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oldhoosier
New Member
USA
9 Posts |
 Posted - 10/14/2008 : 16:50:44
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I've been a member now for a few days and would like to share my impressions about this and a few other forums I've joined in the past few years since I retired and seem to have a lot of free time to kill.
I've noticed that most of these forums have an abundance of paranoid people who go to great lengths to hide their true identity and sometimes gender, the latter I can't for the life of me fathom their reason for doing so. I, on the other hand have nothing to hide. I'm a retired 69-year-old engineer from Columbus, Indiana. I'm a widower with 5 Children, 17 grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild. I like beer, scotch, classical, stride piano, 50s rock, and good food. I gave up on television in favor of collecting and watching documentary CDs like what's shown on the History, Discovery and Science channels but without the constant barrage of commercialism trying to convince me to either fill my body with pharmaceuticals or some other crap to help me live longer to buy more crap. Christ, I'm beginning to rant like George Carlin. I'll bitch more about commercial TV at another time.
I notice people want to be connected with someone almost all the time, but would rather do so with a cell phone or Internet connection. What ever happened to one on one or face-to-face communication? Here again is another topic for later.
Many members on these forums like to flaunt their mastery of the English language with words and phrases that would have the average educated person running to their online dictionary to find out what the hell they were talking about. Myself, I prefer the simple eloquence of communication like that of Carl Sagan, Neil Tyson or Michio Kako, men of knowledge and respect in their fields and masters of communicating with the common masses. I have much more respect for someone who makes an effort to present himself or herself on a level that everyone can understand and would be comfortable having a conversation with then with someone trying to impress everyone with their vocabulary.
Skepticism has been my nature for as long as I can remember. I take so much of what I hear with a grain of salt that I think it has given me hypertension. When I hear the adverb absolutely used, I automatically go into skeptic mode. There are no absolutes, only more questions.
The two most popular topics of skeptical discussion are religion and politics. These two subjects alone are responsible for most of the wars on our planet since the dawn of man, and in all likelihood will result in the destruction of our species.
Now then having said that, I hope to be able to participate in this forum in a civilized, meaningful and somewhat skeptical way. I have many thoughts on many topics I'd like to share with you, and read your opinions in return. As to whether or not I'll fit in here, I'll let the membership be the judge of that.
Dan
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Chippewa
SFN Regular
USA
1496 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2008 : 17:18:59 [Permalink]
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Well, Ok then. :D By the way, one of my favorite bars is in Columbus, the Columbus Bar on 4th street. Good cold beer, friendly people, free shrimp plate passed around the bar sometimes, great sandwiches. The place is right out of the bar in the movie Harvey (usually minus the invisible rabbit - though you might meet Elwood P. Dowd there.)
Carl Sagan, Neil Tyson, Michio Kako are OK in my book too, as is Phil Plait over at Bad Astronomy.com.
I know someone who lived in Columbus a good many years. I'll PM you their email address if you're interested. |
Diversity, independence, innovation and imagination are progressive concepts ultimately alien to the conservative mind.
"TAX AND SPEND" IS GOOD! (TAX: Wealthy corporations who won't go poor even after taxes. SPEND: On public works programs, education, the environment, improvements.) |
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Gorgo
SFN Die Hard
USA
5310 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2008 : 17:34:45 [Permalink]
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What ever happened to one on one or face-to-face communication?
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If I met most of these people on the street, I wouldn't have any idea of their ideas on most subjects, and they wouldn't have any idea of mine.
I don't want to know the ideas of most of the people I would meet face-to-face. I want to know these people's ideas. Even, and sometimes especially, the ones that I disagree with.
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I know the rent is in arrears
The dog has not been fed in years
It's even worse than it appears
But it's alright-
Jerry Garcia
Robert Hunter
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9687 Posts |
 Posted - 10/14/2008 : 17:59:56 [Permalink]
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Thank you for the presentation...
I too enjoy a nice Scotch every once in a while. Preferably Islay single malt, but blended highland works just as nicely in a mug of coffee... 
You may want to repost your presentation in the Introduce Yourself-thread. Here you can also read about the rest of us.
There's also an thread of what our user name means or comes from. It's an archived thread, but hang on and one of us in the staff will set up a fresh thread.
Once it's there, you can explain to us non-Americans what a "hoosier" is.
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Dr. Mabuse - "When the going gets tough, the tough get Duct-tape..."
Dr. Mabuse whisper.mp3
"Equivocation is not just a job, for a creationist it's a way of life..." Dr. Mabuse
Support American Troops in Iraq:
Send them unarmed civilians for target practice..
