nonpolar, front and center

[The Asbestos Mango]

OK, you've disgusted us with your descriptions of jacking off while surfing porn on the 'net and your descriptions of your diseased penis.

You've offended us with your anti-Americanism and your praise of Hitler. Yet, thus far we've fairly tolerated you.

But this time, you've gone too far. See, with your previous posts, at least you didn't personally insult people on this board. But now you have. (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=273959)

EddyFreddyTeddy is a well-liked member of our little community, and he (she?) is now facing the painful decision of having a beloved horse put down. An animal that has been part of his life for over twenty years. Several other posters came into the thread to offer comfort, and to share their stories of having to euthanize pets.

Then you came along. You dismissed their grief over the loss of their pets as "vanity and snobbery", and referred to EddyFreddyTeddy's longtime companion as a toy. You obviously have never experienced the joy and unconditional love a pet can bring into a person's life, or the pain that someone can feel when a creature that has become part of your family dies.

I'd be willing to bet that not only have you never experienced the love a person can have for an animal, but also have never loved another human being. Nobody who cared about other people would post the kind of tripe you did in that thread.

With an attitude like yours toward the pain of others, you will no doubt live a deservedly wretched and lonely life, and die a wretched and lonely death.

I hope you enjoy the companionship of your online porno pictures and your own hand. No human being with half an ounce of respect for themselves or others would want to come near you.

[lissener]

Um, wasn't a nonpolar pittage closed earlier today?

[t-keela]

Hello Mango, howareya...gonna waste a little bandwidth are we? ;)
I tried to help the guy and actually went as far as making excuses/defending the guy. I agree with ya whole heartedly sweets. But I think I'll just add him to that list of folks with whom I'll pay no attention to from this point forth. He's made no attempt at being civil. There are no powers of persuasion to win any friends or even simple respect. Therefore, that's it...I'll just file him with the Justhinks of the world and wish the rest of y'all a goodnight. Have fun. :)

[Futile Gesture]

Um, yeah. Too many pittings around here are for trivial reasons, just excuses for acting outraged and the tough guy.

But this one is well deserved. Grade-A jerkish behaviour.

[Sisyphus' Stone]

Pathetic, really.

Three thousand, five hundred people die of starvation around the world every day - twenty-four hours. Most of these three thousand, five hundred people are children, mostly from undeveloped, third-world countries and mostly between the ages of one to three. And you have compassion for someone whose horse dies?

I don't know anything about your value system and what you hold dear, but I'll reserve my compassion for the people dying of starvation. Yes, I mourn for the starving of the world and not for the pampered horse. Weird, I guess in a world where a greedy country invades Iraq for oil while undeveloped country's people starve.

Perspective, I guess.

[Siege]

I've read the post, and I've got to agree. EddyTeddyFreddy, one of the finest and most gracious ladies on this board (note the gender, folks) is talking about facing the death of her horse, and this is what non-polar has to say:
From what I read all this heartbreak and whining is ONLY due to your vanity and snobism .
Vanity and snobism? (The correct word, by the way, is "snobbery".) From a man who thinks the only people who should show an interest in him are slender, gorgeous young women? From a man who writes post after inexorable post about his penis? Honestly, I'm starting to suspect an inverse ratio between the size of the thing and the amount he writes about it.

Non-polar, from what I've seen of you around here, you are obnxious, arrogant, and rude. It appears your only use for women is somewhere to dump your semen, and, as a result, this woman has no use for you. As I've said, I've been lonely and desperate myself. In fact, I think I spent a large part of my twenties that way. Here's the difference. The way you've acted here, it's difficult for anyone to want to interact with you, let alone doing anything as much fun as what you talk about so much. I believe this is the point where people like you (we have had a few here) usually say, "But I'm nothing like that in real life." That may be the case, but all we see of you is what we see here, and I'm afraid I've seen nothing to like.

Please, for your own sake, grow up. Who knows? If you do change your attitude and your ways, you might even get laid or become a Moderator. It is, after all, an infinite universe. Meanwhile, you might want to stop whining about how lonely and horny you are.

CJ

[Mangetout]

In all honesty, I'm really surprised nonpolar has lasted this long. It can't be much longer now, surely. And the only heartbreak and whining will be due to vanity and snobism

[Broomstick]

You people make me sick
You make us want to heave. So I suppose that's fair all around.

if it is so sad to loose horse, dog, or cat why having them?
Why have anything with that argument?

By the way - I've figured out why your girlfriend left you. You're a contemptible asshole with the empathy of a rock.

From what I read all this heartbreak and whining is ONLY due to your vanity and snobism
Apparently what you read also leads you to think Hitler was a humanitarian. You should be more selective in what you read. Like, try NON-FICTION occassionally. Or better yet, crawl out of your parents' basement and try experienecing real life from time to time.

I thought many ,many times of buying dog or cat but then I realised that one day animal have to be put down and I would have live with huge guilt.
You are capable of guilt? Or are you just selfish yourself?

Actually, I'm quite happy you have not acquired a pet - animals don't deserve to be raised by trolls.

Only people who need dogs are blind or epileptics. And please tell me why you need horses?
Why do you need the Internet? Why do you post on the Dope? You don't make your living at it - it's just your vanity and snobbishness. You should stop reading and posting on this forum immediately, since it's completely unnecessary.

I guess the concept of pleasure has no meaning for you - I'd say how sad for you, but then I don't care about your happiness (if that even has meaning in your case) because you so clearly don't care about the feelings of others. You are dead inside, and, from what you have posted, incapable of maintaining a relationship even with one of your own species (making the VERY broad assumption that you are human, at least in physical form).

Why can't you guys find other hobby, which does not require animals.
Why can't YOU find another hobby than posting here, defending Hitler, spouting stupidity and nonesense, and posting a statement in a thread of mourning that even many with Asperger's would recognize as needlessly cruel.

You are loathesome and despicable. You have hurt people. You are like a very disgusting, puss-filled bug I have found squashed on the bottom of my shoe that I am attempting to scrape off, with the added horror you have not yet stopped moving. You are an oil-slick on a pristine lake, slowly and painfully choking beautiful, wild things that have done no one harm. You are a razor blade inside a shiny, juicy red apple. You are no less horrible than those that directly and loudly insult and belittle, but less visible at first because you aren't loud and profane. You're just stupid and cruel and heartless. I would vomit on you, but it would be a waste of puke.

[Idlewild]

Compassion is not a zero sum game. Having compassion for the death of beloved companion animals does not subtract from the possibility of having compassion for starving children in any way. It doesn't work like that. Compassionate people generally have plenty to go around.

[t-keela]

Since we're talking about an individual here and not a country. I'm pretty sure Mango nor Eddy are nations and as such aren't representative of the nation as a whole. Their personal feelings and others should always be considered when participating in a conversation in which they are a part. If your compassion is so limited that it doesn't include the other species which inhabit this planet as well as our own then perhaps it would be best to avoid conversations to which you have no concern.
I'm quite certain that Eddy and Mango both have enough concern and compassion that they don't limit it to their own greedy interests. It is people like you who spread the hate that contaminates this planet. How dare anyone belittle another persons love and compassion regardless of the recipient.
Perspective indeed. :(

You know sometimes it is better to NOT say what's on your mind. What you've just said is inconsiderate and disrespectful to say the very least.

Sorry guys... the fight continues.

[Broomstick]

Pathetic, really.

Three thousand, five hundred people die of starvation around the world every day - twenty-four hours. Most of these three thousand, five hundred people are children, mostly from undeveloped, third-world countries and mostly between the ages of one to three. And you have compassion for someone whose horse dies?
I fail to see how comforting someone who is losing a beloved pet is somehow incompatible with mourning the starvation deaths of thousands of fellow human beings.

I fail to see how mourning the loss of a pet implies that the person involved does not care about other human beings.

It is quite possible to have compassion for both humans and animals. If you wish to start a thread about our daily human tragedies why don't you? Meanwhile, don't piss on someone else's grief.

[Sisyphus' Stone]

Perspective.

While one dotes on a horse, feeding and pampering to the point of ridiculous ends, people, mainly in undeveloped countries and with unrealised potential, die of starvation. Maybe the attention and devotion to meeting the needs of a horse might be better served by attending the needs of starving humans. Maybe resourses expended into supporting a bloody horse, redirected into the starving millions, might save a real life. I don't know but I do know where my efforts are to be exerted.

I see no possible comparison.

While compassion knows no bounds, and there is infinite compassion in the world, still, children die of starvation.

Stuff the horse.

[Eliahna]

Pathetic, really.

Three thousand, five hundred people die of starvation around the world every day - twenty-four hours. Most of these three thousand, five hundred people are children, mostly from undeveloped, third-world countries and mostly between the ages of one to three. And you have compassion for someone whose horse dies?

I don't know anything about your value system and what you hold dear, but I'll reserve my compassion for the people dying of starvation. Yes, I mourn for the starving of the world and not for the pampered horse. Weird, I guess in a world where a greedy country invades Iraq for oil while undeveloped country's people starve.

