Get your "no fits, no fights" vomit bags here- Page 3

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 10:18am

I'm always saying nice things about Rathnait, but she rarely says anything nice back to me.

I've never understood why that is.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 10:21am

Heck, I get along with everyone........I may have my moments with Goth due to conflicting political views, but I still respect him for his beliefs

I think we can all be a pain-in-the-ass at times........

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 10:37am

I actually like this thread. And I have had some serious knock-down drag-outs with some people on here...and then made up all nice-like.
It's not my nature, I'm not much of a fighter. But I respect someone a LOT more for being willing to argue with me when I'm up for it and then not absolutely hating one another for it later.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 10:41am

I find it very interesting that one silly playful thread led to the assumption that those of us playing on it would never want to be engaged in a good argument. How did it get there?

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 10:56am

Sigh.

It was a reaction to not just that thread, but an idea that surfaces from time to time around here. "Guys, we're all united by our love of Broadway. [not me -- ed. note] We should be NICE to each other."

Since that thread was the most recent embodiment of that sentiment, I riffed on the TITLE and the phoney platitudes that were surfacing there.

You NOTICE I didn't post in that thread. I created one for realistic people who know that there is positive and negative in life. And can accept that.

However, after announcing that you wouldn't play with me anymore, Rath, I can't help noticing that, LOOK!, you're back again. I guess your masochism streak runs deep.

THAT'S how this thread got here.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 11:03am

Guys, can't we just all be united by sarcasm, and love one another? *hugs*

[vbplayer]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 11:04am

I didn't expect it to go that way. Unfortunately it did. Seeing the posts from this group, I thought it would be a chuckle to see some of the "compliments" that would show up. It was fun for awhile, but once I read what I perceived as an attempted description of me (a vacuous and phoney Little Mary Sunshine none the less) from someone who has no idea who I am. I realized the bad judgement on my part. Pass me a bag please.

Updated On: 6/17/05 at 11:04 AM

[Plum]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 11:37am

Believe it or not, folks, some people say nice things because they mean them. Like your compliments of BasketCase, Namo, except it happens more than twice a year or so. Negativity, fighting, snark- they're all a part of real life and discussion, sure. But so are kindness, courtesy, and respect. We have plenty of threads devoted to the former; why does it irk you so much that there's one for the latter? The fact that your natural inclination is to be an asshole doesn't mean that anyone who's inclined to be nice is a fake.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 11:40am

Lord, Namo, everything isn't about you. I was responding to the many posts on this thread that seemed to make that assumption.

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 1:37pm

I'm sure I come across as one of those who is passive and is 'nice', with no strong opinions. Yes, I tend to look at life in a more positive way.

But I also like a good discussion, especially with people who think differently than I do. A smart discussion. How boring life would be to surround oneself only with like-minded folk.

Yeah, I'm not much for confrontation... in my mind there's a difference between a discussion and an argument. For the most part, while I'm here, arguments are not what I'm looking for.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 3:21pm

Unfortunately (or, actually, very fortunately for me) I had about 18 long years of constant confrontation and abuse. Now, it most certainly made me a stronger person, but I find that, as I get older, I just have to avoid it at all costs. Negativity lives in this world and there's no escaping it - but we don't have to buy into it, feed it and thrive on it. Thats just plain unhealthy (for me, at the very least) Call me PollyAnna if you want, or even Little Mary Sunshine, but I will steer clear of negative comments whenever I can. They don't feed the soul. If anything, they cause it to shrivel up and die.
My approach to life is not for everyone (hell, very few seem to attempt it these days) but it works for me. I'm all for a healthy debate, but when it becomes mudslinging and name calling - I'm outta here. Thats simply childish and unacceptable behaviour.

[Nina]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 6:34pm

So, tell me boys and girls, why is it that so many people who are trying to avoid negativity at all costs would even post here. If I were trying to avoid negativity, I wouldn't go anywhere near a Namo thread.

I understand Namo's way of thinking on most things. The man thinks on a level that is slightly above many of us. If you give what he is saying some thought and push yourself to think on that level, rather than react from the gut, you'll see that he makes perfect sense. I sometimes have to read what he has written twice in order to fully understand.

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 6:43pm

Nina... that's the reason I posted here. I actually do agree with Namo more than I care to admit. After I read a post a couple of times and let the original anger subside. Sometimes I don't. And even though I don't usually participate in the more 'heated' threads, I still read them. Avoiding negativity for me doesn't mean ignoring it.

