Dear Folks-
 
Yesterday Amy wrote about salmonella in ferrets and a raw diet
>if you want to feed kibble go ahead, but don't spread lies and fear
>to discourage and scare the people that want to pursue a species
>appropriate way of feeding.
 
I don't even remember who started the thread.  I have no idea if Amy is
right about the issue or not.  I don't know if the first person was
right or not.  I don't know much about salmonella.  I read the FML for
entertainment, and to learn from our pooled experience.
 
Rebuttal?  Say someone is wrong, mistaken, has listened to bad advice,
has maybe heard some bad information.  Say that they are misinterpreting,
misinformed, out of touch with new research.  Say that there is another
side of the debate that hasn't been presented, and present it, civilly,
with respect for your opponent and for your audience.  That's what you do
when you want to influence minds and win hearts.  That's what persuasion
is all about.
 
Persuasion isn't the equivalent of "screw you and your position."  That
isn't debate.  It doesn't educate.  In fact, it tends to alienate your
audience.  So do snarling remarks to your audience like "Is it such a
hard concept to grasp..."," why is it so hard for some people to
accept"....  Persuade us.  Don't make it sound as if we are too stupid
to follow your reasoning.
 
I'm not too stupid to follow your reasoning.  Talk to me, not down to me.
And if you can't find something more substantive to bolster your argument
than that your opponent is spreading lies, and out to terrify the
ignorant, just don't bother in the first place.
 
Alexandra in MA
Who rarely wades in where angels fear to tread
[Posted in FML issue 4410]