Ambushed

[_Runtu]

I disagree.

The only two posters on the board that consistently have a tendancy to "pounce" on TBM's are Vegas/Mercury and PP.

And, if you engage them in a friendly way, it has been my experience that they will, albeit at times begrudgingly, respond in kind. Won't you, boys? ;)

And, I would also submit that Coggins, on the other side of the aisle, has a tendancy to "pounce" on the critics. Coggins, however, can also be sweet-talked. ;)

Yep, that's my experience as well.

[Physics Guy]

Yes, because the title "prophet, seer and revelator" is a way of denoting humility.

It is no more arrogant than the president of the United States referring to himself as the commander and chief of the United States armed forces.

Asshat.

...

Just thought I'd quote it. I'm called a "arrogant prick," a "fundie," a "dishonest little s***," a "enormous, ugly hypocrite, "mindnumbingly stupid," a "slackwit," "dumbass, "jackass," and much more. In the span of a few days no less. Yet, when I merely point out that people are attacking me, I'm accused of having a fantasy persecution complex. Fascinating. The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not...

Hi, Will. For the record, I did not call you "an enormous, ugly hypocrite." I said that if you are Ray, which seems possible, then you deserved that particular title. Also, for what it's worth, I have been called an awful lot of ugly names as well, by DCP no less. Do I also find it "fascinating"? Well, yes, I guess I do!

[_Mister Scratch]

I just poked my head in to see how things were going here.

If, as some of you have intimated, you are interested in encouraging the participation here of believing members of the Church, I wonder how well that object may be met in the way "Light in Darkness" is being treated on this thread?

Granted, I understand that old habits die hard. But, I am hard pressed to find even the slightest change in repelling behavior on the part of some, if not most, posters here.

Could I have been wrong about your intents?

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Who has ever "intimated" what you're suggesting, Wade? Are you sure this isn't a ploy on your part, so that you can have a convenient battering ram with which to attack critics?

[_wenglund]

Hi Runtu, Blixa, and Liz,

Those are some excellent points, and ones that I would think would have more merit were this board to be more of a friendly walk in the park rather than a verbal mine field. To me, though, it is decidedly the latter.

Granted, there are "TBM's" who may successfully navigate the verbal mine fields unscathed because of sufficient armor (like "the Nehor") or by stepping in the right places (like speaking with the three of you). And, there are others who set off the mines with their own detinators (to some degree I did this early on in my tenure here). But, too often some get "blown up" or "cut assunder" by flying shrapnel from multiple directions for no other reason than they happened to step in the wrong place or engage the wrong person--such has been my experience of late.

I don't think anyone is served very well by ignoring the verbal mindfield nature of this board and perhaps presume instead that it is a walk in the park. Certainly, those who may wish to encourage more participation from certain quarters, may want to do something about all the explosions (assuming that is even possible), if not avoid discouraging those of us who wish to warn people of who and where there is the greater chance of volitile or counter-productive interactions.

This, of course, is merely my perspective, and I understand and respect if others may think this board is more a walk in the park. ;-)

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[_Runtu]

Hi Runtu, Blixa, and Liz,

Those are some excellent points, and ones that I would think would have more merit were this board to be more of a friendly walk in the park rather than a verbal mine field. To me, though, it is decidedly the latter.

Granted, there are "TBM's" who may successfully navigate the verbal mine fields unscathed because of sufficient armor (like "the Nehor") or by stepping in the right places (like speaking with the three of you). And, there are others who set off the mines with their own detinators (to some degree I did this early on in my tenure here). But, too often some get "blown up" or "cut assunder" by flying shrapnel from multiple directions for no other reason than they happened to step in the wrong place or engage the wrong person--such has been my experience of late.

I don't think anyone is served very well by ignoring the verbal mindfield nature of this board and perhaps presume instead that it is a walk in the park. Certainly, those who may wish to encourage more participation from certain quarters, may want to do something about all the explosions (assuming that is even possible), if not avoid discouraging those of us who wish to warn people of who and where there is the greater chance of volitile or counter-productive interactions.

This, of course, is merely my perspective, and I understand and respect if others may think this board is more a walk in the park. ;-)

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Wade, from my experience, this place can indeed be a minefield, but it's certainly not the hate-filled cesspool it's described as. I can't count how many times people have commented on MAD about how unhospitable a place it is, only to be told that they need to be careful about how they proceed, given the make-up of the board. I would think that the same advice applies here. The only difference here is that both sides are free to be as rude or polite as they wish to be. Yes, that has its disadvantages, obviously, but then so does arbitrary and one-sided moderation.

I would hope that more people would visit here and that we all would commit to being more hospitable to people of all faiths and perspectives. I certainly think it's possible. For what it's worth, Wade, I think just about everyone here considers you to be a valuable contributor to the board.

[Physics Guy]

Hi Runtu, Blixa, and Liz,

Those are some excellent points, and ones that I would think would have more merit were this board to be more of a friendly walk in the park rather than a verbal mine field. To me, though, it is decidedly the latter.