Collateralmurder. |
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H. Humbert
SFN Die Hard
USA
4574 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2008 : 18:56:21 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by oldhoosier
I've noticed that most of these forums have an abundance of paranoid people who go to great lengths to hide their true identity and sometimes gender, the latter I can't for the life of me fathom their reason for doing so. |
While you might think it "paranoia" not to volunteer too much personal information online, most people consider it basic prudence. Especially since real life harassment is a genuine risk when posting online. And while it's not common, I can understand why some people might choose not to volunteer their gender. In most online conversations, it shouldn't even be an issue. One's ideas and arguments are either valid or they are not, regardless of whether they are typed by a male or female. If you find that your disposition towards a person changes depending on your knowledge of their gender, then it might be evidence of a gender bias on your part.
Basically what I'm saying is, if you don't understand why people are cautious on the internet, then chances are you probably haven't been on it long enough.
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"A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true." --Demosthenes
"The first principle is that you must not fool yourself - and you are the easiest person to fool." --Richard P. Feynman
"Face facts with dignity." --found inside a fortune cookie |
| Edited by - H. Humbert on 10/14/2008 18:56:58 |
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oldhoosier
New Member
USA
9 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2008 : 19:17:30 [Permalink]
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| Basically what I'm saying is, if you don't understand why people are cautious on the internet, then chances are you probably haven't been on it long enough. |
But if your intent is to say anything you want on the Internet without a little civility and respect,then that's a valid reason for being cautious with your identity. If someone wants to turn a discussion into a name calling free for all, then I don't respond and just ignore them. It takes two to make an argument. |
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H. Humbert
SFN Die Hard
USA
4574 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2008 : 19:25:39 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by oldhoosier
But if your intent is to say anything you want on the Internet without a little civility and respect,then that's a valid reason for being cautious with your identity. |
Do you like to go find where people live and "teach them a lesson" when they anger you online? If not, then I don't see why you are making an issue about people who choose to remain anonymous. It shouldn't change how you treat them in the slightest.
| If someone wants to turn a discussion into a name calling free for all, then I don't respond and just ignore them. It takes two to make an argument. |
This is true and very good advice regardless of whether you have that person's full name and home address or not. You'll find it's just as easy to ignore an anonymous troll as an identified one.
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"A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true." --Demosthenes
"The first principle is that you must not fool yourself - and you are the easiest person to fool." --Richard P. Feynman
"Face facts with dignity." --found inside a fortune cookie |
| Edited by - H. Humbert on 10/14/2008 19:27:03 |
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bngbuck
SFN Addict
USA
2437 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2008 : 19:36:59 [Permalink]
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Old Hoosier.....
I enjoyed your self-introduction. I must quarrel with your use of the word "old" in your user name. At 69, you're a mere puppy. Besides, as Johnny Carson used to say, don't say "old" to an old person!
Your post was great, and I enjoyed it enormously, but I would suggest breaking up your text block into paragraphs a bit more. Makes it a great deal easier to read! I fancy muself a bit of a writer (a lonely opinion) and my old English 101 comes back to me when I see big blocks of unbroken text!| I like beer, scotch, classical, stride piano, 50s rock, and good food |
With the exception of beer, I completely agree with your tastes!
I must apologize for my frequent floccinaucinihilipilification of simple English, but your criticism is taken kindly and I will endeavor not to bloviate excessively. You are not alone in your irritation, our very own Hummer thinks I am a beknighted ass!
You could do a lot worse than to rant like George Carlin, Zeus rest his soul!| Many members on these forums like to flaunt their mastery of the English language with words and phrases that would have the average educated person running to their online dictionary to find out what the hell they were talking about. |
It's an ego thing! If you can't communicate clearly, baffle 'em with bombastic bullshit! That way they won't notice you're really pretty stupid!
Besides, the only conservative I ever had any respect for was William Buckley - along with Carlin, I hope his ectoplasm is reasonably content, also!| When I hear the adverb absolutely used, I automatically go into skeptic mode. |
Which adverb? There are several!| The two most popular topics of skeptical discussion are religion and politics. |
Very true! What are your views on these two monumental topics?| Now then having said that, I hope to be able to participate in this forum in a civilized, meaningful and somewhat skeptical way. I have many thoughts on many topics I'd like to share with you, and read your opinions in return |
You appear to be an ideal SFN member, and I, for one, look forward to meaningful discourse with you in a not-too-polysyllabic manner!| As to whether or not I'll fit in here, I'll let the membership be the judge of that. |
That process usually takes care of itself in a fairly short time. There may be an initiation period, but it is not mandatory. Depends on who you irritate and to what degree! |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2008 : 20:14:51 [Permalink]
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"Skeptic or old grouch"? Hey, why just one or the other? If I can manage being both, can't you?
On the issue of anonymity, first, I'm one of the anonymous.
In my opinion, any anonymous handle, if used long enough, can effectively become just as "real" as one's born name. As HalfMooner, I'm hardly known by millions, or even by hundreds. But only a tiny handful of few people would know who the hell I was if I used my legal name. HalfMooner is not a one-time throwaway name for me. As HalfMooner, I am just as responsible for my reputation, for better or worse, as if I'd used my own name. I don't have to worry so much about some of the unhinged folks we sometimes see coming through our virtual doors here. Even if the probability of getting hurt is, as I suspect it is, very remote, I'd rather not have to think about that, especially when I'm creating an especially barbed parody of some psycho.