Perspective, I guess.
My compassion for those dying of starvation in third world countries is not diminished when I also have compassion for someone who is losing a pet.

Shame you don't have enough to go around.

[t-keela]

By this I assume you have no animals, pets or otherwise?
and nobody should for that matter. In fact, it would probably be better to just sacrifice all life that could be used to feed people. We should for certain not feed an animal if that food source could go to humanity. I understand now, thanks for the clarification.
There's another poster for the list. I'm outta here. This is definitely a waste of space and energy. It's nearly daylight again and I've got things to do. Good luck folks, you're gonna need it.

:rolleyes:

[margin]

Sisyphus' Stone does love to pop up and sneer at animal lovers while playing the outraged sophisticate, doesn't he? Funny how he's so superior to others, but doesn't seem to realize that if you're really as morally superior as he thinks he is, you don't increase peoples' pain by being an insensitive, posturing, arrogant pedant.

[tomndebb]

Maybe the attention and devotion to meeting the needs of a horse might be better served by attending the needs of starving humans. Maybe the money and energy spent to maintain a computer for the sole purpose of sneering at other people or wining and dining women for the sole purpose of getting one's rocks off might be better served by attending the needs of starving humans.

Perspective, indeed.

[MaddyStrut]

Perspective.

While one dotes on a horse, feeding and pampering to the point of ridiculous ends, people, mainly in undeveloped countries and with unrealised potential, die of starvation. Maybe the attention and devotion to meeting the needs of a horse might be better served by attending the needs of starving humans. Maybe resourses expended into supporting a bloody horse, redirected into the starving millions, might save a real life. I don't know but I do know where my efforts are to be exerted.

I see no possible comparison.

While compassion knows no bounds, and there is infinite compassion in the world, still, children die of starvation.

Stuff the horse.

I have a horse and no one is starving because I own her. I give quite a bit to charity. The amount didn't change when I bought the horse. However, I did make sacrifices to my own standard of living. I suppose if I were a saint I would stay at my current meagre budget and give everything else to charity.

But by that argument, shouldn't everyone take every dollar above what they need for basic subsistance living and give it to help starving humans? No cable TV. No paid internet access. No vacations. No new clothes. No dinners out. No going to movies or concerts. No hobbies or interests that cost money. None of that is needed.

It's a pretty tall order to expect everyone to give up everything that gives them joy because there are starving humans somewhere.

[Mangetout]

Perspective.

While one dotes on a horse, feeding and pampering to the point of ridiculous ends, people, mainly in undeveloped countries and with unrealised potential, die of starvation. Maybe the attention and devotion to meeting the needs of a horse might be better served by attending the needs of starving humans. Maybe resourses expended into supporting a bloody horse, redirected into the starving millions, might save a real life. I don't know but I do know where my efforts are to be exerted.

I see no possible comparison.

While compassion knows no bounds, and there is infinite compassion in the world, still, children die of starvation.

Stuff the horse.The same argument could be made about expenditure of time, effort or money on any 'luxury', such as the bandwidth you used to make the above post. Ultimately, we do a lot of selfish, expensive things that we could curtail without dying and free up a big wedge of cash to mail off to the starving children, yet we don't actually do that; we don't sacrifice our comfy chairs and sit on wooden crates, we don't give up our electric washing machines and do it by hand. We find it completely reasonable to expend our earned resources on things that make our individual selves comfortable and happy. We also get sad or upset when those things are lost, broken or taken away.

[Alessan]

My compassion for those dying of starvation in third world countries is not diminished when I also have compassion for someone who is losing a pet.


See, that's the crux of the matter, SS. We're not talking about feeling sorry about EddyFreddyTeddy's horse. In fact, fuck EddyFreddyTeddy's horse*. We're talking feeling sorry for EddyFreddyTeddy's for losing the horse. Losing a horse, breaking up with a girlfriend, losing a job - all of them are better than starving to death, for sure, but who are we to judge what causes another person's pain? A poster was sad, people consoled him. Why he was sad is secondary.




* EddyFreddyTeddy - sorry about your horse, man.

[Futile Gesture]

Stuff the horse.See, that's where you totally fail to see the point. We're not talking about the horse. We're talking about pissing all over a fellow human's feelings.

If you think that they're getting too dewy eyed about just a horse, then the compassionate thing would be to keep your mouth shut and move along. Their emotions aren't hurting anyone, and certainly aren't using up a finite global stock of compassion.

And on preview I see Alessan has beaten me to the point...

[Jackmannii]

In the desert you can remember your name
’cause there ain’t no one for to give you no pain

[bizzwire]

Sysiphus' Stone

I have an idea. Next year, instead of paying the SDMB the annual fee, I suggest you donate it to Oxfam. True, this would end your posting privileges, but that's a sacrifice I think we're all willing to make.

:wally

[Optihut]

Perspective.

While one dotes on a horse, feeding and pampering to the point of ridiculous ends, people, mainly in undeveloped countries and with unrealised potential, die of starvation. Maybe the attention and devotion to meeting the needs of a horse might be better served by attending the needs of starving humans. Maybe resourses expended into supporting a bloody horse, redirected into the starving millions, might save a real life. I don't know but I do know where my efforts are to be exerted.

I see no possible comparison.

While compassion knows no bounds, and there is infinite compassion in the world, still, children die of starvation.

Stuff the horse.

Odds are that horse was a better person than you are.

[Abbie Carmichael]

My compassion for those dying of starvation in third world countries is not diminished when I also have compassion for someone who is losing a pet.

I was going to say something along those lines but instead I'll just quote you since I can't improve upon it.

[Duke]

The "Stone" in Sisyphus' Stone must refer to his heart.

nonpolar, on the other hand, has a heart made of concrete.

[jlzania]

Sisyphus' Stone- Perspective
You're spot on-is all about perspective.
As other posters have pointed out, loving and caring for an animal does not preclude compassion or charity for other human beings.
And whatever you make think of the attachment that some of us form with our animal companions, you have absolutely no right to dismiss the pain that we feel when we lose one as selfish or automatically assume that it makes us some how makes us deficient in caring for our species.

As for nonpolar -really what can we say about him that's any worse than what he's chosen to reveal about himself?
In his limited time on the board, he's elected to inform us that he's a looser who can't get laid, spends an inordinate amount of time viewing internet porn because no living breathing woman will have anything to do with him,has something wrong with his penis, and can barely type or spell.
Given his choice of topics, I have to speculate that he once saw a stallion, immediately pulled down his pants and compared the dimensions and found himself woefully lacking.
Of course, only a pea-brained idiot would even attempt to measure his wanker against that of a horse but then again, I'm sure that no one's ever accused nonpolar of being a man of intellect.

[silenus]

Stuff the horse.

Ya know, the Pit has become too polite lately.

Hey, SS!

Fuck you!

:wally

[paulberserker]

The "Stone" in Sisyphus' Stone must refer to his heart.

nonpolar, on the other hand, has a heart made of concrete.

Heh heh. I get that. Hasn't this clown been banned yet? wasn't even funny in the first place, stupid Borat motherfucker.

[Kid_A]

I didn't get a chance to post in the other nonpolar thread so I'm doing it now. Incidentally, I think this is the first time I've pitted another member.
nonpolar, if I didn't know any better I would swear you were one of my "friends" (I use that word very loosely) from high school. Let me count the ways you two are similar

You both seem to live in Toronto
You both have an irrational liking of Hitler
You both have obsessions with your penis
You both can't understand why you can't get a woman, when all you want to use her for is sex
I've never seen you say a single nice or even non-insulting thing in a thread, much like him in real life
You say you are a Polish Jew; he frequently uses a Polish Jew alias online

I don't know if you're the same guy from high school, but let me just tell you what I told him after 9 years of public and high school together. Fuck off and get a life.

Why do you have to fill yourself with such hate and bile to the point that you make anyone who spends 5 minutes with you want to run away ASAP?

What is so wrong with learning how to small-talk someone, to make polite conversation? I mean people are trying to console someone over a dying horse, (My condolences, EddyFreddyTeddy) and you jump in like a jackass and make a very inappropriate and simply rude comment.

The first rule of the SDMB is don't be a jerk. I suggest you start following it before you find yourself banned. Not that I or many others would be too upset with that fact.

:wally (I really wish he wasn't winking.)

[mhendo]

Maybe the money and energy spent to maintain a computer for the sole purpose of sneering at other people or wining and dining women for the sole purpose of getting one's rocks off might be better served by attending the needs of starving humans.

Perspective, indeed.He shoots! He scores!

Hey, SS, i think that just about every one of us who lives a reasonably comfortable existence with all the modern conveniences feels, from time to time, a certain guilt about our situation. And most of us (on these Boards, at least) are also cognizant of and sympathetic to the plight of so many of the world's less privileged people.

But, as others have pointed out, this whole compassion thing is not some zero-sum game where our sympathy for a friend's loss of her horse somehow detracts from or reduces our sympathy for the world's poor and hungry. Could we each do more to help them? In most cases, the answer is probably "yes." But it's rather simplistic unproductive to conclude the ownership of an animal or sympathy for the owner of that animal constitutes some sort of lack of perspective. As tomndebb's post suggests, perhaps you should look to your own situation and ask yourself if you've given up every non-essential item in order to help the poor, before demanding that others do the same.

