# Okay, you want flame, here be flame. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 19, 2004, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-you-want-flame-here-be-flame/265008 "2004-09-19T17:33:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-you-want-flame-here-be-flame/265008/81 "2004-09-21T03:16:15Z")
Make that 16% ---
**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:** [September 21, 2004, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-you-want-flame-here-be-flame/265008/82 "2004-09-21T03:27:15Z")
> [@Hambil](#): > > Completely untrue. Scientists don’t ‘examine all the options’ - they’d never accomplish anything - much like your post. They start with the most likely posibility. If it turns out to be inconclusive they widen their search. The same basic concept not only can be applied to everyday ‘facts’ you here, but is applied by everyone all the time. It’s the natural way the brain works - by associating something unknown with it’s closest known things. Why, yes, it is. In fact, that’s exactly what I’ve been doing here. Since you seem incapable of responding directly to a post, I have to “associate the unknown” (specifically, exactly what the fuck you’re talking about) with it’s “closest known things” (specifically, the usual rantings of every demented fucktard who wanders onto these boards and starts telling people how it ought to be run.) We certainly get a lot of those, so it wasn’t hard to come up the half dozen or so working hypotheses I used in my last post. Any of them come close, by the way? Seriously. All sniping aside, I honestly have no idea what either of those posts were trying to say. You actually seem at least half-bright, if not very pleasant, so I assume there was some actual meaning to them. I’d appreciate it if you could clear that up for me somewhere between the personal insults. > [@](#): > > Feel free to pretend that my words exist in a vacuum and call them vague and unclever, but don’t think it’s me you’re making look stupid. The fact that I’m still trying to talk to you at all has pretty much finished off any chance I had of being mistaken for “smart.” ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-you-want-flame-here-be-flame/265008/83 "2004-09-21T03:32:35Z")
> [@Hambil](#): > > I didn’t think I had to. But, I’ve once again over estimated humanity. Well hi there **Hambil** how you doin? You and **Grundlepuck** seem to be cut from the same cloth. I make one comparison and she accuses me of generalizing the entire English language. I (apparently) misinterpret your misguided attempt at humor and suddenly humanity has suffered in your estimation. My sword may be dull but it cuts a mighty swath. Will give humanity just one more chance, if not for me then at least for the children? Of humanity, that is. This was your response to **jjim** “Thanks for the correction. However it is acceptable (to other than English teachers) to name something for what it is. For example, I might call a barking dog a ‘bark dog,’ i.e. I hate those like bark dogs.” Now I have to admit this is so incoherent as to be laughable, so the presumption of an attempt at humor must be considered, but can you explain to me why if you were trying to explain yourself to someone whom you believe has misinterpreted you your first example would be ironic? ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-you-want-flame-here-be-flame/265008/84 "2004-09-21T03:35:57Z")
[QUOTE=Miller The fact that I’m still trying to talk to you at all has pretty much finished off any chance I had of being mistaken for “smart.”[/QUOTE] **Miller,** you rock. I’ve thought it before but never said it. I’m getting kind of too old to party but I’d like to party with you, if only in my dreams. ---
**Author:** ![Grundlepuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5e9695/32.png) [@Grundlepuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grundlepuck)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-you-want-flame-here-be-flame/265008/85 "2004-09-21T03:47:56Z")
> [@trandallt](#): > > OK well I have to admit I did not see that coming. In all seriousness and not trying to get the last word in here I did misconstrue polite tolerance for friendliness. Consider me forewarned. You are confusing two concepts here, possibly deliberately. 1. My **friendliness** is genuine and is my default position when getting to know someone. 2. My **friendship** , on the other hand, has to be earned, and you had only worked your way up to polite tolerance when you blew that with your passive-aggressive bullshit. Cripes, I can’t believe I let you bait me into responding here. I’ve got to learn to let the white noise pass me by. ---
**Author:** ![Hambil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3be4f8/32.png) [@Hambil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hambil)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-you-want-flame-here-be-flame/265008/86 "2004-09-21T03:52:52Z")
> [@trandallt](#): > > This was your response to jjim “Thanks for the correction. However it is acceptable (to other than English teachers) to name something for what it is. For example, I might call a barking dog a ‘bark dog,’ i.e. I hate those like bark dogs.” Now I have to admit this is so incoherent as to be laughable, so the presumption of an attempt at humor must be considered, but can you explain to me why if you were trying to explain yourself to someone whom you believe has misinterpreted you your first example would be ironic? Because Bark Dog stands out. Extreme examples are a common way to make a point - especially in humor. Do you actually think this ‘technique’ you are using is new? Obfuscate, over complicate, claim ignorance, accuse other people of not being clear… it’s what people who don’t know how to think critically do. I’m sure you’ll have some sort of lame response - probably focusing in on the word ‘technique’, ignoring the fact that I put it in quotes, and continuing to obfuscate the argument. Go for it, but play with yourself for a while. I’m out. ---
**Author:** ![Hambil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3be4f8/32.png) [@Hambil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hambil)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-you-want-flame-here-be-flame/265008/87 "2004-09-21T03:55:27Z")
> [@Grundlepuck](#): > > Cripes, I can’t believe I let you bait me into responding here. I’ve got to learn to let the white noise pass me by. Oh Grundlepuck, you rock. I’ve thought it before but never said it. I’m getting kind of too old to party but I’d like to party with you, if only in my dreams! Jeezes, I’m done with this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-you-want-flame-here-be-flame/265008/88 "2004-09-21T04:06:18Z")
