A problem with extending this kind of analysis (and this is not "new" in that deference and related topics have been the subject of discussion among cultural anthropologists and sociologists for some time) in addition to the argument that this type of communication is inconsistent with traditional western male communication patterns (or perhaps part and parcel of same as some might argue.) is that it tends to marginalize intrinsically or extrinsically. By way of example, I know of IT staff who have been identified as "poisonous" because they save the company money, because they work too hard, etc. Likewise, any critical analysis opens an individual to claims that one is "negative". And while the anti-poison crowd might suggest that they just want everyone to be moderate, once in process the result is the Whitehouse calling Representative Murtha a traitor. Anyone who has ever taken even an introductory class in Social Psychology understands that this "cure" sounds great, but is arguably worse than the "cancer" feared.
As far as Moodle is concerned, quite a few persons have suggested to me that they would rather bow out than push, and I think the community has suffered thereby.
And no, I am not arguing that we should be impolite, disrespectful, distrustful or arrogant. Only that the 4 horsemen recommended seem to me to be synonomous with Bill Bennet's idea of civility, which is code for deference, not mutual respect.