[Futile Gesture]

he's a looser who can't get laid"a looser" what? A looser knecktie? A looser moralist? A looser grip of reality?

The word is "loser". :)

[Kid_A]

"a looser" what? A looser knecktie? A looser moralist? A looser grip of reality?

The word is "loser". :)
The word is "necktie". :)

Seriously, is this how the word is spelled in the UK? I've never seen it spelled this way before.

[gum]

Originally Posted by Pisyphus' Stone stuff the horse

What's wrong with you, mate? Had a lobotomy recently?

I'm so sorry; EddyTeddyFreddy

[Lute Skywatcher]

Sisyphus' Stone does love to pop up and sneer at animal lovers while playing the outraged sophisticate, doesn't he?No kidding (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=5220635#post5220635).

[jlzania]

Futile Gesture -
Originally Posted by jlzania
he's a looser who can't get laid
Whoops-gasp-I made a spelling error.
Oh the shame, the shame.
Hangs head in horror.
Luckily I did get laid last night and the pleasant memory which help me survive the mortification.
(And I've never seen it spelt knecktie-either here or in England either but I'm far too nice a person to harp on a simple spelling error. :D )

[Mangetout]

The word is "necktie". :)

Seriously, is this how the word is spelled in the UK? I've never seen it spelled this way before.

Loose = not tight
Looser = less tight (more loose)

Lose = fail to win.
Loser = hopeless person (one who habitually loses)

[lno]

Somehow I don't think Sisyphus' Stone will return to address the valid criticisms of his comments. He was admonished by Great Debates moderators for his derogatory use of "Seppo" last month and again this week, and admitted at the time that after he makes his inflammatory and offensive remarks in a thread, he does not open the thread again.

[Mangetout]

scratch that; I didn't notice the 'knecktie' thing. sorry.

No 'knecktie' is not a valid spelling in the UK or any other sane kingdom. Gaudere's Law at work there, I suspect.

[alice_in_wonderland]

Ya know, I really don't know how anyone can say that responding to "Gosh, I'm worried about my horse" with "[i]OH MY GOD! YOUR HORSE? BUT THERE ARE CHILDREN STARVING IN AFRICA!! WON'T SOMEONE PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!?!?!?!"[I/] is anything other than totally moronic.

Perspective indeed.

[Green_Means_Go]

Sisyphus' Stone,

I was just wondering...

Are you living in a box and giving every penny of your money to people in 3rd world countries?

From your self-righteous posts I have to assume that you have never owned nor cared about anything other than feeding the less fortunate. It would certainly be hypocritical to post such things if that weren't true. I mean, if its wrong to care about a horse when people are hungry, surely its wrong to have a computer to post on these forums, or a car, or a decent home, or to do anything that isn't directly related to easing their conditions.

Unless you are actively living in a hut in Nigeria I am not sure how its your place to judge anybody.

[Green_Means_Go]

Bah,

I hate it when I post what I thought was an original argument and then go back through and realize 3 people have already put it better than I did.

*sigh* :smack:

Carry on folks... nothing to see here.

[Kid_A]

Yeah, I was just pointing out what I thought was a case of Gaudere's Law. I really was curious if that was a legit spelling, which it doesn't seem to be. I didn't mean to come across as snarky.

[Futile Gesture]

Gaudere's Law at work there, I suspect.
:smack: It's powerful mojo this Gaudere's Law. You can try, but you just can't avoid its all embracing influence.

I have no idea where that 'k' sneaked in from.

the pleasant memory which help me survive the mortification.

Ahem, case in point... "will help me", perhaps?? :)

[Homebrew]

nonpolar, on the other hand, has a heart made of concrete.
Ohhh, that's goood. You reckon it is that one? You could be right.

[Homebrew]

By the way, stuffing the horse (http://www.roadsideamerica.com/pet/trigger.html) has been done.

[Aldebaran]

Sisyphus' Stone,

I was just wondering...

Are you living in a box and giving every penny of your money to people in 3rd world countries?

Not on my bank account he did. (I don't think I ever got namesless gifts.)

Confession: I am not very convinced myself of my role as typical third worlder but I came across such clear-sighted descriptions of my situation on message boards. Including on this one I think... So I think I can rightfully apply to receive the generous gifts of SS


Salaam. A

[TwoTrouts]

Okay, I'll plead ignorance. What's the significance of nonpolar's heart being made of concrete?

[Amazon Floozy Goddess]

I really feel sorry for people who can't understand how important and precious the love of an animal is.

I've loved many animals during my lifetime, both my pets and other people's pets, and some wild animals who allowed me the privilege to get close to them.

I've loved cats, dogs, birds, fish, reptiles and rodents. All have taught me compassion, understanding, tolerance, and patience. They have shown me true friendship, and enriched my life in a way I can't describe in words.

When I hold my rat, Bettina, and she looks up at me with her eyes shining, full of love and joy and intelligence and trust, I feel so glad to have met this little soul, who makes me feel so special.

ETF, I'm so sorry about your horse. Don't worry about ignorant people like nonpolar . Remember you're luckier than they'll ever be, to have had the gift of an animal's love.

[imthjckaz]

Okay, I'll plead ignorance. What's the significance of nonpolar's heart being made of concrete?
It's probably a reference to a beloved former member of the SDMB, who has graced us with his presence (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=106348) from time to time.

Others have surmised that nonpolar, is his latest incarnation.

[EddyTeddyFreddy]

Many thanks, to all you who understand and share my feelings. I've had Nick (http://community.webshots.com/photo/805338/805338) for 12 of his 22 years, and owe him far more than I can ever repay. He changed my life. When I bought him, I was living a bored, unhappy, pointless-feeling city existence. His coming into my life precipitated an upheaval that landed me in the life I love now: a comfortable home in a gorgeous part of coastal Massachusetts, an ever-widening circle of horse-mad friends, healthy exercise that's a joy, not a chore (even the chores part), and the companionship of two horses who are..... well, some folks never even find one "horse of a lifetime". I've got two, and they are the hub, the heart of my life. I am daily amazed at my great good fortune.

Anyone who dismisses the love we share with our companion animals has a lump of coal where their heart should be. Let them natter on as they will about their chosen "correct" objects of compassion; I shall continue to doubt that it is compassion that moves them in fact, but rather mere narrow-souled hatred for anything outside the constricted ambit of their approval.

[NoClueBoy]

[littel boy from Sling Blade]

I like the way you talk.

[/lbfSB]



Sorry 'bout yer horse and the other stuff happening to you, including having your sorrow spat upon by ingrates.

[NoClueBoy]

Why thank you, no, I don't use spell check. Why do you ask?

[jlzania]

Futile Gesture -Ahem, case in point... "will help me", perhaps??
Alas and alack, I'm apparently condemned to make numerous spelling and grammatical errors on the Dope today.
That said, I'm just a little bit flattered that you're paying such close attention to my posts today, Futile Gesture.
Normally they don't generate any comment.
Can't wait to see what I've fucked up in this one. ;)

[Bryan Ekers]

Hey, SS, i think that just about every one of us who lives a reasonably comfortable existence with all the modern conveniences feels, from time to time, a certain guilt about our situation.

I don't. Never have. And I've been to India and Bangladesh and had a chance to see dirt-poordom at its very finest. If anything, my modern conveniences makes me want to bring such elightened liberal democracy/capitalism to everyone on Earth.

Of course, none of that is incompatable with the notion that nonpolar is a idiot.

[Binarydrone]

...Of course, none of that is incompatable with the notion that nonpolar is a idiot.
Or, for that matter the notion that Sisyphus' Stone is an ass.

[Bryan Ekers]

Or, for that matter the notion that Sisyphus' Stone is an ass.
Well, let's say neither of them has cornered the market on assholery.

[Lute Skywatcher]

If anything, my modern conveniences makes me want to bring such elightened liberal democracy/capitalism to everyone on Earth.W? That you?

[Bippy the Beardless]

Well, let's say neither of them has cornered the market on assholery.
But assholery isn't a zero sum game, so both can be complete and utter assholes without negating the assholerization of each other.

[mhendo]

If anything, my modern conveniences makes me want to bring such elightened liberal democracy/capitalism to everyone on Earth.You realize, i assume, that if you brought your own levels of "modern conveniences" to all the world's poor, the drain on our finite resources would be such that humanity itself would be in even greater danger than it is now of making the planet completely uninhabitable.

While the extent to which we ought to feel guilty about it is an open question, the fact remains that part of our lifestyle, with all its "modern conveniences," is paid for by the world's poor. It may not be complete zero-sum game, and it is certainly not impossible that all humanity can rise together, but there are times when our gains come at their expense.

[Bryan Ekers]

You realize, i assume, that if you brought your own levels of "modern conveniences" to all the world's poor, the drain on our finite resources would be such that humanity itself would be in even greater danger than it is now of making the planet completely uninhabitable.

