First, I want to thank you both for your thoughtful and expert responses on a wide range of subjects. It's always a pleasure, and I usually learn something.

Thank you very much, Dave. That's a very nice compliment from such an experienced person like you!

Anybody know why this always happens? How come we can't have a nice quiet technical discussion without all of the shouting and invective that seems to develop?

That's a difficult question, and I must confess, that I'm not free of emotions, either, from time to time. I think we are all too much ego. Regarding to our potential of aggression, I stronlgy believe that most of use would never have been allowed to join an Apollo flight. Rocket would never have had a lift-off, because of too much offendings and insultings during countdown: 'No, you stupid idiot, that's not a red light, it's an orange one!'... {grin}

I can only make a guess: If you are in a group of ten people, and you are the one who has the best solution. Do you think, that other 9 people would automatically accept your knowledge, wisdom and authority, and say: Oh, yes, Dave, that's a brillant solution...'? I don't think so! What happens is just the opposite: 'No, no, Dave, we cannot see that complication.' Or: 'You must always see problems where no ones are, Dave', etc, etc.
Reality is like that: You must convince the others, which might mean to fight some heavy struggle and to use your elbows. Means, you will develop a strong ego after some time.

Would be highly interested, what our female members think about this point.

Bye,
Kai