# lissener, you're a shitstain. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 9, 2007, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344 "2007-06-09T04:25:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344/61 "2007-06-10T05:39:18Z")
_[ETA: this is in response to Colibri, above]_ The fact that my words were reinterpreted for me, to tell me what I “really meant,” when what I really \*said \*was right there in black and, um, gray; and that all of my copious authoritative sources–actual primary and secondary sources, not just the opinions of participants that you refer to–were simply ignored and never addressed, though they proved the simple factual accuracy of my assertion, is really all I need to remind myself of to avoid allowing the whole episode to bother me at all. Immediately after this bizarre incident, I had 4 people I know read the entire thread, and none of them could fathom why the simple factual accuracy of my posts was even controversial. And the fact that I linked to an exhaustive collection of official sources confirming every particular, but not a single one of those cites was acknowledged, lent the whole affair such a surreal tone that it wasn’t very long before it ceased to bother me anymore. I’ll never understand what nerve I touched that inspired so many people to participate in such a purely personal pileon, directly in the face of unassailable evidence that my position was factually correct in every detail. So I just accept that I’ll never understand it. I do continue to find it interesting, however, that you continue to link to it afresh, although still without addressing or acknowledging any of the official sources I linked to as cites. Each time you do so, you remind me of how simply personal, as opposed to factual, your interest in the whole hullaballoo was. And apparently remains. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344/62 "2007-06-10T05:42:30Z")
(Also, Colibri, the fact that you continue to bring it up in wholly unrelated contexts, a behavior which as I said above I would never stoop to, serve to keep it–and you–in perspective for me. So thanks for that at any rate.) ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344/63 "2007-06-10T05:53:16Z")
Get a room. A mere thread is too small. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344/64 "2007-06-10T07:03:06Z")
For what it’s worth, my Bartlett’s Quotations says it was Frank Ward O’Malley who said “Life is just one damned thing after another.” And if anyone doesn’t recognize **Polycarp** ’s quote, it’s from [Peter Arno](http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://cartoonbank.com/Assets/1/41546_s.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.cartoonbank.com/search_results.asp%3Fsitetype%3D1%26artist%3DPeter%2BArno%26section%3Dprints%26advanced%3D1%26title%3DPeter%2BArno&h=125&w=125&sz=3&hl=en&start=4&um=1&tbnid=_ClAR1cDAzPrXM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=90&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2522peter%2Barno%2522%2B%252B%2B%2522drawing%2Bboard%2522%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26c2coff%3D1). (Scroll down.) ---
**Author:** ![Hellestal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ab097/32.png) [@Hellestal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hellestal)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344/65 "2007-06-10T07:40:22Z")
Ah, I’m gonna use this thread to chime in, too. What frustrates me about you, **lissener** , isn’t that I think you’re wrong in artistic matters. I’ve read your posts long enough, there’s no doubt that you know a shitload more than me about art and movies, so much so that you deserve my full attention whenever you opine on either topic. I won’t mention any directors’ names to keep us from an unnecessary digression, but I will say that it was analysis from you and **Cervaise** that made me re-rent some movies and re-think my opinions of some that are generally held to be sucktastic failures. So why do you sometimes have to be such an asshole about it? > [@RickJay](#): > > I hate to press, but do you have any evidence - say, commentary from Larson - to support this hypothesis? You phrase your claims as if it’s established and documented fact. > > > [@lissener](#): > > > > I’m boggled that you think such a quote is necessary. It was pretty much a given, when Larson first appeared on the scene, that he was a Kliban follower; it’s there in every panel. There in every panel? Not for me it wasn’t, and not for **RickJay** either. I looked at every one of the examples you linked, and I didn’t see it. For me, it was almost definitely artistic ignorance that prevented my eyes from discerning that which is obvious to yours. I probably haven’t consciously analyzed enough drawings to distinguish various styles to see the similarities and influences. I can’t speak for **RickJay**. Maybe he’s like me, or maybe he was sleepy or something. I don’t know. I do know that he _politely_ insisted on evidence. And what do you say? > [@lissener](#): > > There’s ample “cite” in the examples linked to. If you choose to claim not to see the