# Smapti is Pitted **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 21, 2014, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907 "2014-05-21T08:14:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 48
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2014, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/941 "2014-11-06T02:55:05Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > Now I’m reminded of a scene from the Justice League episode “A Better World”, featuring an alternate-universe team of “Justice Lords” who took over their world For Its Own Good: Kind of funny to hear Batman of all people preach freedom and democracy, when he’s a grade A fascist himself 😛 ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2014, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/942 "2014-11-06T02:57:20Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > Now I’m reminded of a scene from the Justice League episode “A Better World”, featuring an alternate-universe team of “Justice Lords” who took over their world For Its Own Good: Which reminded me of this comic strip > **[Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal - Cupcake](https://www.smbc-comics.com/index.php?id=3514)** > > Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal - Cupcake ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2014, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/943 "2014-11-06T03:10:12Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > You are possibly correct. That’s why I believe in establishing a world where nobody ever has to go through the kind of things I did. You should start by acknowledging that because your upbringing was abnormal, you may have some ideas in your head that are fucked up. And you might benefit from some counseling, because seriously Smapti, you have some very strange beliefs. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2014, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/944 "2014-11-06T04:47:48Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I have suffered and I have seen people I love suffer. > > That doesn’t mean I want people to suffer. > > But I would prefer to suffer than to die or to be dead. And I would prefer to have been with those people I knew who suffered rather than to have them leave me before their time. “Before their time” ? How do you even know when their time IS? When you say so? That is **not your call**. You don’t “want people to suffer”? Well, there’s proof positive that you’re a fucking liar. You made it abundantly clear many times in the Brittany Maynard thread that you want the sufferers to stick around no matter how bad it gets. It is my sincere hope, however, that your grandmother with ALZ does not suffer too much on her way out. She probably won’t be aware of it. But you will be, and I can’t comprehend why you would want to watch her deteriorate more every day. Then again, the fact that I don’t understand how your mind works is a Good Thing. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2014, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/945 "2014-11-06T08:54:03Z")
Smapti, unlike some posters here, I have no animosity towards you whatsoever. But I have to say, you have some of the strangest notions and opinions I’ve ever encountered. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2014, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/946 "2014-11-06T11:02:12Z")
Well, now I’m just plain depressed by all of this. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2014, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/947 "2014-11-06T12:37:42Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Well, now I’m just plain depressed by all of this. Re-evaluate your philosophy on life. Maybe your rough upbringing has led you to believe in an unreasonable system of morality. ---
**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:** [November 6, 2014, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/948 "2014-11-06T13:45:00Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Sadly, Smapti remains not fully human. > [@Steophan](#): > > You know what? That’s worse than anything he’s ever said. Happily Smapti is not yet fully human? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2014, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/949 "2014-11-06T14:28:20Z")
I took **Smapti** off my ignore list. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2014, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/950 "2014-11-06T14:37:19Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Happily Smapti is not yet fully human? Yeah, attack the guy who was abused as a child, and say _they’re_ the one who’s not fully human. Find a fucking mirror. ---
**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:** [November 6, 2014, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/951 "2014-11-06T15:34:08Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Smapti, unlike some posters here, I have no animosity towards you whatsoever. But I have to say, you have some of the strangest notions and opinions I’ve ever encountered. I had animosity until the suicide thread and the subsequent discussion here. Now, while I disagree strenuously with pretty much everything he’s saying, I get more where he’s coming from. I understand trying to gain control through assertions of, or bowing to, authority. It doesn’t suit me and I don’t tend that way, but I get it. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2014, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/952 "2014-11-06T15:49:12Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Yeah, attack the guy who was abused as a child, and say _they’re_ the one who’s not fully human. Find a fucking mirror. “The BBQ Pit: Come for the bile and vitriol, stay for the slow torture-rape of puppies.” ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2014, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/953 "2014-11-06T15:49:52Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I took **Smapti** off my ignore list. Why would you do that? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2014, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/954 "2014-11-06T16:04:38Z")
Alright. I don’t come here and say what I say because I enjoy being called a monster or an sociopath or subhuman or to be accused of making stuff up to get people in a dander. I come to this board to have fun and talk about movies or TV or music or wrestling or stupid Republican ideas of the day. And sometimes i see threads about subjects I feel strongly about - drugs, crime, suicide, etc. - and I’ll respond passionately and honestly. I’m sorry if my way of viewing the world is so different from the local consensus, but I’m not saying these things to get people angry or start a dogpile, I’m saying it because I believe it. Every time I express these kind of opinions lately it just seems to derail the entire thread into everyone digging through my words for gotcha-yas, or calling me a troll, or just plain calling me names instead of what the original topic was. I can’t believe that I’m the only person on the Dope who’s opposed to suicide, but once I got there nobody else wanted to interject, so I’m sorry for derailing the conversation. Maybe I should just stay out of political threads for awhile and stick to fun stuff, because this is too much heartache and it’s obvious I’m not going to change anyone’s minds with the reputation I have right now. ---
