7/29/05

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On 7/29/05, Michael Krotscheck wrote:
> If that person had no impact on the situation, then I still wouldn't agree
> with you, because credibility is a social mechanism, and to be able to
> argue *any* case effectively partially relies on that. To say "Oh, they
> don't have any real effect on the situation, therefore I don't care about
> their opinion" is the classic rationale behind Group Think and the Asch
> effect (along with "Everyone else is an idiot but us", "See Figure 1", and
> "They're wrong, we're right.").
>
> And that pretty much sums up what I think of your position in this, Don.

Buzz words aside, our situation is unique and an argument can be made for an exception to reporting requirements. I support that argument. I doubt it will have much of an effect, but there it is. I am flabbergasted that you cannot see the validity of these points as I have laid them out, even if you disagree with them.

This has nothing to do with a sense of general superiority because, as much as we all like to joke about Fig. 1, we know very well that every year it becomes less and less true.

- Donald Sheldon
US2002022644

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