And I use my handle as a precaution for safety's sake. Years ago, I once was actually physically stalked by someone I'd managed to seriously piss off, back in the days I gave away my real name on the Interwebs. I vowed thereafter never again to be so casual about my online security. BTW, my father and I are probably the only two people on the planet who have our particular real name. My surname is extremely rare, while my given name is merely rare.
Using an anonymous handle gives a person a modicum of security, while also allowing one to speak out more freely. When using a long-term handle, I find my handle gets its own reputation, and this encourages me to be responsible to that reputation.
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“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
| Edited by - HalfMooner on 10/14/2008 20:15:29 |
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moakley
SFN Regular
USA
1888 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2008 : 20:50:11 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by oldhoosier
... Many members on these forums like to flaunt their mastery of the English language with words and phrases that would have the average educated person running to their online dictionary to find out what the hell they were talking about. ...
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I always keep this link handy. If it is still not clear, just ask. Most on this site are happy to oblige. If you hang around you will find yourself exposed to ideas and information that you wouldn't otherwise. That's not a bad deal.
See you around. |
Life is good
Philosophy is questions that may never be answered. Religion is answers that may never be questioned. -Anonymous |
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Valiant Dancer
Forum Goalie
USA
4826 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2008 : 21:06:39 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by oldhoosier
| Basically what I'm saying is, if you don't understand why people are cautious on the internet, then chances are you probably haven't been on it long enough. |
But if your intent is to say anything you want on the Internet without a little civility and respect,then that's a valid reason for being cautious with your identity. If someone wants to turn a discussion into a name calling free for all, then I don't respond and just ignore them. It takes two to make an argument.
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Right before the bunny shows up in the pressure cooker.
I have had friends who were the subject of cyber-harrassment due to their religion.
I am cautious about letting out my identity because i never know when some whack-job might take a swipe at me.
While there are some people who keep their identies secret because they want to harrass or abuse others, there are legitimate reasons for not sharing some portions of their real lives with others. |
Cthulhu/Asmodeus when you're tired of voting for the lesser of two evils
Brother Cutlass of Reasoned Discussion |
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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26020 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2008 : 22:01:31 [Permalink]
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My online anonymity is a razor-thin veneer of protection from whackos who have actually sent me death threats.
Plus, my last name is apparently hard for most people to pronounce, anyway, so I save them from having to try. |
- Dave W. (Private Msg, EMail)
Evidently, I rock!
Why not question something for a change?
Visit Dave's Psoriasis Info, too. |
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Dude
SFN Die Hard
USA
6891 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2008 : 22:31:37 [Permalink]
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Some degree of anonymity is only prudent. The general idea being to avoid having your phone number, home address, email addy, and other personal details distributed to people who will make you think telemarketers are a welcome relief....
Some of the religious crazies out there will follow through on threats they make.
bng said:
| floccinaucinihilipilification |
While I find you funny(mostly).... you have to admit you are just being an ass with that one. I did LOL though.
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Ignorance is preferable to error; and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing, than he who believes what is wrong.
-- Thomas Jefferson
"god :: the last refuge of a man with no answers and no argument." - G. Carlin
Hope, n.
The handmaiden of desperation; the opiate of despair; the illegible signpost on the road to perdition. ~~ da filth |
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Kil
Evil Skeptic
USA
13476 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2008 : 22:32:06 [Permalink]
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My online anonymity is, errrr, whats this? My real name is all over this stinking site!!!
Welcome to SFN, oldhoosier. |
Uncertainty may make you uncomfortable. Certainty makes you ridiculous.
Why not question something for a change?
Genetic Literacy Project |
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Dude
SFN Die Hard
USA
6891 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2008 : 22:47:13 [Permalink]
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So this David Gluck guy isn't some elaborate fiction? A pen name? Poor Kil... hope the crazies don't give you too much grief.
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Ignorance is preferable to error; and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing, than he who believes what is wrong.
-- Thomas Jefferson
"god :: the last refuge of a man with no answers and no argument." - G. Carlin
Hope, n.
The handmaiden of desperation; the opiate of despair; the illegible signpost on the road to perdition. ~~ da filth |
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Kil
Evil Skeptic
USA
13476 Posts |
Posted - 10/14/2008 : 23:07:34 [Permalink]
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[quote]Originally posted by Dude
So this David Gluck guy isn't some elaborate fiction? A pen name? Poor Kil... hope the crazies don't give you too much grief.
You forgot this: ü
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Uncertainty may make you uncomfortable. Certainty makes you ridiculous.
Why not question something for a change?
Genetic Literacy Project |
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Skeptic or old grouch
