>>>It's unfortunate that a correlation between being an MVP and deserving to be banned has even been mentioned here (see, I even tippy-toe around that ... you don't want to hear what I actually think about that ridiculous supposition).
>>>

>>Being an MVP bestows no particular moral high ground on a person. Being technically skilled does not make one a better person ("better" being a very subjective word). In fact, being able to become an MVP might show an ambitious streak which might manifest itself in other less desirable ways. Michel's observations of past altercations involving MVPs is interesting I think :)
>
>It also seems that in tech disciplines there seems to be very little correlation between professional skills and social skills (unless, perhaps, an inverse one <s> )

definately inverse. No smiley needed ;-)

...
>Al Doman made the observation that our youth are growing up prone to self-destructive behavior partly due to their lives being so devoid of real danger.
>Bill Fitzgerald mentioned how a sense of perspective can be augmented by experience in life when nasty people are really trying to kill you.
>I agree with both, and offer it as a partial explanation for on line vitriol in communities like this one in confrontations between some of the "heavy-weights"
>"The reason academic politics are so bitter is that so little is at stake."

Also I believe people[/men?] not often facing others in at least partially bodily contests,
migth be Tennis, Soccer over Fencing,Rugby,Football up to the box ring or other pugilistic comparison,
involving/resulting in real pain are more prone to such exchanges.
One of the things I argue for in jobs I am for a stretch of time is an office sand bag ;-)