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I second your point about oversanitization.  Not primarily because I've felt oppressed by a ban on profanity in the classroom... but then again I study theater.  More because I think there's a reluctance to really disagree.  Sometimes with the professor, but that problem is as old as dirt.  Weirdly, I see a hesitation to say "I don't see it that way at all" to a fellow student.  Do others experience this?  When there's a discussion going on, if someone wants to challenge what another student is saying they have to do it very tentatively and apologetically.  With all kinds of qualifiers, assuring the group that they're certain we all actually agree, but just let's push this one point and see if I can get you to rephrase it so that I can understand how we're really on the same page.  But I mean I totally get where you're coming from. 

I don't think we should be trying to pounce on one another, always trying to prove each other wrong.  And I think some of the overly-deferential stuff I'm talking about comes from a fine and noble quakerly impulse to respect everybody.  But I think it kind of handicaps discussion sometimes, where a more ferocious debate now and then might help.