[at-l] OT/semantics is our friend: consensus =|= compromise

[sloetoe at yahoo.com (Sloetoe)]

Somebody posted recently:
"consensus which means compromise"

And it does not. Consensus means a common vision has been
hammered out, either deformative of persons or values or both.
Consensus in a contentious debate means that some party(s) lost,
while others may have not. The result is a shared vision.

Compromise is seeking a common vision acceptable to both
party(s), through give and take. No one is *forced* to accept
otherwise unacceptable terms, rather, one may "horse trade" a
bad point here for a good point there. The result is a shared
vision where each side only sees what it wishes of the total.

Consensus *sounds* good, but mostly is accomplished by bullies
holding people hostage against bathroom breaks, meals, A/C,
anything. Conformity hell. Compromise sounds like wheddling
(since when has anyone been admired for being a "Great
Compromiser"?), but allows people to have different opinions at
the end of the day -- even to the point of disagreement -- but
they did reach a (heh!) compromise position.

heuresthecitaltoe