# Rand Rover: Ass **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 2, 2009, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055 "2009-03-02T20:33:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![HongKongFooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c4cdca/32.png) [@HongKongFooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HongKongFooey)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055/61 "2009-03-03T02:09:39Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > **HongKongFooey** was saying he’s a troll. I’m not totally convinced though, maybe he’s just rude and opinionated. I can’t tell… ---
**Author:** ![Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sticks_and_scones/32/16951_2.png) [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sticks_and_Scones)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055/62 "2009-03-03T02:12:35Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > I’m glad you’re well off and your job is secure. And you’re right…not everyone is equal. Some people are harder workers than others, have better educations than others, and have other traits that make them more employable. And you’re also right that if you’re laid off, it’s a good idea to get education or training to makle you more employable (that’s a good idea even if you’re not laid off). And of course, making bad decisions is never good. > > However, that being said, it really is the height of boorishness to kick someone when they’re down. there’s nothing wrong with suggesting to someone ways they can improve their lives, and even suggesting that their previous bad decisions led to their current situation, but if you’re going to do it, you need to do it with compassion. Otherwise, it just looks like you’re gloating about how much better your life is than theirs. > > I’m sure in real life you’re a compassionate person, but you have to realize that you’re not really coming off that way here. Well said, **Captain**. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055/63 "2009-03-03T02:18:04Z")
> [@Camus](#): > > You may rake in the dough, but at the end of his life, I sincerely doubt he could claim that he made the world a better place because of what he did for a living. > > Even Ayn Rand could have tried to make that claim by writing her novels. Does an admirer of Ayn Rand care about making the world better? I haven’t actually read any of her novels, but from everything I have heard about them, she wasn’t much into helping or caring about anyone but oneself. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055/64 "2009-03-03T02:30:15Z")
> [@Kyla](#): > > Does an admirer of Ayn Rand care about making the world better? I haven’t actually read any of her novels, but from everything I have heard about them, she wasn’t much into helping or caring about anyone but oneself. Allow me to blow your mind: the world is a better place where everyone is not into helping or caring about anyone but themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055/65 "2009-03-03T02:38:14Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Allow me to blow your mind: the world is a better place where everyone is not into helping or caring about anyone but themselves. Wait a minute. You’ve claimed that you’ve jumped into these threads about people not having jobs because you want to snap them out of their self-pitying nature. In your own way, you’re trying to help them, apparently. So, really, your participation in these threads is one of three things: 1. You’re trying to help them. Even though you think the world is a better place when people only help themselves. 2. You want to kick them when they’re down, as **Captain Amazing** posits. 3. You want to crow about the “right decisions” you’ve made in your life. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055/66 "2009-03-03T02:40:48Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > I’m glad you’re well off and your job is secure. And you’re right…not everyone is equal. Some people are harder workers than others, have better educations than others, and have other traits that make them more employable. And you’re also right that if you’re laid off, it’s a good idea to get education or training to makle you more employable (that’s a good idea even if you’re not laid off). And of course, making bad decisions is never good. > > However, that being said, it really is the height of boorishness to kick someone when they’re down. there’s nothing wrong with suggesting to someone ways they can improve their lives, and even suggesting that their previous bad decisions led to their current situation, but if you’re going to do it, you need to do it with compassion. Otherwise, it just looks like you’re gloating about how much better your life is than theirs. > > I’m sure in real life you’re a compassionate person, but you have to realize that you’re not really coming off that way here. Thanks for taking the time to say all this. And I believe you are right that I’m a better person IRL than online (but then again I would think that, wouldn’t I?). I’ve been trying to discover why I"m kind of a turkey online sometimes and here’s what I’ve discovered: the hard part about my job is not so much reaching the right conclusion but knowing that the conclusion I’ve reached is right and remaining steadfast in that belief. I make judgment calls all day, and it’s very easy to second-guess myself (and I’ve got other lawyers in my firm and various other people I deal with willing to second guess every thing I do). And then there’s the ultimate second guesser in DC willing to bitch slap me if it comes to that. So, maybe I up the self-aggrandizement from time to time on the SDMB as a way to pump myself up in a venue where there are essentially no consequences to being wrong. Can I get some ((((hugz ))))) now please? ☹🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055/67 "2009-03-03T02:42:04Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Allow me to blow your mind: the world is a better place where everyone is not into helping or caring about anyone but themselves. There is a place for people who think like that. I’m prohibited by the rules from suggesting that you go there, however, but I’m glad you think you’ll enjoy it when you do. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055/68 "2009-03-03T02:42:05Z")
