Fuck this place.

[Joe Wordsworth]

Well, no, not really. But, does it seem that this place has gotten more and more divisive over the last couple years? Has started sucking a little more?

I mean, truly, I come here out of habit now and again--its comfortable, but even then I can say that my father's house is comfortable but over the last couple of years its become a little more of a pain in the ass than its worth when visiting with my younger brother about.

I dunno... can't really tell if I'm just not as insensitive to the contentious back-and-forth and high-and-mightyness or if its those things that have moved up a notch on the amp.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

It's a village. It has it's own rhythms and seasons. Some of them are sweet and some bitter. That part is no different with any group of humans.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Well, it depends on what you come here for. I come to toss dead cats into the sanctuary.

 

[Joe Wordsworth]

Well, it depends on what you come here for. I come to toss dead cats into the sanctuary.

What does that mean? Not that I want to disrespect the analogy here, but is that to say you're here to be antagonistic?

 

[glynndah]

This place isn't fun right now. Maybe I'll just come back some other time.

 

[Liar]

What does that mean? Not that I want to disrespect the analogy here, but is that to say you're here to be antagonistic?

Joe, meet James. You already understand him perfectly.



As for your question. I'm furniture here by now, and I can safely say that it's been like this, ups and downs, moods and grooves, since I first stepped in.

Also, often when people remember the good old days, that's exactly what they do. But they have forgotten all the bad old days that also were.

 

[English Lady]

Hey Joe.

I'm not sure either, truth be told.

 

[neonlyte]

This place isn't fun right now. Maybe I'll just come back some other time.

It's not a lot different from previous years. Anyone who has been here for a long time gets drawn into some form of confrontation. It's inevitable, eventually a topic or opinion arises that cannot be ignored. For example: the original Mr S argument... not the poncy posts going on now but the start-up had real venom, not least from me. We had a guy here called Sanchez - roundly despised. Hugo's foray into the mind of others upset huge numbers. Even Joe has dispensed logic lashings in the past.

I wouldn't be too bothered about it. It'll settle down unless individuals continue to make it an issue.

 

[CharleyH]

Well, no, not really. But, does it seem that this place has gotten more and more divisive over the last couple years? Has started sucking a little more?

I mean, truly, I come here out of habit now and again--its comfortable, but even then I can say that my father's house is comfortable but over the last couple of years its become a little more of a pain in the ass than its worth when visiting with my younger brother about.

I dunno... can't really tell if I'm just not as insensitive to the contentious back-and-forth and high-and-mightyness or if its those things that have moved up a notch on the amp.

You're just getting soft in your old age, Joe.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

JOE

The first thing I learned when I washed up on the beach at LIT is serious discussions are impossible to have here. When members are fucking clueless and cant participate in a debate using their experiences or fund of knowledge, they pound the table and yelp. These people remind me of the old wisdom of lawyers: "If you have the facts, pound the facts; if you have the law, pound the law; if you dont have facts or the law to support you, pound the table."

So, a dead cat in the sanctuary is a bundle of unwelcome facts or opinions the Gomer's are nervous about.

 

[impressive]

It's not a lot different from previous years.

Agreed. It's just less tolerable when one isn't as familiar with the natives. So, if you're not around enough to get to know the newbies, they're going to be more abrasive than the oldies -- even if their behavior's identical.



Hi, Joe.

 

[Trombonus]

I agree with what Roxy, Liar and Neon have said. I also think it has a bit to do with the environment too. I know that summertime makes me a lot more cranky then I'd usually be. It's hot, I get all sweaty and gross, I can't sleep and being in California I worry about the numerous fires we deal with every year. The sky has literally been grey, thick with smoke for weeks. That definitely brings me down and makes me inclined to be grouchy and unpleasant. I do my best to fight those urges, but sometimes they seep through.

I have faith that things will get better though. They always do.

 

[Joe Wordsworth]

People are being pretty fucking weak. All I'm sayin'.

 

[Joe Wordsworth]

And... fuck the democrats.

That too.

