# Assholes, the jealous, and mediocretins. Cemetary Savior, spoke-, Fessie, Treis, etc **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 12, 2005, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591 "2005-05-12T19:24:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/121 "2005-05-12T22:54:06Z")
> [@you with the face](#): > > First off, I thought someone was “whooshed” when they’ve interpreted a literal meaning from a sarcastic comment. So I’m not getting how anyone could have been whooshed by that OP, when it’s clear to anyone actually reading it that the OP is venting about bragging and competitiveness. Because I have no idea what parent message board culture is like, and, yet again, some of those concerns from parents were valid. > [@you with the face](#): > > I think what did it was the fact that he provided a whole list of exhibits testifying to high intelligence, instead of just saying “I was a smart kid and had a hard time because it.” A whole list? I gave two specifics and a few ‘yaddas’ And, honestly, you think the ankle biters would’ve been quiet if I’d said “I was one of the smartest kids in my school?” Yeah, right. I spent my college time as an english major (whoooo, bragging!), and I had it drilled into me that whenever possible, you “show, don’t tell.” As such, providing details and similarities was simply better craft than saying “so, yeah, I was smart.” > [@you with the face](#): > > Thirdly, I don’t get why **treis** is being pitted. His comment is no more begging for scientific support than **FinnAgain’s** belief that his brilliance made him a target for ridicule, and neither was it an attack against **FinnAgain**. That’s just stupid. Treis’ comments and their implications on **my** time in school aren’t any more valid than **my** account of **my** time in school? Hell no! If he makes a sweeping statement as to the nature of child sociodynamics, he has to prove it. His claims do not invalidate my position, or my experiences. Moreoever, since I was claiming it was my intelligence that got me harrased, and he was claiming that isn’t a valid reason and that only assholes and the like can’t make friends, I wonder how exactly you’re twisting it so that it doesn’t come out as an insult. > [@you with the face](#): > > I actually agree with **treis**. I was a bit of a brainaic growing up and I wasn’t exactly Miss Popularity; but I attribute that to me being introverted and reserved, not because polysyllabic words fluidly roll off my tongue. The plural of anecdote is not data. Glad your high school wasn’t like mine. What’s your point? > [@you with the face](#): > > And I have a heard time believing that all the smart kids at **FinnAgain’s** school faced mistreatment unless they put on a dumb act. Ah well. I don’t think I’ll lose sleep over it. > [@you with the face](#): > > Fourthly, a question for **FinnAgain** : is this the first time at the SDMB that posters have accused you of acting in an intellectually superior or snobbish way? If not…well, it’s something to think about. Yes, it is. To my knowledge at least. Oh, wait, no, there was one stupid girl who claimed that I was trying to protect rapists and was arrogant because I told her to shut up. Second, even if it wasn’t the first time, it would only be evidence of how some people were reading my posts. Third, if they persist in reading my posts that way, after copious denials on my part, they can go fuck themselves. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/122 "2005-05-12T22:56:45Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > Hmm…does Gaudere’s Law cover vB tags? I hope so 😃 Hey, at least I made an effort. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/123 "2005-05-12T23:01:44Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > _After_ **CS** started rubbing **Finn** ’s nose in it. I think you’ve been wooshed a little bit. I don’t think **CS** was trying to rub **Finn’s** nose in anything; rather he was bragging, in an ironic way, about the cleverness of his own Morriset quip. **Finn** perceived it as an attack and responded wrathfully. That sowed the seeds for a pile-on and a spin-off thread, without which this post that you’re reading would not exist. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/124 "2005-05-12T23:04:17Z")
> [@Try As I Might...](#): > > Whatever, if you want, reply to my prevous post in which I was wondering if we had a definitional disagreement. You seemed to miss that attempt to resolve our disagreement in your haste to slap down as much name-calling as you can. If I misread I apologize, and if you intend to bury the hatchet I’m more than welcome to agree. But looking over this thread, I don’t think I’ve ever been anything but polite with you… wanna point out where I’m slapping down any name calling? Or are you, like some other folks, blaming me for responding in kind to insults? Here’re the times I’ve responded to you, can’t find a single insult in 'em. [One](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=6152649&postcount=59) [Two](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=6152801&postcount=84) [Three](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=6153003&postcount=115) Nary an insult… unless you’re just attempting to jump on some anti-finn bandwaggon? ---
