NationStates Jolt Archive

Look, I know that not everyone is going to run up and hug each other, and simply spew free-love. I know there are many differences between people, and whatnot. However, to make us all a bit better as a whole, can we do a few things?

1. Not make generalizations.

Honestly. We've all heard cheese eating surrendur monkey before. We've heard of the fat, gun toting americans, the anti-semitic fascist germans, and what have you. We have heard that anyone who believes in any religion is an blind, idiotic follower. We've heard that anyone who doesn't believe in a religion has no morals, is nihilistic, and is going to hell. I think you all get the point.

These idiotic stereotypes do nothing. They never apply to all of a people, and almost never to even a majority. Can we not talk about how all americans are idiots, or how all europeans are snobs? It would just make life better, as its wasted pixels.

2. No blind-eye arguments

Honestly. If you are going to say that America went into iraq for oil, don't claim that France and Germany were complete humanists, who were only opposed to the war for moral reasons. On the other side, don't talk about the Oil-for-food program, and suggest that the US only went into Iraq to save the people. Its pretty obvious that there is never one completely innocent side, and one completely guiltless side. An effective analysis of anything requires realistic observation of both sides. As we learned in history "You don't get marked down on the AP test for showing the other side, you are encouraged to do so."

I realize some people actually think this, and if its your conviction, then write it. I'm asking that people just don't completely ignore the other side of arguments, just to make your side sound stronger. It really just makes you look ignorant.

3. No personal attacks.

We really dont need things like this. Why should be an obvious reason. If you are arguing about abortion, don't say things like "You just want to kill babies", or "You just want to force a woman to go through the pain of abortion". These, again, dont help your position. It makes you look dumb.

I know nobody is going to follow these. But I would at least like to think that some people read these, to realize that they are doing some of these things. I admit I have done some of them before, but I'm trying to stop.

...
Your not reading my mind, are you?

But.... I like killing babies. ;)

Seriously, good points.

But.... I like killing babies. ;)

We all do, we all do. Its just not proper for internet chat ^_^

Uhm, bump...

A lot of good posts got split out...

Sorry 'bout that, I thought they would just delete them or something.
Anyway, this is a good thread, it should be kept bumped, or even stickied.

Agreed. 157 veiwings isn't too bad. Shame that it probably won't make much difference. But at least you didn't get flamed for posting something sane-it's a rare occurence and scares people I think...

Thanks for your words of wisdom.
I generally assume that all people are idiots until the opposite has been proved, but even I am clever enough not to say that loud.

I was just reading a tread that was intended to be about why evangelism is/isn’t a good thing, but as usual it became an argument about why god obviously exist, why god obviously doesn’t exist, and why everybody who has a slightly different idea about life is stupid/blind/evil.

Also it was like 200 posts long and I didn’t bother to read it all, but I got the general idea.
We are about six billion people on this earth and apparently 5 999 999 999 of us are inevitably going to Hell for general wrong-doing, and the last unfortunate bugger will not go to heaven because heaven doesn’t exist and the world is being carried on the back of four elephants on the back of a slightly oversized turtle.

Sorry for writing this utter rubbish, but it is 11:51 PM local time, and I’m rather fed up with human ignorance at the moment.

Good thread anyway. :)

Why kill babies when you can eat them?

SOMEONE SET UP US THE BOMB

which really is nothing but my way of saying BUMP
Somebody write something, please?


edited more than 10 minutes later:

WE GET SIGNAL

MAIN SCREEN TURN ON

IT'S YOU

HOW ARE YOU GENTLEMEN?

Write something before I go insane, or go to bed or anything

SOMEONE SET UP US THE BOMB

This has absolutely nothing to do with this thread, but what the heck is that supposed to mean? I've heard it before, and know where it comes from, but...why?

P.S. Good ideas, by the way.

It doesn't mean anything.
That's the beauty of it.

SOMEONE SET UP US THE BOMB

which really is nothing but my way of saying BUMP
Somebody write something, please?


edited more than 10 minutes later:

WE GET SIGNAL

MAIN SCREEN TURN ON

IT'S YOU

HOW ARE YOU GENTLEMEN?

Write something before I go insane, or go to bed or anything

Give me all our base back.

No, they're mine! I saw them first!
Take of every Zig!

Look, I know that not everyone is going to run up and hug each other, and simply spew free-love. I know there are many differences between people, and whatnot. However, to make us all a bit better as a whole, can we do a few things?

1. Not make generalizations.

Honestly. We've all heard cheese eating surrendur monkey before. We've heard of the fat, gun toting americans, the anti-semitic fascist germans, and what have you. We have heard that anyone who believes in any religion is an blind, idiotic follower. We've heard that anyone who doesn't believe in a religion has no morals, is nihilistic, and is going to hell. I think you all get the point.

These idiotic stereotypes do nothing. They never apply to all of a people, and almost never to even a majority. Can we not talk about how all americans are idiots, or how all europeans are snobs? It would just make life better, as its wasted pixels.

2. No blind-eye arguments

Honestly. If you are going to say that America went into iraq for oil, don't claim that France and Germany were complete humanists, who were only opposed to the war for moral reasons. On the other side, don't talk about the Oil-for-food program, and suggest that the US only went into Iraq to save the people. Its pretty obvious that there is never one completely innocent side, and one completely guiltless side. An effective analysis of anything requires realistic observation of both sides. As we learned in history "You don't get marked down on the AP test for showing the other side, you are encouraged to do so."

I realize some people actually think this, and if its your conviction, then write it. I'm asking that people just don't completely ignore the other side of arguments, just to make your side sound stronger. It really just makes you look ignorant.