 

[oggbashan]

And... fuck the democrats.

That too.

Why? Do you know any fuckable democrats?

Og

 

[lisa123414]

Why? Do you know any fuckable democrats?

Og

*ahem*

 

[Liar]

Been getting any lately, Joe?

Just askin', with this fuck obsession and all.

 

[Elianna]

Been getting any lately, Joe?

Just askin', with this fuck obsession and all.

LOL LOL LOL

And I was getting so depressed with all the "DOOM AND GLOOM" posts about the site. You've just renewed my faith, Liar.

 

[kimbalee]

Been getting any lately, Joe?

Just askin', with this fuck obsession and all.

nice. (shaking my head)

 

[DeeZire]

And... fuck the democrats.

That too.

Are you sure you want to fuck the democrats, Joe? Wouldn't that make you gay? (Not that there's anything wrong with being gay, but, now that I'm a Conservative, I would encourage you not to go down that road, my friend. It could lead to your banishment from Heaven, or at least, from certain churches, and you would be ineligible for service in the Armed Forces. Plus, you're car-buying clientele would change, and you'd have to spend a lot more money on clothes.)

 

[AllardChardon]

Joe,

I am a second generation California Democrat with four Democratic chidren, registered that way.

Did you still want to fuck a Democrat? Are my credentials good enough for you?

Allard

 

[Carnevil9]

Joe,

I am a second generation California Democrat with four Democratic chidren, registered that way.

Did you still want to fuck a Democrat? Are my credentials good enough for you?

Allard

It's nothing to brag about. If you must indulge, please do it in private. Don't ask, don't tell.

 

[JagFarlane]

Are you sure you want to fuck the democrats, Joe? Wouldn't that make you gay? (Not that there's anything wrong with being gay, but, now that I'm a Conservative, I would encourage you not to go down that road, my friend. It could lead to your banishment from Heaven, or at least, from certain churches, and you would be ineligible for service in the Armed Forces. Plus, you're car-buying clientele would change, and you'd have to spend a lot more money on clothes.)

Meh actually, the military just still more or less has the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding homosexual people. -shrugs- I've known gays in the military, honestly, no one really cared.

 

[Rob_mDear]

Agreed. It's just less tolerable when one isn't as familiar with the natives. So, if you're not around enough to get to know the newbies, they're going to be more abrasive than the oldies -- even if their behavior's identical.



Hi, Joe.

Hate to disagree, but from my side of the fence, as a newbie that got bashed out of nowhere and still has no idea what happened, then watched a ton of other people get bashed in subsequent weeks for silly reasons, it's not the newbies at all, it's the haughty, presumptuous natives. I personally refuse to post here anymore, but I couldn't pass on this.

The problem with all boards, and all forms of Internet communication, is that it hasn't been civilized yet. There's no equivalent of "please" and "thank you". People feel free to use their pseudo-anonymity, or the seemingly soulless nature of others, to behave without boundaries. It's the electronic equivalent of road rage... the other people aren't people in cars, they're just cars, and the ones that don't behave exactly the way you want them to are aggravating.

My strong suggestion (I would pursue it myself, but newbies are scorned here) is that you create a code of conduct. Talk about it. Agree on it. Then try to live by it. You can't enforce it, but if someone broaches it, anyone can immediately add a simple, terse post pointing out their breech of etiquette.

I'm sure if you go through all of the recent, divisive, hateful threads to find obvious examples you'll figure out what rules you need. Things like:

1) If you don't like what you see, ask a polite question or don't post: never flame (which is just "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all").
2) Always use an emoticon with a joke, so it is clear that your intent was sarcastic wit, not abuse.
3) Learn when to back off.
4) Point out breaches of etiquette with a simple post like "AH Etiquette: Rule #3" and nothing more.

Or, you could just keep hurting each other, and anyone that accidentally wanders into the line of fire.

 

[NoJo]

2) Always use an emoticon with a joke, so it is clear that your intent was sarcastic wit, not abuse.

Ok, I'll remember that