The rep point system is B.S.

[Loner]

Rep points, Mel points, will do anything for green dots.

If I'm really, really good maybe, one day, I'll get a green bar! :rolleyes:


Green dot hounds, you need to get more creative.

Set up five other usernames then you can give yourself rep, or find another user on the board and exchange rep, you'll be max out in no time!


There is a user on this board with 38 posts (soulsolid) that has 6 green dots.

I checked their posts, there nothing there to warrant all that rep.


I think part of the reason people, including me, believe it's boring around here is if they type something that rubs someone the wrong way, they'll get bad rep, like PimpDaShizzle, the orignal version.

Don't say anything controversial, you may get a red dot, what will the neighbors think!


I use to post on another forum and I couldn't understand why this poster, that seemed cool, had such negative rep.

I found out one jerk with his 4 other usernames gave him bad rep every day.


I personally don't give negative rep, I feel if someone crosses the line enough, one of the mods will take care of them.

I have to admit, up till recently, I was caught up with the green dots thing.

Then I got to thinking, "why the hell do I care?"

[Yoda]

It's not as simple as you say. Multiple usernames may get around the restriction on how many times you can rep someone, but each of them is going to have less power, given that rep level is determined by length of membership, post count, and your own rep level. Also, rep doesn't have any effect until the person hits 50 posts, so you'd have to be pretty dedicated to bring someone down. And of course, if the multiple usernames were ever discovered (something I keep a fairly close eye on, for the most part), all the effort would be wasted.

I agree, however, that people take the system a bit too seriously.

[Tea Barking]

Ssshhhh loner people will cotton on that i shouldn't have all this rep with my small amount of posts! I'm gana get rumbled! :eek:

[MyRobotSuit]

Then I got to thinking, "why the hell do I care?"

http://www.miniontv.co.uk/IMAGES/MEL.GIF1Pt

In the end, everybody cares.

[Sleezy]

I really like the rep system here. It's worth caring about because it feels really good when I get positive rep from somebody, and it makes me want to contribute more thoughtful stuff. It's an incentive, and as long as people care, it helps to keep spirits high. I know I've logged on feeling like crap, and seeing that someone gave me positive rep always made me brighten up.

I used to frequent message boards that had "ranks" for its members (Private, Sergeant, Lieutenant, etc), but it was based on post count. So, instead of worrying about quality, people would just post anything to run up their post counts and achieve these ranks, which - in the community - actually demanded respect from lower ranks. I never liked it, though. It made things more competitive, and less communal.

[OG-]

The problem I've always had with the rep system was that, as Yoda said, some people take it too seriously. Not in the sense that everyone wants rep, but that people are appauled if they ever get negative rep. It isn't the end of the world if you get negative rep.

The button brings up two options: "I approve" and "I disapprove". You can elect either one for any possible reason you can think of and yet no matter what, the second one somehow gets interpretated as "I hate your ****ing guts", which may not be the case. People should be far more appreciative of the disapprove button and not interpret it as some supreme act of malevolence.

It makes a point. It is a pity that people miss that point and confuse it with some virtual stab in the heart and proceed to publicly bitch about it later. I for one welcome a red dot if I've said something stupid and I wish more people were willing to both give and recieve.

As for why you should care...You shouldn't care whether or not the majority is green or red or grey, you should care what the context of each point is. If you post a string of moronic posts, you should know it. If you post quality, you should know it. But if you don't care either way, then why post at all? I would think most posters would want to think their post has some degree, even if tiny, of meaning one way or the other - if you don't care about your post, why bother to post at all? If you don't, you're just wasting time.

[Sleezy]

The button brings up two options: "I approve" and "I disapprove". You can elect either one for any possible reason you can think of and yet no matter what, the second one somehow gets interpretated as "I hate your ****ing guts", which may not be the case. People should be far more appreciative of the disapprove button and not interpret it as some supreme act of malevolence.

I agree, but now that I think about, I handle the rep system in a disproportionate way. I'll give positive rep if I agree with someone (and if I think it was well-said), but I won't give negative rep if I disagree with someone. I guess it's just the connotation of "negative," as if you've done something wrong.

I'll only give negative rep if someone is being a jerk, insulting people and whatnot.

[Lance McCool]

I agree, but now that I think about, I handle the rep system in a disproportionate way. I'll give positive rep if I agree with someone (and if I think it was well-said), but I won't give negative rep if I disagree with someone. I guess it's just the connotation of "negative," as if you've done something wrong.



Well, I don't think the idea is to give people negative rep just because you happen to disagree with them...

[SamsoniteDelilah]

..."I approve" and "I disapprove". You can elect either one for any possible reason you can think of and yet no matter what, the second one somehow gets interpretated as "I hate your ****ing guts", which may not be the case. ....
Oh believe me Toots.... sometimes, that's exactly what it means. ;)

Loner, quit whining or I'll neg rep you into next week.

[Equilibrium]

Loner, quit whining or I'll neg rep you into next week.

LOL, neg rep him and I'll neg rep YOU.


speaking of POSITIVE reps...you havent repped me ina while.

[SamsoniteDelilah]

LOL, neg rep him and I'll neg rep YOU.


speaking of POSITIVE reps...you havent repped me ina while.
Yeah, you haven't impressed me in awhile.
Get to it. ::taps toes::

[Loner]

Oh believe me Toots.... sometimes, that's exactly what it means. ;)

Loner, quit whining or I'll neg rep you into next week.

Are you missing something SamsoniteDelilah?

Go ahead!

[SamsoniteDelilah]

Are you missing something SamsoniteDelilah?

Go ahead!
Beg.

[MyRobotSuit]

Beg.

http://www.miniontv.co.uk/IMAGES/MEL.GIF1Pt

[Equilibrium]

Yeah, you haven't impressed me in awhile.
Get to it. ::taps toes::


Ouch.

Well.....i still have that major crush on you that ive always had.

that should count for something.

[nebbit]

I have to admit, up till recently, I was caught up with the green dots thing.

Sounds like you still are :yup:

[Tacitus]

Sounds like you still are :yup:

:up:

[7thson]

I have proof that those of us who have the green bar indicating our rep are nothing but aliens. It is true. We are slowly taking over the Earth and will soon be unstoppable. I myself did not know I was an alien till recently when my electric shaver fell in the tub with me and I was not killed, and then I came upon this: http://www.rense.com/general52/vcig.htm.

Truly I have blocked out my alieness until now, there is more proof:
http://romilly.blackwell.id.au/dancing_jedi/100_0137.jpg
http://www.cityliquidators.com/images/rare/statues/images/SP180.jpg
Even our leader has been caught:

http://sckyz0.free.fr/Yoda%20sabre.jpg

Some of us have not reached our cigaroism ability yet and only have little green dots to tide us over, all I have to say is that do not drop anything electrical into your bathtub until you get the bar the results could be deadly.

[Pyro Tramp]

The only problem i've had with the rep system is that as soon as i hit 2000, Yoda raises the sabre level to 3000.

[SmegFirk]

Waffle
It's a bit of fun, shut up.

[Caitlyn]

I have proof that those of us who have the green bar indicating our rep are nothing but aliens. It is true. We are slowly taking over the Earth and will soon be unstoppable. I myself did not know I was an alien till recently when my electric shaver fell in the tub with me and I was not killed, and then I came upon this: http://www.rense.com/general52/vcig.htm.

Truly I have blocked out my alieness until now, there is more proof:
http://romilly.blackwell.id.au/dancing_jedi/100_0137.jpg
http://www.cityliquidators.com/images/rare/statues/images/SP180.jpg
Even our leader has been caught:

http://sckyz0.free.fr/Yoda%20sabre.jpg

Some of us have not reached our cigaroism ability yet and only have little green dots to tide us over, all I have to say is that do not drop anything electrical into your bathtub until you get the bar the results could be deadly.


Shhhhh.... you weren't supposed to tell yet... :eek:

Were you? :p

[SamsoniteDelilah]

http://www.miniontv.co.uk/IMAGES/MEL.GIF1Pt
yippeeee!! :D

[SmegFirk]

yippeeee!! :D
Easy there, Anakin

[Eyes]

I do have one thing to say about the rep system, I didn't like raising the bar for how long it takes to get a lightsaber, so I had one, and now it's gone. I miss it. :( :bawling: :(

[Thursday Next]

Loner you are just bitter cos you haven't got many dots. What about me, nearly 200 posts and only one dot! :(
Surely not everything I write can be complete BS? Then again...

[Sedai]

I tend to only give out positive rep, for interesting posts, or to people who have gone out of their way to help another user. I have given out neg rap just a few times, usually to ad-mongers or trolls that are spamming stuff all over the place. I have never given out bad rep for comeone busting my balls or arguing with me, as I am an overbearing ass, and probably deserved it...

:D

I am just wondering. How many rep points do people have? I am guessing Caity has up around 10k.... Annie too...

[Anonymous Last]

Beg.

I like it when women say that.

Surely not everything I write can be complete BS?

Why is everyone looking at me? And you're welcome for the second dot!