While the extent to which we ought to feel guilty about it is an open question, the fact remains that part of our lifestyle, with all its "modern conveniences," is paid for by the world's poor. It may not be complete zero-sum game, and it is certainly not impossible that all humanity can rise together, but there are times when our gains come at their expense.

I don't buy that. It's well within our current technology and resources to wipe out starvation and many diseases, as well as make every human literate. Granted, it would take a significant improvement in efficiency to make everyone's lives luxurious (i.e. standard western middle-class or better) but I don't see any economic or technological barriers to doing so, not does it absolutely require that a segment of the population be kept in abject poverty to 'pay for' it.

In any case, I'm still absolutely guilt-free on this subject.

[Frank]

In breaking news, nonpolar has been banned.

But, please, I'm quite interested in the direction this thread has taken. Carry on.

[Kid_A]

:) One too many tasteless jokes did him in it seems. Oh well...

[RandMcnally]

Can we still use "When nonpolar becomes a mod"?

[Ponder Stibbons]

So what was the final straw? This "joke" (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=274109)?

[pravnik]

I'm with you, Sisyphus' Stone. Y'know, just the other day some whiner comes to me all boo-hooin' because his elderly mother was dying of cancer. Needless to say, I had no sympathy. Every year, thousands of young people's lives are tragically and painfully cut short by drunk drivers, and I'm supposed to feel sorry for some guy whose mother lived a long and full life and is now dying under a doctor's care with her pain medicated? I suggested to the guy that instead of caring for his sick mother, who quite frankly is a lost cause, he might consider that his time could be better spent campaigning for stricter laws against drinking and driving and helping those whose lives could be saved.

Have a little perspective, I sez to him.

[Spectre of Pithecanthropus]

Perspective.

While one dotes on a horse, feeding and pampering to the point of ridiculous ends, people, mainly in undeveloped countries and with unrealised potential, die of starvation. Maybe the attention and devotion to meeting the needs of a horse might be better served by attending the needs of starving humans. Maybe resourses expended into supporting a bloody horse, redirected into the starving millions, might save a real life. I don't know but I do know where my efforts are to be exerted.


Off you go then, and get busy. You should start by selling my computer and every other thing you own, because why should you have anything when there are starving children in the world? Let us know how it turns out, though we won't expect to see much posting from you in the meantime.




Stuff the horse.

You practically deserve your own pitting for this.

[Lord Ashtar]

I'm with you, Sisyphus' Stone. Y'know, just the other day some whiner comes to me all boo-hooin' because his elderly mother was dying of cancer. Needless to say, I had no sympathy. Every year, thousands of young people's lives are tragically and painfully cut short by drunk drivers, and I'm supposed to feel sorry for some guy whose mother lived a long and full life and is now dying under a doctor's care with her pain medicated? I suggested to the guy that instead of caring for his sick mother, who quite frankly is a lost cause, he might consider that his time could be better spent campaigning for stricter laws against drinking and driving and helping those whose lives could be saved.

Have a little perspective, I sez to him.
Nicely done.

[SteveG1]

Good bye Nonpolar, won't miss ya. It also looks we have other narrow minded insensitive assholes ready to fill his shoes already. Let me spell it out for the dimmer bulbs out there. A horse, dog, cat or even a friggin' earwig that has been with you long enough becomes part of you. Hell, I had a two cats (so far) that made it past their twentieth birthday. Anyone who has something sarcastic and mean to say when someone loses a valued companion, is a pathetic creep. I would suggest these people should stuff something themselves, but there is no room, their heads are already up there. I will be noting the "passing" of nonpolar by doing something I meant to do anyway... actually become a member instead of a Guest :P

[Kid_A]

I'm with you, Sisyphus' Stone. Y'know, just the other day some whiner comes to me all boo-hooin' because his elderly mother was dying of cancer. Needless to say, I had no sympathy. Every year, thousands of young people's lives are tragically and painfully cut short by drunk drivers, and I'm supposed to feel sorry for some guy whose mother lived a long and full life and is now dying under a doctor's care with her pain medicated? I suggested to the guy that instead of caring for his sick mother, who quite frankly is a lost cause, he might consider that his time could be better spent campaigning for stricter laws against drinking and driving and helping those whose lives could be saved.

Have a little perspective, I sez to him.
Kudos, pravnik. Kudos.

And let me the first to welcome you aboard, SteveG1.

[The Asbestos Mango]

Damn. nonpolar is gone.
And I had my money on him being banned on September 2.

I guess this means I don't win the betting pool.

Off you go then, and get busy. You should start by selling my computer and every other thing you own, because why should you have anything when there are starving children in the world? Let us know how it turns out, though we won't expect to see much posting from you in the meantime.

Sisyphus' Stone owns Spectre of Pithecanthropus' computer? What do you have some kind of lend-lease deal or something?

[wring]

Nicely done.
agreed - sadly IRL, I've known folks who could only see their own pain, no matter what else was happening to someone else - as in woman saying to another grieving over recent death of infant grandchild, "I know your sad and everything, but I've got termites in my house!"

[The Asbestos Mango]

Oh, and SteveG1, I was right there with you until you got to the part about the earwig.

Why would anyone want to have a pet earwig?

Why would anyone want to be in the same universe with an earwig, if they could possibly avoid it?

Earwigs are horrid, horrid little creatures that make me want to climb onto a chair and scream "ahhh, earwig, earwig!!!" until someone comes and rescues me, and have to be killed a minimum of three times before they will stay dead.

[Smeghead]

Damn. nonpolar is gone.
And I had my money on him being banned on September 2.

I guess this means I don't win the betting pool.


How can you be worried about this when a general lack of government funding to mosquito control programs means that malaria is making a comeback in and around the Carribbean??! You insensitive bastard!

Get some perspective!

[SteveG1]

Was just an artistic license sort of thing. It was my way of saying it doesn't matter what sort of creature it is, if the person gets attached. The joke part was, earwigs really do get attached, from the inside. Yup, saw it on Night Gallery ages ago ;)

[Rufus Xavier]

Can we still use "When nonpolar becomes a mod"?


Yes, but only until nonpolar becomes a mod.

[The Asbestos Mango]

How can you be worried about this when a general lack of government funding to mosquito control programs means that malaria is making a comeback in and around the Carribbean??! You insensitive bastard!

Get some perspective!

That would be "insensitive bitch" to you. Perspective, indeed.










Ahhhh!! Earwig! Earwig!

[Alice The Goon]

Like a nun, I weeks ago cloistered myself in my home and began to meditate and pray upon a solution from above. I studied archaic and obsure reference books, watched the heavans constantly, and waited patiently and faithfully for the inevitable resolution to my heartbreaking woe.

And then, one day, one seemingly normal, mundane day.... it happened.

nonpolar was banned.


Thank you, Mods. Now, finally, I can resume my normal life.

[Bryan Ekers]

How can you sit there at your computers when the electricity could be used to run a water purifier in one of those loser countries?!

Perspective!!

[Mangetout]

nonpolar was banned.oh, the... ummm... yeah... humanity.

[Jenaroph]

Trublmaker, how dare you take time to rejoice over the banning of a poster, when there are people living in refugee camps in Sudan? Your time could be better spent thinking about all those poor folks, who don't have computers and have never even logged onto a message board. Perspective, people.


Na na nah nah, na na nah nah, hey hey hey...

[Mangetout]

Oh, and SteveG1, I was right there with you until you got to the part about the earwig.

Why would anyone want to have a pet earwig?

Why would anyone want to be in the same universe with an earwig, if they could possibly avoid it?

Earwigs are horrid, horrid little creatures that make me want to climb onto a chair and scream "ahhh, earwig, earwig!!!" until someone comes and rescues me, and have to be killed a minimum of three times before they will stay dead.
I've heard people say pretty much the same thing about cats, or rats, or rabbits; it's all down to perspective. I'll have to admit though, I've never actually heard of anyone doting on a pet earwig, but it's a big, strange world.

[NoClueBoy]

I'll have to admit though, I've never actually heard of anyone doting on a pet earwig...


[sigh] ...welcome to my world... :(

[Lute Skywatcher]

Stones-in-his-head has become a running gag. Gotta love this board! :D

[NoClueBoy]

Stones-in-his-head has become a running gag. Gotta love this board! :D


How can you say that when there are still people in West Texas with [gasp] dial up modems!? (Oh the horror!)

Seems to me like you needs a little perspective, ya cheese eating surrender monkey lover!

[The Asbestos Mango]

I've heard people say pretty much the same thing about cats, or rats, or rabbits; it's all down to perspective. I'll have to admit though, I've never actually heard of anyone doting on a pet earwig, but it's a big, strange world.

All of the creatures you mentioned usually stay dead after the administration of blunt force trauma with an object much, much larger than they are.

But when you've whaled on an earwig with your shoe, and five minutes later it gets up and starts crawling menacingly toward you, pincer-thingies waving...


Ahhhhh!!! Earwig! Earwig!


OK, stop frightening me, already.