Oh, but there \*are \*consequences. No hugs for you! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055/69 "2009-03-03T02:44:11Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > I didn’t though because I’m a badass. According to the OP, you are apparently only half right. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055/70 "2009-03-03T02:44:40Z")
> [@Duke](#): > > Wait a minute. You’ve claimed that you’ve jumped into these threads about people not having jobs because you want to snap them out of their self-pitying nature. In your own way, you’re trying to help them, apparently. > > So, really, your participation in these threads is one of three things: > > 1. You’re trying to help them. Even though you think the world is a better place when people only help themselves. > > 2. You want to kick them when they’re down, as **Captain Amazing** posits. > > 3. You want to crow about the “right decisions” you’ve made in your life. Why can’t it be all 3? Also, I’m not perfect. I’ve even givenb money to beggars before (but I felt bad about it immediately afterwards and haven’t done it in a while). ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055/71 "2009-03-03T02:46:37Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > Oh, but there are consequences. No hugs for you! How about ((((hugz))))? ---
**Author:** ![Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/43a26b/32.png) [@Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pine_Fresh_Scent)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055/72 "2009-03-03T02:46:57Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Allow me to blow your mind: the world is a better place where everyone is not into helping or caring about anyone but themselves. What’s so mind blowing about the Golden Rule? Did you mean “the world is a better place where NOT everyone is into helping or caring about anyone but themselves”? ---
**Author:** ![anu-la1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055/73 "2009-03-03T02:47:10Z")
So you’re a really crappy lawyer who gets his work second-guessed by other attorneys in the firm, which is why you need to crow about the fact that you’re a tax lawyer on an anonymous messageboard? Sounds like a plan. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055/74 "2009-03-03T02:48:39Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > According to the OP, you are apparently only half right. It’s quite possible that he’s two halves right. I mean, I’m not likely to accuse him of being _good_… ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055/75 "2009-03-03T02:50:48Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > There is a place for people who think like that. I’m prohibited by the rules from suggesting that you go there, however, but I’m glad you think you’ll enjoy it when you do. Oooh, I just made up a place that’s even worse than the bad place you believe in, and I believe you’re headed that way. So there! Don’t you ever feel like it’s time you grew out of your silly superstitions? ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055/76 "2009-03-03T02:51:55Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Allow me to blow your mind: the world is a better place where everyone is not into helping or caring about anyone but themselves. The pathetic thing is, I think he believes he really _is_ blowing somebody’s mind when he makes his inane little college sophomore pronouncements. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055/77 "2009-03-03T02:56:06Z")
> [@Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](#): > > What’s so mind blowing about the Golden Rule? Did you mean “the world is a better place where NOT everyone is into helping or caring about anyone but themselves”? Dude, I meant what I said. You second-guessing me has caused me to up the self-aggrandizement to LUDICROUS LEVEL! It’s on, bitches! ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055/78 "2009-03-03T02:56:43Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Also, I’m not perfect. :eek: Get OUT! ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055/79 "2009-03-03T02:58:30Z")
I feel compelled to mention that I kind of like **Rand Rover** , even though he has moments of extreme jerkishness. I think he actually has a pretty good sense of humor, and while he tends towards arguments that I think are mostly baiting, he can make good points in serious debates when he tries. However, back to the Pitting, I still wish he would have taken me up on the [$100 Obama tax cut bet.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=10330519#post10330519) Sadly, I just got ignored. Not even a mere rejection of my offer. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055/80 "2009-03-03T02:58:43Z")
> [@anu-la1979](#): > > So you’re a really crappy lawyer who gets his work second-guessed by other attorneys in the firm, which is why you need to crow about the fact that you’re a tax lawyer on an anonymous messageboard? > > Sounds like a plan. Yeah that sounds about right except for the part about me being a crappy lawyer. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-rover-ass/488055.md?page=5)