I have also found that being able to speak bluntly and off the top of my head about what I believe to be true is enormously valuable for me in truth-seeking. Having friends and forums where that is the culture is immensely valuable. Yet learning how to not do that—how to use my “polite pen”—has also been immensely valuable to me in getting my ideas across to a broader audience.
Each has it’s place, and I think what most LWers need to hear is the point in this post, but I think it would have been clearer if all the examples were from the workplace / regular life. Then it wouldn’t have had this challenge to LW culture you perceived.
I have also found that being able to speak bluntly and off the top of my head about what I believe to be true is enormously valuable for me in truth-seeking. Having friends and forums where that is the culture is immensely valuable. Yet learning how to not do that—how to use my “polite pen”—has also been immensely valuable to me in getting my ideas across to a broader audience.
Each has it’s place, and I think what most LWers need to hear is the point in this post, but I think it would have been clearer if all the examples were from the workplace / regular life. Then it wouldn’t have had this challenge to LW culture you perceived.