Granted, there are "TBM's" who may successfully navigate the verbal mine fields unscathed because of sufficient armor (like "the Nehor") or by stepping in the right places (like speaking with the three of you). And, there are others who set off the mines with their own detinators (to some degree I did this early on in my tenure here). But, too often some get "blown up" or "cut assunder" by flying shrapnel from multiple directions for no other reason than they happened to step in the wrong place or engage the wrong person--such has been my experience of late.

I don't think anyone is served very well by ignoring the verbal mindfield nature of this board and perhaps presume instead that it is a walk in the park. Certainly, those who may wish to encourage more participation from certain quarters, may want to do something about all the explosions (assuming that is even possible), if not avoid discouraging those of us who wish to warn people of who and where there is the greater chance of volitile or counter-productive interactions.

This, of course, is merely my perspective, and I understand and respect if others may think this board is more a walk in the park. ;-)

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Hey, Wade--- given your expressly stated goals re: "encouraging productive interactions," why do you shun people? Do you really think this is either good/model behavior, and that it is useful in your expressly stated goal? What say ye?

[_The Nehor]

The prevailing culture of this board tends to be hostile to "TBM's" regardless of what type of attitude they may have (my own experience in changing my approach and getting no different reception from most here being a case in point).

Huh? You changed your approach? Oh yeah, you went from being a major ass, to only a moderate ass.

And your thoughts on our treatment of TBM's is way off. Look at Nehor for example. Has anyone really treated him with hostility?

No one has been truly hostile. PP and Mercury can be abrasive but I think they're both fun if you take them the right way. On the whole I like these boards and prefer them to FAIR....maybe it's more fun being a minority ;)

[_A Light in the Darkness]

Hi, Will. For the record, I did not call you "an enormous, ugly hypocrite." I said that if you are Ray, which seems possible, then you deserved that particular title. Also, for what it's worth, I have been called an awful lot of ugly names as well, by DCP no less. Do I also find it "fascinating"? Well, yes, I guess I do!

More accurately, you concluded I was Ray then called me an ugly, enormous hypocrite under the presumption I was Ray. Now my name is Will. Can I be Phinneas tomorrow? I've always liked that name.

[_wenglund]

Hi Runtu, Blixa, and Liz,

Those are some excellent points, and ones that I would think would have more merit were this board to be more of a friendly walk in the park rather than a verbal mine field. To me, though, it is decidedly the latter.

Granted, there are "TBM's" who may successfully navigate the verbal mine fields unscathed because of sufficient armor (like "the Nehor") or by stepping in the right places (like speaking with the three of you). And, there are others who set off the mines with their own detinators (to some degree I did this early on in my tenure here). But, too often some get "blown up" or "cut assunder" by flying shrapnel from multiple directions for no other reason than they happened to step in the wrong place or engage the wrong person--such has been my experience of late.

I don't think anyone is served very well by ignoring the verbal mindfield nature of this board and perhaps presume instead that it is a walk in the park. Certainly, those who may wish to encourage more participation from certain quarters, may want to do something about all the explosions (assuming that is even possible), if not avoid discouraging those of us who wish to warn people of who and where there is the greater chance of volitile or counter-productive interactions.

This, of course, is merely my perspective, and I understand and respect if others may think this board is more a walk in the park. ;-)

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Wade, from my experience, this place can indeed be a minefield, but it's certainly not the hate-filled cesspool it's described as. I can't count how many times people have commented on MAD about how unhospitable a place it is, only to be told that they need to be careful about how they proceed, given the make-up of the board. I would think that the same advice applies here. The only difference here is that both sides are free to be as rude or polite as they wish to be. Yes, that has its disadvantages, obviously, but then so does arbitrary and one-sided moderation.

I would hope that more people would visit here and that we all would commit to being more hospitable to people of all faiths and perspectives. I certainly think it's possible. For what it's worth, Wade, I think just about everyone here considers you to be a valuable contributor to the board.

I don't know that I would agree with your perceptions, but it is kind of you to say. I do, though, share your hope, which is why I continue to participate here--at least with those who have demonstrated a willingness and capacity for hospitableness and productive dialogue.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[_A Light in the Darkness]

Hi, Will. For the record, I did not call you "an enormous, ugly hypocrite." I said that if you are Ray, which seems possible, then you deserved that particular title.

More accurately, you concluded I was Ray then called me an ugly, enormous hypocrite under the presumption I was Ray. Now my name is Will. Can I be Phinneas tomorrow? I've always liked that name.

Here is the quote in question, "

I think you're right, Beastie. {That I am Ray} Of course, this means that Ray is an enormous, ugly hypocrite. He went on for pages, deriding us for using anonymity, and now, he is using it himself, trying very hard to avoid answering simple questions about his MAD handle, etc. It is amazing that he's able to live with himself.

Notice that you aren't talking hypothetically here. You are saying that I am Ray.