# Starving Artist: Totally Insane? Or Just Almost? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 13, 2008, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678 "2008-10-13T05:04:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678/41 "2008-10-13T15:54:39Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > I admit I erred when I said that. I was responding to **Terrifel’s** characterization of my previous post and used his term by way of response. I apologize. I should have said _liberals_ are responsible for the fact that there are so few classy women (and men, for that matter) these days to begin with. 😃 And **Terrifel** is responsible for the fact that **Starving Artist** can’t express himself accurately, I guess. No doubt **Starving Artist’s** inability to accept full responsibility for his own words is also the fault of liberals, somehow. “I may have used the wrong term, but society is to blame.” I, of course, used the term “Republican” because the topic at hand was the Republican VP (technically, a Photoshopped image of the Republican VP’s kid). I am entirely open to the possibility that classy, dignified women can still be readily found among other groups of conservatives-- perhaps in other countries, or among the Amish. I would not have imagined that the millions upon millions of registered American Republicans somehow can’t find a single classy dame among their ranks, but apparently it is so. Remember, folks: conservatives have no control over their own ability to express values such as class and sophistication. So the next time a conservative dons that Klan hood and rallies the crowd to kill for Jesus, ask yourself: how did liberals cause this? ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678/42 "2008-10-13T16:16:21Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Perhaps I’m being too hard on **xtisme**. I do think that he listens. **My problem is that despite listening, his thinking never seems to change.** Also, the things I’ve notice from him recently are things like the above, as well as the assertion at the time that McCain’s campaign suspension was a brilliant move, and that Palin is not a drag on the ticket. Each of these offerings, like most of his posts, come with a line or two about how we might not understand them because the SDMB is so darn liberal - not that it was plainly foolish for McCain to suspend his campaign, or because any empirical evidence shows that Palin is a drag on the McCain ticket. > > However, I do accept that I might have been too harsh in my earlier characterizations of him. To be completely fair, didn’t **xtisme** recently state he was considering voting for Obama (too tired to look it up right now)? If so, that, to me, seems to be someone willing to change. (bolding mine) ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678/43 "2008-10-13T16:19:12Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > To be completely fair, didn’t **xtisme** recently state he was considering voting for Obama (too tired to look it up right now)? If so, that, to me, seems to be someone willing to change. > (bolding mine) Get back to me when he stops ranting about the Great ACORN Conspiracy. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678/44 "2008-10-13T16:21:04Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > Get back to me when he stops ranting about the Great ACORN Conspiracy. I thought that was **Bricker**. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678/45 "2008-10-13T16:25:08Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > I thought that was **Bricker**. 😉 Bricker fumbled and xt picked up the ball. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678/46 "2008-10-13T17:11:56Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Also I want to step in and defend a couple of people who’ve been mentioned here. > > I’ve met Clothahump. We sharply disagree on our political views and I’ve argued that with him but on every other subject he’s a great guy. Most retards are super nice people! ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678/47 "2008-10-13T17:23:52Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Oh, and btw…if you think our finances are fucked up now, wait until BO has been in office for a while and rammed his tax increases up our collective asses. That is why I have said repeatedly that this is the first Presidential election ever where I am voting for someone to keep the other guy out - literally, the lesser of two evils. See what happens when all you do is read Republican talking points? If Obama does raise taxes on those making over $250K, back to where they were, maybe we’d _gasp_ go back to that Depression we suffered through in the '90s. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678/48 "2008-10-13T17:56:44Z")
Some of **Starving Artist** ’s allegations about American society over the years have bothered me. But I’ve arrived at the point where I simply (a) ignore them most of the time, and (b) if I have the background information to refute one, provide it, for the benefit of any third parties that may be interested/swayed by it – having given up hope of changing **SA** ’s opinions by any arguments I can advance. But in reference to others who have entered the fray here and who are common Pittees themselves, I want to say something that I think hasn’t been said and should be. Do you know what **Clothahump** and **lissener** have in common? Socially and politically they appear to be at opposite extremes, but there is a valid and positive answer. While both are men seemingly convinced of the rightness of their own views to the point that almost any argument to the contrary is simply ignored by them, both men have devoted extensive volunteer time to work with young people at risk. That’s not something I’ve seen others mention doing, and I think it’s extremely laudable. And a piece of what makes this place special – two men, representing opposite extremes of the fractured American social milieu, are each doing something badly needed and which a lot of people decide is “someone else’s job.” Well, they’ve decided they’re the “someone else” whose job it is. Kudos, both of you! ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678/49 "2008-10-13T18:00:36Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Do you know what **Clothahump** and **lissener** have in common? Socially and politically they appear to be at opposite extremes, but there is a valid and positive answer. While both are men seemingly convinced of the rightness of their own views to the point that almost any argument to the contrary is simply ignored by them, both men have devoted extensive volunteer time to work with young people at risk. That’s not something I’ve seen others mention doing, and I think it’s extremely laudable. And a piece of what makes this place special – two men, representing opposite extremes of the fractured American social milieu, are each doing something badly needed and which a lot of people decide is “someone else’s job.” Well, they’ve decided they’re the “someone else” whose job it is. Kudos, both of you! I had no idea about that, for **Clothahump** , at least (though I do remember now, vaguely, **lissener** mentioning an LGBT youth center literally _years_ ago). That does kind of edge the old turtle out of the “Complete Tool” column for me. Kudos to you, **Clothahump** , and I mean that sincerely. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678/50 "2008-10-13T18:10:30Z")
