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greypanther
Joined: 24 Nov 2010
Posts: 1059 on topic
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 Posted: Thu, 5. Apr 12, 22:29 Post subject: |
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Good post Morkonen, stop it now or I will carry out my threat to you! 
@ RM: No your assumption is an untrue one. You have altered my stuborn, often dogmatic view of politics and the financial world more than any other. I empathize with you too, regarding your tiredness. You like me probably, need to take that sabatical, need to ground yourself.
I will again suggest the BTCV to you, you could gain much.
http://www2.btcv.org.uk/display/volunteer
I selfishly hope you do not take a leave of absence, but hope you do manage to ground and re connect. 
No, you do not ever come accross as arrogant.
*edit* if no sabatical, then perhaps you should consider a change in career. With your abilities I could imagine you walking into another job, easy. Money and a career is NOT worth more than your health and well being!
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Gavrushka
  
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 1678 on topic
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| Posted: Fri, 6. Apr 12, 07:12 Post subject: |
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It went in the main unnoticed, but I stopped posting at the beginning of the year... Before I did, I went back to Registerme's thread "A plea, a pledge" of a year ago...
Off Topic was a place to recharge, to grow from... a little hot tub to soak away the day's aches, both physical and spiritual.
And then it changed.
The discordant feeling drove a lot of people away, some of whom never returned. - I won't say there were instigators, but whatever happened spread... Until Registerme started the plea/pledge thread.
Morkonan seems to be describing a similar event in another forum, whereby opinions polarised and more flippant topics were disregarded in favour of the divisive ones. - Politics, religion and all else besides are part of this world, and part of Off Topic, but they are not what define us... Hell, I don't even know what defines this place, but I like it when it is on song, and lose sleep when it goes off key...
...But it is our place, and our collective actions do make it... SO, I'll stick around and make people cringe with my lame jokes... And accept, with dignity, Greypanther's inability to accept the philosophy behind my chickensuit. I'll always look forward to the depth in RMs posts and the clarity he brings with him, the unexpected and often inappropriate comments from Icky and the delightful exchanges between Usenko and mrbadger. I'll mourn, for eternity, the loss of amtct, and look with suspicion on the Doppleganger that replaced him. - And I'm awed by the more recent arrival of Morkonan - In another place, he provided me with more help than I could ever thank him for...
Right, this seems to be my acceptance speech I am reading out, now what exactly was it I'd won?
But to summarise, at our best we feed off each other and make the daily passage through the real world a little easier, although the opposite is true too. This place only has to implode once, and it will lose a few more names... I really, really don't want that to happen.
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Morkonan
Joined: 25 Sep 2011
Posts: 1383 on topic
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| Posted: Fri, 6. Apr 12, 08:24 Post subject: |
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| Gavrushka wrote: |
| ...Morkonan seems to be describing a similar event in another forum, whereby opinions polarised and more flippant topics were disregarded in favour of the divisive ones.... |
Actually... Not quite.
Instead, what happened is that I noticed something about myself. That sort of thing is always good, but the revelations such an act may bring are not always pleasant.
See, I have a particular world-view I like to promote. Everything should always be good, people should hold to moral principles that embrace the Golden Rule while affording themselves the most freedom to be constructive members of society and conscientious promoters of outstanding values that embrace all that is good and proper, etc, etc, ad nauseum, ponies...
But, of course, I am somewhat of a realist and I do realize that no proper collection of human beings with runny noses is going to be able to live up to my standards. So, I accept some mortal failings and am perfectly content to exist within a world where people are "almost perfect."
I just get a bit irritated when those very same people insist on promoting ideologies, political or not, that do not strive for similar ideals...
In short, what my problem was, and what I think many forum-goers problems are, no matter where they post, is that when one runs up against an immovable object, one will find themselves smashed in the face, which results in pain, if one insists on being an irresistible force.
In all seriousness - It's not a particular condition that developed, but my own recognition of ideas and values that I hold very dear being directly opposed in an environment that I had interpreted to be much more significant than it actually was. For instance, I have seen many comments by members of how significant their interactions are with others on this forum, but in the grand scheme of things, it's not really that big of a deal. As a matter of fact, if we had the old style Beer Houses and Fest Halls of the 18'th century, where men would spend long hours jabbering at each other over all sorts of things, we'd likely spend a hell of a lot less time online, jabbering on forums. But, we don't... That sort of intellectual pursuit isn't considered entertainment, any more. Instead, we get reality TV and teh intrawebz... It's not really a fair exchange.
Oh, to argue with Hume or mince words with The Royal Society in their heyday! What a pleasure it would be to sit across from a splintery table and discuss Locke with Jefferson over a few beers! How much more enriching it would be for us all to laze around a coffee house into the wee-hours, discussing political ideologies and boobs over a few latte's! Alas, such days are gone and these electronic pixels organized into alphabetical symbols that look like words sound are all we have left...
But, I digress. (Doesn't everyone love the opportunity to use that phrase?)
In Plain Speak - It ain't such a big deal and arguin' over teh intrawebz means that you have to realize there's a real person, that you haven't simply constructed in your head, who is on the other end of it and who has many of the same foibles that you do. Idealism doesn't exist, that's why it's called that.
