But my object in using the word "absurdly", and then disavowing it by acknowledging that I and Dnvrfox may be coming from very different cultural norms, was to emphasise my point, not to inflame. If people don't get that, I'm sorry, but really there is an obligation on the reader to try to understand.

For instance, Dnvrfox clearly took exception to my suggesting that examining one's own prejudices and challenging those of others was part of what kept one interesting. But that remark wasn't directed at him, it was just an observation about life in general and an attempt to explain why I loke debate and find it not just inoffensive, but invigorating. It's not personal. How could it be? This is an internet forum, I don't know you, I only know your posts.

As for being one of the "ripple folks, I plead guilty, but only to a degree. Most of the time my inquisitorial posts are a genuine attempt to get people to think about the issue. Occasionally, as with dudelsack recently, I just respond in kind and seek to stir the pot. But the latter is rare and specific to individuals whose posts I perceive to be either pretentious or hypocritical.