> [@BMax](#): > > Barack Obama is a crypto-islamist terrorist and possibly the Antichrist. _ **I KNEW IT!** _ You read it here first, folks! ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678/51 "2008-10-13T19:00:49Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Is there really doubt in anyone’s mind that today’s society is much more crass, impolite and vulgar than it was prior to the cultural revolution that began in the late sixties? It’s nonsense, and only an uneducated fool would believe it. You clearly have no knowledge at all of what society was like before that time. Ignorance isn’t a valid point of view; your opinions on this matter are wholly based in ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678/52 "2008-10-13T19:13:20Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Ignorance isn’t a valid point of view… 😃 If I had a sig line I would ask your permission to use this. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678/53 "2008-10-13T20:18:28Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > It’s nonsense, and only an uneducated fool would believe it. You clearly have no knowledge at all of what society was like before that time. > > Ignorance isn’t a valid point of view; your opinions on this matter are wholly based in ignorance. Too true. People were very polite to you if you were a white male. Not so much if you were black or looked a bit different. I won’t speak for women, but I don’t think wolf whistling is considered proper any more. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/59ef9b/32.png) [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_fight_the_hypothetical)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678/54 "2008-10-13T20:19:41Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Oh, and btw…if you think our finances are fucked up now, wait until BO has been in office for a while and rammed his tax increases up our collective asses. That is why I have said repeatedly that this is the first Presidential election ever where I am voting for someone to keep the other guy out - literally, the lesser of two evils. [Here is a cool site.](http://www.futureme.org/) I’ve just used it to email myself your quote 3 years from now. So you’ve time to think up your excuses. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678/55 "2008-10-13T21:18:17Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Here’s the great thing about **Starving for Attention** : He thinks you care about where he’s going and what he’s doing away from the boards, and will always give you the John Boy “Goodnight Mary Ellen.” > > With that, I’m off to the restroom to urinate. I’ll be back in five minutes. Unless I stop for some coffee. Then it may be more like 10 to 12 minutes. Yep. Glad I’m not the only to notice. Overweening asshole makes sure he gets in his “I have a real life in meatspace” asinine dig in just about every fuckin’ dropping he regales us with – over 6,000 of them and counting. Like anyone gives a flying fuck. As for that little self-loathing righteous prick, **xt** , give him a turd-sundae with a “Made In The USA” label on it, and he’ll not only eat but love it and ask for seconds… ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678/56 "2008-10-13T21:44:41Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Having just watched _Stripes_ again, here’s how the aforementioned SDMB’ers fall into their _Stripes_ roles: > > **Starving for Attention** is Stillman, incompetent and blaming everyone else for his mistakes. > > **xtisme** is Cruiser, who joined the Army to avoid the draft, and who has to have poker explained to him in the midst of playing against someone else, by showing him his cards. > > **Clothahump** is Francis. Nuff said. Can I be Ziskey? ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678/57 "2008-10-13T23:12:59Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Can I be Ziskey? You’re Canadian, right? I think you oughta be Dewey Oxenberger. Besides, I haven’t decided if I’m Russell or John Winger, and I get first dibs. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678/58 "2008-10-13T23:20:04Z")
C’n I have the Aunt Jemima treatment? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678/59 "2008-10-13T23:24:25Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > It’s nonsense, and only an uneducated fool would believe it. You clearly have no knowledge at all of what society was like before that time. Actually, he does have a certain type of knowledge, and it forms the core of his worldview. He has his own experience to go by. For **Starving Artist** , history is not comprised of large, complicated, multi-faceted forces and events; it is, rather, reducible to his own experiences, and to his own interpretation of those experiences. Argue with him about racism, about crime, and social and cultural mores, about anything you like, and the foundation of his argument is always rooted in nothing more than personal experience, with no consideration of statistics, or historical research, or even of logical debate. It is a rigorously and explicitly subjective worldview, rooted in anti-intellectualism and wilful ignorance. It doesn’t help that his ignorance is filtered through an ultra-conservative political stance, as well as a good measure of conspiracy theory ideology. To **SA** ’s credit, he has, at times, been very open and honest about his narrow-mindedness. He has stated on numerous occasions that arguments based on research and evidence and historical analysis are less important and less relevant to him than arguments rooted in personal experience. He is the living epitome of the belief that the plural of anecdote is data. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678/60 "2008-10-13T23:37:08Z")
> [@Rubystreak](#): > > I don’t know… saying that, because of the Democrats, women cannot be fashionable, classy, and sophisticated anymore is… it’s crazy. Well duh-I think it all started with that one woman, what’s her name-Jackie O? Yeah, her. 😉 > [@Gyrate](#): > > OTOH I’m not sure whether a VPOTUS ever previously told a Senator to go f\*\*k himself on the Senate floor before, so perhaps courtesy and restraint _has_ declined somewhat of late… [Oh, I don’t know about THAT…](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Sumner#Antebellum_career_and_attack_by_Preston_Brooks) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-artist-totally-insane-or-just-almost/467678.md?page=4)