[Jeep's Phoenix]

I had a pet spider when I was in high school - a crab-like spiny orb weaver (http://troyb.com/photo/gallery/00007922.htm). (The females tend to be less than half an inch wide; the males are so tiny that they're rarely noticed.) I named her Daria, and she lived outside under one of the eaves. Mom was so concerned about this that she called an exterminator; he assured her that the spider was harmless (she could still bite though).

[Bryan Ekers]

Why are you people posting to a BBQ Pit when there are people in the world who don't even have fire?!

PERSPECTIVE!

[Bryan Ekers]

I had a pet spider when I was in high school - a crab-like spiny orb weaver (http://troyb.com/photo/gallery/00007922.htm). (The females tend to be less than half an inch wide; the males are so tiny that they're rarely noticed.) I named her Daria, and she lived outside under one of the eaves. Mom was so concerned about this that she called an exterminator; he assured her that the spider was harmless (she could still bite though).

Y'know, that memory where she laid an egg, and then a hundred baby spiders came out and ate her isn't actually yours, right?

[NoClueBoy]

Skin job.

[Mangetout]

All of the creatures you mentioned usually stay dead after the administration of blunt force trauma with an object much, much larger than they are.

But when you've whaled on an earwig with your shoe, and five minutes later it gets up and starts crawling menacingly toward you, pincer-thingies waving...I'd say it's a safe bet that someone, somewhere out there in the big weird world, finds earwigs especially endearing for exactly the reasons you've just stated.

[High Cheese]

Pathetic, really.

Three thousand, five hundred people die of starvation around the world every day - twenty-four hours. Most of these three thousand, five hundred people are children, mostly from undeveloped, third-world countries and mostly between the ages of one to three. And you have compassion for someone whose horse dies?

I don't know anything about your value system and what you hold dear, but I'll reserve my compassion for the people dying of starvation. Yes, I mourn for the starving of the world and not for the pampered horse. Weird, I guess in a world where a greedy country invades Iraq for oil while undeveloped country's people starve.

Perspective, I guess.

Dude! If you truly believe what you typed here, then you must starve to death. Let me say that again. You must starve to death. If you eat, at any time, between the time of this post and the time you die of starvation...you are a hypocrite. For then you will have shown compassion for your hunger despite thousands of children dying of starvation every day. If you enact the "well I have to eat to survive; and ETF doesn't have to mourn the death of his horse to survive" doctrine (aka the "my compassion is more critical than his" doctrine) then please inform me/us where to draw the line. Cannot I buy gas for my vehicle because my compassion for not running out of gas will be misplaced, in light of starving children?

In short: I don't have to feel bad because I feel bad because I stubbed my toe and the suffering of starving children is exponentially larger than my stubbed toe pain.

Now if I'm stealing food from the starving children...well that's a brand new story....and thread.

P.S. I am not urging and/or recommending you starve yourself to death. In fact, I urge you NOT to starve yourself to death. I urge you to eat, survive, and then do all you can, with all of your desires and capabilities, to help starving children.

[Mangetout]

Anyway, I expect this is something we'll all laugh about when nonpolar becomes a moderator.

[Morbo]

Odds that Sisyphus' Stone will ever be able to post again without someone replying with "PERSPECTIVE!!": Zero.

I'm still a little saddened that "Reported!!" and "PINWORMS!!" never caught on...

[Uvula Donor]

I'd say it's a safe bet that someone, somewhere out there in the big weird world, finds earwigs especially endearing for exactly the reasons you've just stated.

Earwigs are only endearing when they are dropped into the ears of your enemies.


Bring a message to Ahdmeeral Kirk for me, Chekhov...

[Lord Ashtar]

Odds that Sisyphus' Stone will ever be able to post again without someone replying with "PERSPECTIVE!!": Zero.
Yeah, it's gonna be fun, ain't it?

[EddyTeddyFreddy]

How can you say that when there are still people in West Texas with [gasp] dial up modems!? (Oh the horror!)

Seems to me like you needs a little perspective, ya cheese eating surrender monkey lover! Perspective, huh? And what about YOU? How can you sit there on your indolent, pampered posterior and say things like that when there are monkeys out there in the jungle who HAVE NO CHEESE TO EAT? :eek: :mad:

[CanvasShoes]

I know that this has already been said, in several different ways, but..

You're pitting nonpolar?

Ummmmm, that's kinda like writing a complaint letter to the mud that gets tracked into your house. The boy is harmless and a bit, well, perhaps "tetched"?
Gross? yeah, nonsensical? definitely, but c'mon!!! You've GOTTA know that going into a thread with his name on it.

He's kinda like the jokes in Reader's Digest (except not clean :D), silly fluff with no substance, but mildly intriguing when one is too sleepy to put thought into a deep thread that requires a bit of grey matter.

OOoor, he could actually be smart, and is just playing dumb. Which is mildly interesting all by itself, in that "I can't think right now, so THIS might be slightly entertaining" way.

I have to join in with those saying pitting him is silly.

[CanvasShoes]

Stike my first post, the linked thread had not yet opened up (@W#ER@ Dialup GRRR).

[C3]

I'd say it's a safe bet that someone, somewhere out there in the big weird world, finds earwigs especially endearing for exactly the reasons you've just stated.

Not an earwig, but.....

I was watching some show on Discovery or Animal Planet a few years ago about parasites. Some guy was travelling and had a blow fly get under his skin (on his belly). He left the thing there, named it (Eddie or Freddy or something), and sort of got attached (ha!) to it. He finally had to get it taken it out because it was becoming a nuisance (who'd a thunk?).

You knew someone was going to come up with some real-life example of this, didn't you?

[roger thornhill]

He left the thing there, named it (Eddie or Freddy or something)
Um, Teddy, perhaps?

[FilmGeek]

I saw the blowfly one. Didn't he slap a steak on it but it wouldn't come out?

[C3]

I saw the blowfly one. Didn't he slap a steak on it but it wouldn't come out?

Yes! I tried to search on google, but I'm stumped for search terms. Blow fly television? Blow fly pet? Just not working out for me.

[EddyTeddyFreddy]

Um, Teddy, perhaps? What? Only one? Piker. Why stop there when you can have (http://community.webshots.com/photo/109844880/109845126zwrFgw) all (http://community.webshots.com/photo/109845260/109845260szqruk) three (http://community.webshots.com/photo/109845488/109845488HFErNl)?

I hope I'm not boring you into oblivion (http://community.webshots.com/photo/109845598/109845598OqjDTl), or getting your knickers in a twist (http://community.webshots.com/photo/109846547/109846547qSmGNn). Just trying to widen your horizons (http://community.webshots.com/photo/109846713/109846713qIDOkt). :D

But heavens -- just look at the time! I've got to stop spending so much time on the computer. (http://community.webshots.com/photo/109844880/109851935EpnhDD)

[roger thornhill]

Piker. I think I just learned a new word. Can you tell me what it means?

Cute pictures, by the way.

[Ryan_Liam]

Pathetic, really.

Three thousand, five hundred people die of starvation around the world every day - twenty-four hours. Most of these three thousand, five hundred people are children, mostly from undeveloped, third-world countries and mostly between the ages of one to three. And you have compassion for someone whose horse dies?

I don't know anything about your value system and what you hold dear, but I'll reserve my compassion for the people dying of starvation. Yes, I mourn for the starving of the world and not for the pampered horse. Weird, I guess in a world where a greedy country invades Iraq for oil while undeveloped country's people starve.

Perspective, I guess.

Yet you are here still typing that out, whilst those children die, how careless of you. :rolleyes:

[Eliahna]

Piker. I think I just learned a new word. Can you tell me what it means?

Cute pictures, by the way.
Piker = quitter

[Ryan_Liam]

Perspective.

While one dotes on a horse, feeding and pampering to the point of ridiculous ends, people, mainly in undeveloped countries and with unrealised potential, die of starvation. Maybe the attention and devotion to meeting the needs of a horse might be better served by attending the needs of starving humans. Maybe resourses expended into supporting a bloody horse, redirected into the starving millions, might save a real life. I don't know but I do know where my efforts are to be exerted.

I see no possible comparison.

While compassion knows no bounds, and there is infinite compassion in the world, still, children die of starvation.

Stuff the horse.

Yet, you still type this message and do nothing to better the situation.

Well, stop whining and complaining and get off your ass and do something!

[Frank]

Piker = quitter
Quitter is a bit strong, I think. Someone who takes half measures, who doesn't follow through, doesn't go as far as he could. Quitter, but not quite as harsh as that word all by itself. If it didn't have different connotations, ETF (the poster, not the blowworm) would have used quitter instead of piker.

[TastesLikeBurning]

I am sorry for ETF's loss, but I am also sorry for the horse and the pain it went through up until its death, so I would appreciate it if posters not assume that my sympathies only lie with ETF.

As for Syphilis Stoned , how about you let me know where I can get hold of this list that tells me how to prioritise my feelings across the great species divide?

Or perhaps you don't have one?

Fuckhead.

[Ogre]

I saw the blowfly one. Didn't he slap a steak on it but it wouldn't come out?I really fail to see where masturbation would help at all in this scenario...except, you know, mentally.

