A very well written post.    I hope the Author might consider writing on some of the specific skills it takes to be a good listener.

I would point out that an honest identity is part of developing personal relationship that involves the practice of good listening skills.  This forum, with it's acceptance of a hidden identity allow writer to be indiscriminate, anti-social, and a poison to  positive conversation because they are not held accountable for their statements.

This ephemeral web site is in fact a poster child for the kind of shallow irresponsible conversation that seems to feed individuals' needs to be 'heard' but, often poison's the conversation strings into school yard insults.

If the RG is serious about developing a positive interactive dialog for the community, they can start by a request that contributors use their own name.