- Joined
- 10 Jan 08
- Moves
- 22262
@ghost-of-a-duke saidNo, no, their cat was called fluffy the dog was called mcbarkleton the third.
In retrospect, maybe I shouldn't have consumed the snake oil.
My thoughts are with Fluffy. (Your neighbours dog).
@very-rusty saidNot even on the rocks?
Jack Daniels is best drank straight with nothing in it. I know from my old drinking days! 😉 Of course everyone has their own ideas on how it is best drank.
-VR
@mercury saidAdults feeling "part of something" and creating "allegiances" by anonymously thumbing posts down? What a tragic syndrome you seem to be describing.
In-groups and out-groups are common in life and especially on chat room forums. Some people like to feel that they are part of something and this thumbing up and down seems to be a way of anonymously signalling loyalty and reinforcing allegiances.
@mercury saidWouldn't the "feeling part of something" thing and the sense of there being "allegiances" - for people with the kind of mentality you describe - be enhanced by the thumbing down NOT being anonymous?
In-groups and out-groups are common in life and especially on chat room forums. Some people like to feel that they are part of something and this thumbing up and down seems to be a way of anonymously signalling loyalty and reinforcing allegiances.
@mercury saidConspiracy theories are far more common than conspiracies. I think it's most likely people just red thumb when they don't like a post, don't like the poster's recent posts or don't like the poster. I suspect it happens more when red thumbs allow anonymous feedback that gets no counter response. It would probably be different if the name went alongside the thumb like you see on Facebook. Particularly in a relatively small community like this one.
In-groups and out-groups are common in life and especially on chat room forums. Some people like to feel that they are part of something and this thumbing up and down seems to be a way of anonymously signalling loyalty and reinforcing allegiances.
I guess the red thumb gives you a way of doing something that the recipient can do nothing about. People often like to feel they are in control.
@relentless-red saidSo you perceive there to be a lack of courage involved in thumbing posts down anonymously? Is that what you mean? "If the name went alongside the thumb", it would require some degree of courage, is that your point?
I suspect it happens more when red thumbs allow anonymous feedback that gets no counter response. It would probably be different if the name went alongside the thumb like you see on Facebook. Particularly in a relatively small community like this one.
@relentless-red saidWould you imagine that people ~ who thumb posts down for the reason you state above ~ realize how pathetic their rationale sounds? If so, does thumbing posts down [anonymously] amount to a kind of conscious gesture acknowledging one's impotence?
I guess the red thumb gives you a way of doing something that the recipient can do nothing about. People often like to feel they are in control.
@fmf saidAn anthropologist called Gregory Bateson studied communities within institutions. He coined the expression the double bind. It basically referred to a situation constructed by others in which you are damned if you do and damned if you don't.
Would you imagine that people ~ who thumb posts down for the reason you state above ~ realize how pathetic their rationale sounds? If so, does thumbing posts down [anonymously] amount to a kind of conscious gesture acknowledging one's impotence?
The classic example always quoted would be that if you don't let me joke at your expense you get called humourless and paranoid. If you do let me joke at your expense you have to live with being the subject of the jokes.
So if you red thumb anonymously you get called impotent and weak. If you give feedback in a post you get sealioning and name calling. If you do neither you just have to live alongside something you don't like. A triple bind perhaps.
I guess you could argue that this is a community that you can chose to leave, but I notice that a lot of people have been here a long time so probably feel attached and don't want to leave.
I forget who it was who said that if you are in a double bind the best solution is to just make a decision and move on, but I guess people feeling that just chose the anonymity of the red thumb and then move on if they are established members of the community and do not wish to leave.
Personally I think post once and then ignore the counter reaction would be the ideal response but you will have to ignore a lot of dishonest and damning posts about you and various bits of game playing.
@relentless-red saidBut surely you agree that the rationales you described are founded in weakness and impotence?
So if you red thumb anonymously you get called impotent and weak.
- Joined
- 28 Jul 07
- Moves
- 164058
@fmf saidWeakness and impotence are the characteristics of trolls. Those who lack the strength to act positively in the real world so attack people unknown to them behind the safety of their keyboard.
But surely you agree that the rationales you described are founded in weakness and impotence?
Thumbing someone down is a moments thought.