Rep points, Mel points, will do anything for green dots.



Anything?


http://photobucket.com/albums/d76/nonylast/th_oliver1.jpg

Do people really go through the thick mud of trouble to create multiple user names instead of orgasms? That's crazy! Their computers should be turned off and they should be made to go outside and play.

The cool thing that I like about the rep system is the responses from others, good or bad... I love them all. You people leave some great stuff in there!

[Eyes]

I am just wondering. How many rep points do people have? I am guessing Caity has up around 10k.... Annie too...

just not enough to have a Sabre :(

[SpoOkY]

I like the system personally. While I suppose it can be abused it takes great effort to do so. I honestly believe it promotes a sense of community and communal responsibility in terms of behaviour. In normal society if you insult somebody personally or be rude for no reason there are consequences and it should be the same for an online forum in my opinion. Anonimity should be no excuse and the consequence on this forum for troublesome behaviour is you getting given negative rep.

Also on the flip side if you contribute to society in a positive way then you would expect some kind of recognition for it and when people encourage you for contributing it generally encourages you to put more effort in. I think translating this to the internet is a great idea!

Thus promoting intense & compelling discussion with some degree of accountablilty for behaviour. Otherwise it will end up being like when a mob gets really violent; it's the sense of anonimity that gives people an incentive to do things they shouldn't and without some kind of system to prevent inappropriate behaviour on our sweet little forum then everything could go all crazy like. ;)

One final point is that somebody may give you positive rep for an old post which leads you to check it out and see that person's reply. Thus keeping conversations going that you otherwise might have missed out on, just an extra point :D

[TheUsualSuspect]

I don't even know how to give reps.

[Golgot]

What? You haven't been playing? Give those two green dots back right now!

(click the thingy with the tick and the cross at the top of a post if you want to share some love or dispair ;))

[nebbit]

I don't even know how to give reps.

Just click on the tick/x box up in the r hand corner of each post. :yup:

[TheUsualSuspect]

Wow.....I never knew that, lol.

edit- I tried, it didn't work

[darkhorse]

Rep points, Mel points, will do anything for green dots.

If I'm really, really good maybe, one day, I'll get a green bar! :rolleyes:


Green dot hounds, you need to get more creative.

Set up five other usernames then you can give yourself rep, or find another user on the board and exchange rep, you'll be max out in no time!


There is a user on this board with 38 posts (soulsolid) that has 6 green dots.

I checked their posts, there nothing there to warrant all that rep.


I think part of the reason people, including me, believe it's boring around here is if they type something that rubs someone the wrong way, they'll get bad rep, like PimpDaShizzle, the orignal version.

Don't say anything controversial, you may get a red dot, what will the neighbors think!


I use to post on another forum and I couldn't understand why this poster, that seemed cool, had such negative rep.

I found out one jerk with his 4 other usernames gave him bad rep every day.


I personally don't give negative rep, I feel if someone crosses the line enough, one of the mods will take care of them.

I have to admit, up till recently, I was caught up with the green dots thing.

Then I got to thinking, "why the hell do I care?"
I personally think that the reputation point system on this forum is completely rigged. And yes, my experience is that if you say anything that is in the least bit controversial, you get bombarded by negative reps from every direction. For example, I once said that I thought the new Pink Panther movie starring Steve Martin was going to be funny, and I got negative reps for that! :rolleyes: I mean, how ridiculous is that? On the other hand, the rep point system does discourage pointless flamers and people who tend to post crap for no reason. But do the benefits outweigh the loss? Does the fact that the rep point system keeps flamers in check outweigh the fact that it results in a bland, somewhat tasteless forum where you literally have to watch every word you say for fear of offending someone and getting blasted with negative reps from every direction? I can't personally be the judge of that. But my point of view is that it is worth having a few off-color or controversial remarks in a forum if it means having a more free-speech oriented environment, which tends to make discussions more stimulating and interesting. What I am completely against is mindless flamers who post obscenities and blog hate-mail for no particular reason.

In short, I think that the rep point system has been so completely abused, that it has outlived its usefulness! Time for something new to replace it, IMO!

[linespalsy]

We should be able to give ourselves rep points. C'mon, Yoda! Help the internet become the number one forum for mental masturbation! I wanna interbate all over myself!

[Eyes]

I personally think that the reputation point system on this forum is completely rigged. And yes, my experience is that if you say anything that is in the least bit controversial, you get bombarded by negative reps from every direction. For example, I once said that I thought the new Pink Panther movie starring Steve Martin was going to be funny, and I got negative reps for that! :rolleyes: I mean, how ridiculous is that? On the other hand, the rep point system does discourage pointless flamers and people who tend to post crap for no reason. But do the benefits outweigh the loss? Does the fact that the rep point system keeps flamers in check outweigh the fact that it results in a bland, somewhat tasteless forum where you literally have to watch every word you say for fear of offending someone and getting blasted with negative reps from every direction? I can't personally be the judge of that. But my point of view is that it is worth having a few off-color or controversial remarks in a forum if it means having a more free-speech oriented environment, which tends to make discussions more stimulating and interesting. What I am completely against is mindless flamers who post obscenities and blog hate-mail for no particular reason.

In short, I think that the rep point system has been so completely abused, that it has outlived its usefulness! Time for something new to replace it, IMO!
who gave you the bad rep for the Pink Panther comment? I doubt it was more than one or two regular posters, but new members will do almost anything.

Just out of curiosity, how would you improve the system, or what would you replace it with?

[linespalsy]

My guess would be Holden, and I don't say with intent to diminish the man. He gave me negative rep once for giving a low letter-grade to Goodfella's, and it made my day. I sometimes wish I had the balls to give out negative rep to people, but then I worry that they'll just track me down and beat me up. That's also why I still don't have 1000 posts even tho I've been here for like, ever.

[nebbit]

I personally think that the reputation point system on this forum is completely rigged. And yes, my experience is that if you say anything that is in the least bit controversial, you get bombarded by negative reps from every direction. For example, I once said that I thought the new Pink Panther movie starring Steve Martin was going to be funny, and I got negative reps for that! :rolleyes:

Well I see that issue as Free speech, rep allows you that, I have had bad rep, that is the persons right. I have heard you go on about your bad rep for that movie before, got over it :yup:

[Golgot]

edit- I tried, it didn't work

Did you try it on someone else's post or your own? Interbating is banned by the little wizened green man. (He got that way by playing with his little green dots you know ;))

Now repping reps, that's the future. That way Django could merrily wage his counter-revolution (and we could all be blissfully oblivious :))

[SamsoniteDelilah]

I personally think that the reputation point system on this forum is completely rigged.
:rotfl:
And whose job do you suppose it is to sit and oversee the "rigging" of the rep system?

And yes, my experience is that if you say anything that is in the least bit controversial, you get bombarded by negative reps from every direction.
Completely untrue. I once made a thread about having stolen half my lunch, and didn't get a single bad rep for it.

For example, I once said that I thought the new Pink Panther movie starring Steve Martin was going to be funny, and I got negative reps for that! :rolleyes: I mean, how ridiculous is that?

Could you provide a link? I'd like to bad rep you for that, as well.

On the other hand, the rep point system does discourage pointless flamers and people who tend to post crap for no reason. But do the benefits outweigh the loss? Does the fact that the rep point system keeps flamers in check outweigh the fact that it results in a bland, somewhat tasteless forum where you literally have to watch every word you say for fear of offending someone and getting blasted with negative reps from every direction? I can't personally be the judge of that.
In an average week, how much sleep would you say you lose over your rep points here? Just curious.

And as for the question you're posing, I chose option C: the rep system (along with active moderation) discourages flaming... but you can't blame it for whatever blandness you find here. If you want spice, add it, but fighting and flaming ain't spice.

But my point of view is that it is worth having a few off-color or controversial remarks in a forum if it means having a more free-speech oriented environment, which tends to make discussions more stimulating and interesting. What I am completely against is mindless flamers who post obscenities and blog hate-mail for no particular reason.

In short, I think that the rep point system has been so completely abused, that it has outlived its usefulness! Time for something new to replace it, IMO!
Nonesense. There are several here who barely post anything without trying to be offensive. Now you want to cite people for reacting with offense? You want to choose a course of action but not accept the related consequences? Aren't you around my age?!

[darkhorse]

who gave you the bad rep for the Pink Panther comment? I doubt it was more than one or two regular posters, but new members will do almost anything.
Actually, it was a well-established member who did it out of what I believe to be a personal grudge. Which is my point--all too often, the rep point system is about politics and grudges, about the "you-scratch-my-back-and-I'll-scratch-yours" deal. It's a mutual admiration society operated by a few people who think it's cool to shut you out if they disagree with you.

