# im a ghost! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 25, 2001, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-ghost/63271 "2001-04-25T12:03:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bj0rn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@bj0rn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bj0rn)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-ghost/63271/1 "2001-04-25T12:03:08Z")
oh, its so heart warming to notice that people who still remember me. its also comforting to know that ignorance still reigns the very core of the SDMB… without mentioning any names or further details, for that only promotes misunderstandings based on the image which that particular person has among the crowd, i dare say that fighting ignorance is a futile task. trying to educate the ignorant is an impossible task even in its most general understanding for the ignorant simply gains knowledge s/he does not understand. in possession of the ignorant, knowledge is empty… some people tend to carbon copy what they read somewhere without even the slightest bit of understanding of what they just read, proclaiming that knowledge divine or something. basically what i am talking about here is “misunderstanding” other people. yet again i plead to the mind of the masses to understand, not assume. if you dont understand, fine, just dont pretend like you do! bj0rn - … ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-ghost/63271/2 "2001-04-25T12:43:26Z")
Link, please? ---
**Author:** ![bj0rn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@bj0rn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bj0rn)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-ghost/63271/3 "2001-04-25T12:53:47Z")
thank you for providing a perfect example astroboy14… since you asked, here is the link: [link to a stupid example](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=68787) bj0rn - … ---
**Author:** ![zut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zut/32/2875_2.png) [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-ghost/63271/4 "2001-04-25T13:07:20Z")
Uh, you’re linking back to this very thread, **bj0rn**. I suppose that using that link as an example matches the OP in some surreal way, but I doubt it’s what you intended. ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-ghost/63271/5 "2001-04-25T13:14:56Z")
**bj0rn** is saying that knowledge without understanding is empty and useless. Understand the basics first _then_ seek your more complicated corollaries. **Astroboy** asked for a link when the subject matter is generic. I guess that **bjOrn** sees that as a classic example of a thirst for specifics without taking time to comprehend the underlying message. As such he would view this as mindless knowledge gathering. **Astroboy** (to **bjOrn** ) is his own example. pan ---
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-ghost/63271/6 "2001-04-25T13:16:49Z")
Astro’s post is hardly an example of wanton ignorance. It didn’t even warrant your condescending reply. You’re not exactly making yourself clear, bj. Your rant is far too nonspecific to have any real point. You hate ignorance. Guess what, Chaci? We all do. You want to fight ignorance? Then point out a specific example of it and confront it. We’ll even help you out. But just because fighting ignorance is a constant battle doesn’t mean it’s a losing battle. And it certainly isn’t futile. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-ghost/63271/7 "2001-04-25T13:18:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bj0rn \* > **oh, its so heart warming to notice that people who still remember me.** And you are…? \*\* > [@](#): > > its also comforting to know that ignorance still reigns the very core of the SDMB…\*\* Y’know, I tried this sentence with “rains”, “Rahne’s” and “reins” and ranes and it _still_ doesn’t make any sense. \*\* > [@](#): > > without mentioning any names or further details, for that only promotes misunderstandings based on the image which that particular person has among the crowd, i dare say that fighting ignorance is a futile task.\*\* Well supported arguments with _PLENTY_ of documentation! _That’s_ the key to winning the hearts and minds of the people! \*\* > [@](#): > > trying to educate the ignorant is an impossible task even in its most general understanding for the ignorant simply gains knowledge s/he does not understand. in possession of the ignorant, knowledge is empty…\*\* Isn’t that like saying “If filled with water, a glass is empty”? Is this some sort of Zen Koan? If so, I await enlightenment, o wise one. \*\* > [@](#): > > some people tend to carbon copy what they read somewhere without even the slightest bit of understanding of what they just read, proclaiming that knowledge divine or something.\*\* Y’know, I read somewhere that some people tend to carbon copy what they read somewhere without even the slightest bit of understanding of what they just read, proclaiming that knowledge divine or something. Whatddya think? \*\* > [@](#): > > basically what i am talking about here is “misunderstanding” other people. yet again i plead to the mind of the masses to understand, not assume. > if you dont understand, fine, just dont pretend like you do! > \*\* Believe me, pal. I don’t pretend to even come close to understanding your post(s). Fenris ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-ghost/63271/8 "2001-04-25T13:25:35Z")
