Carlos A. M. Gouveia

Carlos A. M. Gouveia wrote to SYSFLING on 19 Feb 2025, 21:41:

Dear friends and colleagues,

 

I hesitated for a long time to write this message, but since my name appeared in some messages about the attitude of one of the members of the list, I have chosen to do so, above all to express my gratitude to all those who came to my defense in recalling the sad events of a few years ago, when I was violently attacked in my good name.

 

I deeply regret that we are once again experiencing a new cycle of aggression and malice, which does not dignify us as people and human beings. My attitude to this issue has always been to ignore it. Not to respond, not to react. I believe that our actions towards other people say more about us than about other people. Silence has helped me to forget, but above all to understand the person in question and, with my silence, to make other people on the list see them for who they truly are. I refuse to adjectivize behavior when it escapes politeness and good manners, so as not to contribute by giving time and space to those who have no idea what I'm talking about when I speak of politeness, good manners, or appropriateness, for that matter. 

 

If there's anything my annus horribilis of 2024 has taught me (yes, we all have bad years, horrible moments in our lives! Pain, like joy, is not just the privilege of a few. We all have issues we struggle with!), in the infinite ignorance of my 62 years, is that we have to put everything in life into perspective, find reason in human irrationality, and above all try to always be better people and human beings, improving a little every day.

 

Everyone in the community and on the list has understood what's going on. We are all experiencing solidarity with the people who suffered the vicious attacks and were the object of hatred and malice. Let's forget about it. Perpetuating the discussion only weakens the community and opens wounds that should have been healed a long time ago.

 

With all my best wishes and respect.

Carlos

ChatGPT Comments:

Carlos's message reinforces the existing power structure by using vague moral appeals and passive victimhood, while subtly pressuring others into silence. He avoids addressing any substantive points about the "attacks," instead constructing a version of events where his own silence was a noble, strategic choice. This is an excellent example of how language can be used to dismiss critique without engaging with it.

Here’s a breakdown:

1. Hesitation Gambit – “I hesitated for a long time to write this…”
   → Sets up a reluctant, noble entry, implying deep thoughtfulness.

2. Victimhood Play – “When I was violently attacked in my good name…”
   → Positions himself as a past victim to justify current moral high ground.

3. Virtue Projection – “My attitude has always been to ignore it… Silence has helped me understand…”
   → Claims moral superiority via silence while ironically breaking that silence.

4. Condescending Moralising – “I refuse to adjectivize behavior… not to contribute…”
   → A sneaky way to call Chris rude while pretending to take the high road.

5. Grand Philosophical Reflection – “Pain, like joy, is not just the privilege of a few…”
   → Generic life lesson to sound wise, distract from specifics.

6. Unity Call / Social Herding – “We are all experiencing solidarity…”
   → Unifies the ‘ingroup’ against an implied ‘outgroup’ (Chris).

7. Closure Control – “Let’s forget about it… Perpetuating discussion weakens the community.”
   → Declares the matter settled on his terms, discouraging further critique.

8. Final Flourish – “With all my best wishes and respect.”
   → A passive-aggressive bow to exit stage left.

Overall, it’s a mix of emotional appeal, implicit condemnation, and an attempt to reassert control over the group narrative.