My intent for this blog post was to politely discuss something in a humble way. My hope is that by discussing this topic in a broad sense that it gets some discussion going among people at the university. Your reply makes a number of assumptions — that this occurred at UT, that it was people who work at UT talking, that it was two people. I can think of multiple instances where I’ve witnessed an occurrence like this, so I’m not at all trying to gossip or call anybody out on behavior. I’m trying to raise awareness in myself (if I write it, I’m much more conscious of my own behavior) and maybe others will think about it, too.

Your previous post talked about open communication. I agree that honest communication is often avoided. Your point is well taken.

I hope you are satisfied with the new standard you have created.

The university could eliminate this petty vindictive behavior if it enforced an environment of open communication. Instead UT (and most government institutions) is more concerned with how to make people feel better about themselves, rather than making them better.