Just out of curiosity, how would you improve the system, or what would you replace it with?
I say do away with it altogether. Let the forum moderators do their job when it comes to dealing with spammers and offensive posters. Otherwise, it's just a sword hanging over people's heads--a subtle means of control over free speech. It ruins the atmosphere and kills all spontaneity and free-spiritedness. You end up with a cold, clinical atmosphere where you have to carefully deliberate over every word you post for fear of getting roasted alive by a lynch mob for saying the wrong thing! That's just no way to conduct a forum. You have no spirit of community with that kind of atmosphere. It only propagates paranoia and exclusion based on all sorts of baseless criteria. No longer is this a place for the free and open exchange of ideas--it's a place for lawyers and deconstructionists!

Well I see that issue as Free speech, rep allows you that, I have had bad rep, that is the persons right. I have heard you go on about your bad rep for that movie before, got over it :yup:
Sorry, nebbit, but you seriously are out of it! The rep point system is about anything but freedom of speech--it's about control and exclusion. It's like an election in which everybody can cast as many votes as they like as many times as they like for anyone they like. What happens is that factions develop and a group of people conspire to congratulate each other over the most trivial things and exclude others for equally trivial issues. It's a way for a majority to exclude a minority. It's warped. Maybe it started out with the right idea, but it has quickly become open to serious abuse, so that straight players (such as myself) find it difficult to express themselves openly for fear of incurring the wrath of a hostile mob blinded to the truth.

:rotfl:
And whose job do you suppose it is to sit and oversee the "rigging" of the rep system?
See above


Completely untrue. I once made a thread about having stolen half my lunch, and didn't get a single bad rep for it.
That's hardly controversial.


Could you provide a link? I'd like to bad rep you for that, as well.
Which proves my point...


In an average week, how much sleep would you say you lose over your rep points here? Just curious.[/qupte]
I'd say a couple of hours... give or take... :modest:

[QUOTE=SamsoniteDelilah]
And as for the question you're posing, I chose option C: the rep system (along with active moderation) discourages flaming... but you can't blame it for whatever blandness you find here. If you want spice, add it, but fighting and flaming ain't spice.
My point is that the rep point system is like a sword hanging over your head and that it kills all spontaneity. The moderators can easily do away with flamers if they do their job. The truth is that they're taking the easy way out and letting the rep point system do the job for them. What this amounts to is throwing the baby out with the bath water.


Nonesense. There are several here who barely post anything without trying to be offensive. Now you want to cite people for reacting with offense? You want to choose a course of action but not accept the related consequences? Aren't you around my age?!
Like I said, let the moderators do their job. My point is that it's political, biased and exclusionist. What would constitute a fair system? Simply this: let people speak freely without being penalized for the content of their speech as long as they adhere to the basic guidelines that they have to agree to when they register. I just think that if you give people a bit more freedom to openly express themselves without penalizing them arbitrarily and then attacking them if they accidentally happen to misspeak themselves, you will have a much more interesting forum in the long run with more interested participants and more interesting ideas.

[nebbit]

What happens is that factions develop and a group of people conspire to congratulate each other over the most trivial things and exclude others for equally trivial issues. It's a way for a majority to exclude a minority. It's warped. Maybe it started out with the right idea, but it has quickly become open to serious abuse,

This sounds like paranoia :eek: I have been here a long time, no one ever, has asked me to join a conspiracy :laugh:

straight players (such as myself) find it difficult to express themselves openly for fear of incurring the wrath of a hostile mob blinded to the truth.

No one would ever be banned from this site for talking straight, :nope: for Being nasty, and personally attacking others etc :yup:

[SamsoniteDelilah]

Which proves my point...
No, it doesn't, because what I said was ironic.
What this proves is that you take all this way way too seriously.

... My point is that it's political, biased and exclusionist.
How is it any of those things?
Political?! Exclusionist??? Do you not talk to people if they don't have a given number of green dots? I don't know anyone who uses that criteria for interacting. What it does, is warn people who haven't been around where to avoid troublemakers. It's not hard to guess why you don't like that, based on the debate style you're employing here, and have in other threads on this username.

[darkhorse]

This sounds like paranoia :eek: I have been here a long time, no one ever, has asked me to join a conspiracy :laugh:
So you say... Sadly, I find you less than credible, but please don't take that personally.


No one would ever be banned from this site for talking straight, :nope: for Being nasty, and personally attacking others etc :yup:
Well, people also get banned for political reasons and for standing up for their beliefs. Of course, you seem to be oblivious to that. There's also the issue of bias and double standards, but you are also, probably, oblivious to that as well!

No, it doesn't, because what I said was ironic.
What this proves is that you take all this way way too seriously.

Well, I wish I had known! No, I don't take any of this too seriously. In fact, I wish more forum members would take things in here less seriously. If they did, discussions would not quickly degenerate into games of innuendo and invective, as they often do! It's a sad, but true, commentary on the state of things here!


How is it any of those things?
Political?! Exclusionist??? Do you not talk to people if they don't have a given number of green dots? I don't know anyone who uses that criteria for interacting. What it does, is warn people who haven't been around where to avoid troublemakers. It's not hard to guess why you don't like that, based on the debate style you're employing here, and have in other threads on this username.
It undermines a person's credibility. It makes you take them less seriously. But, in actual fact, what has really happened here is that the blatant abuse of the system has completely undermined the credibility of the system itself. It's a case where the system has backfired in a major way. Anyone with half a mind can see through the double standards and hypocrisy of the rep point system, except, of course, those who belong to the "elite" Society of the Green Dots! Kind of lame, but, hey, that's just my opinion! :rolleyes:

[nebbit]

So you say... Sadly, I find you less than credible, but please don't take that personally.
:laugh: even if you did mean it personally, I don't care :nope: :nope: :nope:


Well, people also get banned for political reasons and for standing up for their beliefs.
Like who? :confused:

Of course, you seem to be oblivious to that. There's also the issue of bias and double standards, but you are also, probably, oblivious to that as well
If you say so :rolleyes:

[Tacitus]

it's just a sword hanging over people's heads--a subtle means of control over free speech. It ruins the atmosphere and kills all spontaneity and free-spiritedness. You end up with a cold, clinical atmosphere where you have to carefully deliberate over every word you post for fear of getting roasted alive by a lynch mob for saying the wrong thing!

Examples then please, for you couldn't be more wrong in my book. One thing stikes a chord though: Maybe if some people thought more carefully about posting (not what that post, but the way they post it) then some people wouldn't be getting so hot under the collar about not having many rep points....

It undermines a person's credibility. It makes you take them less seriously.

What people post makes me take them more or less seriously, not the amount of green dots their username posesses when they post it. If something doesn't float my boat then no rep from me, which is the way everyone here operates, I'd imagine. Your sweeping generalisations aren't really doing your own credibility any favours.

Are they?


It only propagates paranoia...

Based on your previous posts in the thread, in your case I can only agree.

... and exclusion based on all sorts of baseless criteria.

Would this 'baseless criteria' be 'other people not recognising that I'm a genius' by any chance? Just tell yourself it's their loss and carry on looking for listening devices in your cornflakes. :)

[nebbit]

Would this 'baseless criteria' be 'other people not recognising that I'm a genius' by any chance? Just tell yourself it's their loss and carry on looking for listening devices in your cornflakes. :)

:laugh:

[Tea Barking]

DarkHorse: Fighting for the rights of the little people. Shame this isn't the houses of paliment or congress, your superpowers are going to waste, go fourth and fight corruption in the world!

By the by you was once banned, yet you were allowed back and you have green dots yourself, some conspiracy.

[Equilibrium]

Like who? :confused:



Like me, twice.

He's got a point, a very good one and I think it would be dumb to deny it. This is not a public site. It is open to everyone but it is still controlled by few people. These few people have their own opinions, goals, and views on what this forum is to be like. And while I do believe they try to stay fair all the time,but no one is perfect and sometimes the apple falls further from the tree than you think.

[Golgot]

It's the conspiracy of the forum, instead of the old conspiracy of the mods, he's now railing against ;).

Djangs, no one has been banned for their political beliefs. You were banned because your anger boiled over when no one agreed with certain positions you took which you couldn't justify, and you ended up insulting people instead of debating.

You are taking this too seriously. The rep system does have a clique-ness to it, but it doesn't seem to be stopping new posters with varied views from joining the site. You can totally ignore it and still be an active and productive Mofo. Anyone who's stepped over the line into insulting behaviour has been dealt with via the normal reason/smack-down/ban approach that existed before.

The rep thing is just decoration added to the normal set-up here.

If you want to liven things up (and things have wondered into slightly bland territory at times over the last while) then post some interesting threads. Just don't lose your temper if people disagree with you ;).

[Equilibrium]

It's the conspiracy of the forum, instead of the old conspiracy of the mods, he's now railing against ;).

Djangs, no one has been banned for their political beliefs. You were banned because your anger boiled over when no one agreed with certain positions you took which you couldn't justify, and you ended up insulting people instead of debating.

You are taking this too seriously. The rep system does have a clique-ness to it, but it doesn't seem to be stopping new posters with varied views from joining the site. You can totally ignore it and still be an active and productive Mofo. Anyone who's stepped over the line into insulting behaviour has been dealt with via the normal reason/smack-down/ban approach that existed before.

The rep thing is just decoration added to the normal set-up here.

If you want to liven things up (and things have wondered into slightly bland territory at times over the last while) then post some interesting threads. Just don't lose your temper if people disagreeing with you ;).


Wait a minute. Django is still around? darkhorse?? wtf??? I'm so confused.

[Golgot]

Like me, twice.

Spidy (can i call you that Eq? ;))... i thought you got banned for ripping into people as much for Israel-bashing?

Anything that walks the 'racism' line is always gonna be a tricky one anyway (as with other 'personal opinion' subjects like paedophilia, sexism etc that may be strongly undesirable etc) - not that i remember you being exactly anti-semitic, but i think you did talk in some broad terms (remember, i pretty much agreed with you - i've got a lot of issues with Israel too).

I think the way things work here means opinions like that do need to be toned down in certain areas - and there is a certain muting effect that comes with that - but one of the results is that debate is then possible.

The mod set-up does lean towards 'conservative', but there's no exact political or social consensus between 'em. And i still can't remember an example of someone getting banned for their politics alone. There's always been some unnecessary accusations and insults thrown in aswell.

The thing this site seems to demand is just that if you're gonna make big claims you've gotta back em up, and keep your cool as much as possible while doing it. :)

Having said that tho, Yods and the others admit they make mistakes. And they keep any deleted arguments on file it seems. Which is cool - coz i do like to know why people get banned too ;)

(See Django, we get to watch the watchers. Isn't it cool :p)

---
EDIT
---

Yep, Darkhouse is Django - one of the many banned Mofos who've been welcome to return, so long as they play 'nice' in their new guise ;).

[Equilibrium]

Spidy (can i call you that Eq? ;))... i thought you got banned for ripping into people as much for Israel-bashing?

Anything that walks the 'racism' line is always gonna be a tricky one anyway (as with other 'personal opinion' subjects like paedophilia, sexism etc that may be strongly undesirable etc) - not that i remember you being exactly anti-semitic, but i think you did talk in some broad terms (remember, i pretty much agreed with you - i've got a lot of issues with Israel too).

I think the way things work here means opinions like that do need to be toned down in certain areas - and there is a certain muting effect that comes with that - but one of the results is that debate is then possible.

The mod set-up does lean towards 'conservative', but there's no exact political or social consensus between 'em. And i still can't remember an example of someone getting banned for their politics alone. There's always been some unnecessary accusations and insults thrown in aswell.

The thing this site seems to demand is just that if you're gonna make big claims you've gotta back em up, and keep your cool as much as possible while doing it. :)

Having said that tho, Yods and the others admit they make mistakes. And they keep any deleted arguments on file it seems. Which is cool - coz i do like to know why people get banned too ;)

(See Django, we get to watch the watchers. Isn't it cool :p)

Yeah sure you can call me Spidey. It is afterall my first and only other major username on this forum. but I am definitly not django, and I never was as stupid as he was to fight EVERYONE.

I'll admit I did alot of israel bashing and i still hate the country more than i hate anyone person, including hitler. That happens to be a personal opinion and I am actually not a racist person at all. I have told yoda after he banned me that some of my best friends were not only jewish, but sons and daughters of parliment members in Israel. I am allowed to hate the country and wish death upon its government all I want, and as you can see I've done a good job of restricting those beliefs from enetering this forum like they used to. I do remember you agreed with me on alot of points, which is why I didnt feel as bad when I got banned, I felt like i was forcefully saying what only a few here believe in.


Anyways I do agree with you that certain topics have to be watered down so as not to offend anyone. This is afterall a forum open to everyone., whether they be anti semetist, anti muslim, paedophiles, sexist, whatever.

[Yoda]

Goodness, Django's up to his old tricks again. And just in time for Christmas, too.

I say do away with it altogether. Let the forum moderators do their job when it comes to dealing with spammers and offensive posters. Otherwise, it's just a sword hanging over people's heads--a subtle means of control over free speech. It ruins the atmosphere and kills all spontaneity and free-spiritedness. You end up with a cold, clinical atmosphere where you have to carefully deliberate over every word you post for fear of getting roasted alive by a lynch mob for saying the wrong thing! That's just no way to conduct a forum. You have no spirit of community with that kind of atmosphere. It only propagates paranoia and exclusion based on all sorts of baseless criteria. No longer is this a place for the free and open exchange of ideas--it's a place for lawyers and deconstructionists!
It's no more a sword over people's heads than their day-to-day interactions with people. The only difference here is that the disapproval of others is in some form measured and heard, whereas otherwise it would either be expressed in posts (which is remarkably similar), or else hidden altogether.

Stigma and disapproval exists, period. There will always be people who do not like what other people have to say. It's either going to exist under the surface, or it'll exist in plain sight. With the rep system, it generally exists in plain sight. It rarely creates any new conflicts; it simply sheds light on existing ones. Personally, I think sunshine is the best disinfectant.


Sorry, nebbit, but you seriously are out of it! The rep point system is about anything but freedom of speech--it's about control and exclusion. It's like an election in which everybody can cast as many votes as they like as many times as they like for anyone they like. What happens is that factions develop and a group of people conspire to congratulate each other over the most trivial things and exclude others for equally trivial issues. It's a way for a majority to exclude a minority. It's warped. Maybe it started out with the right idea, but it has quickly become open to serious abuse, so that straight players (such as myself) find it difficult to express themselves openly for fear of incurring the wrath of a hostile mob blinded to the truth.
There are several significant problems with this paragraph.

First, it's not like an election in which "everybody can cast as many votes as they like" because this "election" has no tangible consequences. No one is banned from the site for their rep level, nor are their posts deleted because they have poor rep. The rep system, then, is more like an opinion poll; it quantifies group opinion with no actual, observable consequences.

Second, I don't think most people here would agree with your definition of what constitues a "trivial" offense. Given your comments under previous usernames, "trivial" offenses would apparently include misrepresenting statistics, lying, calling people Nazis, and comparing yourself to Jesus.

Third, the system is self-correcting. If everyone is congratulating each other on meaningless things and using the rep system to exchange pleasantries, than all those who do so know it is being done, and it is factored into the meaning, if any, of a person's rep level. The only way this is a particularly negative thing is if someone new joins and for some bizarre reason completely excludes people who have a lower rep than others. If this has ever happened, no one's ever said anything about it. Most reasonable people just express some curiousity about what the dots and bars mean, and then go on posting.

Fourth, I haven't noticed any significant drop in the number of controversial or offensive things people have said since the system has been instituted. If anything, I think we have more scuffles and harsh words today than we used to. So I see absolutely nothing to indicate that it's really restrained anyone's desire to express themselves.

And fifth; if it restrains speech, how are we even having this conversation? Because here you are, posting -- and posting controversial things that I and others are taking issue with. So where does this chilling effect on speech occur, except in some vague hypothetical?


My point is that the rep point system is like a sword hanging over your head and that it kills all spontaneity. The moderators can easily do away with flamers if they do their job. The truth is that they're taking the easy way out and letting the rep point system do the job for them. What this amounts to is throwing the baby out with the bath water.
This doesn't make sense. The rep system does absolutely nothing that mods have ever done. It does not ban people nor does it delete or edit posts. It does not accomplish a single task that had been the job of moderators or administrators beforehand.

This isn't the first time you've complained about the rep system out of ignorance for its functions and workings, either. I don't think it's too much to ask that you understand the system before you try to incite some sort of inane rebellion.


It undermines a person's credibility. It makes you take them less seriously.
If someone has repeatedly said things that a majority of people disagree with over a prolonged period of time, why, exactly, is it unreasonable for people to think them less credible?


Like me, twice.

He's got a point, a very good one and I think it would be dumb to deny it. This is not a public site. It is open to everyone but it is still controlled by few people. These few people have their own opinions, goals, and views on what this forum is to be like. And while I do believe they try to stay fair all the time,but no one is perfect and sometimes the apple falls further from the tree than you think.
I'd be glad to haul out your old posts if you believe you've been somehow treated unfairly. I think we both know your bannings were entirely warranted on the basis of your behavior, though (I even recall you admitting as much at one point).

If you have any example of bias or unfair treatment at any time, let's hear it. These are some pretty serious accusations, so I'd hope you have something to base them on. If you do, then I need to fix whatever's gone wrong. And if you don't, then you need to retract the accusation.

Either way, I have absolutely no qualms about conducting any discussion or investigation into such claims publicly, for all to see, whatever the result may be.

[darkhorse]

Three positive reps and two negative reps for my posts so far!

'Nuff said! :D

[Golgot]

I am allowed to hate the country and wish death upon its government all I want, and as you can see I've done a good job of restricting those beliefs from enetering this forum like they used to...

...Anyways I do agree with you that certain topics have to be watered down so as not to offend anyone. This is afterall a forum open to everyone., whether they be anti semetist, anti muslim, paedophiles, sexist, whatever.

