Open Apology

[rc]

Bone Machine:-

Yes, but between human beings unseen and largely unknown to one another. That is precisely the reason why there is so much concern about children talking to "other children" on the net.

It was QFB who brought up the comparison idea, and I do not have to subscribe to that either.

According to my dictionary, a "troll" is homosexual slang for one who strolls around looking for sexual partners. If you are instead referring to the new and not established meaning of an "internet troublemaker", then I suppose you could make up any silly word to mean whatever you like.

Art's "squeaky-voice" metaphor was not even close, for the reasons I highlighted.

"Bonehead"? lol! It isn't quite as in the gutter or offensive as PRICK, TWAT or WANKER though is it, hmmmmm..?

Bonehead.

[Smiley]

Killfile and move on.

[Woolly]

http://www.digitalstoryteller.com/BTV99/hertzberg/images/0312Barta_head_down.jpg">

[WoD]

bloomin heck, It's not gotten any friendlier over the last couple of days has it?  Is this why the 'religion' thread is missing (or am I blind)?

I hope no ones leaves the board for good; Dudley - your icon is too good to go to waste - get back soon.

[rc]

Your post is strangely based on assumptions about my personal conduct in pubs in real life, General Contrary.

The "pub-fight" scenario is one I have heard before from internet users - as if it is a wild and crazy symbol of how tough a user really can be when they are not hunched over a computer keyboard.

I don't get insulted in pubs General Contrary - do you?

My internet-personality has an ego, just like everyone else's does - witness irritated and angry boarders for that.

To save anyone coming back about that one, my internet-personality consists of my choice of words to type - nothing more, nothing less.

Go pick at it if you wanna!

[Generally Contrary]

My post assumed nothing regarding your personal conduct in pubs.  My post only asked how the statements you have made are consistent.  These statements are, and I paraphrase:
[1] that internet interactions are unlike 'real life' to the extent that the rules that would apply in a pub are not applicable.
[2] you are unable to ignore an insult delivered over the internet.

Any further writing was intended to illustrate that it is time, consideration and personal separation that are the features of internet interaction that are unlike 'real life'.  Given these, [1] and [2] are incompatible, excepting the following explanations:
[a] you do respond to insults in 'real life'.  This requires a very weak version of statement [1], and/or extremely forceful reactions to insults.
you do want to wind people up.  Given the consideration and personal separation allowed by the internet, which you recruit into your own arguments, you choose to respond in a provocative manner.

Bartlett
 
 

[rc]

lol! And people call me pedantic!

I think it likely I would respond to insults in real life - i.e. "down the pub".

How I would respond to insults in the pub or on the internet is my own business, and your narrowing down categories play no part in what I choose to type on this website.

Would I consider my responses more carefully if faced with insults from a number of different people at the same time? I should imagine so. You have to be wary of gangs of abusers in real life and on the internet.

"[1] that internet interactions are unlike 'real life' to the extent that the rules that would apply in a pub are not applicable.
[2] you are unable to ignore an insult delivered over the internet"

But as I have also stated, civillised and unabusive behaviour is expected in both - hence my reasons for not ignoring slurs or insults.

;)

[Generally Contrary]

So, as I understand it your position has now changed, and that you now argue that internet interactions are significantly similar to 'real life' interactions, despite the distancing effect and consideration  allowed.

The only problem is, as I understand it, that the opposite was a central plank in the argument you used to justify the tone and content of yout posts.

[Bolt-01]

Hope you feel better soon Dudley.

BlackThrash: not had much interaction with you but you seem genuine to me.

General: Dont keep him going, it aint worth it.

Bolt-01

[rc]

"and that you now argue that internet interactions are significantly similar to 'real life' interactions"

Significantly similar? In the sense that one should not turn into an abusive malcontent when in front of a keyboard? There are few interactive methods with other humans where one would be expected to become abusive. You could shout `significant similarities` because the english language is conveyed.

In fact you can probably find your own `significant similarities` in anything if you want to look hard enough - obviously you feel the need to look hard enough in the search for my inconsistencies. But it is not significant that a man wishes to remain civillised even when interacting through the computer medium.

I don't know whether you are referring to my on-topic posts or retorts in argument with your last paragraph, but their tone and content are justified by freedom of speech, a great flexible website and defence of my name where necessary.

[Wake]

Since this thread is now the focus of all the current bad feeling, I am declaring it closed. Please do not add any more posts on this thread. I shall delete them, whoever they originate from.

Wake