This pointless argument

KennyPeskin · Wed, 11 Apr 2001 13:38:14 -0700

Okay, since I started this whole mess, I wanted
to take the opportunity to apologize to those people
who have no interest in the subject--and to Kevin
Olmstead for overwhelming his accomplishment in terms of #
of posts. I'm not really sure what to make of the
fact that my biggest supporters in this whole mess
have been Andy Goss and two (potential) trolls. (And I
really want to stay far, far away from the ACF-bashing
going on.) 

Since the whole crux of the argument
has shifted way off from my intended subject, let me
just say that I never meant to convey the message
"Don't criticize CBI because I like it!" (I don't think
I actually said this, but I really don't feel like
arguing right now). What I tried to say was "Don't assume
that your (majority) viewpoint is the ONLY legitimate
viewpoint. Don't state your opinion as a fact. Because I
disagree with your opinion. I happen to value CBI at least
as much as the other national tournaments, if not
more. And I certainly consider myself to a full-fledged
member of the quiz bowl community." 

Whenever
when an majority opinion is stated as fact (and
whenever one person claims to speak for ALL quiz bowl
players), anyone who disagrees will feel marginalized. As a
veteran player, I am comfortable enough in my own skin to
speak up and voice my opinion when I feel it is
important (even when I know I will just be inviting
criticism). I don't know if a new player who shares my
beliefs would be as willing to speak up and get booed of
the stage.

I feel that we all, as responsible
quiz bowl players, need to work to make sure that quiz
bowl, both in tournaments and in our larger community,
provides an environment that is comfortable and inclusive
for all potential players. 

I'm sorry if the
content of my posts obscured the point I was trying to
make. (I know some of the other posts made didn't
help.) I didn't want this to become another CBI vs ACF
flamewar. I was simply trying to say that it is quite
problematic to claim _as fact_ that CBI is a lesser
competition than others. 

Kenny Peskin