parallels, I’m personally not all that interested in trying to convince you. Your opinion doesn’t change the shape of my universe in the least, especially when it’s apparent you’re not really willing to come into the discussion–such as it is–in good faith. Ah yes. You claim **bad faith** on his part. Your mind reaches magically through the internet and peers into his inner soul, and you inform him that he only “claims” not to see the parallels. Obviously he’s a liar. He must be, because you just said so. Jerkishness of the highest order. Yes, you were right about Larson’s influence. And I know you were right not because my eyes are suddenly better (I’m just as blind to the parallels as I was before), nor because you finally offered to explain in a way that laypeople like me could understand, but because another poster was gracious enough to provide a cite that I could read and understand. If you would just stop being so quick to question the motives of others, I know that I, for one, would learn a lot more from you. Granted, there are plenty of jackasses who like to bait you for no other reason than to troll, but that’s not everybody who asks you a question. **RickJay** gave every effort in phrasing his request politely, and he asked a question that at least one other person (me) was also wondering. Your assumption of a lack of good faith was done almost instantly and with no justification. He asked for and deserved a simple answer, not a mind-reading asshole telling him he’s a liar. **Questioners on this board deserve the benefit of the doubt.** It’s the whole purpose of the thing to learn, after all. Not all of them are honest inquiries, no, but there are a helluva more of them than you realize because you’re just so damn eager to assume the worst in others. I value your knowledge and perspective a great deal. I just wish you were nicer about it. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344/66 "2007-06-10T07:51:36Z")
I love Larson. (Hey, why do you think I picked my handle?) I love Kliban. But Kliban \> Larson, if only because Kliban was a surrealist steeped in the schticky angst of 1970s New York, and Larson is just an absurdist from the Northwest who got straight A’s in science. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344/67 "2007-06-10T08:38:59Z")
Not to mention, this: > [@](#): > > Originally posted by **lissener** > and then he died. And then The Far Side came along, and it was simply a given where the drawing style and the askew humor sprang from. is not a quid pro quo. Kliban died in 1990. The first Far Side appeared in 1980. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344/68 "2007-06-10T11:12:03Z")
[QUOTE=lissener] (Also, Colibri, the fact that you continue to bring it up in wholly unrelated contexts, a behavior which as I said above I would never stoop to, serve to keep it–and you–in perspective for me. So thanks for that at any rate.) [/QUOTE] How is citing an argument where you were a shitstain out of context in a thread pitting you for being a shitstain? ---
**Author:** ![Linty\_Fresh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Linty\_Fresh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linty_Fresh)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344/69 "2007-06-10T12:02:01Z")
[QUOTE=lissener] I’ll never understand what nerve I touched that inspired so many people to participate in such a purely personal pileon, directly in the face of unassailable evidence that my position was factually correct in every detail. So I just accept that I’ll never understand it. [/QUOTE] **lissener** , it’s like my grandfather said (may he rest in peace): When your friends call you an alcoholic, and your wife calls you an alcoholic, and your church members call you an alcoholic and your boss and coworkers call you an alcoholic, then whatever you think, it’s time to put down the bottle. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344/70 "2007-06-10T13:24:35Z")
[QUOTE=Rilchiam] For what it’s worth, my Bartlett’s Quotations says it was Frank Ward O’Malley who said “Life is just one damned thing after another.” [/QUOTE] I was sure that absent actual “damned things” as in the Gahan Wilson cartoon that the quote was from Hemingway. When I google it every reference attributes it to Elbert Hubbard. Colour me confused. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344/71 "2007-06-10T13:30:43Z")
[QUOTE=don’t ask] I was sure that absent actual “damned things” as in the Gahan Wilson cartoon that the quote was from Hemingway. When I google it every reference attributes it to Elbert Hubbard. Colour me confused. [/QUOTE] Weren’t they all derivative of Chaucer? “Lyve ist juste onne Damned thinge aftere anothere aroond herre.” ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344/72 "2007-06-10T14:40:46Z")
[QUOTE=Frank] Weren’t they all derivative of Chaucer? “Lyve ist juste onne Damned thinge aftere anothere aroond herre.” [/QUOTE] Quick, quick what am I to look up _Ye Bitter Cynical Bastardes Prologue and Tale_? ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344/73 "2007-06-10T15:02:44Z")