It's all really tricky when it comes to personal views/beliefs about social stuff. It's a mini version of the problem open countries face everywhere. You want freedom of speech - except for those who have strongly 'anti social' tendencies ;). Tricky. :yup:

I think strong personal opinions that offend the majority will just get 'shouted down' generally if repeated too often anyway. If there's mass disaproval of a belief, that's gonna happen.

For everything else - topics where there's less consensus of opinion - I kinda like the fact that any debate on tough subjects gets done under what i think of as 'way of the yoda' - you've gotta at least be able to provide some form of back-up for your point of view that others can recognise as factual, or at least understandable. (Or which they can argue with on those terms ;)).

And for that reason, i think you should still post on Israel, and whatever else is important to you. But you've gotta be prepared for the fact that you'll need to justify your views as factually as possible - and that if you get incensed by any opposition you can't let it the anger lash out too much.

But you dig that, i know. It's an interesting test tho - examining passionate beliefs in the exacting light of a Mofo debate ;).

[Yoda]

For everything else - topics where there's less consensus of opinion - I kinda like the fact that any debate on tough subjects gets done under what i think of as 'way of the yoda' - you've gotta at least be able to provide some form of back-up for your point of view that others can recognise as factual, or at least understandable. (Or which they can argue with on those terms ;)).
I'd be more than glad to have a type of debate devoid of unprovoked inflammations and intolerant of baseless accusations named after me. :)

And for that reason, i think you should still post on Israel, and whatever else is important to you. But you've gotta be prepared for the fact that you'll need to justify your views as factually as possible - and that if you get incensed by any opposition you can't let it the anger lash out too much.
If Eq wants to say that Israel has done horrible things, he can. I'm pretty sure he has under this name, too. What he can't say is that Israelis are murderous pigs.

I'm pretty confident in my track record of allowing controversial things -- very controversial things -- to be said, so long as they're not coupled with highly inflammatory language. In other words, if you have an appreciation for the delicateness of some subjects, just about anything goes.

[Tea Barking]

I'll admit I did alot of israel bashing and i still hate the country more than i hate anyone person, including hitler. That happens to be a personal opinion and I am actually not a racist person at all

You hate hitler who hated jews, yet you hate a jewish state and you don't consider yourself racist? I supose you think nazi hitler wasen't racist either. Your not the president of iran are you?
Maybe you should hate a little less.

Sorry that was off topic but good grief...

[Equilibrium]

I'd be glad to haul out your old posts if you believe you've been somehow treated unfairly. I think we both know your bannings were entirely warranted on the basis of your behavior, though (I even recall you admitting as much at one point).

If you have any example of bias or unfair treatment at any time, let's hear it. These are some pretty serious accusations, so I'd hope you have something to base them on. If you do, then I need to fix whatever's gone wrong. And if you don't, then you need to retract the accusation.

Either way, I have absolutely no qualms about conducting any discussion or investigation into such claims publicly, for all to see, whatever the result may be.

Lets not do this again. you know as much as I, that I have apologized for saying what I said and we agreed to disagree about my opinions..but we both AGREED that I needed to find a less offensive way to portray my opinions. And the way you just quoted me and respinded is frankly offensive because I still feel like I'm not on the right terms with you. As if the slightest mistake could send me sailing away. And I think I've been a good boy around here, ya know. So please, don't treat me like an outsider.

[Equilibrium]

You hate hitler who hated jews, yet you hate a jewish state and you don't consider yourself racist? I supose you think nazi hitler wasen't racist either. Your not the president of iran are you?
Maybe you should hate a little less.

Sorry that was off topic but good grief...

I think you should learn to read english before you attempt to write it. I said I hate the government of Israel more than I hate any one person...even hitler himself.And in my opinion, the existence of Israel is against everything the U.S. and its allies fought for. I'm not going into this because I don't feel like getting banned. But Israel has committed the worst crimes against humanity since the janjaweed, and the holocaust itself.

[Anonymous Last]

It's warped. Maybe it started out with the right idea, but it has quickly become open to serious abuse, so that straight players (such as myself) find it difficult to express themselves openly for fear of incurring the wrath of a hostile mob blinded to the truth.

I'm sorry to hear that people are getting a poor treatment from the other users here makin' em feel that this site is stressed. I just don't see it from them. Mobs, really? Reps with torches and pitch forks...

Breaking off the chain here I feel that we all carry our own weapons in this arena. I never gave some thoughts to any mob that will try to come at me on this or any site. It's not about them or anyone else you might wanna sit next to at lunch. Green dots, red dots who cares? Though I would like a blue lightsaber (bar) if possible... but that's besides the tip of pleasure.
If I were any of you I would not worry about the rep from others... just listen to what they are trying to say, no? Bounce ideas and thoughts back and fourth to each other... I mean that's what most of us are here for right? Don't fear the mobs and don't bring nothing but trouble and stress to the mix. Most likely you'll get special treatment…and some might even get the deluxe package with the sealant wax and new car smell!

As for the mods... they were granted the power from the King of this castle. His house his rules… if nobody likes it, leave. They don’t like it, and stay, then the mods (not the mob) might make you leave. Simple math.

[Yoda]

Lets not do this again. you know as much as I, that I have apologized for saying what I said and we agreed to disagree about my opinions..but we both AGREED that I needed to find a less offensive way to portray my opinions. And the way you just quoted me and respinded is frankly offensive because I still feel like I'm not on the right terms with you. As if the slightest mistake could send me sailing away. And I think I've been a good boy around here, ya know. So please, don't treat me like an outsider.
The thing is, I feel it's the other way around. I, too, thought we had an understanding, but you seem to look for opportunities to undermine it, as if you still feel you've been wronged. What else are you referring to with posts like the one further up this page (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showpost.php?p=303594&postcount=49)? Django said that people were banned for "political beliefs" and "standing up for what they believe in." Nebbit said "like who?" and you said "like me."

But like you said, we both AGREED that it was the way things were said, and not just the beliefs, that was the problem. I want you to be a part of this community. I feel you have something to offer it. But our agreement has to work both ways. It can't have me making you feel like an outsider on the brink of another banning, and it can't have you taking subtle jabs and implying that you were mistreated.

I hope you see what I'm trying to get at here.

[Equilibrium]

The thing is, I feel it's the other way around. I, too, thought we had an understanding, but you seem to look for opportunities to undermine it, as if you still feel you've been wronged. What else are you referring to with posts like the one further up this page (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showpost.php?p=303594&postcount=49)? Django said that people were banned for "political beliefs" and "standing up for what they believe in." Nebbit said "like who?" and you said "like me."

But like you said, we both AGREED that it was the way things were said, and not just the beliefs, that was the problem. I want you to be a part of this community. I feel you have something to offer it. But our agreement has to work both ways. It can't have me making you feel like an outsider on the brink of another banning, and it can't have you taking subtle jabs and implying that you were mistreated.

I hope you see what I'm trying to get at here.
Yeah I get it. If I don't want to be treated like a victim, I shouldn't act like one.

Golgot, point taken. ;)

[Yoda]

Having said that tho, Yods and the others admit they make mistakes. And they keep any deleted arguments on file it seems. Which is cool - coz i do like to know why people get banned too ;)
Thanks for bringing that up, actually. I'd like to echo it; with very few exceptions, deleted posts are kept available and can be made public on request if anyone wishes to examine the legitimacy of a deletion or ban. Things that are totally, completely deleted generally include duplicate threads and outright spam, though the latter is usually saved in some form, too, just in case.

I won't take any such request as a personal challenge, either. I'll give anyone the benefit of the doubt if they'd like to see why a person was banned.

[Tea Barking]

Yea i'll try and rad english in future.
I know what you wrote, but i guess your contridiction went over your head.
That's a fair point altho a little one sided, but while everyone like you is hating when will the vilolence stop?

[Yoda]

You hate hitler who hated jews, yet you hate a jewish state and you don't consider yourself racist? I supose you think nazi hitler wasen't racist either. Your not the president of iran are you?
Maybe you should hate a little less.

Sorry that was off topic but good grief...
Heh. Take a good, long look, Django. Still think the rep system is discouraging lively, open discussion?

[Equilibrium]

Yea i'll try and rad english in future.
I know what you wrote, but i guess your contridiction went over your head.
That's a fair point altho a little one sided, but while everyone like you is hating when will the vilolence stop?


Maybe when you stop hating me for a missed "e". You completely are misunderstanding what I am saying.

for the third time i hate israel almost as much as i hate hitler.

This has nothing to do with the fact that both subjects involve jews. I would hate hitler just as much if it were just catholics that were killed.

Do you get this yet? I'm being alot more general and broad than you seem to be "reading" into this lol.

[Tea Barking]

But you sohuldn't hate isreal, it makes you no better than hitler.
I don't hate northen ireland for the ira campains, or the germans for two world wars.
More love less hate and all that :)

[Equilibrium]

But you sohuldn't hate isreal, it makes you no better than hitler.
I don't hate northen ireland for the ira campains, or the germans for two world wars.
More love less hate and all that :)
Right. Well when the next hitler comes, don't hate him. Love him like a neighbor and see how much he loves you :).