**Author:** ![fessie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/125 "2005-05-12T23:05:54Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > I hope so 😃 > Hey, at least I made an effort. Yes, your effort was better than the one I was able to make (in between changing diapers & scraping yogurt off their faces); but you misattributed my quotes. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/126 "2005-05-12T23:06:35Z")
> [@spoke-](#): > > 1. **Finn** posts some insufferable bragging in the thread. No, he was relating an anecdote. “Insufferable bragging” would have included how his kids would have the same problem. > [@](#): > > - > > 1. **Finn** apologizes “for being whooshed.” (Not for the ironic bragging, which he seems not to recognize.)\* One can’t recongnize something that one does not see. Why couln’t **Finn** see any bragging? Because he didn’t intend any! > [@](#): > > _7. I spell out the irony._ While acting like a patronizing ass. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/127 "2005-05-12T23:08:03Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > And then when he goes on to ascribe various beliefs to me, joking then too? And when he was insulting me in the other thread? No, sorry, I don’t buy it. > [@FinnAgain in another thread](#): > > Just a hint, when you see a pretty obviously playful, tongue in cheek joke, and take the time to explain why it’s objectionable to you, you’re being a humorless whiner. > [@FinnAgain in another thread](#): > > See… if you just don’t get the joke, that’s no problem, you at least understood it’s a joke. If you don’t find it funny, and can’t puzzle out that humor is inherently destructive in many instances and yet playful at the same time, you’re humor impaired. It’s funny to see someone who attacked others for being offended by jokes being offended by jokes. [My post could be my cite, but this will work better.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=313942&page=3) ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/128 "2005-05-12T23:08:11Z")
> [@fessie](#): > > You know, **Miller** , typically I really like you. But I think you’re defending someone who isn’t worth it. Generally, I like you too. I love your contributions to just about any thread about art, particularly modern art. But in this thread, I think you’re being an asshole. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/129 "2005-05-12T23:08:30Z")
> [@you with the face](#): > > I think you’ve been wooshed a little bit. Not at all. Considering **CS** ’s remarks in this thread, any irony was unintentional plus he posted that, what, six hours after **Finn** ’s apology? ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/130 "2005-05-12T23:10:42Z")
> [@spoke-](#): > > The plot so far: > > 1. A thread is started pitting insufferable braggarts. > 2. **Finn** posts some insufferable bragging in the thread. Here’s where the ol’ reality train derails. Allow me to smack you solidly with a cluestick. I wasn’t bragging, I was simply stating that some parents concerns were valid. Again, if you’re dumb enough to brag about high school, that’s your problem. Don’t ascribe such a childish mentality to me, thanks. > [@spoke-](#): > > 1. Several posters note the irony. > 2. **Finn** apologizes “for being whooshed.” (_Not_ for the ironic bragging, which he seems not to recognize.) ’ Out of the two of us, you and me, which one do you think knows if I was bragging or not? That’s right, shut your fucking mouth now. > [@spoke-](#): > > 1. Cemetery’s post again points out the irony (still unacknowledged by **Finn** ). Which is the point you dumb fuck. **I was not bragging.** Get it? Tatoo it on your fucking forehead so you can go to the mirror and remember. As such, it wasn’t ironic, and I was simply being flamed as being ‘like those parents’. > [@spoke-](#): > > 1. **Finn** responds with an “Irony? What irony?” post. Still doesn’t get it. > 2. I spell out the irony. > 3. **Finn** has a meltdown. I didn’t have a meltdown, you smarmy coward, I got tired of being personally insulted and started a Pit thread. Oh, and, simply for the record, since **I wasn’t bragging** , there’s nothing ironic about pointing out that the concerns of some parents were valid. Off topic? Yes, and I apologized for that. But I’ll be damned if I’m going to apologize for the ‘ironic’ nature of my ‘bragging’ when I wasn’t bragging. Oh, and, just by the way, you fucking coward, after you call me an obnoxious braggart and I respond in kind, you should have the fucking sheer chutzpah to accuse me of having a meltdown. I hate cowards like you. “Insult, insult, insult.” “Well, fuck you too.” “Ahah! You’re melting down and slinging insults! It’s all your fault! I win” Slimey motherfucker. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/131 "2005-05-12T23:13:39Z")
> [@fessie](#): > > Yes, your effort was better than the one I was able to make (in between changing diapers & scraping yogurt off their faces); but you misattributed my quotes. Point out where you coded something properly and I misattributed it. Otherwise, if my response wasn’t dead on target, I’d have to say that’s because I was responding to you. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/132 "2005-05-12T23:16:31Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > No, he was relating an anecdote. “Insufferable bragging” would have included how his kids would have the same problem Simply for the record **Lute** I did point out how those were concerns I might have, via nature or nurture, when I had kids. I still don’t view that as really bragging though… I mean, smart people have smart children to the extent that it’s an heritable trait. I don’t know why you’d think that worry about a child’s experiences and if they’d be like yours would be bragging. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/133 "2005-05-12T23:18:37Z")
