If someone consistently generates combinations of words in an obviously adversarial/adverse way, then there are two major explanations:
They have chosen to be disruptive
the average intelligence of an EAforum user allows them to easily find clever ways to do this while simultaneously skirting the rules, or even with charisma on top of that (optimize for gaining status among onlookers)
refuting their argument gives them attention and puts you on a playing field that they are willing to invest way more time into thinking about
They don’t realize that they are being disruptive, e.g. due to language barrier, in which case Linch needs to know because then it is worth his time to make the effort to resolve the issue
They don’t realize they are being disruptive, due to a personality issue that they’re only dimly aware of and calling attention to it might help them
In both scenarios, asking them if they’re a native language speaker appears to be a net positive choice. I think that Linch was tearing down a Chesterton-Schelling fence here, causing an unforseen consequence, such as dozens of people going absolutely bananas.
If someone consistently generates combinations of words in an obviously adversarial/adverse way, then there are two major explanations:
They have chosen to be disruptive
the average intelligence of an EAforum user allows them to easily find clever ways to do this while simultaneously skirting the rules, or even with charisma on top of that (optimize for gaining status among onlookers)
refuting their argument gives them attention and puts you on a playing field that they are willing to invest way more time into thinking about
They don’t realize that they are being disruptive, e.g. due to language barrier, in which case Linch needs to know because then it is worth his time to make the effort to resolve the issue
They don’t realize they are being disruptive, due to a personality issue that they’re only dimly aware of and calling attention to it might help them
In both scenarios, asking them if they’re a native language speaker appears to be a net positive choice. I think that Linch was tearing down a Chesterton-Schelling fence here, causing an unforseen consequence, such as dozens of people going absolutely bananas.
To be clear, I think “obviously adversarial/adverse way” is too strong.