tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12251252.post114618017726244865..comments2023-09-02T21:41:54.953-05:00Comments on ST-v-SW.Net: The Blog: Labels, Logic, and LiesGuardianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01284444370958467313noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12251252.post-1146573805991577452006-05-02T07:43:00.000-05:002006-05-02T07:43:00.000-05:00As for the Spacebattles thread and opposition "dam...As for the Spacebattles thread and opposition "damage control", I had tried to respond via e-mail with the following (sorry if you didn't get it):<BR/><BR/>"That's what often happened around prequel episode releases . . . some people would notice the bloomin' obvious, and questions would be raised even by the casually-interested. Eventually, though, one of the SD.Netters would hit upon some creative piece of bullshit to explain it, then that got built upon by the others, and then they'd go around as a bloc saying that's the only thing it could be (and that you're an idiot if you don't agree). A few casual folks might be convinced by the flimsy excuse, but most folks (not being as interested in the topic) would either let it go 'cause it wasn't worth debating against the bloc or else they'd just chalk it up as a-subject-about-which-debate-exists and so not do much else with it.<BR/> <BR/>Even with the flimsy excuses, the simple fact that there is resistance can be useful to keep casual folks from accepting things, simply because they have to decide for themselves. That takes more work than just being told. And, of course, when one of the sides uses reason but the other uses emotional persuasion and sophistry, it can be a good bit of work indeed. Casual folks just don't have time for that.<BR/> <BR/>Of course, I'm speaking here of more than just the Vs. Debate . . . many subjects have similar issues. Evolution debates, politics . . . the list goes on and on."Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04784914528396175700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12251252.post-1146573594852681452006-05-02T07:39:00.000-05:002006-05-02T07:39:00.000-05:00What you say is all true, Robert. But I still have...<B>What you say is all true, Robert. But I still have to express some fustration over the fact that Killiany has Traviss' ear, and will be feeding her a rather vile lie about you, or anyone else he decides have placed on his list of enemies.</B><BR/><BR/>Well yes, that sort of thing is frustrating. Unfortunately, it's also a part of life. It's called different things in different situations . . . sometimes it's "office politics" where some petty, moronic suck-up has the boss's ear . . . or perhaps it's a punk talking to a girl, trying to disparage a guy she's seeing in the hopes of getting some from her, et cetera.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps in a more perfect world that sort of thing would never happen, or at least never work. Perhaps in the most perfect world it would be open season on such people. But this is not that world. The most we can do in such situations is continue to show, by words and actions, that we are not who the liars say we are. And, of course, on those occasions where the opportunity to unmask the villain to all comes, to do so (and relish the opportunity).<BR/><BR/>It won't always result in victory . . . but like I said, this isn't a perfect world.Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04784914528396175700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12251252.post-1146549284792195992006-05-02T00:54:00.000-05:002006-05-02T00:54:00.000-05:00To see someone like Kvaadk outright lie about you ...<B>To see someone like Kvaadk outright lie about you like this is truely amazing. I have to wonder about what kind of a person he really is when a simple question about canon sets him off like that.</B><BR/><BR/>Actually, I figure he might be okay in person (and not simply because then he's within punching range, which seems to be what keeps most people's behavior in check). I think he simply proves the so-called "Greater Internet F***wad Theory". <BR/><BR/>I wouldn't say he's well-adjusted or anything, and I certainly wouldn't want to go hang out, but I find it unlikely that he just flips and goes batshit on random people as part of his daily routine.<BR/><BR/>(I recall an allegorical short story set long ago written by Thomas Mann. In it, a stuffy old man . . . in full tailed suit with top-hat and cane . . . is walking in the park when some young guy rides along the same path on a newfangled contraption called a bicycle. The stuffy old man goes totally nuts and starts trying to kill the guy with his cane for being such a punk and for, basically, interrupting his idyllic meadow with modernity. The old man's rage makes his old ticker go pop, though, and he dies on the spot.) <BR/><BR/>The issue simply boiled down to sociology. Much like StarDestroyer.Net is its own little subculture with certain acceptable behaviors and mores, so too are the Trek VIPs in the TrekBBS Trek Lit forum their own little subculture. Subcultures and the mechanics of groups of like-minded people aren't bad in and of themselves, mind you. Without groups of like-minded people doing things in unison our history would be much different. The problem is just that at times, a subculture can warp into an example of Orwellian groupthink, complete with outsider-Winstons being tortured for their opposition. When that happens, normal (or "more normal") people can find themselves in Winston's seat in a hurry.Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04784914528396175700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12251252.post-1146519907844314592006-05-01T16:45:00.000-05:002006-05-01T16:45:00.000-05:00Yes, you're right, I know. I should've listened t...Yes, you're right, I know. I should've listened to what they told me months before I ever talked to them the first time. <BR/><BR/>("I hate temporal mechanics.")<BR/><BR/>;)Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04784914528396175700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12251252.post-1146507816448632552006-05-01T13:23:00.000-05:002006-05-01T13:23:00.000-05:00I'm shocked and amazed that you can't see that the...I'm shocked and amazed that you can't see that they can see through the civility for what is truly beneath it: vile and disgusting arrogance that's got an insatiable need to conquer and destroy all those oppose your view.<BR/><BR/>How can you not see that?<BR/><BR/>;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12251252.post-1146486256337997462006-05-01T07:24:00.000-05:002006-05-01T07:24:00.000-05:00And incidentally, this post was not a declaration ...And incidentally, this post was not a declaration of war or anything silly like that, though I'm sure he'll probably continue his unacceptable behavior with me or others. <BR/><BR/>As far as I'm concerned, though, I'm through with the guy. He can keep being obsessed if he wants to, but I'm content that I've made my point.Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04784914528396175700noreply@blogger.com