> [@Grundlepuck](#): > > You are confusing two concepts here, possibly deliberately. > > 1. My **friendliness** is genuine and is my default position when getting to know someone. > > 2. My **friendship** , on the other hand, has to be earned, and you had only worked your way up to polite tolerance when you blew that with your passive-aggressive bullshit. > > Cripes, I can’t believe I let you bait me into responding here. I’ve got to learn to let the white noise pass me by. Sweetie, I knew you couldn’t stay away! You like me, you really like me! ``` Sorry, I couldn't resist. You are correct. I probably did confuse two concepts, but not deliberately. When I first became a member here I was appalled at the language and character assassination I saw in the Pit but then it seemed to me that the same people who were flinging shit at each other one day could be jolly old mates the next. I would venture into a thread and the next thing I knew someone would be tearing me a new asshole. (Well, maybe not that bad.) I sort of figured that that it was a give as good as you got kind of deal. So anyway I thought your reaction to my first post was a bit of an overreaction in a normal context but business as usual in the Pit. Things just seemed to escalate from there. I am uncomfortable with name-calling unless it is an intellectual exercise or I am really angry and I walk away when I am really angry. It's late and I seem to be rambling but let me assure you that I did not intend to presume upon your friendship, only your friendliness; and that was clearly a misapprehension on my part. It seems you were offended by my presumption. I offer you a genuine apology. I hope if we meet again it will be under more fortuitous circumstances. ``` ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-you-want-flame-here-be-flame/265008/89 "2004-09-21T04:11:09Z")
> [@Hambil](#): > > Because Bark Dog stands out. Extreme examples are a common way to make a point - especially in humor. > > Do you actually think this ‘technique’ you are using is new? Obfuscate, over complicate, claim ignorance, accuse other people of not being clear… it’s what people who don’t know how to think critically do. I’m sure you’ll have some sort of lame response - probably focusing in on the word ‘technique’, ignoring the fact that I put it in quotes, and continuing to obfuscate the argument. Go for it, but play with yourself for a while. I’m out. OK I understand that extreme examples are a way to make a point in humor. My question is why were you using humor to make your point? It seems like a fair question. And what does “I hate those like bark dogs” mean, if “bark dogs” is meant to be a stand-in for “barking dogs?” ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-you-want-flame-here-be-flame/265008/90 "2004-09-21T04:19:51Z")
> [@Hambil](#): > > Because Bark Dog stands out. Extreme examples are a common way to make a point - especially in humor. You seem extremely knowledgeable about humor. Did you read a book about it or something? ---
**Author:** ![Grundlepuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5e9695/32.png) [@Grundlepuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grundlepuck)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-you-want-flame-here-be-flame/265008/91 "2004-09-21T04:20:32Z")
> [@trandallt](#): > > I offer you a genuine apology. I hope if we meet again it will be under more fortuitous circumstances. Thank you for your apology, and I apologize in return if I overreacted. I don’t pretend to have the hang of the pit yet, nor am I sure that I want to. Should we meet elsewhere, I will gladly give you a fresh start. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-you-want-flame-here-be-flame/265008/92 "2004-09-21T05:03:26Z")
> [@Hambil](#): > > And thank you for speaking for the mods, as they have no mouths. Hypocrite. (A) I did not speak for the mods, nor did I claim to speak for the mods, nor did I imply they were incapable of speaking for themselves. What I said, as you’ll notice is that “I’m sure” they were grateful. A simple, declarative statement about what I think. If I had said “The mods are grateful,” that would be me speaking for the mods. (B) I fail to see any hypocrisy in my statement. If I had said “Hey, the mods want you to stop speaking for them,” that would have been hypocritical. If I had said, “Hey, mods feel free to move this post,” then criticized you for doing the same thing, that would have been hypocritical. However, I did not criticize you for doing something that I went on to do myself, therefore, there was no hypocrisy. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-you-want-flame-here-be-flame/265008/93 "2004-09-21T05:08:26Z")
> [@Hambil](#): > > Jeezes, I’m done with this thread. If only that were true! :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-you-want-flame-here-be-flame/265008/94 "2004-09-21T05:44:11Z")
Hey, **trandallt, Grundlepuck** , kudos on a graceful exit from a potential folie a deux feud. 😃 As to the OP, I’ve been Googling and eBaying for a bark dog, but all the figurines I found were ceramic, or wrought iron, or… :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![DKW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dkw/32/3118_2.png) [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-you-want-flame-here-be-flame/265008/95 "2004-09-21T08:42:14Z")
Hambil - I recently started a thread in Great Debates about why there’s never been a country with the word “Communist” in its name. That’s it. Were it not for the subject matter, we’re talking a General Question. In it, I made the very modest claim that the Soviet Union was Communist and not Socalist (which I understood to be, y’know, a fact, and I’ve never heard _anyone_ deny that the USSR was Communist). No fewer than three posters were **outraged** that I claimed the USSR to not be Socialist. Someone else denounced the idea of using the word “Communist” in a nation’s title ridiculous. Oh yeah, I never got an answer to my, uh, whaddyacallit, question. Everyone and everything is a target in Great Debates. That’s just how it is. Trust me, the only thing you can do is shrug and stop posting there. I mean, please don’t go. I seriously doubt you’ll find better. Believe me, I found that out the hard way… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-you-want-flame-here-be-flame/265008.md?page=4)