In 1867 an explosion of nitro-glycerin killed some workers in Bergen, N.J. After testing the compound to determine a cause of the explosion, Professor Doremus concluded that under certain conditions the substance was rather harmless, but that under others, it was quite explosive. While it was in an open container, he subjected the liquid to a piece of red-hot copper: No explosion. He subjected it to extreme heat: No explosion. The nitro-glycerin fully exposed to air did not explode.
Then he tested it in a sealed container: Boom! He concluded, “My opinion is that nitro-glycerin should be used in the most careful hands; [I] do not think I would put it in the hands of a common laborer for blasting purposes.”*
I wonder what Professor Doremus would say if he were asked to examine today’s explosives called social media and email. Operating sometimes under the concealment provided by the anonymity of pseudonyms, some write explosive comments designed to blast the reputations of others or otherwise malign them. Would Doremus say, “My opinion is that social media and email should be put in the most careful hands”?
Full exposure to the air prevents nitro-glycerin from exploding. Would the same work for malicious verbal attacks?
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/8951/8951-h/8951-h.htm#24
Then he tested it in a sealed container: Boom! He concluded, “My opinion is that nitro-glycerin should be used in the most careful hands; [I] do not think I would put it in the hands of a common laborer for blasting purposes.”*
I wonder what Professor Doremus would say if he were asked to examine today’s explosives called social media and email. Operating sometimes under the concealment provided by the anonymity of pseudonyms, some write explosive comments designed to blast the reputations of others or otherwise malign them. Would Doremus say, “My opinion is that social media and email should be put in the most careful hands”?
Full exposure to the air prevents nitro-glycerin from exploding. Would the same work for malicious verbal attacks?
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/8951/8951-h/8951-h.htm#24
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