lurkingdirk - Closed account

[HehehehehehehehehehahaHyena]

Maria, is this a question?

 

[Elwood70]

I might take a break alongside Dirk.

I may also, but I won't announce it if I do.

(And I already have an idea of the responses this will generate.)

 

[Jack Davenport]

Damn!

Can't you guys just put Mariah on ignore without leaving the board?

I have discussed every possible political and ideological topic with her and it is to the point that I realize there is never going to be a meeting of the minds between us.

I can't really answer as to why she has to be so confrontational, it must be therapeutic for her or something.

 

[HappyHapyJoyJoy]

I may also, but I won't announce it if I do.

(And I already have an idea of the responses this will generate.)

I'd rather you didn't. I'd also rather DOA didn't and dirk came back.

The board has too few people who can function like rational people.

And Sam Fisher just came back... God, imagine what this will do to the balance of power..

 

[Elwood70]

Damn!
Can't you guys just put Mariah on ignore without leaving the board?

I'm not speaking for anyone else here, but to me, it's not just Mariah.

 

[brodkill]

more like lurkingjerk

 

[HappyHapyJoyJoy]

I'm not speaking for anyone else here, but to me, it's not just Mariah.

Is it because the board coddles people who are solely looking to cause trouble and in exchange creates a hostile environment that often isn't much fun to spend time within?

 

[spacearrow99]

Mariah is my favorite OCSM on this board. Sam Fisher, Meester, and others have made racist comments that much worse than Mariah's comments. Board members have took shots at her. For instance, Mariah had thyroid gland problem and gained weight board members called her fat. She's get nasty with board members get over it.

 

[Elwood70]

Is it because the board coddles people who are solely looking to cause trouble and in exchange creates a hostile environment that often isn't much fun to spend time within?

I actually like the board's "relaxed" rules and atmosphere but I also think that sometimes it went too far in the opposite direction. I don't blame the mods for that, I just think it's a testament to how fucked up people in general are.

 

[HappyHapyJoyJoy]

Mariah is my favorite OCSM on this board. Sam Fisher, Meester, and others have made racist comments that much worse than Mariah's comments.

First off, A is more racist than B so B is cool is a pretty bad argument. And I say that not knowing that Mariah has ever said anything racist, nor judging her on that concept (seriously, I've never seen her say anything racist anywhere, and make ZERO judgements on her in this respect). The argument itself, however, is flawed. Saying "X" isn't as bad as Sam is like saying syphilis isn't as bad as AIDS... which might be true, but that doesn't make syphilis awesome. I've never had syphilis, but I'm DAMN sure you don't want it.

Board members have took shots at her. For instance, Mariah had thyroid gland problem and gained weight board members called her fat.

And that's terrible. It's insensitive and it's deplorable. Hell, I've defended Mariah from people before, including M12 who has said deplorable things about her (I could link to a couple of topics where I've done exactly that, and where dirk himself did the same). That said, people saying terrible things about her doesn't excuse her being overly aggressive with people who haven't insulted her for no justifiable reason.

I actually like the board's "relaxed" rules and atmosphere but I also think that sometimes it went too far in the opposite direction. I don't blame the mods for that, I just think it's a testament to how fucked up people in general are.

So then what's your beef kemosabe? Just curious...

 

[spacearrow99]

First off, A is more racist than B so B is cool is a pretty bad argument. And I say that not knowing that Mariah has ever said anything racist, nor judging her on that concept (seriously, I've never seen her say anything racist anywhere, and make ZERO judgements on her in this respect). The argument itself, however, is flawed. Saying "X" isn't as bad as Sam is like saying syphilis isn't as bad as AIDS... which might be true, but that doesn't make syphilis awesome. I've never had syphilis, but I'm DAMN sure you don't want it.



