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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!seismo!rlgvax!cvl!umcp-cs!zben
From: zben@umcp-cs.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.singles
Subject: Two meanings for "sensitivity"
Message-ID: <4990@umcp-cs.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 4-Feb-84 05:50:52 EST
Article-I.D.: umcp-cs.4990
Posted: Sat Feb  4 05:50:52 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 9-Feb-84 03:33:01 EST
Organization: Univ. of Maryland, Computer Science Dept.
Lines: 12

> Some confusion may result because there are two separate and distinct
meanings for which the word "sensitivity" is used.  One is perhaps best
expressed within the term "overly-sensitive", the other is a positive
adjective that could perhaps best be applied to Alan Alda.

  Consider this: if you are so sensitive that what has your friend crying
gets you crying too, how can you give them any help?  One needs a stable
base *from* which to offer help.  In this regard Laura is perhaps the most
stable person posting to the net.  So, to be useful as part of a support
group one needs to be "insensitive(1)" and "sensitive(2)" at the same time.

Ben Cranston