Oh come off it, **Finn**. You saw an opportunity to brag and you freaking went for it. You could have made the same point without the boasting. Example: “You know some of these parents have valid concerns. Smart kids _do_ get picked on.” See? No bragging required. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/134 "2005-05-12T23:19:49Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > Simply for the record **Lute** I did point out how those were concerns I might have, via nature or nurture, when I had kids. I must have missed that part. There is a marked difference between “might have” and “will have” though. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/135 "2005-05-12T23:20:15Z")
Oh boy! An out of context off topic nitpick from other threads! Why don’t you bring up some of my ontological discussion on the nature of groups, that’ll sure add to the discussion! > [@jsgoddess](#): > > It’s funny to see someone who attacked others for being offended by jokes being offended by jokes. And no, I think it’s funny to see an idiot wander into this thread, fart loudly, and then think she made a point. The difference (see, context, moron) between the various threads is that one was playful battle-of-the-sexes banter, and thus a joke, and the other people were ‘joking’ that I was arrogant, a braggart, etc… One of these things is not like the other. One of these things is not the same. Back to Sesame Street with you. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/136 "2005-05-12T23:22:28Z")
> [@spoke-](#): > > Oh come off it, **Finn**. You saw an opportunity to brag and you freaking went for it. You could have made the same point without the boasting. Example: > > “You know some of these parents have valid concerns. Smart kids _do_ get picked on.” > > See? No bragging required. How is leaving off the personal experience making the same point? ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/137 "2005-05-12T23:22:36Z")
Wow **Finn** , you are just winning friends left and right. I can’t believe you ever had trouble getting along with the other kids in school, you charmer. ---
**Author:** ![Try\_As\_I\_Might](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea666f/32.png) [@Try\_As\_I\_Might](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try_As_I_Might)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/138 "2005-05-12T23:23:39Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > If I misread I apologize, and if you intend to bury the hatchet I’m more than welcome to agree. But looking over this thread, I don’t think I’ve ever been anything but polite with you… wanna point out where I’m slapping down any name calling? Or are you, like some other folks, blaming me for responding in kind to insults? > > Here’re the times I’ve responded to you, can’t find a single insult in 'em. > > [One](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=6152649&postcount=59) > [Two](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=6152801&postcount=84) > [Three](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=6153003&postcount=115) > > Nary an insult… unless you’re just attempting to jump on some anti-finn bandwaggon? Look, I’m not trying to get on the anti-Finn bandwagon. I am wondering how you define modesty, because I suspect that might resolve some issues. I, for one, was concerned, not with the original post, but the later posts where you indicate that modesty is a tool used to supress excellence. Let me ask you something, can you be internally proud and outwardly humble or modest? Is there a difference between false modesty and modesty? If a person is exceptional at something, is it being humble to not bring it up or do they have to lie about it? I also posted my latest post to perhaps point out that you are using exceedingly more profanities than everyone esle–even your detractors. Maybe obvious, but sometimes I can get pissed off enough that I my ability to effectively resolve issues is hampered by my choice of vocabulary. Maybe it was a _little_ sarcastic. However, if you just like calling people assholes and bitches and telling them to fuck off, then…OK. Perhaps Fessie and everyone else you’ve called an asshole will wake up and realize their asshole-ness. I’ll hold my breath. :eek: Oops, turned blue. (again a little levity) ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/139 "2005-05-12T23:24:15Z")
> [@spoke-](#): > > Oh come off it, **Finn**. You saw an opportunity to brag and you freaking went for it No I did **not**. I don’t know how much more I can do than tell you I wasn’t attempting, intending, or thinking about bragging. I was just pointing out, yet again, that those concerns for some parents are valid. I have no idea what makes you try to ascribe an atittude to me which I’ve denied many times, but it’s getting old. Why don’t you just accept that I wasn’t bragging, and go drink a beer or something? > [@spoke-](#): > > . You could have made the same point without the boasting. Example: > “You know some of these parents have valid concerns. Smart kids _do_ get picked on.” Right. So, in other words, the entire problem lies in me, instead of talking about nebulous kids, voicing a personal anecdote. Sorry, but no. Again, I can speak with much more authority to my own childhood than to that of other people. > [@spoke-](#): > > See? No bragging required. Lucikly, I wasn’t bragging. Unless you’re taking bragging to mean “any personal anecdote.” in which case, um, sure… ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591/140 "2005-05-12T23:24:28Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > How is leaving off the personal experience making the same point? Because the “personal experience” is superfluous bragging. Is it really a controversial point that smart kids sometimes get picked on? Do we really need **Finn** ’s test scores to prove it? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-the-jealous-and-mediocretins-cemetary-savior-spoke-fessie-treis-etc/303591.md?page=8)