Me on the other hand, I'm a lovable guy. ;)

[Tea Barking]

The british didn't hate the germans during wartime :)

[Golgot]

Heheheh. Cool, a can of worms gets opened, then turns into a worm dance ;). Momentarily tho i suspects...so....

If you guys wanna explore the hate and the love involved in the Israel situation, you might wanna take it to another thread now tho :).

Play nice now y'here ;)

---
EDIT
---

Oh damn, Tea started the next phase of the dance already. Tea, yes they did, and i'll happily argue with both you gentlemen about it all on another thread.

[darkhorse]

Heh. Take a good, long look, Django. Still think the rep system is discouraging lively, open discussion?
There you go, stealing credit again!

I'd say it was my posts about your abusive rep point system that have stimulated some lively, open discussion.

Credit where credit is due, I say.

[Tea Barking]

Well actually....... i won't go on here lol

I got negative repped! I swear it's a conspiracy :p

Edit: No hard feelings tho eq we just have differnt opinions :)

[Equilibrium]

There you go, stealing credit again!

I'd say it was my posts about your abusive rep point system that have stimulated some lively, open discussion.

Credit where credit is due, I say.
oh boy lol.

[darkhorse]

oh boy lol.
Okay, I admit that what I said there was kind of melodramatic! Sorry 'bout that! *Sheepish :D*

[Equilibrium]

Well actually....... i won't go on here lol

I got negative repped! I swear it's a conspiracy :p

Edit: No hard feelings tho eq we just have differnt opinions :)

Yea i know, but I didnt neg rep you in case you didnt notice. I dont think i have ever neg repped. Well there was that one time in that thread where everyone was neg repping each other for kicks...that was fun but then yoda changed it to say your name next to whoever you rep lol.

[Tea Barking]

yea sorry i didn't mean you lol

[Thursday Next]

Wow, this thread is getting serious...thanks to those people who gave me rep, anyway...:)

[undercoverlover]

I can't help myself, I love reps! I'm a rep-aholic and I love it. I'm also a mel point lover, will dance for mel points!

[Anonymous Last]

I can't help myself, I love reps! I'm a rep-aholic and I love it. I'm also a mel point lover, will dance for mel points!



Quick! She's 18 now... give me a Mel Point!

[Equilibrium]

I can't help myself, I love reps! I'm a rep-aholic and I love it. I'm also a mel point lover, will dance for mel points!


as django put it:
Scratch my back and I will scratch yours ;).

[Darth Stujitzu]

Got to admit to loving the rep points!!!
Haven't had any Mel points only bad rep so far, but hey it's Xmas who knows!
Anyway, I feel loved ( more so by certain Mofo's, but my lips are sealed!!! )

[TheUsualSuspect]

I click on it and nothing happens, I tried it on other people's, then myself....nothing pops up, what is suppose to happen???

Do you have to have a certain status to be able to give reps.

[Caitlyn]

I click on it and nothing happens, I tried it on other people's, then myself....nothing pops up, what is suppose to happen???

Do you have to have a certain status to be able to give reps.


My guess is that you have a pop-up blocker that you need to turn off in order to give out rep...

[Sleezy]

I click on it and nothing happens, I tried it on other people's, then myself....nothing pops up, what is suppose to happen???

Do you have to have a certain status to be able to give reps.

Hold "Ctrl" on your keyboard, and then click. That should work. :)

[darkhorse]

Truth be told, "mob hysteria" is not uncommon on the internet in newsgroups, forums, etc. It happens all the time. For some reason, some people are extremely sensitive to what people say on the internet, and some of them react "violently", that is to say, using hyperbole and invective. Facts get distorted, people get mischaracterized. You start out one way and, as in a game of Chinese Whispers, what you end up with is such a complete distortion of what you began with, that you have to laugh.

What makes it more interesting is the whole concept of "stigma" and "reputation". On a forum like this, you are judged by the words you post, regardless of the tone or context. Taking words out of context or reading something into them that simply isn't there, or distorting their denotative or connotative sense seems to happen so casually and subtly and regularly that it boggles the mind. One re-reads what "transpires" in a thread like this and one can only think to oneself, "How can so many intelligent people be so out of touch reality?" No offense intended, but that's the sort of thing that comes to my mind.

Ultimately, the sort of word games that Yoda tends to draw you into are, IMO, meaningless. What do they achieve? You can spend hours--even days--pointlessly arguing over semantics and words. Often, arguments like these move off into a totally irrelevant direction and address some completely irrelevant topic. And what do you get in the end? Just a great deal of mental masturbation! (pardon the expression). Is anything accomplished out of this? Not in my opinion. You end up looking like a bunch of crotchety retirees arguing about the most trivial, irrelevant things!

I say, get up off your asses and go do something with your life instead of wasting your time nitpicking over irrelevancies! Or, if you want to post something, post something meaningful--something that contributes to general understanding instead of arguing over petty, irrelevant trivialities!

Sorry if I offend, but, like I pointed out elsewhere, it's impossible not to offend someone no matter what you say--even if you go out of your way not to offend anyone, you end up offending some people who feel offended because you're too inoffensive! So what the heck--here I am speaking my mind, for what it's worth, and if I offend you, sorry! But I don't apologize for expressing myself openly and honestly!

Adios amigos! :D

The End.

[Golgot]

Well done spiney, you just completed an argument with yourself :rolleyes:

(Somehow i think you lost it too. Heigh ho)

Is there a 'boggle' smilie? Maybe a 'boggle' smilie would sort everything out. I'm boggled.

[darkhorse]

Well done spiney, you just completed an argument with yourself :rolleyes:

(Somehow i think you lost it too. Heigh ho)
Wow... that makes a lot of sense! :rolleyes:

Fact is, you guys are in here talking about Hollywood.

I live in Hollywood... or, at least, right next door to Hollywood... and my work is connected with the entertainment industry. I'm right where the action is, suckers! :D So there!

Is there a 'boggle' smilie? Maybe a 'boggle' smilie would sort everything out. I'm boggled.
Try this one: :confused: Or this one: :eek:

At least, that's an accurate reflection of my own state of mind!

[Golgot]

I live in Hollywood... or, at least, right next door to Hollywood... and my work is connected with the entertainment industry. I'm right where the action is, suckers! :D So there!

What?! Didn't you work in renewable energy technology before? (Wave energy wasn't it?)

Now you've downgraded to entertainment? Shame on you :p

Try this one: :confused: Or this one: :eek:


Not boggley enough.

[darkhorse]

What?! Didn't you work in renewable energy technology before? (Wave energy wasn't it?)

Now you've downgraded to entertainment? Shame on you :p

So now you're keeping track of my life history? That's kind of sad, wouldn't you say? Although, in a sense, I'm kind of flattered. I never realized I had a fan club!

Still, as William Shatner once said to his fan base, "Get a life!" :p

[SamsoniteDelilah]

Truth be told, "mob hysteria" is not uncommon on the internet in newsgroups, forums, etc. It happens all the time. For some reason, some people are extremely sensitive to what people say on the internet, and some of them react "violently", that is to say, using hyperbole and invective. Facts get distorted, people get mischaracterized. You start out one way and, as in a game of Chinese Whispers, what you end up with is such a complete distortion of what you began with, that you have to laugh.

What makes it more interesting is the whole concept of "stigma" and "reputation". On a forum like this, you are judged by the words you post, regardless of the tone or context. Taking words out of context or reading something into them that simply isn't there, or distorting their denotative or connotative sense seems to happen so casually and subtly and regularly that it boggles the mind. One re-reads what "transpires" in a thread like this and one can only think to oneself, "How can so many intelligent people be so out of touch reality?" No offense intended, but that's the sort of thing that comes to my mind.
Your entire first paragraph is yet another sweeping generalization. You don't even make it clear if you're saying that those things happen here, though you did make that accusation upthread, where it was already shot down in flames. Pay attention.

It was also already said (by several people) that context and tone are very important in posting. Here, you contradict that with no supporting reasoning or examples. That's bad debate. See the link in my signature, please. It's also distasteful - repeatedly making statements that masquerade as fact will indeed damage your reputation, but you have no one to blame but yourself.

Ultimately, the sort of word games that Yoda tends to draw you into are, IMO, meaningless. What do they achieve? You can spend hours--even days--pointlessly arguing over semantics and words. Often, arguments like these move off into a totally irrelevant direction and address some completely irrelevant topic. And what do you get in the end? Just a great deal of mental masturbation! (pardon the expression). Is anything accomplished out of this? Not in my opinion. You end up looking like a bunch of crotchety retirees arguing about the most trivial, irrelevant things!
Ironic. I have debated Yoda on several occasions and I usually come away with a better understanding of the topic, even when the poor little guy loses the debate miserably. (heheh) On the other hand, I have seen you make threads and start "debates" with people that are anything but viable.