Look, even just writing to **Lissener** is making you all look like fools. ---
**Author:** ![stretch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@stretch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stretch)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344/74 "2007-06-10T15:17:08Z")
Oooh, **lissener** is being an asshole! Updates as events warrant… This is not news. Of all of the various methods of coming across that are available on this board, **lissener** has chosen to come across as an abrasive ass who is better than the rest of us. It’s his schtick. Ignore him or enjoy him, but give up on trying to change him. He’s a star! This does not mean he should not be pitted. It gives the rest of us a chance to see what he’s been up to lately. But the chance that he will read something posted by anyone other than **Cervaise** or **Equipoise** and take it to heart is nil. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344/75 "2007-06-10T16:35:22Z")
[QUOTE=lissener] (Also, Colibri, the fact that you continue to bring it up in wholly unrelated contexts, a behavior which as I said above I would never stoop to, serve to keep it–and you–in perspective for me. So thanks for that at any rate.) [/QUOTE] Nope, bringing up a case where you behaved similarly - accusing someone of thinking you were a liar because they disagreed with you - is entirely related to this Pitting. In fact, I specifically did not bring it up in other Pit threads about you in which you were pitted for other reasons. When you act like an asshole and are Pitted for it, it is entirely appropriate to bring up other instances when you were an asshole in a similar way. As for the merits of your argument on the substance of the matter, I refer anybody who might have any interest in it to the Pit thread I linked to so they can evaluate it themselves. There is no need to rehash it again. Your account and perspective on the matter are clearly delusional. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344/76 "2007-06-10T16:59:58Z")
Outcault PWNZ all. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344/77 "2007-06-10T17:48:27Z")
[QUOTE=Colibri] Nope, bringing up a case where you behaved similarly - accusing someone of thinking you were a liar because they disagreed with you - is entirely related to this Pitting. [/QUOTE] Huh. I didn’t realize he did this to other folks. I thought it was something he reserved for me. Interesting. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344/78 "2007-06-10T17:53:02Z")
[QUOTE=Left Hand of Dorkness] Huh. I didn’t realize he did this to other folks. I thought it was something he reserved for me. Interesting. Daniel [/QUOTE] No, it seems to be \*\*lissener’s \*\* SOP. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344/79 "2007-06-10T18:08:27Z")
[QUOTE=Cluricaun] One who knows the price of every thing, but the value of nothing (cheap Doonsbury quote inserted here) [/QUOTE] Originally said by Professor Charlie Green ( called " The Sidewalk Guru" by Michael Doonesbury) . The sequence appeared in the first year of Doonesbury comic strips. It is not clear if it is a hold-over or re-draw from “Bull Tales”. Professor Green’s introductory comments on the first day of his class were > [@](#): > > Welcome, friends, to Consciousness 10-A. Please sit down, or stand, or kneel on the floor as you wish. Be free and freaky, and dont get into an anxiety bag. Stay or leave- do what comes the most naturally for you. Class dismissed The dialogue in the strip quoted by **Cluricaun** is as follows: Panel 1: Michael says to Mark Slackmeyer, " Look! There’s Charlie Green, the Sidewalk Guru. Let’s go rap with him ! " Panel 2: ( Mark, Mike, Professor Green, unidentified students stitting on lawn at Green’s feet) Mike says, " Say, Professor Green, I’d like to ask you a question. What do you say to the many cynics who put down your best-selling books? " Panel 3: Professor Green replies, " A cynic is someone who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing." Panel 4: Mark puts his hand on his head, exclaiming, " Oh, wow !". Mike smiles and says, " Beautiful! “. Professor Green thinks to himself, " Pretty soon I’m going to have to start charging.” What? We all have our hobbies… 😃 Cartooniverse ( who comes by his member name honestly. 😛 ) ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344/80 "2007-06-10T18:20:37Z")
[QUOTE=stretch] … **lissener** has chosen to come across as an abrasive ass who is better than the rest of us. [/QUOTE] Just to clarify, I don’t have any problem with the “better than the rest of us” part. There are many posters better than the rest of us in their chosen fields. When **Qadgop** essays about medical issues; I shut up and listen. If **Eve** has something to say about silent film stars, I don’t think for a moment I can add any corrections. It’s the “abrasive ass” aspect that gets tiresome. Disagreement (or lack of understanding) is not bad faith. No reason to call someone a liar merely because they don’t see what you see, especially in an arena that is subjective. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lissener-youre-a-shitstain/407344.md?page=5)