**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:** [November 6, 2014, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/955 "2014-11-06T17:04:13Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > And sometimes i see threads about subjects I feel strongly about - drugs, crime, suicide, etc. - and I’ll respond passionately and honestly. I’m sorry if my way of viewing the world is so different from the local consensus, but I’m not saying these things to get people angry or start a dogpile, I’m saying it because I believe it. That’s fine to believe things, and it’s fine to engage in conversation about them. In fact, engaging in conversation is, I think, one of the best ways to challenge your beliefs and try to drill down to figure out where they come from. Do I believe X because it has a moral/ethical component for me, or because something about not-X makes me uncomfortable or scared? Do I have a guiding principle, or am I just flailing or going with my gut? Can I recognize my own tendencies and biases? Anyone can go into a thread, shout some dogma, and just repeat it endlessly when challenged. I know I’ve done just that. But it is laziness, intellectual or physical. It takes more energy to be really thoughtful, and we don’t always have that much energy. But it’s worth it when we do. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2014, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/956 "2014-11-06T17:19:01Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Alright. > > I don’t come here and say what I say because I enjoy being called a monster or an sociopath or subhuman or to be accused of making stuff up to get people in a dander. I come to this board to have fun and talk about movies or TV or music or wrestling or stupid Republican ideas of the day. And sometimes i see threads about subjects I feel strongly about - drugs, crime, suicide, etc. - and I’ll respond passionately and honestly. I’m sorry if my way of viewing the world is so different from the local consensus, but I’m not saying these things to get people angry or start a dogpile, I’m saying it because I believe it. > > Every time I express these kind of opinions lately it just seems to derail the entire thread into everyone digging through my words for gotcha-yas, or calling me a troll, or just plain calling me names instead of what the original topic was. I can’t believe that I’m the only person on the Dope who’s opposed to suicide, but once I got there nobody else wanted to interject, so I’m sorry for derailing the conversation. > > Maybe I should just stay out of political threads for awhile and stick to fun stuff, because this is too much heartache and it’s obvious I’m not going to change anyone’s minds with the reputation I have right now. Has the extreme negativity and vehemence with which your philosophical and moral statements have been received caused you to reevaluate these beliefs in any way? ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2014, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/957 "2014-11-06T17:22:06Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Maybe I should just stay out of political threads for awhile and stick to fun stuff, because this is too much heartache and it’s obvious I’m not going to change anyone’s minds with the reputation I have right now. Probably a good idea. If I may, I highly recommend avoiding the BBQ Pit entirely. Ignore it. Excise it from your brain. It sometimes looks like there are fun or useful conversations in the Pit. And sometimes, sure, it happens. But it has its name for a reason. This is where TPTB in Their Infinite Wisdom decided to corral all the flaming. Here be trolling and insults and puppy-rape. It’s a shitty place, a wretched hive, and we’re all scum and villains here. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2014, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/958 "2014-11-06T17:36:41Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > **But I would prefer to suffer than to die or to be dead.** And I would prefer to have been with those people I knew who suffered rather than to have them leave me before their time. You may, in your case, but others may not, in their case. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2014, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/959 "2014-11-06T18:55:57Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > You may, in your case, but others may not, in their case. And it may not actually be their choice. **Smapti** , I’m not the name-calling type so this is simple disagreement. You’re plain wrong on suicide. You approach it like it’s a choice, when aside from instances like assisted suicide in terminal people, it’s not. It’s due to depression or other mental issues: > [@](#): > > **According to the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH), 90 percent of people who die by suicide have depression or other mental disorders, or substance-abuse disorders in conjunction with other mental disorders.** Yet we don’t give this link its due. Says Solomon, “Just as the association between mental illness and crime is too strong, the connection between mental illness and suicide is too weak. So I feel like what I constantly read in the articles is that ‘so-and-so killed himself because his business had gone bankrupt and his wife had left him.’ And I think, okay, those were the triggering circumstances, but he killed himself because he suffered from a mental illness that drove him to kill himself. He was terribly depressed.” > **[How should we talk about mental health?](https://ideas.ted.com/how-should-we-talk-about-mental-health/)** > > Mental health suffers from a major image problem. One in every 4 people experiences mental health issues — yet we’re not very informed when it comes to talking about the topic. Hear fro… A person with a mental disorder doesn’t think like you and me. It’s not cowardice that drives people to kill themselves, it’s mental illness. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2014, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907/960 "2014-11-06T19:54:02Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > \*\*You approach it like it’s a choice, when aside from instances like assisted suicide in terminal people, it’s not. It’s due to depression or other mental issues: > > A person with a mental disorder doesn’t think like you and me.\*\* It’s not cowardice that drives people to kill themselves, it’s mental illness. Not to nitpick, but it’s still a choice. It’s just a more “internally-coerced” one. I have a mental disorder, by the way. But suicide is still a choice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907.md?page=47) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smapti-is-pitted/688907.md?page=49)