[EddyTeddyFreddy]

Piker. I think I just learned a new word. Can you tell me what it means?

Cute pictures, by the way. I'd be glad to, but This Year's Model already nailed it.

Would you like another new word? Here ya go: "futtock (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=futtock)".

Alas, its meaning is merely: "One of the curved timbers that forms a rib in the frame of a ship", and it most likely is derived from "foot hook", as this snippet explains (http://www.abc.net.au/classic/breakfast/stories/s1079422.htm). Such a shame it's so innocent; it sounds so, well...... Pit-ethipetical, don't you think?

[roger thornhill]

'ethipetical'? Now you're making them up, Ed. You're not in play-off with Qadg the Merc by any chance?

[CrazyCatLady]

Gosh, am I the only one who realizes that ETF's horse isn't dead yet? She was just talking about how she'd have to make the decision at some point in the not-unforseeable-future.

[Rilchiam]

Odds that Sisyphus' Stone will ever be able to post again without someone replying with "PERSPECTIVE!!": Zero.

I'm still a little saddened that "Reported!!" and "PINWORMS!!" never caught on...

I'll use my sig more, then.

[Sisyphus' Stone]

Pinworms?

Find some perspective, mate.

:D

[Zoe]

EddyTeddyFreddy, the more love of life we have in the world, the better off we all are. I'm sorry for what you are going through. I grew up around horses and I've seen the kind of bond that you have even though I've not experienced it myself.

I see no signs of compassion in SS or nonpolar yet. Compassion spreads from concern for people to concern for life in all forms. Sometimes it starts the other way around. It's a way of life. It doesn't try to feed the body and starve the heart.

[duffer]

Pinworms?

Find some perspective, mate.

:D

Good Christ! Are you still here?!? I saw on the news tonight there are still kids in Sudan dying because the thugs won't let the aid food in!

Sissy Stone, please tell us why you hate children so much. :mad:

[Brutus]

Good Christ! Are you still here?!? I saw on the news tonight there are still kids in Sudan dying because the thugs won't let the aid food in!

Sissy Stone, please tell us why you hate children so much. :mad:

Stop making fun of Syphilis' Stone! It's unbecoming, you know...

[duffer]

Stop making fun of Syphilis' Stone! It's unbecoming, you know...

Oh, man! Can I be a prick or what!? :eek: :D

[EddyTeddyFreddy]

'ethipetical'? Now you're making them up, Ed. You're not in play-off with Qadg the Merc by any chance? :smack: :o :smack:

DAMN these dyslexic fingers! :mad: What I'd meant to type was: "Pit-epithetical" of course.

Well? Don't give me that :dubious: look. Just because I totally screw up at trying to get off a pithy witticism.

Oh, yeh? Well, how do you think YOU'D look trying to dance in clown shoes? :p

[duffer]

ETF, I knew what you meant, until you spelled it right. (Damn ADD)


BTW, not the right forum probably, but I never got to give my condolences to you on the horse. Good luck. :(

[EddyTeddyFreddy]

ETF, I knew what you meant, until you spelled it right. (Damn ADD)Well! So I'm not the only one who read what I meant, not what I typed.

BTW, not the right forum probably, but I never got to give my condolences to you on the horse. Good luck. :(Thanks. I'm really worried about the recent episode of choke, since horses who've experienced that often have scarring in the esophagus, which makes them more prone to further episodes. Add that on top of his overall health problems and the stresses of the coming winter, and it really brings home how tenuous our future together is. I'll do everything I can to keep him alive and happy, and the rest is in the hands of the Fates.

[Loach]

Damn I had Sept 6th, boy was I off. Any guesses as to his next screen name? You know he is going to try.

[NoClueBoy]

You know what's really funny? No matter how far away SS tries to push this away from him, it'll always come back on him.

Oh, the irony.




BTW, I need my shirts pressed. ETF, you're a girl.

[Ponder Stibbons]

Well? Don't give me that :dubious: look. Just because I totally screw up at trying to get off a pithy witticism.
Oh, that's not why you're getting the :dubious: look. You're getting the :dubious: look because you've got pith all over your clown shoes.

Oooh, I'm going to heck for that one.

[Spectre of Pithecanthropus]

Sisyphus' Stone owns Spectre of Pithecanthropus' computer? What do you have some kind of lend-lease deal or something?

Oh, crap. I was going to say "If I were you I would..." but ended up writing it differently.

[Lute Skywatcher]

I see no signs of compassion in SS or nonpolar yet.That's becuase one is gone and hopefully the other will soon follow.

[tremorviolet]

Quitter is a bit strong, I think. Someone who takes half measures, who doesn't follow through, doesn't go as far as he could. Quitter, but not quite as harsh as that word all by itself. If it didn't have different connotations, ETF (the poster, not the blowworm) would have used quitter instead of piker.

I thnk of a "piker" as more of a miser, not necessarily a quitter. Or, as Merriam-Webster (http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=piker&x=17&y=11) puts it, "one who does things in a small way"...

[BJMoose]

Well, one good thing about nonperson - I mean nonpolar's meteoric streak through the Straight Dope galaxy: I now know the meaning of earwig.

Honest, I thought it was a cosmetic device for folks deficient in ear canal foliage.



P.S.: Glad to see ETF is her usual pithy self.

[Jeep's Phoenix]

Y'know, that memory where she laid an egg, and then a hundred baby spiders came out and ate her isn't actually yours, right?
:(

[Homebrew]

Damn I had Sept 6th, boy was I off. Any guesses as to his next screen name? You know he is going to try.
I'm guessing he already has one. He trys to have a drawer full at all times

[The Asbestos Mango]

Gosh, am I the only one who realizes that ETF's horse isn't dead yet? She was just talking about how she'd have to make the decision at some point in the not-unforseeable-future.

I think it was mentioned in the OP.

OK, can we stop talking about earwigs, blowflies, pinworms, and other frightening forms of invertebrate life? 'Cause I should be out jobhunting instead of sitting on my chair with my knees pulled up to my chin cowering and whimpering in fear that if I step so much as a toe on the floor, I will be instantaneously devoured by some creepy-crawly thing which is much, much smaller than me but nonetheless fully capable of reducing me to skeletal remains in a matter of seconds, then eating the marrow from my bones and finally carrying the actual bones off to use as chew toys.

[Kat]

If Sisyphus' Stone was locked in a room with one of those ultra-fanatic PETA folks, who think that human rights should be subjugated to animal rights, who would win?

[roger thornhill]

Sissy Stone, please tell us why you hate children so much. :mad:
An advance, I suppose, on the 'why do you hate America so much?" line.

[roger thornhill]

DAMN these dyslexic fingers! :mad: What I'd meant to type was: "Pit-epithetical" of course.
That did cross my mind but only after I had sent off my reply in triumphal rage still smarting from your 'futtock' quip.
Just because I totally screw up at trying to get off a pithy witticism.
The "problem" with 'ethipetical' is that in context it is almost the perfect neologism. We're discussing the ethics of pets in the pit and you come up with that. You're a genius and the sooner you face up to that the better. Move over, QtM!

[EddyTeddyFreddy]

That did cross my mind but only after I had sent off my reply in triumphal rage still smarting from your 'futtock' quip. At least I didn't call you a bloviant gandy dancer. :p

The "problem" with 'ethipetical' is that in context it is almost the perfect neologism. We're discussing the ethics of pets in the pit and you come up with that. You're a genius and the sooner you face up to that the better. Move over, QtM!Oh, no, you don't. You ain't tagging ME with that "genius" crap. :mad: Why, next thing you know, folks will be expecting me to live up to it. Do you have any idea how tiring it is to have to be fabulous all the time?

Well, no, of course you don't. :p But trust me, it's an awesome burden.

[NoClueBoy]

At least I didn't call you a bloviant gandy dancer. :p

Oh, no, you don't. You ain't tagging ME with that "genius" crap. :mad: Why, next thing you know, folks will be expecting me to live up to it. Do you have any idea how tiring it is to have to be fabulous all the time?

Well, no, of course you don't. :p But trust me, it's an awesome burden.

HEY! Enough chit chat.

Where are my shirts, woman!?

[EddyTeddyFreddy]

HEY! Enough chit chat.

Where are my shirts, woman!?:: Takes long, slow, considering look at obnoxious little boy ::

Hmmmmm..... Shall it be the yardstick? Or the Ping-Pong paddle? Or perhaps my new dressage whip.......

:: Rolls up sleeves ::

[roger thornhill]

[QUOTE=EddyTeddyFreddyOr the Ping-Pong paddle?[/QUOTE]
I noticed they called it this on the Olympics. Does no one call it a bat these days?

[NoClueBoy]

Oh, goody!

The whip! The whip!

[lissener]

Why'd nonpolar get banned?

[roger thornhill]

Why'd nonpolar get banned?
Dudes ,i signed up on different alais's and brokered the rules ,man .

[lissener]

what was the alias?

[lissener]

I mean, was this explained anywhere? curious.

[Necro Romancer]

Why'd nonpolar get banned?
These (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/search.php?searchid=398993)

[lissener]

no matches.

