Take It Easy

About This Message Board
1

I am down in the Pit recently when I come across a thread which originates from a guy who goes by the name of xanakis.

I say to one and all that I neither like nor dislike xanakis. I do not attach any importance to his posts because I am not greatly interested in these items, and furthermore I wish to comment that some of them are most useful in sending me to sleep.

Anyway, it seems that xanakis is going around upsetting quite a few people here and there, what with one thing and another, and when I read this thread, which by the way is called Moderator, or some such, I see why he making a name for himself around these parts.

Naturally, the parties who xanakis is annoying more than somewhat wish to point out the reasons for this annoyance and, in my book, this is by no means wrong.

Well, as I am doing not very much at this time, I count all the parties who are doing the criticising and it comes to about 25, and I do not include moderators and administrators in this total.

I recall one time observing a scuffle which occurs outside a football game, and this scuffle involves a party who throws a missile at a police horse, this missile taking the form of an ice cream, although whether the ice cream is a wafer or a cornet I do not remember.

Now, two or three policemen arrive to put the arm on this guy, and the situation is soon under control, although what happens next but several more officers come on the scene and commence aiming blows at the offender, and they use their batons to do this.

Well, it seems to me that the level of force which is used at this incident does not stack up with what the guy does to attract attention in this matter, and I remember these proceedings for a long time afterwards.

I am just a guy who is around and about on this board, and a relative newcomer at that, so maybe I do not know the rules here. But it seems to me that certain parties weigh in to this guy xanakis and merely repeat what others are saying to him.

So I am wondering here why it becomes necessary for 25 guys and dolls to accomplish a task which requires the attention of maybe 4 or 5.

I hope and trust that I am in the right forum for these remarks, but if anyone wishes to place this post somewhere else then I am not going to argue with this person.

In fact, I do not wish an argument with anyone around here, although I am grateful if I receive an explanation.

2

Because they see a slight difference in their point and the point made before (whether one really exists or not). Because they think the point was not made sufficiently clear yet. Because they like the sound of their own voice. Because they like to get a few kicks in at someone they think richly deserves it.

Because this is a message board, and anyone who wants to can post a message, regardless of whether other posters think their post is redundant or unnecessary.

Ever been to a committee meeting or a public meeting where forty people in a row stand up to say the exact same thing in slightly different terms? Same deal here.

Now if I only knew why I avoid committee meetings and public meetings like the plague for tihis exact reason but actually enjoy hanging around here . . . .

3

Pile-ons aren’t pretty (well, they can be wickedly entertaining sometimes), and they can go overboard, but they do make one very important point crystal clear. You have got to think about what you say here, because there are a Teeming Million intelligent people who will call you on it if you make an ass of yourself. I like that. And if one person or thirty people take to flaming me for being an idiot (I am) or posting drivel (I do), then so be it.

4

Hey, Nostradamus! YOu didn’t used to be Damon Runyun in a previous life, did you? It’s something about your phrases… :slight_smile:

5

??? I am going to have to get used to this new way of things here. When I first posted to the Straight Dope, it was nothing like this. We didn’t have any trouble on the board. I feel a little anxious of how everything looks.

OBTW, this is my practice posts. :slight_smile:

6

[/Damon Runyon]

Ah, that’s better!

I have been re-reading Runyon of late and his use of language fascinates me. I ought not to attempt his style but sometimes I can’t resist. It is very difficult as my humble effort shows.

Apologies to other Runyon readers.

7

Well, sometimes we think there’s some difference between our point and what has been mentioned before. Sometimes we want to clarify something a bit further. Occasionally, we just like to weigh in because we like posting for the sake of it. Or perhaps we like the ganging up when someone deserves being ganged up on.

I mean, it’s a public forum, so any member can post regardless of whether that person’s input is needed, or desired.

You may notice similar behavior at various meetings, or in Congress, where people stand up and seemingly repeat each other’s points ad nauseam.

[is this the sort of thing you’re talking about?]
[sorry Jodi]

8

Well I’ve been a Runyonite for 30 years and no apology is required. I think it’s been nice see a more than passable attempt at his style, the last few days. :smiley: