Okay, I admit it: I can become hopelessly addicted to reading all this mundane babble. I’m not sure what makes mundane babble interesting. Perhaps it helps to reach beyond internet personas… Perhaps it’s a good mental break…
I often have trouble walking the line between ‘going with the flow’ and ’ taking things too seriously’. I live a very monkish and ascetic life and internet is what I consider to be a ‘luxury’. As someone who prides herself on trying to spend time doing so-called ‘meaningful’ things (and avoiding addictions), I feel great shame in this public confession. Am I implying that this forum is meaningless? Before you flame me, perhaps there is a way to redeem myself… Honestly, I enjoy reading most of your posts, no matter how seemingly irritating or profound or idiotic. I’m glad you all are out there endlessly putting out your thoughts. I feel a sense of community (does that sound gushy?). I won’t go so far as to say “I love y’all!” but the sentiment is there.
The point (as though I need one here): My ass hurts from sitting here for hours reading your stupid posts! Keep up the good work!
waddling away & leaving you with my babble,
femphil
femphil,
You’re a liar! All of your posts until now except for the one above are in philosophy and yet you’re saying that ‘mundane babble’ is addictive. Very funny!
BeenaJain,
Participation is not absolutely equal to posting; I can not post but still participate in other ways. I mentioned quite clearly that I was addicted to reading, not posting…
sadly, I’ve realized recently that about 95% of my posts here on ILP have been in the Mudane Babble board, and not in any of the actual philosophy boards.
I love philosophy, and I do actively read many of the threads in the philosophy boards, but I tend to keep my posting in them to a minimum.
Why:
I feel I learn better If I listen more & speak less.
and
If I so happen to make a “dumb” comment, I allways seem to get shunned for the following two weeks.
femphil,
You’re right! But it’s a fact of life that when you’re interested in say ‘Mundane Babble’ topics then you’ll like reading those more and hence responding to those as well. However the fact that your responses have been in philosophy means that that’s what you found your interest in, in reading. That’s logic and human psychology, so don’t try to prove me wrong.
As for you hermes the thrice great,
If you have nothing substantial to say to me, I strongly suggest that you keep your mouth shut where responses to my posts are under question because you simply cannot respond to my posts in a gentlemanly manner anymore! No one is forcing you to respond. Get off my face!!!
BMW Guy
This is not the place to come and learn.
The only think you could possibly learn from the smartest poster here would be if he were to say that you ought to spend your learning time in some other place, (i would say books, original, translated texts… but maybe for you what people have written about original texts, commentary)
And for anyone to call YOU dumb…
it’s like the dwarf calling the child short
Beena, the record of posts will show that I have indeed responded in a gentlemanly fashion to your responses. I have only pushed towards a resolution of the hostility you direct towards me after being repeatedly misunderstood by you. Please do not act as if you hold a monopoly on civility. The very fact that you are threatening me with phrases such as “Strongly suggest” and “keep your mouth shut” would in fact seem to show that you are the one who needs to mind their step and would belie the picture you have painted of me as the aggressor.
Well, what to say to you, BeenaJain? Let’s start with what I know:
(“But it’s a fact of life that when you’re interested in say ‘Mundane Babble’ topics then you’ll like reading those more and hence responding to those as well. However the fact that your responses have been in philosophy means that that’s what you found your interest in, in reading. That’s logic and human psychology, so don’t try to prove me wrong.”)
You’ve called me a liar and, might I add, are the first person in my entire life who has done so. ("You’re a liar! ")
You presume to know my psychology after reading what could only be a maximum of 20 short posts from me.
You attempt to discuss logic in a forum aptly named “Mundane Babble.”
You attempt to discuss logic in a post where the original intention was simply to express gratitude to all forum members, including yourself.
What exactly are you trying to prove here? That I like Philosophy more than Mundane Babble, or vice versa? Why does it matter? Why do you take such an interest in me? I’m flattered, really.
All I can say now is the following:
If you disagree with what I write, GREAT. Let’s dialogue in an open and friendly manner.
If you don’t like me or my posts AND can only respond with: name calling, negative/abrupt tones, or emotional violence, then I beg you to please just ignore me. I prefer being ignored rather than be party to sullying the community atmosphere of this forum with such behavior. If you like to engage in such behavior, you can be absolutely certain that I will simply turn away and not respond.
Let me summarize the above in words I know you’ll understand:
“If you have nothing substantial to say to me, I strongly suggest that you keep your mouth shut where responses to my posts are under question … No one is forcing you to respond. Get off my face!!!”
In conclusion: BeenaJain, I leave our relationship in your hands; I surrender the decision to you, meaning I will be fine with whatever manner you wish to approach me with.
Don’t let BennaJain bother you she is actuall a very sophisticated AI from MIT that gets points whenever it “pisses someone off” (their is a subroutine to flag such cases) but loses points upon bannination. So far from being upset, I would simply marvel at the technical acheivement.
you all know I’ve currently been suffering from depression, and this is really one of those rare highlights throughout my day when I can;t stop laughing. thanx!