I say, get up off your asses and go do something with your life instead of wasting your time nitpicking over irrelevancies!
Here and after this you lapse into speechifying without having established a shred of credibility for yourself on which to stand. You've made unfounded statements, provided no reasoning to support them. You've made accusations - again unfounded, unreferenced and unreasoned. You launch into this grandiose tapdance and then congratulate yourself on your "honesty". That level of "self expression" has it's rightful place on your mom's refridgerator, not on a public forum.

[Golgot]

Here and after this you lapse into speechifying without having established a shred of credibility for yourself on which to stand. You've made unfounded statements, provided no reasoning to support them. You've made accusations - again unfounded, unreferenced and unreasoned. You launch into this grandiose tapdance and then congratulate yourself on your "honesty". That level of "self expression" has it's rightful place on your mom's refridgerator, not on a public forum.

Isn't he delightful?

Still, as William Shatner once said to his fan base, "Get a life!"

My goodness, what a comeback. From now on i shall dub thee 'Mr Entertainment'.

Incidently, I believe Billy has a message for you...

[darkhorse]

Did someone say something? Or was that some sort of echo? :cool: :D

But seriously, guys, this is getting boring! I have to run! Ciao!

[nebbit]

Adios amigos! :D

Are you leaving :D

[Golgot]

Nah, he's just running away in a masculine manner.

Not to worry tho. He'll be back the moment he's conjured up another priceless playground insult ;)

[Anonymous Last]

On the plaaaaaaaaayground... ya know? ....that means he likes you.

[Golgot]

Ahh, he still hasn't forgiven me for the last game of kiss chase. He accused me of gagging him with my tongue. :modest:

[Anonymous Last]

Ahh, he still hasn't forgiven me for the last game of kiss chase. He accused me of gagging him with my tongue. :modest:

Sounds wicked but it's wrong with the lick shots... next time use a spoon.

[Golgot]

Well, i think we would, but he tells people to fork off even if they haven't shot off at the mouth ;)

[Anonymous Last]

Well, i think we would, but he tells people to fork off even if they haven't shot off at the mouth ;)

Sounds like a Tiger in the bottom half of the second with a Spanish Fork. You should get rep for that.

[Golgot]

That just gets you an icepack doesn't it?

(one negative rep for totally leaving the topic please :))

[Anonymous Last]

I guess when it feels so right... it can't be wrong.

[Golgot]

Collect enough negs and you can make an embarrased raspberry. (There's always a syrupy lining).

[Anonymous Last]

While on the subject of alternate flavors can someone tell me how's that Raspberry Coke working out.

[Golgot]

I heard the Haiitians have pressed them into a road-surfacing collective.

They get to fizz on weekends tho.






(I can't stop until i've rattled my sabre)

[Tea Barking]

Theres rasberry coke now?!

[darkhorse]

He'll be back the moment he's conjured up another priceless playground insult ;)
Dude, don't flatter yourself. This isn't even a playground. This is pure fantasy! Time to grow up! :D

[Golgot]

Theres rasberry coke now?!

There was, but it joined a cult, and left only it's slippers behind.

Dude, don't flatter yourself. This isn't even a playground. This is pure fantasy! Time to grow up! :D

Now see, that wasn't even original. You just paraphrased your own user title. Go back and try again.

(What happened to the 'If you've got a spine, take a stand' title anyway? Didn't work as an exoskeleton? Did you get cold feet?)

[Equilibrium]

There was, but it joined a cult, and left only it's slippers behind.



Now see, that wasn't even original. You just paraphrased your own user title. Go back and try again.

(What happened to the 'If you've got a spine, take a stand' title anyway? Didn't work as an exoskeleton? Did you get cold feet?)

lol cold feet, hate it when that happens.

So yeah about that rep system....

[Anonymous Last]

lol cold feet, hate it when that happens.

So yeah about that rep system....



The what system? What the devil are you talking about?

[Golgot]

This isn't the rap-Django-on-the-chuckles thread?

[Equilibrium]

I'm afraid not. You're lucky I don't give out neg rep, and your lucky that I'm not in a position to do so...because you've gone off topic for about the past 20 posts, lol.

Bad Boy.

[7thson]

My Christmas Gift to some lucky MOFO...;) ...Whomsoever gives the best review of Flash Gordon ~ 1980 (Looking for quality here, not love...it is okay to dislike the movie) will get as much rep as the MOFO Gods allow me to dish out in a 5 day Period starting Jan 1st 2006, what a way to be a rep whore and to get points...:D. If I am ordered to spread rep around in order to give more to the winner then I will spread it to others who participate. Please Post your review here

http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=168794#post168794


so we do not clutter up Mofo with Flash Gordon threads.

[Golgot]

I'm afraid not. You're lucky I don't give out neg rep, and your lucky that I'm not in a position to do so...because you've gone off topic for about the past 20 posts, lol.

Bad Boy.

You've run out of negative rep? This is terrible!

(don't worry, i'm told Holden has a large stash. Maybe he can share some around? ;))

My Christmas Gift to some lucky MOFO

Oh i am so up for this one. Time we had some crazy cult love going on for Christmas :)

[MyRobotSuit]

What's going on in here?

[7thson]

What's going on in here?

Flash Rep

[Anonymous Last]

What's going on in here?

Nothing everyone still has their clothes on. Dry rub? I don't know...

What was that song about not having to take clothes off to have good time? Favorite dry rub song eva!

[PimpDaShizzle V2.0]

I think the rep' system was designed to keep pimpin' to a minimum. Freakin' sucks if you ask me.

I LOVE YOU YODA,
PimpDaShiz

[darkhorse]

Now see, that wasn't even original. You just paraphrased your own user title. Go back and try again.
:confused:

(What happened to the 'If you've got a spine, take a stand' title anyway? Didn't work as an exoskeleton? Did you get cold feet?)
I changed the quote because I think the new one is more relevant. I ask myself: "Why am I wasting my time arguing on an internet forum when I could be doing so many more useful, meaningful and interesting things with my life?" That pretty much sums it up for me.

Cold feet? Hardly! Rather, I'd say the true cowards are the faceless characters who have been bashing me on this forum from a safe distance. Would any of you care to repeat what you have said about me to my face? Then, I'd say, we'll really see who has cold feet. My own conscience is clear--I have repeatedly stood up for the things I believe, both on this forum and in my life. I wonder how many of you can say the same?

[Equilibrium]

What's going on in here?
A bit over your head? perhaps..

(can i have 2 neg mel points? )

[7thson]

:confused:


I have repeatedly stood up for the things I believe, both on this forum and in my life. I wonder how many of you can say the same?

I can, and if you want my testosterone riddled address so You can come here and spout your wickedness then just PM me and you got it.

Oh btw Merry Christmas, isn't America great?

[Sleezy]

I ask myself: "Why am I wasting my time arguing on an internet forum when I could be doing so many more useful, meaningful and interesting things with my life?" That pretty much sums it up for me.


I'm working on self-publishing a novel. I also post here regularly.

[Strummer521]

and if I offend you, sorry! But I don't apologize for expressing myself openly and honestly!

Yay!... I like irony. :D

I'd say the true cowards are the faceless characters who have been bashing me on this forum from a safe distance. Would any of you care to repeat what you have said about me to my face?


It's too bad you can't prove you're any different then isn't it?

[PimpDaShizzle V2.0]

Where's my lightsaber? I can only contain my pimp hand for so long before it's gets out of control and starts destorying lives.

HOOTY-HOO

[Anonymous Last]

HOOTY-HOO

What's up, buddy?!

[PimpDaShizzle V2.0]

What's up, buddy?!
Just trying to get back into the swang' of thangs'. What've you been up to?

[nebbit]

I ask myself: "Why am I wasting my time arguing on an internet forum when I could be doing so many more useful, meaningful and interesting things with my life?" That pretty much sums it up for me.

Well, then stop it :rolleyes:

[Anonymous Last]

Just trying to get back into the swang' of thangs'. What've you been up to?

Nothing special... getting older and trying to know better, poorly I might add.

[Eyes]

I ask myself: "Why am I wasting my time arguing on an internet forum when I could be doing so many more useful, meaningful and interesting things with my life?" That pretty much sums it up for me.
Well, then stop it :rolleyes:

exactly, no one's forcing you to be here

[undercoverlover]

in the immortal words of the black eyed peas...where is the love

and nice to the pimp dashiz back in action, havent seen ya around

[ash_is_the_gal]

WHY DON'T PEOPLE REP ME MORE!!! ITS NOT FAIR. i hate you all, im leaving, forever, GOODBYE!

....actually im not very creative and when im expressive it usually comes off totally wrong, so i don't get repped as much as others, and usually when i do get repped i just beg someone to rep me. being able to give a decent bj helps, too.

dem the breaks!

[darkhorse]

The truth is that Yoda couldn't care less because he's probably cashing in big time from all the advertising on his website.

Yoda should be paying me to waste my time arguing on his website.

In fact, from this point on, I will be charging Yoda $10/- a word for every word I post on this website!

Expect a bill from me, Bowyer! :laugh:

[Eyes]

The truth is that Yoda couldn't care less because he's probably cashing in big time from all the advertising on his website.

