumb and insist on credentials, but that's no reason to not attempt to get credentials. Our form of debate IS less than optimal, but it's the best there is, and there's no convincing certain judges that qualifications aren't important. Dude, any time I feel like it I can get another stack of letters to add to the couple of sets I'm entitled to put after my name (and don't bother with). Trouble is, what used to be an indication of serious scholarship is today just a tick-box to put on your CV so...
• Moderator Alan commented on "Yes, but what are your <em>credentials</em>, Mr Stross?"
  the couple of sets I'm entitled to put after my name (and don't bother with) Heh. And one of them is in a subject that some of us didn't graduate in because said full degree wasn't available in our day. As long as government agencies and multinational companies are flying you round the world for the benefit of hearing your views, I don't think you need worry about a piece of paper or two....
• wrragan3 commented on "Yes, but what are your <em>credentials</em>, Mr Stross?"
  I will have to at least thank this student for reminding me that Charlie contributed to Fiend Folio (in particular the Githyanki reference). I used to be so obsessed with that book in my formative years....
• Moderator Alan commented on "Yes, but what are your <em>credentials</em>, Mr Stross?"
  Please don't just repeat your earlier argument about how academic reliance on qualifications is a bad thing, actually engage my argument on how debaters have to adapt to judge bias in order to win debates. My goodness, just see the entitlement dripping from that demand. The answer is no, you do not get to impose your rules on this forum....