during the "I hate my teachers" group rants are offensive,

Do you see that happening a lot? Serious question - like I said, I'm neither a student nor a teacher, so it's possible that things just don't ping me the way they do you. I know it's happened a couple of times, and it was really helpful that people did speak up and say that things were getting a little touchy. And of course, it's anyone's right not to speak up - but when people do, it does make everyone a little more sensitive to what may be over the top for future discussions. It was the preemptive "watch what you say" that really took me aback.

And I do think that venting is an important thing. I think many of us have found the chance to get something off our chests in this environment a lifesaver. And really, the number of times that someone's rant has gone overboard to the point of upsetting others has been really small, IME, and nearly always called. I hate the idea of people feeling like they have to self-censor here, or double-check who's around and what other posters might be in parallel positions to the subjects of their ire before they can say what's on their mind.

One last thing - once there were specifics on the table, the responses, from you personally and from others, were interesting and helpful, and presented another perspective on what I can see would be a touchy subject. That seems to me like a good thing.

I usually find that *some* of the comments made during the "I hate my teachers" group rants are offensive, at least to me

Now *this* I find offensive. I have never. never. never. started or been involved in an "I hate my teachers" group rant. That would be impossible since I haven't had one professor that I've hated. Not even this professor. I just have a frustration about not knowing how I'm doing in the class. I think you're jumping to an awfully big conclusion to think that it would have started an "I hate my teachers" group rant. I think instead it would have started what I typically find here...posts of a supportive nature.

If vw is mad at things that individuals did that affect her, I think it's perfectly in line to vent -- it's not just a Bitch raison d'etre -- it happens all over the board, whether the individuals are doctors, lawyers, insurance agencies, mortgage companies, banks, phone companies, TV networks, writers, directors.

It'd be a major shift in board culture if it all suddenly disappeared.

Personally, I don't do a lot of venting in this kind of public space, which makes me different, and perhaps less invested in the Grand Importance of Public Venting.

I think of it as semi-public venting. I can say "God, I am annoyed, this complete moron has just invited himself to my going-away lunch". Nobody here knows who I'm talking about. The complete moron is never going to find out about it because (A) he doesn't read this thread and (B) it won't show up in a Google for his name. I get to vent, nobody gets hurt.

And I'm certainly not hurt when somebody talks about a moronic tech writer. Some members of my profession are morons. Heck, some members of me are morons.

I may add that that example was hypothetical: I don't have a going-away lunch.

I have hated some instructors but I have Authority Issues that can choke a Great Dane as well. So I don't know whose fault it was.

Sean's.

And I'm certainly not hurt when somebody talks about a moronic tech writer. Some members of my profession are morons. Heck, some members of me are morons.

Betsy, whenever I am dealing with a moronic tech writer, I entertain little fantasies where they are suddenly replaced on the project by you. Then I get depressed when reality re-asserts itself, and I realize that won't happen.

Sean's.

Sadly (or possibly, Fortunately) this is the proper answer to where blame needs to be laid in the majority of instances.

Well, it's true...he didn't smite them for me. (We hadn't met yet, but that's hardly an excuse.)Oh, whereBLAME gets laid!(crosses one item off next LA-ista schedule of events.) That could be embarrassing! It would be wrong for me to send e-mail to Talented Poet I Hardly Know saying:
Dear Sir,
It was a joke. When did you have your sense of humor extracted?

Love, Me