Where the hell is Pina when I need him?

**gae** · August 8th, 2004, 06:07 PM

Originally posted by Pi?a:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Jigsaw:
Personally, how anyone can put thought into someone meaning something or not when we don't even use real names around to begin with seems kind of like a joke to me. If it makes you think cool, but that is just me...

Actually I find it to be a fascinating meta-discussion about the sociology of online communications. Consider that we have, in essence, a microcosm here with participants establishing their personas based solely on what they write here. The question of whether they are being honest about their beliefs or "just kidding" becomes important from a reputation standpoint. If they define themselves as being dishonest, i.e. "just playing", then they essentially are saying that they have no faith in what they are posting or even worse that they actually feel just the opposite.

This leaves the respondent with essentially two options: One, to take them at their word that they are being disingenuous and that therefore nothing they have to say can be trusted or has any real worth or Two, to take on the ideas presented independent of the person presenting them's flip flopping and treat them as if they were speaking their own real opinions.

I have opted to go with the second option as the views expressed by the self declared wafflers are indeed held by some and are worth discussing in and of themselves.

See, the problem with announcing to the online world at large that you don't mean what you say is that everyone will take you up on your assertion and not trust anything you have to say. It's a pretty good way of destroying any credibility you may have.

What's actually going on though is that it's a dodge, and a stupid one, to try and avoid responsibility for your stated beliefs. As I've said before it is used extensively by Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Hannity, Coulter and all the rest of the hatemongers out there to try and deflect criticism. It only works on the simple minded which, regrettably, seem to be a fair portion of the populace.

If gae and trav are only funnin' us on, for instance, perhaps they would be so kind as to tell us just how their opinions posted here are actually different than the opinions they really hold. Shouldn't be a problem. Unless . . .<hr /></blockquote>Hun, you need to get our more. A lot more.

This place is nothing more than a playground. Those of us who care have met one another in real life.

Jump and Trav can go head to head online, and the following Friday raise a glass together. THIS PLACE IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT ONLY.

That you really, really believe this place is real says volumes.

You've decided that we're ultra fundi conservatives. You're wrong. Those who have met us know better.

Face it, Tomas. You're a paranoid asshat*.

*Note: Please see Salon for definition.

**Piña** · August 8th, 2004, 07:12 PM

Originally posted by gae:
Hun, you need to get our more. A lot more.

Heh, you're probably right that I should get out more. Beautiful day for playing in the yard with the doggies.

This place is nothing more than a playground. Those of us who care have met one another in real life.

OK, if you think this is a playground then play away. I will continue to argue the ideas presented here as if they were the ones actually held by the posters. It's not my fault you're ashamed of your true feelings.

As you are aware I have never cared to meet face to face and have acted in accord with my wishes. You have acted in accord with yours. So what?

Jump and Trav can go head to head online, and the following Friday raise a glass together. THIS PLACE IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT ONLY.

I think you give this forum far too little credit. You also seem to think that entertainment and earnest expression of one?s beliefs are somehow exclusive one of the other. Not so, in fact it can be argued that one really can?t participate on these sorts of forums without showing who and what they are. The truth will out and all that.

That you really, really believe this place is real says volumes.

Yes it does. We differ in that I believe it shows insight on my part and an unwillingness to take responsibility for your beliefs on your part.

You've decided that we're ultra fundi conservatives. You're wrong. Those who have met us know better.

I can only base my opinions about you on what you show me. You have elected to present yourself as a mean spirited neo-con nitwit. Not my fault you have chosen to wear that particular uniform. Are your ?true? beliefs so weak that you need to make up an ignorant, intolerant and thoroughly repugnant cartoon persona just for this forum??

Face it, Tomas. You're a paranoid asshat*.

I guess you didn't notice that I?m not the one getting upset about it. You are.

**reason** · August 9th, 2004, 10:29 AM

Originally posted by gae:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Pi?a:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Jigsaw:
Personally, how anyone can put thought into someone meaning something or not when we don't even use real names around to begin with seems kind of like a joke to me. If it makes you think cool, but that is just me...

Actually I find it to be a fascinating meta-discussion about the sociology of online communications. Consider that we have, in essence, a microcosm here with participants establishing their personas based solely on what they write here. The question of whether they are being honest about their beliefs or "just kidding" becomes important from a reputation standpoint. If they define themselves as being dishonest, i.e. "just playing", then they essentially are saying that they have no faith in what they are posting or even worse that they actually feel just the opposite.

This leaves the respondent with essentially two options: One, to take them at their word that they are being disingenuous and that therefore nothing they have to say can be trusted or has any real worth or Two, to take on the ideas presented independent of the person presenting them's flip flopping and treat them as if they were speaking their own real opinions.

I have opted to go with the second option as the views expressed by the self declared wafflers are indeed held by some and are worth discussing in and of themselves.

See, the problem with announcing to the online world at large that you don't mean what you say is that everyone will take you up on your assertion and not trust anything you have to say. It's a pretty good way of destroying any credibility you may have.

What's actually going on though is that it's a dodge, and a stupid one, to try and avoid responsibility for your stated beliefs. As I've said before it is used extensively by Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Hannity, Coulter and all the rest of the hatemongers out there to try and deflect criticism. It only works on the simple minded which, regrettably, seem to be a fair portion of the populace.

If gae and trav are only funnin' us on, for instance, perhaps they would be so kind as to tell us just how their opinions posted here are actually different than the opinions they really hold. Shouldn't be a problem. Unless . . .<hr /></blockquote>Hun, you need to get our more. A lot more.

This place is nothing more than a playground. Those of us who care have met one another in real life.

Jump and Trav can go head to head online, and the following Friday raise a glass together. THIS PLACE IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT ONLY.

That you really, really believe this place is real says volumes.

You've decided that we're ultra fundi conservatives. You're wrong. Those who have met us know better.

Face it, Tomas. You're a paranoid asshat*.

*Note: Please see Salon for definition.<hr /></blockquote>For me, this board is for real. It gives me a chance to fight for my divinely-inspired organic lifestyle.

**Piña** · August 11th, 2004, 04:29 PM

Originally posted by reason:
For me, this board is for real. It gives me a chance to fight for my divinely-inspired organic lifestyle.

I'm sorry, reason, but considering gae's disclosure that she and trav are just shadow personas I'm afraid I just can't put any faith in anything anyone has to say here.

For all I know you're really a pesticide salesman who's second home is white castle where he is known fondly to the staff as "Mr. Greasy".

Hell, for all we know Sluggo heads up a coven and CincyG is just a little punk.

Well OK, the little punk thing probably is true but you take my meaning.

[ August 11, 2004 01:30 PM: Message edited by: Pi?a ]

**cincygreg** · August 11th, 2004, 04:53 PM

And you are still a bunghole! LOL!

Take a chill pill and relax pinhole.

This place has always been a little rough on those who take it too seriuosly.

**Piña** · August 11th, 2004, 04:56 PM

Originally posted by cincygreg:
This place has always been a little rough on those who take it too seriuosly.

Apparently so.

So much for the Pi?a boycott, or did you just forget again?

**gae** · August 11th, 2004, 10:43 PM

Greg [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

Tomas, I stand by what I say. Get over it.

**Piña** · August 11th, 2004, 11:17 PM

Originally posted by gae:
Greg [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

Tomas, I stand by what I say. Get over it.

OK, let me get this straight. Now you're saying that you do mean what you post?!? This seems to fly right in the face of your "just kidding" protestations.

Sounds like you've got a really bad case of the flippity flopps there.

Thread: Where the hell is Pina when I need him?

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