Belly..check carefully,

I did not mention school in my thread.

Dear Spanky,

PhDs may not be good at "everything", as you point out. However they are good at least in "something." What about yourself? What's your claim to fame apart from a limited vocabulary in four letter words?
(smile).

What about respect for the authors on the article comment page? I've never seen such invective. Here's a selection:

"the original article was a pretentious wank intended to draw a crowd for the narcissistic ego of the author"

"Pseud prole-fagging pieces like this contribute zilch, xcept p'haps to the ego of the blogger who gets to indulge his/her camp obsession, tip a bucket, ignore contra-indication, depth and fundamental facts, and con and/or comfort idiotic, like-minded others." (Love this writing, however.)

"I have read some utter tripe on this site but this piece might take the biscuit."

&etc

Most writers aren't narcissists with chips on their shoulders, they're just people with stuff to say that you may or may not agree with. Most commenters are probably brainy, polite people IRL. But on here? There's a lot of comments that don't engage with the piece intellectually, but just lay in to the author. Really nasty stuff. Sure, some of these are probably written by the classic powerless person who takes to bullying others online. That's pretty common. But it also seems to be part of the culture of this place. There's a lot of nutters - a lot of very bitter men, and quite a few religious freaks.

It's scary.

Those that do get frustrated with this site should take a look at New Matilda. http://www.newmatilda.com/ It's free these days, and while it's drier, there are some people who post here who probably won't be posting there.

Just saying.

Let us not get too involved in the here part of that last post.
An earlier post by StG was quite right, the Internet will always bring those who need to abuse others.
In fact it will also bring those powerless ones you speak of.
I take offense at the sling about men, some yes are nasty but it is no more likely a man will offend than a woman.
You rightly highlight answers to posted items can be bad, but so too can the items, some fit the descriptions.
It is debatable if the description is any better than the item they complain about.
If we in a post understand we may be taking a stand few share we at least know what some do not.
Some are so intent on crusades they ignore the fact others may not share the passions, in fact may do so but be driven away by not being able to contribute without insults.
I one day would like to see us able to have a poll on some threads, it would be interesting to know what contributers think on issues in that way.

Belly: "I take offense at the sling about men, some yes are nasty but it is no more likely a man will offend than a woman."

Sorry Belly. I hate to offend and I apologise for it. I do agree that it's no more likely a man will offend than a woman. I have encountered some men here who are very bitter about women and feminism, but if I'm wrong to suggest there are more of them than there are offensive women, and that's incorrect, sorry.