I've been doing all right translating on a freelance basis. I suppose it's either that or teach the language, living where I am now. I also wonder at times, though, whether I could get a good job with the Feds.
Back in human being land... Yo, VN, how's the self-deprogramming? Are you finding interesting conversation with people who use words with more than four letters here? I haven't looked around too much yet, but judging by the forum rules I read, it seems like this place is run by some intelligent, experienced admins. The impressive number of members should create a diverse enough sampling to make for an interesting mix, particularly in comparison to some of the xenophobic, cult-like environments you may have witnessed in the past. So far so good?
It's been a rapid transition - they hadn't gotten to me too thoroughly back yonder anyway. I was never happy interacting with four-letter words
If everything we say or do is rooted in love, faith or fear, what I don't get is: what on Earth are those people so mortally terrified of? It is unfortunate to see people who were once entertaining, edgy and somewhat intelligent morphed into little more than a hate site, where perhaps the only thing they have in common is a seemingly complete disregard for the potential of their human beings. I want to believe that group of people is capable of much more, that they are positive contributors to the world they inhabit in ways that are not apparent, and that the unbridled, undeniable hatred which is clearly rampant there is actually just a form of release and a way of letting off steam built up in the struggle to do right every day in their lives. But there is little which supports my theory. Less and less, in fact, each time I check in on them.
They are a good example of something all comedians-at-heart deal with as they mature. Questions like: What is the opposite of funny; what is the physical and psychological effect on others of a joke that fails; how many callbacks are too many; when does a running gag run over and gag the butt, the audience, or the performer; where do jokes come from psychologically; when is a "joke" merely an excuse to be mean, or to express deep hatred, and what does that hatred say about us? Suffice it to say, any observer who has had nearly a decade of experience with those you mentioned has to have noticed a disappointingly dramatic and particularly pronounced dropoff in the quality if not the quantity of their craft. This might explain the hesitancy of those individuals to leave the easy, secure confines of a place where it may be safely assumed there will always be someone equally unfunny to perpetuate, mirror, applaud and amplify the endless, fungible loop of worn, stale, uninteresting intellectual product which has served as a substitute for humor for so many years now. Fear of failure and a potential lack of acceptance, as we continue to see there, can be a very powerful motivator, or de-motivator, for human beings unwilling to embrace honesty, or unable to rely on their inherent authenticity. The few of us who are interested in these human dynamics are privileged to have such subjects to study, in addition to the equally interesting and informative cases of ourselves. Did I just convince anyone I'm super smart? I'll try again later.
Well, I for one am impressed by that. There certainly does seem to be a kind of negative exploration there, seeing how far depraved humanity can become. It's also certainly mutually & unconsciously driven. Of course, they take a measure of pride in having an unmoderated forum, though the consequences of such an environment involve degeneration in the overall tone, the formation of cliques like in a school yard and an eventual choice by members to either become like them or not. If you do not, they will of course scorn you for being different. Then, if you do what I did and actively engage them on their own level, well.. We've seen the repercussions then. They can't get enough of me now.
That is very true to an extent. The deeper you penetrate personalities in ways which are difficult to deny, the more psych trauma you inflict, the more you may be inclined to notice the development and use of avoidance strategies - to the point subjecta will make every attempt to justify isolation from the harmful stimulus. It's human nature to eventually pull a burning hand out of fire. Where the subject finds fire follows his removed hand, it becomes a neceessity to extinguish the fire. When the fire is actually a psychological attack from a human being, utilizing methods the subject himself has relied on consistently enough to demonstrate a tangible belief in its effectiveness, relief may be sought by extinguishing the presence of the human being creating the trauma. As to forums, this can quickly and easily done by banning, which is why it is not uncommon to see particularly hateful online personalities with a record of unusually vitriolic attacks on others consciously cultivate close relationships with those who maintain administrative control of online environmemts and, thereby the members which populate those environments. Cliques, by extension, can be vitally important influencers of administrative action for obvious reasons, specifically in situations where an abusive subject is unable to cultivate admin relationships directly. When we take all of the above jibbah-jabbuh into consideration, it is easy to see how the identifiable parts make up the predictable whole many have experienced when dealing with the kinds of mutually-supportive online abuse networks you and many others might have much experience interacting with. On the other hand, it's pretty slow at work today and my imagination has creative ways of lashing out when I get real bored, so I guess it could be purely concidental if any of what I've been going on about pefectly fits a particular place filled with peculiar people. Back to the salt mine...
Sounds like a pretty good assessment. What, if I may ask, is your flavor of salt? Like me, you must work at your computron.
I'm a Salesman for a manufacturer of swim spas, hot tubs, whirlpool baths, saunas and gazebos, but I like to wear a labcoat whenever I get all uppity on the internet.
So how has the first week gone ao far? Are you settling in here? Met any talented contributors of note?
I'm tearing up the religious forum and generally having a ball! This place has a great atmosphere, for the most part. Lots of interesting people and none of the vileness that's overtaken some places we could mention.
Good to hear that. This is a huge place. Seems pretty interesting so far. Maybe I'll venture out a bit and chat on other topics soon. P.s. I was wrong in the earlier post. My avatar said "fallen from Islam" - But I wasn't wrong about being totally wrong for posting that. I just went over and read the link she posted to the thread about my avatar and it reminded me why it's a good idea I not spend alot of time at forums playing controversial alter egos. Shame is never the fondest of memories.
From what I saw of that thread, Euro did indeed get the ball rolling, and then the rest quickly piled on. Some things just never change B-)
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