And quite honestly, it can be entertaining in a way to see people going at it on a bulletin board. Almost like watching "The Real World" on MTV.

[Nina]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 6:49pm

I agree that watching people fight isn't pleasant. However, I also understand the dislike that Namo and others have for the "let's all love another" threads. The world just isn't like that so, why pretend it is?
I think if more people on this board could step away from their egos once in a while and try to really undertsand what someone else is saying, there would be less fights. One of the biggest problems on this board is that so many are incapable of having a discussion from opposing points of view without taking it personally.
The art of debate is not for those with undeveloped minds.

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 7:33pm

The art of debate is great. I'll be the first to admit at not being terribly articulate... especially on a whim. Though that doesn't mean I don't have strong opinions. A trait that is often misunderstood.

My problem is when debate goes down to name-calling and disrespect. And mockery. That's when I stop participating and, honestly, caring.

[Plum]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 7:51pm

Who's pretending anything? Why does wanting a more positive atmosphere mean one is in denial about the existence of negativity? That's a contradiction in terms, when you think about it.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 8:15pm

first of all, it is all about namo. i so decree it and that's my opinion whether you respect it or not, b*itches.

second, robbie, i love you with a deep and abiding passion and you're not flattering yourself, i learn as much from you as you from me. after all, who taught me the real meaning of santorum?

i guess i haven't been around enough lately to appreciate what all the hubbub's about. but then, i do since the board runs in cycles and i know and love namo's meager tolerance for the hypocrisy that often abounds and the assumed scent of lilacs that follows some posters' bursts of flatulence.

what i love most though is (like nina who's a sharp wit and magnificent dancer) to see people who desire nothing but sweetness and light in their message board to mosey into a thread where it's a given that darkness and sh*t-flinging abounds. if you're that offended by aggressive and opinionated and well-thought out posts, get the f*ck out and quit bothering the folks in the thread who luv them. if you're that insecure that you can't stand reading sarcasm when it's directed at you, go live in a commune off the grid and talk to the daisies, they always have a kind word. otherwise, deal with it.

you will be mocked if you make stupid posts. you will be mocked if you make smart posts. you will be mocked if you make insipid posts. you will be mocked if you make inspired posts. someone is always going to be offended, offensive and or downright mean. it's f*cking life.

whiners get shiners.

Updated On: 6/17/05 at 08:15 PM

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 8:27pm

Well, as I live and breathe... Nothing like a day or two of online meltdowns and chaos to bring the missing home to roost. My reaction to seeing a papa post is kind of a combination all's right with the world, duck and cover, and let the games begin.

[Plum]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 8:31pm

But...but...the daisies are my friends! *hugs them*

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 8:34pm

plum, the daisies are your friends...and the tulips too!!

[Plum]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 8:44pm

*rocks in the corner*

[robbiej]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 9:01pm

iflit,

My reaction is more, 'Stick it in!!!'

Ya know...the best thing I ever did for myself was to declare myself 'not nice'. Doesn't make me a not-good person. But it absolves me of saying things I don't necessarily mean just to be considered 'nice'.

I have a couple of really good friends from this board. One (and I'm sure he won't mind my naming him) is Eddie Varley. He and I barely talk to one another on this board. It's real, face-to-face human contact. It's a really special, wonderful friendship that may have started on a message board, but it doesn't exist there. There's only so much you can put of yourself into one (or many) posts. I know that I pretty much am how I post here. People have said it to me and that's all well and good. But I also know for a fact that there are people who create online personas in order to make themselves 'bigger' or 'smarter' or 'sassier' than they actually are in life. I've seen it with my own two eyes. The only time any of us really get at who we are is when we're passionate about an issue and going at it. That's what lends some reality to the avatars that gaze at us from the screen. And sometimes it gets VERY heated. And sometimes people are assholes. But I'd rather know the assholes and know where I stand than get caught up in shallow, vague, impersonal niceties.

Updated On: 6/17/05 at 09:01 PM

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 9:11pm

All true, Robbie.

And another, much more shallow observation...even though everyone cries foul when the **** hits the fan, traffic on the board goes WAY up. Whether or not anyone cares to admit it, disagreement and discord are ever so much more interesting and entertaining than bland, insincere niceness.

Even though I'm not able to post messaged from work, I do manage to keep up on my Sidekick. Yesterday was nothing short of mesmerizing, and I got so little work done that I'm going in on Sunday to try and catch up.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 11:15pm

I was so annoyed yesterday when I realized that I had to run out of the office to buy more popcorn because we ran out.

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 11:18pm

Jose'....you're such a FF !!!