Re: discussion style and respect

[Michael StJohns <[e-mail]>]

In answering private mail on my posting on this topic, I came up with a half-baked theory that I decided should probably be shared with the list for comment.  The following is a quote from a private response I sent on this topic.

Side comment - my thoughts on behavior.  Almost every other technical standards body in the world has voting at either the individual, organization or country level with respect to whether or not a particular element, thought, scheme or device gets standardized.  We do not.  
Through "consensus", we include things that are strongly presented, vigorously defended, said by people with gravitas applicable to the technology[, technically good], and not shouted down.  It may be that the style of interaction that you're complaining about is more related to the "consensus" process than to any other element.   If may be that if you want to change the confrontational style, you're going to have to change the way things become standards. 
The above is proposed for discussion, not a strongly held belief on my part (as of yet).  But, it may be that "Standardization by combat" is what we're all about and that to change that would require changing the fundamentals for the IETF.