Ranting against Big Brother

[Mark Durie]

In response to John Myhill's comments.

A functionalist might point out that debate has many functions besides
bringing about assent.  Gaining a clearer understanding of differences and
commonalities is one.  Just keeping channels open can be helpful at times.
The fact that people are still arguing with each other can in itself be
encouraging.

Also I think it is important that many people receiving a list like this
are listeners, not 'arguers', and at least some of these have not yet made
up their minds about the fundamental issues.

Mark Durie



------------------------------------
From:  Mark Durie
       Department of Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
       University of Melbourne
       Parkville 3052

       Hm  (03) 9380-5247
       Wk  (03) 9344-5191
       Fax (03) 9349-4326

M.Durie at linguistics.unimelb.edu.au
http://www.arts.unimelb.edu.au/Dept/LALX/staff/durie.html