How to CRITIQUE and DISAGREE online without being a troll/knob

How to CRITIQUE and DISAGREE online without being a troll/knob.

One of the drawbacks with a dental degree is that it's focus is largely logical and scientific.  This focus on science, logic and binary mathematical decision making, for years on end, tends to suppress the emotional intelligence of a group of people that were probably tending toward that direction anyway. 

One of the problems from this coldly logical mindset, is that we can, with the best of intentions, beat people rather than teach them, when we think they could do something better. 

1.  Don't make moral judgements from clinical cases. 

Most people are trying to do their best for their patients to the best of their training, experience and understanding.  Equating clinical treatments that we are not in favour of, with a moral deficiency is foolish and shows low personal insight.  Discuss a case only on it's own merits without judgement about what sort of person the clinician is. 

2.  You don't have to "win".

It takes time for people to change their ideas.  So even if you are correct, you can't expect someone to immediately process what you have said and then change what they have previously believed.  Trying to continue to argue until they agree with you is hoping for something that will never happen.  Mostly it will just make you look like an aggressive fool. 

3.  Inspire, don't beat.

The best way to supplant a bad idea is with a good idea.  So if you don't like something, the lazy way is to criticise.  The effective way is to frequently demonstrate something better through frequent posts of high quality.

4.  Don't put people in a corner.

As much fun as it is to have violent internet arguments, putting people in a corner will not make them learn from you magnificent wisdom.  It will just cause them to lash out, or retreat into silence.
Such techniques include statements like "please answer the above question, did you or did you not advise the patient that you have never done this before?".  This is an aggressive question which you are trying to publicly force the other person to embarrass themselves.

5.  Assume uncertainty.

As the person reviewing the case, you have very little information about the patient.  So rather than making a certain definitive statement, as a question to gently clarify.  "I'm wondering why you chose to do that 3mm shoulder margin on that crown prep?  When I used to do heavy preps, the teeth tended to fall off" is better than "That prep is wrong you idiot.  You have mutilated the teeth".   Or "I wonder why the patient chose not to have orthodontics rather than the veneers here" is better than "It is malpractice.  You should have done ortho". 

6.  Say your post in a stern voice.  Does it still sound nice?

Our posts are often cold and logical and we forget the emotional impact we can have on someone in front of 26000 people.  Ask yourself if what you are about to post is nice, and will encourage someone to do better, or will it just make your insecurities feel better by bullying another?  We can easily write careless comments that on reflection, we can understand will just hurt, not teach.

Thanks for reading.  Teaching and helping others takes self discipline and restraint.  Beating and bullying only take insecurity.  I appreciate how much effort members of RIPE have made to help one another. 

Thank you.