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Gavrushka
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 1678 on topic
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| Posted: Fri, 6. Apr 12, 08:38 Post subject: |
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There are two huge issues that used to cause me much grief here... An opinion dressed as a statute, and veneer posturing with no substance beneath (the dogma disciples)... And sometimes I could feel sucked within an argument and the blows, which should be of no consequence, could really hurt...
I can't even remember who posted it, but it had a marked effect on how I view this place... When we read something that we do not agree with we can, if sufficiently engaged in the subject, experience a 'fight or flight' response and suffer from a tunnel viewing of a subject... Within a few minutes it passes and rationality can be established - BUT, in that few minutes, monstrous amounts of damage can be done.
I don't know what importance I put on O/T, but I think it rates a little higher than for you. - I can take it leave it, but it is a place where I can relax, smile and leave feeling a little better than when I arrived.... usually.
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greypanther
Joined: 24 Nov 2010
Posts: 1059 on topic
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| Posted: Fri, 6. Apr 12, 12:32 Post subject: |
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Mmmmm, interesting as usual.
To me this place ( not a place really though is it? ) is somewhere that I can use to work out my own views and thoughts, on many subjects. I am quite sure that I have upset people in the past, but not intentionally. I am equally sure that others have seriously got to me at times, but it passes.
I guess you are right Morkonan, this forum and others like it, are some sort of digital pub, a place to discuss, even rant, hopefully laugh and have an escape from reality moment.
I havn't been using this forum for as long as you Gavrushka, ( now I wonder if my sort of questioning is part of your problem.  ) but to me even the contentious threads are valuable. I like to question myself, my beliefs and dogma. I like it when I am challenged, there is much to be gained from it.
Thing is, even in those places you would have liked to visit Morkonan, there were often fights and severe arguments. I seem to recal duals happening among the most inteligent in society in centuries past.
I also seem to recal endless bickering among the ' great ' in the past. By post then, but I could well imagine Newton and Leibniz bickering via the interweb, if they could have done, for instance.
Theres nothing new really in this forum. Not that I am comparing myself or others to Newton etc. ( I will leave that boast to others! ) The scale of intelect may be different, the discussions have a much smaller impact; but in their own way are still important.
As for people disapearing, the one that stands out for me is the loss of Beid. He was a good part of this forum I thought and it is somehow less without him. ( Beid was a he? )
See theres part of the problem, the anonymity allowed us here in this forum is both a boon and part of the problem. A help in that it allows us to see anothers thoughts without any sort of pre judgement, it strips away some of differences, predjudices we all hold. A problem in that it dehumanizes in a way; there is a disconnect between people. I mean what is the chance of us ever meeting in real life?
Please excuse the ramble, interesting thoughts raised there for me guys. I need to think on them some more.
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Morkonan
Joined: 25 Sep 2011
Posts: 1383 on topic
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| Posted: Sat, 7. Apr 12, 02:03 Post subject: |
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| Gavrushka wrote: |
| ...I don't know what importance I put on O/T, but I think it rates a little higher than for you. - I can take it leave it, but it is a place where I can relax, smile and leave feeling a little better than when I arrived.... usually. |
I think I may have made a fumble..
I am not trivializing the interactions here in OTE. What I'm really saying is that you may be surprised that if you put similar efforts into posting in other quality forums, you may find rewards that are just as valuable.
The X series of games has a pretty steep learning curve. My experience is only in X3TC, but the IP has a definitely reputation for being difficult to master. That means that its fans, those who are most likely to post here, are generally going to be people that either a) Have a lot of time on their hands or b) Are fairly intelligent or cerebral types. In short, those attracted to OTE are likely going to have a bit of time on their hands or are at least intelligent enough to know how to form complete sentences. (A bonus if they have both qualities...) Games that have similar learning curves or are more focused on creative exploitation of the engine, rather than pushing a button to get cool 'splosions, are likely going to have similar forums with a similar quality of members. That's not universally true, but it is more likely. If you're an avid gamer and enjoy forum interaction, you'll probably come across many forums that have entertaining members in Off Topic sections with something valuable to add to your own experience.
My own rule of thumb is - You get out of your experience exactly what you put into it.
I try to add meaningfully to discussions wherever I am and take care to make the best posts possible, within reason. I also take such interactions very seriously. For instance, you are gifting me with a discussion about the personal impact of this forum. I value that discussion and that gift. Therefore, I will try to respond as best as I can, returning the favor in kind. Because of how I view such exchanges, I can see value in pursuing them in many places and on many different types of forums. One does not, necessarily, have an intrinsic value over the other, at first introspection, because I value them all. 
(But, I do also value long-term relationships and associations online, so I do have certain forums that I hold a bit closer to heart. In that, I can certainly agree with you.)
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Aye Capn
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
Posts: 459 on topic
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Mon, 9. Apr 12, 13:16 Post subject: |
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What I like about the X forums is that X players are diverse in their intellectual pursuits and interests.