And that's terrible. It's insensitive and it's deplorable. Hell, I've defended Mariah from people before, including M12 who has said deplorable things about her (I could link to a couple of topics where I've done exactly that, and where dirk himself did the same). That said, people saying terrible things about her doesn't excuse her being overly aggressive with people who haven't insulted her for no justifiable reason.



So then what's your beef kemosabe? Just curious...

Do you like to argue as much as Mariah, so she uses tough language.

She's being overly aggressive to people in your opinion and many members share your opinion. I just used to tougher language and much worse language is said about Muslims and different races on this board.

 

[Jack Davenport]

Mariah just needs to find a good woman and settle down.

 

[Elwood70]

So then what's your beef kemosabe? Just curious...

My beef is this: If the previous "pre-relaxation" era of the board is one extreme, then this current era of the board is in my opinion, the opposite extreme. It is my humble opinion that the best board atmosphere would be somewhere between the two....preferably the middle.

 

[Rey C.]

I think the key thing to remember is that if dirk were an asshole he is free to be an asshole here. There are plenty of assholes here. They are very open about their assholeishness, and you'll notice no repercussions for the most part. Now, in the world those people likely aren't HALF the assholes they are here. They don't want to drive people away. They don't want to get punched. They don't want to be spat on. Here they don't have to worry about that. Here they're free to be themselves with no real consequences. They are free to act within their (lack) of conscience, to display their innermost thoughts to the world without worry. They can proverbially "let it all hang out."

If you want to buy into Mariah's interpretation, let's consider the following...

A white guy has a black acquaintance. He doesn't really like the man per se, but he associates with the man, and calls him "friend" quite simply because they have a friend in common, it's the standard "friend-of-a-friend" scenario. The white man never calls his black acquaintance the N-word, but he sure as Hell thinks it. Heck the guy is even a Klansman, but he doesn't tell those people in that social circle as much. No, he only goes off about minorities in public when he's wearing his Klan hood, or when he's online and free to anonymously post any garbage he wants. According to Mariah's theory... this guy isn't a racist because when he isn't being anonymous he associates (begrudgingly) with a black man and doesn't toss the N-word around.

So yeah... I'll stick with Jung thanks. :dunno:

I personally don't have an issue with Mariah. On some issues, I agree with her. On others, I don't. She has a fiery style and Latin temperament and I think she's being herself. As best I can recall, we haven't "come to blows" on anything. And if we ever do, then that's just life. I doubt either one of us will have to go into therapy because of it. I have conflicts with people pretty much every day in real life, and some are quite contentious. But unless it gets to the point that someone wants to throw a punch, we both live to fight another day. I've always been that way and I guess conflict doesn't bother me the way it does some people. I'll actually invite it if I think that will end some foolishness that much quicker. That doesn't mean that my way of looking at conflict is the right way or the healthy way (some claim that I may have some unresolved "issues" - but they're all damn liars in my opinion!), it's just how I'm wired. And I've made it work for a long time, so ya do what works for you, right?

But as far as Dirk (or anybody else here) is concerned, your post strikes me as one of the best I have seen recently. I tried to rep you but, of course, I've apparently repped you at least once some time in the past 4 years so the system won't let me. Maybe by 2015, it will let me rep you again. Great post though! :thumbsup:

While I think there are some people here who use their anonymity to play a role (the guys who pretend to be girls and what not), I think most people are as you describe here: what comes out here is just a magnification of who they really are, or would be, in real life (if they could get away with it). I only knew him here, but by his posting style, unless he was one hell of an actor, Dirk seemed like a genuinely intelligent and overall reasonable fellow. He was also quite funny and had a good wit about him. Personally, I found him fun and interesting to converse with, and that's why I will miss him. He was (IMO) a "quality poster" here. *I feel like I'm writing his obituary or speaking at his funeral.*

