[Strawbale] Anti Cement Folks

[David Neeley]

Wasn't it Shakespeare who said something to the effect that "methinks thou
dost protest too much?"

There is plenty of discussion in the archives about cement stucco and its
problems with cracking and then allowing too much water to enter bale walls,
for example, that have nothing to do with the so-called "anti cement bias."

When it comes to stucco, I share such a bias as I believe sincerely that it
is the wrong material for the job, causing premature failures and long-term
problems far beyond any value it brings when compared to other materials.

There is also a great deal of very on-point discussion here and there of
cement mixes that incorporate various admixtures--including fly ash, as I
mentioned a couple of days ago--that can actually *improve* the mix and
reduce costs even though it also has positive environmental impact. That,
too, does not seem to be so off-putting for anyone who is seeking a factual
treatment as you say you are.

One time-honored phenomenon on mail lists is for someone to take a position
and then to become, unh, "hardened" in it and ego-bound to defend that
position.

What I don't see here is any sort of personal attack, only opinions that
there are better ways to proceed in some cases than may be first offered.

If you don't want the opinions of others, then by all means look elsewhere
than an Internet mail list. No one participates simply to rubber stamp the
ideas of others.

Of course, the same is true in the "real world" only not often so clearly
expressed. Generally, it is a good thing to get a variety of opinions--even
those that do not agree with our own preconceptions.

As always, by all means take what is applicable and leave the rest--but for
God's sake kindly leave off the injured vanity b.s. and the complaints that
any opinion you might hold is not properly respected by others.

In the end, I think everyone "gets" the idea that you will do what you wish.
Whether you do so while continuing to participate in this forum or not is
your decision. However, continuing to do so while becoming tedious on the
subject will win no friends nor positively influence the bulk of others
here.

I could mention another name or two who have earned a reputation that causes
most others on the list to groan a bit when they post. The most they have
garnered is a distinct lack of response to their comments and questions, due
to what seems to be a somewhat widespread impression that challenging
anything they say isn't worthwhile, as it will be disregarded and
unpleasant.

David

On 5/7/07, Stone Tool <owly at ttc-cmc.net> wrote:
>
>         There is such a strong thread of anti-cement sentiment running
> through
> this group that I have reached the point where I question virtually all
> the shared "wisdom" about cement versus lime based stucco and plaster.
> On need only bring up cement to be attacked or at least corrected on the
> issue of what an undesirable material it is.