introductory disclaimer; it's 2:40AM, I'm done with my work, and a conversation that went overboard in an earlier thread now has me - regrettably - thinking. There is no particular article attached to this thread, nor a particular political event. Proceed at your own risk. Do you find yourself frustrated in your arguments on this board? Do you believe that, somehow, you will one day convince your argument adversaries to see the error of their obviously flawed and inadequate reasoning, and come to the most rational conclusion, which, coincidentally of course, is the same conclusion you've arrived at? Do you think that one day you will create the perfect argument, the most succinct turn of phrase, and display the truth in all its undeniable glory to those who have not yet seen it? Will you free these poor ignorant souls from the cave of shadows? If not - why do you post here? If so - has it happened yet? I admit being dragged repeatedly in to the rather hopeless belief that one day I will convince someone of the validity of my viewpoint (and consequent invalidity of their viewpoint if it's in opposition to mine). I then post my perspective, even though the rational part of me knows full well that it's not going to make much difference. I don't expect to change anyone else's viewpoint, because my own viewpoint, though it has benefitted in some ways, has remained more-or-less in the same state as it was when I signed up in September. I like to think that the staunchness of error in those I disagree with (and rightfully so, because they're terribly wrong) has something to do with the medium - that the fact of such polar oppositions and sometimes acrimonious (and/or wounded) responses is due to the fact that we can't actually see one another, that we're not all sitting around in some coffeeshop (or stripclub, if we want Trader_Porridge to join in) in face-to-face conversation. Seriously, are people really this divided, and really as emphatic about their divisions? I continue to believe that most of us on this board probably have far more in common with each other than any single one of us has in common with George W. Bush or John Kerry....and, in saying that, I'm also aware that I could be completely wrong. It becomes easy to project your "enemy" on to the screen name of your debating opponent. I have found myself arguing (hi Cohen ) with what is, essentially, the conservative platform (and sometimes an exagerration of it) instead of arguing with the actual person. I've seen most of the other regulars here doing the same thing (T_P and bamaslammer - do your evil archliberals really exist? Do they really have webbed feet, 4 arms, and an unquenchable thirst for blood?) In short - after I've wasted time, enjoyably wasted but still wasted, typing responses and reading responses, this is the question I'm asking myself - what's the point of it? And the question I'm asking, should anyone care to answer - what's your motivation for haunting the D&D?
I get frustrated by the tone sometimes. People can be pretty damn mean. I'm just as guilty; I've said things I later regretted. Being civil doesn't require agreeing. It's scary how quickly (and easily) we're provoked. We are so defensive and combative over ideas that challenge our ideals. We look for confirmation instead of looking for truth.
A message for my arch enemy neo cons out there: I really am as evil as you think I am. Love, Fox Mulder
Upon further reflection (but not too much ), I've come to my own conclusion - paraphrasing: Arguing on the internet is like competing in the Special Olympics. Even if you win, you're still r****ded.
I enjoy talking politics and reading people talking politics. My wife is in it up to her neck with the Legislature and it's one of the things we really enjoy, but most of our friends who enjoy that live in Houston, not here in Austin. In other words, I have fun... although I admit to getting ticked off at times. This is like the gravy on the mashed potatoes of the GARM for me. I hope I don't get too sarcastic with people. I'm much more so in "real life".
AfreakinMEN! It's all for fun now. Badges! We don' need no stinkin' badges! I went round and round with a few people in here with the 2000 elections. When it was just the Hangout and only about 15 or 20 people hung out. We used to really push each others buttons but it was all for the love of the rockets and good debate. Now...people can really be mean
I was more interested when I first started and certainly participated much more. I was never really emotionally invested, though. So it has always been a bit of a game. I do think it is interesting to read ideas...even if they are horrible. Again, I am not emotionally invested, so it doesn't matter. Any new information is still new information and I try to get as much in my life as possible. I read the hangout as much for ideas as personalities - real or fictional. It is also a very nice diversion from my otherwise "different" reading/writing/talking load.
I don't think internet arguments should ever evoke hard feelings, though I know it's easier said than done. I also don't think that politics is any reason to dislike somebody. I'm not surprised at marriages like Carvell and Matlin. I think it's perfectly understandable that people can have opposite views and still get along fine. All of my frustration is purely selfish. I get bummed out when issues that I find interesting don't get discussed and the initial posts fall away quickly. There's nothing like being geared up for a good debate on something and either nobody talks about it at all, or the people who might be on the opposing side won't touch it. Anyway, I still think this board is better for level headed high quality debate than most any other board of this type. Perhaps because this primarily a basketball site, or something. On more political type boards it almost always becomes crazy consipiracy theories about Clinton or whatever other political figure there is and personal insults. At least here there is evidence presented, refuted, revisited etc.
One of the first signs of a marriage gone awry is a lack of talking to and with each other about substantive matters. Those two will last!
I think it is fun, but I just like to see what happens next. Besides, since most of my friends are not politically oriented, I don't talk politics with anyone. So I guess this is my venue, or better yet, vent to depressurize my bitterness at our political rulling class. Also, I like going round and round with folks.