Yoda should be paying me to waste my time arguing on his website.

In fact, from this point on, I will be charging Yoda $10/- a word for every word I post on this website!

Expect a bill from me, Bowyer! :laugh:

y'know, something, I don't know why, but something tells me that there's a tiny possiblility that he just might not pay ;)

[darkhorse]

y'know, something, I don't know why, but something tells me that there's a tiny possiblility that he just might not pay ;)
Well, let's put it this way...

Next time Yoda starts deconstructing my arguments, expecting a point-by-point refutation to every irrelevant objection he raises to my comments, the cash register gets turned on!

At that point, I will make the following statement:

"If you want me to continue with this argument, it will cost you $10/- per word".

And unless Yoda agrees to pay up, with all of MoFo as witnesses, I will not continue with the argument.

It's kind of like that old Monty Python sketch about the argument... :D

[Golgot]

It's kind of like that old Monty Python sketch about the argument... :D

Only without the humour and ingenuity. Amazing.

Lots of lovely irony tho. After all, arguing pointlessly is your specialist subject.

(I think maybe i should call you Udles from now on - as in oodles and oodles of irony. Waddya think Uday?)

[7thson]

, arguing pointlessly is your specialist subject Udles.

Arguing about how to argue is an amazing talent, I mean give it to the guy.

[Golgot]

Arguing about how to argue is an amazing talent, I mean give it to the guy.

Especially when he's arguing with himself. It's the way he keeps defeating himself that's underming my faith in his expertise tho ;).

---
EDIT
---

Bah, i'm being a bit nasty aren't i. He did offer to clam up for a change after all :).

[darkhorse]

Bah, i'm being a bit nasty aren't i. He did offer to clam up for a change after all :).
I will have to start charging you too--for every pointless, irrelevant comment you compel me to reply too! :p

Oh, and by the way, Happy New Year, MoFo! :D

[SamsoniteDelilah]

The truth is that Yoda couldn't care less because he's probably cashing in big time from all the advertising on his website.

Yoda should be paying me to waste my time arguing on his website.

In fact, from this point on, I will be charging Yoda $10/- a word for every word I post on this website!

Expect a bill from me, Bowyer! :laugh:
In order to justify this, you would have to be able to demonstrate that people come here with the intent of being sucked into the whirling vortex of logiclessness that are your posts. I don't think you are going to get many people to admit to that.

[darkhorse]

In order to justify this, you would have to be able to demonstrate that people come here with the intent of being sucked into the whirling vortex of logiclessness that are your posts. I don't think you are going to get many people to admit to that.
I think I generate my fair share of business for Yoda--and not by defying logic, as you claim. Rather by making insightful, interesting and entertaining comments on a regular basis.
(as I see it, at least :D).

[Golgot]

I will have to start charging you too--for every pointless, irrelevant comment you compel me to reply too! :p

Stop with the irony Oodles! Stop with the irony!

[SamsoniteDelilah]

I think I generate my fair share of business for Yoda--and not by defying logic, as you claim. Rather by making insightful, interesting and entertaining comments on a regular basis.
(as I see it, at least :D).
:goof:
I'll give you this: you're occasionally pretty funny.

[Sleezy]

"If you want me to continue with this argument, it will cost you $10/- per word".


At ten singles per word, he would have owed you almost $6500 for this post (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showpost.php?p=302753&postcount=31) alone.

[darkhorse]

Stop with the irony Oodles! Stop with the irony!
At least I have irony! What do you have? Only your pansy whining! :p

[SamsoniteDelilah]

At ten singles per word, he would have owed you almost $6500 for this post (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showpost.php?p=302753&postcount=31) alone.
hehe perhaps, but I feel I get more than I give, here, so I'd rather not keep score. ;)

[Golgot]

At least I have irony! What do you have? Only your pansy protesting! :p

Oh Oodles, you're my favourite comedian ever.

(I literally had to wipe away a tear there. Quite literally. Sammy, scratch occasionally. This man is comedy gold :)).

Oodles, there is no emoticon that can express my awe at your lack of self-awareness. So i'm going to try and communicate it to you by cat (http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/5789/4288b515217e43bx.jpg)

[Eyes]

Oodles, there is no emoticon that can express my awe at your lack of self-awareness. So i'm going to try and communicate it to you by cat (http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/5789/4288b515217e43bx.jpg)


:laugh: :laugh: :rotfl: :laugh: :laugh: :rotfl: :laugh: :rotfl: :laugh:

[nebbit]

The eyes have it :laugh: :laugh:

[darkhorse]

Oh Oodles, you're my favourite comedian ever.

(I literally had to wipe away a tear there. Quite literally. Sammy, scratch occasionally. This man is comedy gold :)).

Oodles, there is no emoticon that can express my awe at your lack of self-awareness. So i'm going to try and communicate it to you by cat (http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/5789/4288b515217e43bx.jpg)
Googles, you're quite a card yourself! In fact, you're a complete clown! Why don't you join a circus?...

http://www.classbrain.com/artholiday/uploads/joker.jpg

[nebbit]

Googles, you're quite a card yourself! In fact, you're a complete clown! Why don't you join a circus?...

He has, :yup: he has joined MoFo http://bestsmileys.com/lol/4.gif

[darkhorse]

He has, :yup: he has joined MoFo http://bestsmileys.com/lol/4.gif
Good point! And, I guess, Yoda is the reluctant ringmaster?

[Golgot]

Googles, you're quite a card yourself!

Ahhh, that's so sweet. You've compared me to one of the most diverse sources of knowledge on the net, and the most versatile card in the pack. You're too kind.

You ain't too good at this comedy-cussing thing are you Oodles.

:p (http://img283.imageshack.us/img283/1926/4290633414ad84nn.jpg) <--- click

[darkhorse]

Ahhh, that's so sweet. You've compared me to one of the most diverse sources of knowledge on the net, and the most versatile card in the pack. You're too kind.

You ain't too good at this comedy-cussing thing are you Oodles.

:p (http://img283.imageshack.us/img283/1926/4290633414ad84nn.jpg) <--- click
Wow, man! This is like the twilight zone, where reality ceases to have any meaning! :eek:

"All is relative," it seems!

[nebbit]

:p (http://img283.imageshack.us/img283/1926/4290633414ad84nn.jpg) <--- click

http://bestsmileys.com/lol/1.gif

[HellboyUnleashed]

That cat thing is crazy.

[nebbit]

That cat thing is crazy.

I think it is hilarious :rotfl:

[Anonymous Last]

Wow, man! This is like the twilight zone, where reality ceases to have any meaning! :eek:

"All is relative," it seems!But there really needs to be a third option, doesn’t there? A twilight zone who can stoke our fires both sacred and profane, a reality where it can ratchet up our hubris and our pubis all in one go…rumor whispers her name, prophecy foretells her coming and yet reality knows not from whence she will arrive, nor what manner of woman she will be.

Leaving us with what?

[Golgot]

All is relative it seems!

Leaving us with what?

Erm, strange relations?

---
EDIT
---

Oh, what the hay. Another caticon to round it off...

:goof: (http://img290.imageshack.us/img290/7006/427b3b2f6466d5kk.jpg) <--- pet

[Anonymous Last]

Erm, strange relations?


...nice hair though!

[Golgot]

...nice hair though!

Only the well-groomed (http://www.nctexasbirds.com/australia/year2/P3220065.JPG) find love they say.



they (http://www.howstrange.com/gallery/goldfish.jpg)

[SamsoniteDelilah]

Only the well-groomed (http://www.nctexasbirds.com/australia/year2/P3220065.JPG) find love they say.



they (http://www.howstrange.com/gallery/goldfish.jpg)
1. What is that thing?!
2. Thanks for the introduction to Them. One less mystery in my life, thanks to you, Gg.

[Anonymous Last]

Only the well-groomed find love they say.

...so fresh and so clean, clean.




All hail Aslan!

[SamsoniteDelilah]

...so fresh and so clean, clean.




All hail Aslan!
Google's tag line should be "I dare you to look".

[Anonymous Last]

Google's tag line should be "I dare you to look".

Only if he covers his face with his hands and plays peek-a-boo.

[Golgot]

Only if he covers his face with his hands and plays peek-a-boo.

How dare (http://www.sayagain.co.uk/b3tapix/images/chroniclesofnarnia.jpg) you!

(What i do when my hands are free... (http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/7696/davidmerrillcollection8ie.jpg))

[SamsoniteDelilah]

bwah! I meant the search engine, when I said "Google". Forgot about the "Google" "Oodle" thing, in fact I'm only returning to this thread to see the cat pics. :p

[Golgot]

I'm only returning to this thread to see the cat pics. :p

I'm afraid the cats are all busy playing with themselves (http://img450.imageshack.us/img450/9655/429ceba92b33e0vl.jpg).

Distressing, i know.

---
EDIT
---

1) I'm not sure, but if you put it in a toilet i suspect it would spin the wrong way.
2) they (http://www.howstrange.com/gallery/cocktail.jpg) are everywhere ;)