Time Out!

[HazelGod]

Not a whole lot of true "discussion" goes on here.

I'd rather I kept only to thoughtful analysis and debate

I am happy to hear a range of viewpoints, but rote and repeated parrotage of "party line" is as worthlessly banal as last night's dishwater.

What he just said.

Wanna cracker? :biggrin1:

 

[Gillette]

All I'm going to say is that it's difficult to remain civil when people are adamant to push their prejudicial agendas and ideologies upon others.

No, it isn't.

It can be.

While you're correct in that it is a personal choice whether or not to respond and how, occasionally it's a compulsion. I've read many posts where I probably could have opted not to post but did. Often times I even do resist. But now and then there is a post so blatantly stupid that, even though I'm certain others will come to the same conclusion without my participation, when there hasn't yet been mention of said stupidity I can feel a growing itch behind my left eye that tells me if I don't get that frustration out in a post I risk the itch turning into a permanent facial tic.

Even if some choose not to use a four or five letter descriptive adjective to voice their disdain, they find more wordier ways to insult you. We shouldn't even be going after people who decide to engage in gutter, street-like vernacular if we're not going to pay attention to the context some people make. There's absolutely no difference between calling someone "stupid" and saying that their "cranium lacks the knowledge". One just looks prettier and witty to the naked eye.

I only said dial it back, VB. I'd be twelve kinds of hypocrite if I suggested eliminating it altogether.

Cursing is a healthy expression of frustration as far as I'm concerned and insults happen when you can no longer pretend the other party isn't an idiot. They're an effective expression of our state of mind and what we're thinking at any given time. That is to say, that they're effective when used judiciously.

Two stand out moments on this board spring to mind for me; BigDirigible used a smiley and JustAsking said "fuck". The impact was greater for being so out of character for each poster. Both of these were "Holy shit, what just happened?" moments for that.

On the other hand when cursing and insults are used frequently the state of mind conveyed is that of a rageaholic and the actual point of the post, however intelligent, takes a back seat if not lost entirely. Ditto that with the play on names. Done once it's clever, done constantly it's the tactic of a schoolyard bully with little else in their arsenal.

I started this thread because I felt disappointed seeing people with a vast arsenal of intelligence going for the cheap shot too often.

 

[SilverTrain]

I felt disappointed seeing people with a vast arsenal of intelligence going for the cheap shot too often.

Sounds like the legacy of the average American voter. :wink:

kiss kiss

 

[68306]

Cursing is a healthy expression of frustration as far as I'm concerned and insults happen when you can no longer pretend the other party isn't an idiot.

*ponders*

I once thought, while standing over others... who was standing over me?

 

[Qua]

Any intelligent debat("e" or "o"?)r, of any quality, knows that it's not going to happen when mixed with insults, name calling, and personal remarks

Indeed. I try to avoid them, but I can't claim to be innocent.

 

[midlifebear]

Gillette:

You know I respect you and "I feel your pain." But for me, Starpooper will remain Starpooper until he/she learns to improve its "native" English skills. The occasional typos (of which I, of all people, am not immune) isn't what brings out my wrath. It's the blatant ignorance of a poster (after 50 or so posts) who somehow cannot improve its grammar skills while at the same time insisting it has "excelently [sic] presented a valid argument." Once or twice? OK. After that, it is fair game if it remains so dumb. And I'm not talking about people who post and are just beginning to learn or practice English. I admire them.

 

[Pauligan]

Is there a chance we could dial back the vitriol?

Cursing and insults are on the rise again, pity we can't turn either into a clean fuel source. Likewise making a joke of your opponent's name is a schoolyard ploy showing a lack of maturity.

The most disturbing thing about these is that I'm seeing it more and more often from those who are otherwise making intelligent points. It's not enhancing anything; quite the opposite.

I know that politics is an ugly messy business at the best of times but I'd at least like to see our discussion of it rise above the cafeteria food fight.

Too much to ask?

I find this is the trend on many internet forums, whichever side is most represented becomes loud and abusive to the other side and I've seen it be done by conservative at liberal and from liberal at conservative, and you're right, it does take from an otherwise valid, smart arguement towards a persons case.