[Telperien]

Oh, goody!

The whip! The whip!

I vote that she smacks him with the (cool) iron, but EddyTeddyFreddy is the boss.

[Necro Romancer]

That was just a list of every single post he's ever made. It might work if you (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?u=47155) do it, but I think he just made too many jerk posts. This (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=5216241#post5216241) comes to mind.

[lissener]

I did that; couldn't find a smoking gun.

[The Asbestos Mango]

Why'd nonpolar get banned?

Pathetic, really.

Every day, intelligent and articulate posters are banned from message boards simply for expressing views that are different from those authorized by the administrators, and you're worried about why a pathetic jerk like nonpolar got banned?

Get some perspective, man.









OK, that wasn't very good, but I've been looking for an excuse to do that.

[CrazyCatLady]

I don't think it was any one specific post, although his remarks in the originally referenced thread were probably the catalyst. I think it was more the totality of his posting pattern, i.e., he was pretty consistently being a jerk. The comments in ETF's thread were just the point where someone finally piped up and asked, "How long are we putting up with this shit, anyway?"

[lissener]

Well, totality doesn't cut it, I think. He was warned specifically, and I'm just curious what post was the last straw.

[CrazyCatLady]

Well, since he was told his posting priveleges were under review in the thread that spawned this one, I'd guess that post was the straw that broke the camel's back.

[lissener]

Well, his last post in that thread wat this:
You people make me sick :( ,if it is so sad to loose horse, dog, or cat why having them?. From what I read all this heartbreak and whining is ONLY due to your vanity and snobism .
I thought many ,many times of buying dog or cat but then I realised that one day animal have to be put down and I would have live with huge guilt.
Very simple right?Only people who need dogs are blind or epileptics.And please tell me why you need horses?Do you work in field,I don't think so. Now farmers have tractors,your horses are for you entertainment only, they are your toys nothing more.Why can't you guys find other hobby, which does not require animals.
Again, this doesn't seem like a smoking gun, especially since there's no mod followup to this post.

[CrazyCatLady]

You mean this lack of mod follow-up?

Knock it off, nonpolar. Your posting privileges are presently being discussed by the staff.

Cajun Man
for the SDMB

[lissener]

link?

[Mangetout]

Post #22 in this (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=273959) thread.

[lissener]

Yes, but nothing after that was bannable, IMO. Doesn't "knock it off" imply an expectation of future behavior? If his fate was sealed, what's the point of "knock it off"?

[EddyTeddyFreddy]

Seems to me, if a mod/admin says one's posting privileges are under discussion (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5225417), that implies that one outcome could be banning with no further offenses required.

In the face of that warning, nonpolar only two hours later starts this thread in MPSIMS (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=274109).

Given nonpolar's history on this board, I don't find its banning surprising in the least. YM, as always, MV.

[CrazyCatLady]

Ooh, while I'm thinking about it, ETF, have you considered having Nick cremated if he passes at his boarding facility? It would probably cost a bit, but I don't know that it would be much more expensive than having a backhoe dig a grave for him.

[elmwood]

In the face of that warning, nonpolar only two hours later starts this thread in MPSIMS (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=274109).

Dear sweet blessed baby virgin Bob -- not even considering its questionable content, that was the worst delivery of a joke I've ever seen.

Did nonpolar ever have a post that didn't have any element of hostility and/or vulgarity to it?

[t-keela]

lissener I understand your concern regarding the treatment of members who you might think got an undeserved banning. We have all seen friends of ours get canned in the past. Members who had been here for some time that said the wrong thing or just lost it and kept going to far. They are in our hearts and will be missed by many, even the one's with whom we disagreed. This guy ain't one of them.
I tried to help the bastard. I defended him and made excuses for him. In the end he turned on me as well. Did he heed any warnings by the staff or members regarding his behavior. Not at all. In fact he just turned up the heat. Look at the frequency of posts and the content. You'll often see that doperX posted ten times in twenty minutes or so. Mostly unprovoked attacks or offtopic hijacks made simply to provoke a response. This is by definition, trolling. Two of the main rules here when posting is don't troll and don't be a jerk.
While these two ideas may be subjective in their interpretation, it is pretty obvious they apply to n/p. Rarely is there such consensus among the members and staff when pertaining to an individual here. He had plenty of chances and ample opportunity to at least try to follow the agreement he made when he first joined the SDMB. He failed to honor his word and his commitment.
Would you rather have a board where every thread is interrupted by the hundreds of jerks and trolls who would eventually live here because nobody moderated the forums.
I say hail to the staff here. You don't have to agree with everything or everyone but have some respect. Some things are just wrong. These guys have to try and figure out what that is. I think they do a damned good job for the most part. Besides when nonpolar becomes administrator he can do things his way, right? ;)

[EddyTeddyFreddy]

Ooh, while I'm thinking about it, ETF, have you considered having Nick cremated if he passes at his boarding facility? It would probably cost a bit, but I don't know that it would be much more expensive than having a backhoe dig a grave for him. That's a thought. I'll have to ask my vet if that's even available in this area. I do know that local zoning/health regulations make it impossible to have Nick buried on the barn's property, so his body would have to be taken off-site in any case.

As far as I know, there's only one person who removes equine bodies in my neck of the woods. He's a crusty old Yankee who runs a boarding stable in Rockport and hauls dead horses as a side job. He disposes of the bodies on his property, in a pit out back. I odn't know what he charges, but no doubt I'll find out some day.

At first blush, a pit disposal seems horrible, doesn't it? And yet, Nick's earthly shell would be given back to the earth, rendered naturally into its composite elements and rejoining the circle of life, mingled with the bones and essence of the other horses that have found their final resting place there. No, I wouldn't want to see it, but somehow, it seems more fitting than cremation.

I keep hoping this will continue to be merely academic for a good long while. But my New Hampshire friend tells me that Nick's still thinner than she'd like, between the flies keeping him off his grazing over the last month, and the temporary inability to eat, then restricted diet, caused by his choking. Tomorrow he comes home!!!!! and I can see for myself. I'll take some pix, and post them in the MPSIMS thread.

[Lord Ashtar]

Well, totality doesn't cut it, I think. He was warned specifically, and I'm just curious what post was the last straw.
Then you should email a mod and ask them.

[BMalion]

Pathetic, really....

Three thousand, five hundred people die of starvation around the world .


How the heck can you worry about starving kids when there are pre-13th century painters who are having trouble creating the impression of depth and space by not using certain rules where one might use inclined lines above eye-level downwards as they moved away from the observer, lines below eye-level which might be inclined upwards as they move away from the observer, and similarly lines to the left or right which might be inclined towards the centre.

Get some perspective.

[lissener]

Yes, yes, yes; granted granted granted. But in most bannings that I've noticed, SOMEWHERE there's a post from a mod, saying "You've been warned, jerk, b'bye." Absent that, there can be nothing but speculation. So thanks for all the theories.

[The Asbestos Mango]

How the heck can you worry about starving kids when there are pre-13th century painters who are having trouble creating the impression of depth and space by not using certain rules where one might use inclined lines above eye-level downwards as they moved away from the observer, lines below eye-level which might be inclined upwards as they move away from the observer, and similarly lines to the left or right which might be inclined towards the centre.

Get some perspective.

Hey, is that a piece of fairy-cake?

[Loach]

Bannings / Banned Users

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you have a question about bannings / banned users, the staff prefer that you e-mail a staff member (administrator or moderator) rather than asking publicly on the board.

If we don't have rules we have anarchy. Anarchy I tell you!

Since n/p was the only individual I've pushed the little ! for, I suppose there were plenty of other complaints too.

[lissener]

I know the rule; but that rule bothers me. It suggests they want to keep such things quiet, which makes no sense to me. Since bannings are sometimes for reasons that are (case in point) open to interpretation, I should the think it would benefit the board to announce why a Doper was banned. If only as an example of what kind of debatable offenses are truly bannable. Additionally, such an announcement would render this kind of speculation necessary. I just see the reason to keep it a secret. If I did email a mod, I'd feel really weird keeping such a thing a secret; I wouldn't be comfortable until I passed the explanation along in an open thread.

The more I think of it, the less sense that rule makes to me.

[Frank]

Hey, is that a piece of fairy-cake?
Yeah, but we're trying to kill an earwig with it.

[lissener]

Ummm . . .

unnecessary
I just don't see the reason

[Lute Skywatcher]

Since bannings are sometimes for reasons that are (case in point) open to interpretation, I should the think it would benefit the board to announce why a Doper was banned. The SDMB has a "DNFTT" philosophy, at least in practice. Announcing each banning and the reasons for said banning would put an end to speculation but also give the trolls one last moment of glory. Not to mention that in cases such as december, when mods do provide a reason people still keep speculating about the "real" reason. It's a trade-off.

[Loach]

lissener I'm kind of on the fence with this rule and some others as you can see here. (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=273805) I feel funny going behind someones back instead of asking them directly what their motivation is. Lets say there is a poster named unpolar and half of his posts seem troll-like but the other half are just goofy. I would like to be able to ask him why he is being the way he is without running to the teacher and telling on him. However, that is not the way they want to do things around here. If someone is a troll then I agree with not feeding him. If the Mods wish to go enforce these rules on the side of caution I can live with that. This is the only board I go to for a reason.

