Does civility usually mask weakness or strength?
Conversation
Replying to
Both. Civility is the mask of oligarchs. Easily taken off around inferiors, but useful around near-equals to reduce the risk of ad hoc conflicts with uncertain outcomes.
1
Replying to
It masks strength. The key word is "masks" though. Those who want to see weakness behind civility can do that. You need something to compensate, to show actual strength. And this something is not civility.
1
Replying to
I think it often masks a desire to mimic the appearance of doing something while actually being quite comfortable in doing nothing.
1
Replying to
True civility, strength. Passive agressiveness, weakness
Replying to
It masks privilege, which is aligned with strength even if it does not always manifest as it...









