Just a quick response to Tim Davies’ verygood post about ‘The Myth of Easy Engagement’.
There is one argument that supports his general position that, I think, he misses. I’m sure that sooner or later, some will come up with a frivolous law (like ‘Godwin’s Law‘ or ‘Muphry’s Law‘) but if they don’t, let me dibs it:
Evans’ Law
The value of anyone’s opinion is in inverse proportion to their willingness, ability and opportunity to express it effectively.
I think that I’ve outlined this argument here, here, here and here already so I won’t bore you with it again. Chris Dillow has covered it nicely here as well.