[lissener]

Some of the bannings, over my 4 years here, have seemed capricious,* and give some the impression that they were based more on a mod's personal issues than with objective fair play. Keeping the process secret only serves to feed that impression.


*thanks Ilsa

[Lute Skywatcher]

In those cases, would you have accepted an official statment or would you have pressed for the "real" reason? I'm guessing the latter more often than not.

[Ilsa_Lund]

Some of the bannings, over my 4 years here, have seemed capricious,* and give some the impression that they were based more on a mod's personal issues than with objective fair play. Keeping the process secret only serves to feed that impression.


*thanks Ilsa

Don't drag me into this. I was being quite the asshole when I got banned, and I don't care to repeat the experience.

[Ravenman]

I just got an email from nonpolar. (Not kidding - he sent me an email a while back from my public address. He was very nice in that first email.)

In this one, he wrote:

"Hello.You are biggest Mother F in the world!
See You! in Hell."

and I never said a single thing bad about him...

[Brutus]

Heheh, that's kinda funny, in a 'Man, what a idiot' sort of way...

[lissener]

Don't drag me into this. I was being quite the asshole when I got banned, and I don't care to repeat the experience.Sorry; had no intention of drawing you into this.

[lissener]

In those cases, would you have accepted an official statment or would you have pressed for the "real" reason? I'm guessing the latter more often than not.Thanks. Would have had anything substantial to add to that hypocthetical thread? Or would you continue typing random words with your ass? I'm guessing the latter more often than not.

[NoClueBoy]

I know the rule; but that rule bothers me. It suggests they want to keep such things quiet, which makes no sense to me. Since bannings are sometimes for reasons that are (case in point) open to interpretation, I should the think it would benefit the board to announce why a Doper was banned. If only as an example of what kind of debatable offenses are truly bannable. Additionally, such an announcement would render this kind of speculation necessary. I just see the reason to keep it a secret. If I did email a mod, I'd feel really weird keeping such a thing a secret; I wouldn't be comfortable until I passed the explanation along in an open thread.

The more I think of it, the less sense that rule makes to me.

I agree. (And have said similar things several times.) Reasons for bannings should not be kept secret, imho.

In this case, he was warned for threatening (yeah, yeah, I know) a Doper, and he behaved in a very ass holish manner for several days straight.

[Syntropy]

I just got an email from nonpolar. (Not kidding - he sent me an email a while back from my public address. He was very nice in that first email.)

In this one, he wrote:

"Hello.You are biggest Mother F in the world!
See You! in Hell."

and I never said a single thing bad about him...

How bizarre. Block his e-mail addy. Seriously.

[Frank]

C'mon lissener, what is your bizarre obsession with nonpolar? He was being a jerk, it's that simple. From the moment he stepped foot on the board until his last post. That's why the basic rule is "Don't be a jerk." To allow for people like him.

I'll be surprised if a mod pops in here and says anything different.

Which they do. In high profile bannings, December's for instance, or Collounsbury's, mods have actively participated in the quite lengthy and heated threads about those bannings. This one? Pshaw. He contributed nothing except a heat rash in my armpit.

[lissener]

C'mon lissener, what is your bizarre obsession with nonpolar? He was being a jerk, it's that simple. From the moment he stepped foot on the board until his last post. That's why the basic rule is "Don't be a jerk." To allow for people like him.

I'll be surprised if a mod pops in here and says anything different.

Which they do. In high profile bannings, December's for instance, or Collounsbury's, mods have actively participated in the quite lengthy and heated threads about those bannings. This one? Pshaw. He contributed nothing except a heat rash in my armpit.Dude, you're far more emotionally involved in this than I am. I expressed an idle curiosity, period. How the fuck is that a bizarre obsession? He WAS a jerk, but that rule sucks to, because it's so vague and subjective. It's like, "You will be executed for murder, rape, or pissing off the emperor."

[Frank]

I expressed an idle curiosity, period. How the fuck is that a bizarre obsession?
Well, you're doing nothing in this thread except questioning his banning, regardless of the fact that you are a non-emotionally involved lone ranger here. Seriously, is everybody else wrong?
He WAS a jerk, but that rule sucks to, because it's so vague and subjective.
It's supposed to be subjective, and you should know why by now.

[Bryan Ekers]

I tried to objectively measure how much my life would be diminished by nonpolar's banning but I couldn't afford to rent an electron microscope.

[lissener]

Well, you're doing nothing in this thread except questioning his banning, regardless of the fact that you are a non-emotionally involved lone ranger here. Seriously, is everybody else wrong?

It's supposed to be subjective, and you should know why by now.Trust me hon, I'm not emotionally involved. And I'm not so much questioning his banning. I was mildly curious that there was no final "banning" post from a mod, and from there it became a more general discussion about the mystery surrounding the secret act of banning. I was no longer thinking specifically of nonpolar; just discoursing on the policies and their often capricious use.

[Brutus]

'Capricious' use? Are you high? nonpolar is running around the boards, acting like a retard, and was warned several times. Given the similiarities between yourself and nonpolar, I understand why you are so concerned, but unless the mods are warning you, you probably aren't on the shortlist to get banned.

[lissener]

As I already pointed out, my use of the word "capricious" was in the second stage of this discussion, which was not about nonpolar but about general mod policy.

[Lute Skywatcher]

Thanks. Would have had anything substantial to add to that hypocthetical thread? Or would you continue typing random words with your ass? I'm guessing the latter more often than not.What I was getting at is that it would be extremely unlikely for a Mod to acknowlege a banning was due to personal issues.

[lissener]

In those cases, would you have accepted an official statment or would you have pressed for the "real" reason? I'm guessing the latter more often than not.
Wow, Jeff, I continue to be astonished at your capacity for self-delusion and dishonesty. The quoted post was not about a mod's subjectivity, it was about your prediction of how I would behave in a situation that didn't exist. You have not maintained the deniability that you've convinced yourself you've so brilliantly done. You're not the master of the veiled insult you think you are; you pretty much suck at the whole veiling thing.

[Frank]

Trust me hon,
"Dude" was more correct than "hon."
I was no longer thinking specifically of nonpolar; just discoursing on the policies and their often capricious use.
Then perhaps you could start a new thread about that. It's been a while since banning in general was discussed. Are we due? Your discoursing in this thread makes it appear that you are defending this particular banee.

[lissener]

Sorry; but you were simply mistaken about my motivations, such as they were, in this thread. I apologize to the extent that I was unclear.

[TVeblen]

lissener, we've explained the banning process before but once again...

1. posters are warned for behaviors that disrupt the board
2. our preference is always to keep posters
3. multiple warnings are needed before banning is even considered
4. not all warnings are public; some may be issued by e-mail, particularly in 'last chance' situations. We bend over backwards to allow interpretations and explanations.
5. no individual mod or admin can ban anyone. Potential bannings* of members are reviewed, in depth, by at least two other staff members. Most times they're discussed by the entire staff. Personal grudges don't fly, much less monolithic viewpoints.

* Obvious spammers, etc. are removed immediately.

There it is. The process isn't perfect and we've never claimed it to be so. But it's as fundamentally fair, responsive and flexible as we've been able to figure out.

You're questioning the process, and that's fine. We bend over backwards to house outspoken eccentrics and even borderline wackos as long as they make an attempt at responsible communication. But nobody's been banned capriciously, out of the blue. If anything, we're the final filters on the feedback system.

Veb

[lissener]

Thank you. However, I still think it would be helpful to post a locked announcement about each banning with a one sentence explanation. This strikes me as much more productive than the current "disappeared into the darkness" approach.

[t-keela]

Better yet, how about a simple attachment to their profile? Perhaps w/ a link to any specific offenses? No need to waste extra space.
Then again, I'm not that worried about it myself. I've seen a lot come and go. Practically everytime they've received numerous warnings. The only time I recall any bannings w/out provocation were socks and ad posts etc. porn links ...obvious violations.

[roger thornhill]

I think the good side of nonpolar wanted to challenge the cosy nature of some of the chat on this site, and to puncture the pomposity and pretension of some. He wanted to throw down the gauntlet and say 'I'm not waiting two years till I'm accepted - you get me straight up right now". Sadly, he didn't have much to give. The gauntlet was a bit threadbare.

The other side wanted lots of attention.

[Bryan Ekers]

I think the good side of nonpolar wanted to challenge the cosy nature of some of the chat on this site, and to puncture the pomposity and pretension of some.

Being a troublemaker and rabble-rouser can be highly entertaining if you've got the wit to make your barbs memorable. Nonpolar's intellectual contribution was the equivalent of a six year-old calling everyone he didn't like a "poopy-head!"

Had the guy been capable of good sarcasm and sly wit, he'd likely still be around, as are our many wiseguy members.

[NoClueBoy]

We have wiseguy members?

Damn, now I'm scared. Please don't kill me, Vinny!