I think I am calling into question what "effective" can mean. On this page, we are sometimes singing to the choir. Is that "effective"? Probably not, in the sense of making a difference. We are sometimes at odds with the crazy conspiracy hoaxers and may possibly clear their heads. In some indirect sense (dispelling folly), that may be "effective." At least it will make them less ineffective. But when we reach out to some actual person in our actual selves, we may be informing them or educating them. I think that is the best form of "effective," though it may not be perfect.
I guess I am thinking this environment (anonymous) is like a training gym, but the real contest occurs outside the gym. If we are to the point where people feel fearful of telling the truth, lest there be reprisal---then we are past the point where people should be telling the truth because our lives and freedom depend on it.
As an aside, do you realize that people today seem nervous about their names, addresses, and phone numbers being known and knowable to nearly anyone. They get all squinchy if their address or phone number is mentioned. I find this incredible, inasmuch as I grew up with CITY TELEPHONE BOOKS that consisted of an actual alphabetized list of EVERYONE IN THE CITY WHO HAD A PHONE, complete with street address and phone number. We didn't think anything of it. Nothing bad came of it. If you expressed any anxiety about this, you would be looked at like you were fresh from the looney bin!
I think I am calling into question what "effective" can mean. On this page, we are sometimes singing to the choir. Is that "effective"? Probably not, in the sense of making a difference. We are sometimes at odds with the crazy conspiracy hoaxers and may possibly clear their heads. In some indirect sense (dispelling folly), that may be "effective." At least it will make them less ineffective. But when we reach out to some actual person in our actual selves, we may be informing them or educating them. I think that is the best form of "effective," though it may not be perfect.
I guess I am thinking this environment (anonymous) is like a training gym, but the real contest occurs outside the gym. If we are to the point where people feel fearful of telling the truth, lest there be reprisal---then we are past the point where people should be telling the truth because our lives and freedom depend on it.
As an aside, do you realize that people today seem nervous about their names, addresses, and phone numbers being known and knowable to nearly anyone. They get all squinchy if their address or phone number is mentioned. I find this incredible, inasmuch as I grew up with CITY TELEPHONE BOOKS that consisted of an actual alphabetized list of EVERYONE IN THE CITY WHO HAD A PHONE, complete with street address and phone number. We didn't think anything of it. Nothing bad came of it. If you expressed any anxiety about this, you would be looked at like you were fresh from the looney bin!