3. No personal attacks.

We really dont need things like this. Why should be an obvious reason. If you are arguing about abortion, don't say things like "You just want to kill babies", or "You just want to force a woman to go through the pain of abortion". These, again, dont help your position. It makes you look dumb.

I know nobody is going to follow these. But I would at least like to think that some people read these, to realize that they are doing some of these things. I admit I have done some of them before, but I'm trying to stop.

The issue is that discouraging this sort of thing destroys the central purpose of many people's use of these forums: venting pointless rage. People are hateful and pissed off and want a chance to yell at their foes. They're not trying to be friendly or even prove their point, they're trying to start a fight. Frankly, this is just as legitamate a use of the forum as anything else.

http://home.comcast.net/~john-schroeder/threadpics/deadThread.jpg

The thing you point out don't seem to be a huge issue outside of religious threads. There's no way you can prove or disprove the existance of God. No matter how much you whine and patronize you will not convince anyone to believe or not to believe in God. Even if patronizing someone makes you feel better, the increase in blood pressure before you click 'submit reply' is more then enough to offset and benefits of the therapy.

It's like complaining about the weather. It does no good, so why bother?

I can let out my pointless rage by writing things like "all your base are belong to us" and "3,141592653589", but that's probably because I'm a really boring person.

:fluffle: :fluffle: :fluffle: :fluffle: :fluffle: :sniper:

This is the first thread that I've read that I can honestly say I agree with completely. This should be kept and "stickied" as an important contribution to the NS forum.

Well done. :)

4.Thread derailing

Obviously, not every post should be strictly and only talked about by limited confines set in the original post. Many threads leave open doors for branch-off discussions, and this is ok, as long as it is productive to the main point of the thread. However, there are times when this can get ugly. When you make it a point to get a bit off subject, ask yourself this: Am I contributing to the original post? Would this be better suited as a new topic?

5. Spelling(Punctation)

This has been mentioned long before my time, and oft between. However, I felt that this would be well included in this thread. This is not to demean anyone who isnt a perfect speller. I dont always input ''s, or put periods at the end of my sentences(if its a one sentence answer, for example). I dont capitalize everything perfectly. All anyone asks is two things: Make an effort, and make it readable without considerable strain. Also, putting thoughts into paragraphs is quite helpful, if it is a long post.

6. Dont get worked up

Its just a forum. In the end of the day, few people will really be changed by what goes on here. The general forum is, really, more of a place for self-evolution. If someone is arguing with you, its probably because they are trying to change you to their beliefs, and wont likely go to yours. This is not to say discussing is bad; However, dont expect to directly convert many to your beliefs. This said, again, personal attacks and logical fallicies wont do much. The main people who will actually listen to you are those who only want your information, not your argument.

7. Just have fun

If you find yourself getting worked up, take a breather. Look for some lighter topics to discuss, or go get a snack. These forums are taking up a signifigant portion of many of our lives; make sure its time well spent. If you aren't having fun, then dont spend so much time here. Just remember, these forums wont disappear over night. You dont have to constantly patrol threads, to reply to every post, just to maintain "dominance". You will end up feeling more like a depressed teacher, than a debater.

BUMP

(for great justice)

You're right, cheese eating surrender monkey is too outdated. Guess I'll have to switch to foie gras eating surrender monkey. Besides, I like cheese.

Look, I know that not everyone is going to run up and hug each other, and simply spew free-love.

Fluffles all around!
:fluffle: :fluffle: :fluffle: :fluffle: :fluffle:

I agree.

Chellis, you should formalize those into a General Forum Constitution and have everyone ratify it! Then we can ignore it, use it, to pursue our own political and social agendas afterward, just like real life.

I agree.

Chellis, you should formalize those into a General Forum Constitution and have everyone ratify it! Then we can ignore it, use it, to pursue our own political and social agendas afterward, just like real life.

Did I mention I love you, SB?

Did I mention I love you, SB?

Not lately...

Chellis you are right. On the abortion issue, I am about as pro-choice as you get, but I'm tired of hearing my fellow pro-choicers saying that "all religious pro-lifers just want to punish women for enjoying sex." This is ridiculous, and clearly only intended to vilify religious conservative people. It is plain to me that most religious pro-lifers don't want abortion to be legalised because they think it is murder. I think that only a small minority of them want to punish women.

Also, let us once and for all state that it is a fundamental human right to have any religious belief, or lack of religious belief or combination of religious beliefs that might seem plain stupid to you. Apparently aforthmentioned belief makes enough sense to the person having it, and he/she has as much right as you to choose, even though he/she might not be as intelligent as you or studied as much theology as you or whatever.
Seriously, how many people become atheists because they read somewhere that Christianity is stupid or vice versa?
:headbang:

Also, let us once and for all state that it is a fundamental human right to have any religious belief, or lack of religious belief or combination of religious beliefs that might seem plain stupid to you. Apparently aforthmentioned belief makes enough sense to the person having it, and he/she has as much right as you to choose, even though he/she might not be as intelligent as you or studied as much theology as you or whatever.
Seriously, how many people become atheists because they read somewhere that Christianity is stupid or vice versa?
:headbang:

Some people, including myself, dont agree. The same way that wearing seatbelts, or helmets, is a law, some believe atheism should be. If the people dont make good choices for themselves, sometimes good choices need to be made for them.

I know that not everyone is going to run up and hug each other, and simply spew free-love.

Oh! What a bummer :(

Pah! Whoever wants a hug can have one!!! (Come here, you!)