> [@](#): > > thank you for providing a perfect example astroboy14… Umm… you’re welcome, I guess.😕 Perhaps I AM obtuse, or perhaps you have stated your case badly… but what exactly is your point? If your point is that people do not always understand what others are talking about, I do not at ALL resent you for using me as an example! Make me the poster-child for trying to understand what others mean, and I will thank you for the honor! I do not purposefully misunderstand people, but it happens all too often. I think that the quest for understanding is a GOOD thing… perhaps you disagree… > [@](#): > > basically what i am talking about here is “misunderstanding” other people. yet again i plead to the mind of the masses to understand, not assume. > > if you dont understand, fine, just dont pretend like you do! I do not understand, and I am here publicly stating so… however, unless you expect me to reach out in some mysterious psychic fashion, pick your mind out of the other 6 billion minds eating, sleeping, farting, fucking, picking their noses, etc. on this planet, and read your true intentions with this thread, you will have to explain. Explaining is your friend! If you are not good at it, be of good cheer! It is a skill like any other, and with practice it becomes easier. Set your emotions aside for a moment, set your fears aside for a moment, try to set your predjudices aside for a moment, take a deep breath… and try to explain. We’ll listen, honest! ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-ghost/63271/9 "2001-04-25T13:34:42Z")
\ Does the thread title “im a ghost!” make anyone else think of Dan Akroyd in the movie 1941 where he’s got a stocking over his head and running around shrieking “im a **bug**!” in that weird voice? \ Fenris, neither bug nor ghost ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-ghost/63271/10 "2001-04-25T14:02:06Z")
First, **Alphagene** , thanks for defending me! (the check is in the mail, honest!) But I have to add an interesting sidenote: in doing so, you called **bjOrn** a dick without meaning to (I assume…:D). > [@](#): > > You hate ignorance. Guess what, Chaci? We all do. In Korean, “Chaci” means, literally, “penis” or, for nuance, maybe “cock” is a better translation… All I can say is: BWAAAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! Sometimes I tell my students that there was a US TV show called “Joanie Loves Chaci!” hilarity ensues… ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-ghost/63271/11 "2001-04-25T14:29:40Z")
Er, I would venture to suggest that Bj0rn’s “ghost” reference is to Annie’s [Straight Dope Milk Carton: Have you seen these posters?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=67681) thread, in which Uncle Beer mentions his name–“Bjorn”. I would further venture to guess that Bj0rn has read something on the boards that upsets him, and he wishes to flame the person who has upset him but without mentioning any names. In my opinion, this is a laudable aim. The Pit would be a kinder, gentler place if we all kept our mouths shut about who it is exactly that we consider a fishfaced degenerate greasemonkeyfucker, and stuck to broad generalities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not. [sub]snort[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![bj0rn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@bj0rn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bj0rn)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-ghost/63271/12 "2001-04-25T14:34:38Z")
> [@](#): > > Uh, you’re linking back to this very thread, bj0rn. I suppose that using that link as an example matches the OP in some surreal way, but I doubt it’s what you intended. i said: “without mentioning any names or further details, for that only promotes misunderstandings based on the image which that particular person has among the crowd, i dare say that fighting ignorance is a futile task.” and astroboy replied: “Link, please?” thank you kabbes for a very accurate summarization on the subject of astroboys reply to my OP. > [@](#): > > Then point out a specific example of it and confront it the inability to confront a subject matter of factly. my intention was to make my OP as generalized as possible so there wouldnt be a need to provide links to further my subject, for the text to which i linked could be misunderstood, therefore astroboys first reply to my OP is a brillant display of the ignorance i was trying to illustrate. perhaps he didnt understand what i was saying, fine…i should correct that, but he did assume he understood it when he accually did not. fenris: this might explain some details of my OP that you did not grasp… reign (rn) n. Exercise of sovereign power, as by a monarch. The period during which a