12-27-2014, 03:36 PM
Quote:Jason,
My advice to you would be that, to avoid criticism, you should cite your sources whenever possible or, if you cannot do so at the time that you post, be prepared to do so later, if you are challenged. That way, if you quote an ancient source, others can look it up and, if they disagree with your interpretation, engage in a reasoned discussion. On the other hand, if you are relying on a modern book, those who are familiar with it can say if it is reliable or, if it is not, warn you and others off it.
Renatus has a good point. I think the really important thing is that you always contribute. Citing a contemporary written source, or citing a specific artifact means that you are contributing, because it other posters can examine your evidence and respond to your assertion. That improves our level of discourse. Even our veteran posters often forget this basic rule.
On the other hand, some of our less respected posters either 1) squabble without contributing or ask questions without doing their own due diligence to find an answer. As long as you are always contributing (as opposed to just arguing), I think others will come to respect you in due time.
(p.s. It never hurts to be polite and civil, even when the other posters are not. Stay on it, and you will get the respect you deserve.)