I've been on chat forums and message boards since the days of Compuserve. And one thing I've learned, if nothing else, is that you cannot let it get under your skin if you think you're being reasonable and someone else isn't. Much like real life, you just have to shake it off and go on about your business at some point. And if something stops being fun, well... stop doing it. Maybe that's why Dirk left: it just stopped being fun after however many years here and he felt it was time to move on. :dunno: I wish him well... that mysterious man behind the couch. :lurk:

 

[Mr. Daystar]

last one because you dismissed the catholic church's child rape epidemic as just another institution where kids are raped by old men. anyone who takes that position should be questioned. I said it because you were a dick right from the jump. that simple.

yeah Ill tell him I know Blue Countach lol

AGAIN! I didn't dismiss it. I simply pointed out, it happens elsewhere, and yet the only ones you condemn, are the catholic churches. I just think you care more about an opportunity to bitch about the catholic church. YOU, and YOU ALONE, choose to take my statement in that context, because it was convenient for you. And I think you know, I acted like a dick, because YOU were being a twat. You had attitude first, as you always seem too....and I simply choose not to let you be a bitch, without calling you on it. You're more pissed that someone is questioning you, and your point, and attitude, then anything else. You just don't like it when people won't roll over and take your shit. You're just sad. I'm done with this...you've shown your true colors, and helped me prove my point.

 

[HappyHapyJoyJoy]

Do you like to argue as much as Mariah, so she uses tough language.

She's being overly aggressive to people in your opinion and many members share your opinion. I just used to tougher language and much worse language is said about Muslims and different races on this board.

I have no idea what you're saying here, nor do I know the stuff you're referencing so I'm not going to judge it. I know Sam is a complete asshole, and an absolute bigot. Is Mariah a bigot? I don't know, never seen her say much in that regard but just being less of one than Sam doesn't mean squat.

My beef is this: If the previous "pre-relaxation" era of the board is one extreme, then this current era of the board is in my opinion, the opposite extreme. It is my humble opinion that the best board atmosphere would be somewhere between the two....preferably the middle.

So yeah, more or less what I said. Criticizing the current, uh, lack of regime on my part wasn't asking for the old regime (I wasn't even here then, so I don't know what that was like) I was just sayin' this is... kinda shit. I can understand why you don't like it. I don't either. This whole, "Trolling is art, and thus subjective and should be left to the masses to weigh and consider as opposed to being policed by those who hold authority!" bullshit is... well, bullshit.

I personally don't have an issue with Mariah.

I don't have an issue with what she says. Hell, I often agree with it. I do, however, often disagree with how she says it. I have to wonder if you're aware of what has happened?

But as far as Dirk (or anybody else here) is concerned, your post strikes me as one of the best I have seen recently. I tried to rep you but, of course, I've apparently repped you at least once some time in the past 4 years so the system won't let me. Maybe by 2015, it will let me rep you again. Great post though! :thumbsup:

Well, thank you.

I like dirk. Do I know him personally? What he looks like? How he eats his cornflakes? No. I do know that he replied to people with reasonable responses more often that not. I know that most of his responses were well thought out. I know that a lot of his posts were funny, and I liked reading them. I know that, for me, reading his posts made this forum a better place. If he doesn't return I'll miss that. I'll miss his input.

While I think there are some people here who use their anonymity to play a role (the guys who pretend to be girls and what not), I think most people are as you describe here: what comes out here is just a magnification of who they really are, or would be, in real life (if they could get away with it).

From a theoretical psychology standpoint, it holds true. Anonymity, or at least the lack of repercussions (Xiang Yu says hi!), shows you what a person is really like.

I've been on chat forums and message boards since the days of Compuserve. And one thing I've learned, if nothing else, is that you cannot let it get under your skin if you think you're being reasonable and someone else isn't.