monarch rules. Dominance or widespread influence: the reign of reason. as for the rest of your comments, please try again if this does not help you understanding the OP. astroboy again: > [@](#): > > Set your emotions aside for a moment, set your fears aside for a moment, try to set your predjudices aside for a moment, take a deep breath… and try to explain exacly what i wanted you to do…ill quote my OP again to illustrate > [@](#): > > without mentioning any names or further details, for that only promotes misunderstandings based on the image which that particular person has among the crowd, i dare say that fighting ignorance is a futile task. fenris again: the tread name really is a link to past posts i have made on this subject, not a very good one but still a link. bj0rn - lets see where this gets us! ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-ghost/63271/13 "2001-04-25T14:38:44Z")
I read bjorn’s posts, and I hear John Stewart say, “And now, your moment of Zen…” Evidently, bjorn despairs of dispelling ignorance. Furthermore, he seems to be discouraging people from trying. Or, he’s encouraging people to not say they understand when they don’t. But what if they think they really _do_ understand when they actually _don’t?_ What should they do then? I honestly like bjorn’s posts. Reading them is like trying to work a crossword puzzle…written in Sniglet. ---
**Author:** ![bj0rn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@bj0rn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bj0rn)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-ghost/63271/14 "2001-04-25T14:40:49Z")
your guess came quite close to the truth…congrats. i wanted this thread to be a general flame instead of a personal flame, because such flames usually lose their original subject. the reason has already been mentioned. bj0rn - … ---
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-ghost/63271/15 "2001-04-25T15:29:34Z")
> [@](#): > > thank you for providing a perfect example astroboy14… > > thank you kabbes for a very accurate summarization on the subject of astroboys reply to my OP. bjOrn, if you’re thanking other people for providing a translation of your OP so that others may understand you, you’re probably not making your point very well. Anyway, bjOrn, if the fight against ignorance is futile, why are you so intent on explaining your OP to those who clearly have no idea what you’re getting at? Isn’t that attempting to dispel ignorance? Aren’t you engaging in an act that you consider to be a waste of time? Doesn’t the fact that the people posting to this thread are at least _attempting_ to understand your OP make yoiu feel better? You can’t really blame someone for not understanding something, bjOrn, you can only blame them for not trying. And Thor as our witness, bjOrn, people are are trying in this very thread. In other words, just because people generally don’t understand your posts, bjOrn, doesn’t mean that misunderstanding and ignorance reign supreme on the SDMB. [Edited by Alphagene on 04-25-2001 at 10:35 AM] ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-ghost/63271/16 "2001-04-25T15:44:56Z")
bjOrn, when none of the students understand the teacher, the fault is with the teacher, _not_ the students. BTW, off to the left of the keyboard is a button marked [Shift]. If you press this button at the same time you press another button, the same letter appears, but in upper-case. These “upper-case” letters are used to start sentences and proper names. This might help others you are communicating with to better understand what you are saying. Please disregard the above advice if you are a cockroach, and cannot use the shift key. ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-ghost/63271/17 "2001-04-25T16:07:12Z")
I’m going to do a search on bj0rn’s post and collect and bind them in a leather edition. I’ll call it “some works of greatness but moreso to those who think that they are not as great as others which do not feel the same.” Should I print more than one copy? Is anyone else interested? Oh, and FTR, I am also in contact with the Franklin Mint – I have a patent pending on bj0rn figurines . ---
**Author:** ![kellibelli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e480ec/32.png) [@kellibelli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kellibelli)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-ghost/63271/18 "2001-04-25T16:28:45Z")
Hi bj0rn!! How ya been? ---
**Author:** ![hawthorne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-ghost/63271/19 "2001-04-25T16:40:28Z")
bj0rn, there is no core, only Corona. And you’re not a ghost, just smeared. deliberately go with the floe – picmr ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Zero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Saint\_Zero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Zero)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-ghost/63271/20 "2001-04-25T17:01:05Z")
Damn, where’s that number to Ghostbusters when you need it? 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-ghost/63271.md?page=2)