There are "twitch gamers" who like the immersion factor in X even if all they do is shoot stuff.
There are "role players" who like telling the story of their pilot in a universe filled with interesting characters.
There are "builders" who like the construction aspect.
There are "strategy gamers" who are like builders but are focused more on fleet doctrine and the pursuit of specific military goals. (Wipe the Khaak out of their home sector, etc.)
There are "casual scripters" who can write scripts when they need to and seriously appreciate a game that lets you geek out on it in a way almost no other game even comes close to even if you don't do it all that much (I fall into this category).
There are "dedicated scripters" writing professional-quality code whose peak achievement is being so good they get hired by Egosoft.
All games have modders, but scripts in X are part of the game -- you don't break immersion with a "Construction Set", you open the script editor while flying through space like you were Sky Captain or something. (Of course if you're writing a "serious" script you won't do it from the cockpit, but it's a good way to start.)
All of you are represented here, and it's neat to have a game that unites gamers from so many different perspectives. (And many of us have at one time or another occupied all of the first four roles, I'm pretty sure ...)
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IcarusJones
Joined: 08 Apr 2006
Posts: 117 on topic
Location: Hard to say...it's dark in here...
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| Posted: Mon, 9. Apr 12, 14:03 Post subject: |
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@gavrushka,
| Quote: |
| ... the unexpected and often inappropriate comments from Icky |
Not sure how to respond to this. It makes me sound like a very bad person. Not happy about this at all.  If exploring unpopular views is frowned upon then what are any of us doing on this OT forum, hmm?
@registerme, I have said it before and it is worth saying again, your posts on economic issues were so well constructed and so educational for me that I now feel less apprehensive when reading about world economies and so on. Sometimes it takes just the right person to lift the veil of ignorance. On the subject of economics, and politics too, you have been that person.
@Morkonan, I don't know where you came from, and I don't particularly care for your style of posting - yet I don't begrudge you this style - but you have certainly enriched some of the more recent posts and have filled the boots of some worthies that no longer grace by their presence.
@AyeCap'n, controversial - always, astute - more often than not. A refreshing relatively recent poster.
@greypanther, you get upset because you care and because largely you are, like most of us I suspect, unable to effect the changes you would like to see. Nothing wrong with that. Don't be so apologetic concerning your views.
Lately the OT does seem to have devolved into quite a select little group of regular posters. Of course that could be just my imagination, but certainly the main players here now really seem to spark each other. A lot of the recent stuff has been way over my head, that's for sure.
On topic (really!) regarding envy... it frustrates me sometimes when I see people with an excess of money and all the opportunities in front of them and they do nothing to enrich either their own lives or those of the people around them. I know it's their own choice, but still, what a waste. I was asked recently the old chestnut of what I would do if I won the lottery (assuming that I ever bought a ticket of course). My reply was simply that it would afford me the time and resources to pursue my interests more fully than is sometimes possible under my current situation. Of course, nobody ever believes that, despite it being true.
Icky
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"To know is to die" - DHL |
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Gavrushka
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 1678 on topic
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| Posted: Mon, 9. Apr 12, 14:08 Post subject: |
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ICKY!!!  I meant your non-PC F'nar f'nar comments... It was a compliment!
_________________
Pedantics is not a valid defence; it's far better to concede the argument with your dignity still intact.
| Gavrushka wrote: |
| Only a narcissist quotes themself! |
DOH! |
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IcarusJones
Joined: 08 Apr 2006
Posts: 117 on topic
Location: Hard to say...it's dark in here...
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| Posted: Mon, 9. Apr 12, 14:30 Post subject: |
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Okay then, I just wasn't sure how I should take it... fnarr, fnarr
Icky
_________________
"To know is to die" - DHL |
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Morkonan
Joined: 25 Sep 2011
Posts: 1383 on topic
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| Posted: Mon, 9. Apr 12, 23:21 Post subject: |
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| IcarusJones wrote: |
| ..@Morkonan, I don't know where you came from, and I don't particularly care for your style of posting - yet I don't begrudge you this style - but you have certainly enriched some of the more recent posts and have filled the boots of some worthies that no longer grace by their presence... |
Thanks! If there is anything I can do to improve, let me know.
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Tsar_of_Cows
Joined: 31 Jan 2004
Posts: 2209 on topic
Location: Off Topic
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| Posted: Mon, 9. Apr 12, 23:28 Post subject: |
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| IcarusJones wrote: |
Lately the OT does seem to have devolved into quite a select little group of regular posters. Of course that could be just my imagination, but certainly the main players here now really seem to spark each other. A lot of the recent stuff has been way over my head, that's for sure.
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I've also noticed this since my return to the forums. It's pretty much the same people in every single thread: You, Mork, Gav, Aye Captain, bruce, greypanther, Usenko, Phil, DrBadger, RM, Adrian, Samuel, felter, red assassin, Antilogic, myself and a few others making a guest appearance from time to time*.
It is at least a pretty diverse group of people with often conflicting opinions.
I've really got to kick my OT habit though, it's getting a bit obsessive
*waiting for the inevitable "You forgot me!" comment.
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