I agree with this, but I know that sometimes it's easier than others. Like any other place, this is an environment. When an environment becomes poisoned enough you ultimately have to make the call as to whether it's worth it to remain or not, like you said. For right now apparently dirk has decided that leaving is better, and honestly I'm not entirely sure he's wrong. There's topics I enjoy, but a lot of the board has turned to shit, and there's nothing to stem the tide of poison. At some point FreeOnes is going to have to decide whether their current "policy" on trolling is working. Seems like a lot of the more... shall we say "personable" poster are taking sabbaticals, or at least considering it. And I can see why.

 

[lynkoslynx.1]

How can you say this environment is turning to shit when you've only been here a short time longer than I have though? Where is your shit reference really coming from mr happy?

No offense, I like your above post as well, I just think this board is a relatively fine place all trolls aside and if anyone needs to leave it that badly then perhaps there is more wrong with them than they might mention.

 

[spacearrow99]

I have no idea what you're saying here, nor do I know the stuff you're referencing so I'm not going to judge it. I know Sam is a complete asshole, and an absolute bigot. Is Mariah a bigot? I don't know, never seen her say much in that regard but just being less of one than Sam doesn't mean squat.

You are being hypocritical you used vicious language against me in our recent conservation.

 

[georges]

I personally don't have an issue with Mariah. On some issues, I agree with her. On others, I don't. She has a fiery style and Latin temperament and I think she's being herself. As best I can recall, we haven't "come to blows" on anything. And if we ever do, then that's just life. I doubt either one of us will have to go into therapy because of it. I have conflicts with people pretty much every day in real life, and some are quite contentious. But unless it gets to the point that someone wants to throw a punch, we both live to fight another day. I've always been that way and I guess conflict doesn't bother me the way it does some people. I'll actually invite it if I think that will end some foolishness that much quicker. That doesn't mean that my way of looking at conflict is the right way or the healthy way (some claim that I may have some unresolved "issues" - but they're all damn liars in my opinion!), it's just how I'm wired. And I've made it work for a long time, so ya do what works for you, right?
But as far as Dirk (or anybody else here) is concerned, your post strikes me as one of the best I have seen recently. I tried to rep you but, of course, I've apparently repped you at least once some time in the past 4 years so the system won't let me. Maybe by 2015, it will let me rep you again. Great post though! :thumbsup:

While I think there are some people here who use their anonymity to play a role (the guys who pretend to be girls and what not), I think most people are as you describe here: what comes out here is just a magnification of who they really are, or would be, in real life (if they could get away with it). I only knew him here, but by his posting style, unless he was one hell of an actor, Dirk seemed like a genuinely intelligent and overall reasonable fellow. He was also quite funny and had a good wit about him. Personally, I found him fun and interesting to converse with, and that's why I will miss him. He was (IMO) a "quality poster" here. *I feel like I'm writing his obituary or speaking at his funeral.*

I've been on chat forums and message boards since the days of Compuserve. And one thing I've learned, if nothing else, is that you cannot let it get under your skin if you think you're being reasonable and someone else isn't. Much like real life, you just have to shake it off and go on about your business at some point. And if something stops being fun, well... stop doing it. Maybe that's why Dirk left: it just stopped being fun after however many years here and he felt it was time to move on. :dunno: I wish him well... that mysterious man behind the couch. :lurk:

Very true and good post:clap::thumbsup:

 

[HappyHapyJoyJoy]

How can you say this environment is turning to shit when you've only been here a short time longer than I have though? Where is your shit reference really coming from mr happy?

Honestly? It's not that hard to see. Good people are leaving, or considering it. Trolls are getting more flamboyant and open as they realize there is no comeuppance in the pipeline.

I've been here about seventh months and I've seen a steady decline. I've also heard it from many people, especially OCSMs (minus about... two?). Things may have been worse when the board was strict (don't know, wasn't here), but things are aren't good now and getting worse. I've seen it by who's leaving, and who keeps getting "banned" and returning.

I mean, seriously... there are blatant trolls and people who have been openly and offensively racist get "banned" and they're still here, and still bumping topics that got them banned. Does that strike you as a functional system?