Must opinions be substantiated? (TMT examples)

[MarkD]

From PaulW: ...you write a weekly column of 3000 words on the status of debate on Punaweb. I hope someone actually reads it.

Your sarcasm is correct, Paul. Most people probably won’t read it. But some of the non-readers are not hesitant to critique it.

I guess that makes it easier. You can reply to what you think was written rather than what was written. But that’s OK.

I find this whole thing amusing. It is not like I said to myself one day, for no reason: I’ll write a huge piece on how to support opinions. Show everyone on Punatalk how smart I am.

I might have my shortcomings on Punatalk. But one of them is not sniping at average posters in replies. Or insinuating with knowledge how dumb they are.

But some of the (obviously) more educated people on Punatalk, the constant critics. Who know so much. Who post all over the place. And sometimes snipe at average posters. And who like to throw their big words around as challenges. Like “unsubstantiated opinions.” All around Punatalk. Including at me.

And then it turns out they have problems discerning the difference between “substantiate” and “prove.” I find that even funnier.