Less obscenity please November 1, 2001 11:57 AM Subscribe
The America's Terrorist Training Camp thread prompts me to suggest that the obscenity filter be turned up on Mefi and be more of a basis for being "evicted." Obscenity is an excellent predictor of uncivilized, vapid, ad hominem debate. Not a ban on it, just less. Please.
What obscenity filter?
or
But then what would we do with poor Skot?
... seriously, I don't think allowing or disallowing any particular language will change the tone of conversation. It's just as easy to be uncivilized and vapid while tossing around ad hominems without it.
posted by daveadams at 12:01 PM on November 1, 2001
or
But then what would we do with poor Skot?
... seriously, I don't think allowing or disallowing any particular language will change the tone of conversation. It's just as easy to be uncivilized and vapid while tossing around ad hominems without it.
posted by daveadams at 12:01 PM on November 1, 2001
... seriously, I don't think allowing or disallowing any particular language will change the tone of conversation. It's just as easy to be uncivilized and vapid while tossing around ad hominems without it.
prove it.
posted by ParisParamus at 12:07 PM on November 1, 2001
prove it.
posted by ParisParamus at 12:07 PM on November 1, 2001
prove it.
Is it fair to assume that you have proof of your claim, Paris? Would you be so gracious as to post it? Because from here, your post seems overly aggressive, vapid, and uncivilized.
Which is not to say I don't agree with the point of your original posting to some extent, just that dave's estimation of the situation at this point seems every bit as valid.
posted by J. R. Hughto at 12:37 PM on November 1, 2001
Is it fair to assume that you have proof of your claim, Paris? Would you be so gracious as to post it? Because from here, your post seems overly aggressive, vapid, and uncivilized.
Which is not to say I don't agree with the point of your original posting to some extent, just that dave's estimation of the situation at this point seems every bit as valid.
posted by J. R. Hughto at 12:37 PM on November 1, 2001
It's a language thing, IMO. The word "kids" only comes out right and non-offensive if said by an American. For the English, even though Tony Blair has started using it, it still basically means(*checks that Kafkaesque is not around*)baby goats. It's a big mistake to try to sound American when you're addressing Americans. And don't I know ir, too... :-)
It was a very lazily scripted, toss-the-dogs-a-bone sort of post and the thread is rattling on just fine, because it is an interesting link.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 12:42 PM on November 1, 2001
It was a very lazily scripted, toss-the-dogs-a-bone sort of post and the thread is rattling on just fine, because it is an interesting link.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 12:42 PM on November 1, 2001
It - I also know ir, but this is neither the time nor the place.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 12:43 PM on November 1, 2001
posted by MiguelCardoso at 12:43 PM on November 1, 2001
ParisParamus, what reeking and maggot-infested hole in the ground did you just crawl out of, and why haven't you gone back there where you belong? No one asked you for your pathetic little opinion, and do you know why? It's because you're stupid. STUPID! People like you are exactly what's wrong with this country, not to mention with MetaFilter. Someone should've taken yer mama and had her snipped before she bred.
Also: Hitler Hitler Hitler!
... now, I didn't mean a single word of that, and I hope we're still friends, but... you were saying?
If you're objecting to people being rude to one another, I entirely agree that there's too much of that here lately. But there is no such thing as a word that is inherently bad. It's entirely possible to be an asshole using G-rated language... and entirely possible to use R-rated language to make a G-rated (and entirely non-hostile) point.
posted by Sapphireblue at 12:44 PM on November 1, 2001
Also: Hitler Hitler Hitler!
... now, I didn't mean a single word of that, and I hope we're still friends, but... you were saying?
If you're objecting to people being rude to one another, I entirely agree that there's too much of that here lately. But there is no such thing as a word that is inherently bad. It's entirely possible to be an asshole using G-rated language... and entirely possible to use R-rated language to make a G-rated (and entirely non-hostile) point.
posted by Sapphireblue at 12:44 PM on November 1, 2001
Eep. Well, I'm glad I didnt use my original phrasing of "who peed in his Fruit Loops?" I just read even further down.
I still don't understand the need some people have to go into every single post, and then editorialize the link if they don't like it, doubleposts and inappropriate use notwithstanding.
I don't care for politics, and so generally avoid those threads. Simple.
"Now. Sit down, have a Coke, n' shut the fuck up."
--Bill Cosby(I think)
JR: I think you're talking to Dave not Paris, right? I found the statement pretty much self-explanatory. You can be polite and use flowery language, and still have crap coming out of your mouth. What is it you want proven?
posted by Su at 12:44 PM on November 1, 2001
I still don't understand the need some people have to go into every single post, and then editorialize the link if they don't like it, doubleposts and inappropriate use notwithstanding.
I don't care for politics, and so generally avoid those threads. Simple.
"Now. Sit down, have a Coke, n' shut the fuck up."
--Bill Cosby(I think)
JR: I think you're talking to Dave not Paris, right? I found the statement pretty much self-explanatory. You can be polite and use flowery language, and still have crap coming out of your mouth. What is it you want proven?
posted by Su at 12:44 PM on November 1, 2001
What is it you want proven?
I was poorly requesting that Paris "prove" his own point as he had so briskly asked dave to. I see no proof either way on this issue - as Sapphireblue "proves". Basically, if dave has to sift around looking for evidence to support his gut reaction, so too should Paris.
posted by J. R. Hughto at 12:51 PM on November 1, 2001
I was poorly requesting that Paris "prove" his own point as he had so briskly asked dave to. I see no proof either way on this issue - as Sapphireblue "proves". Basically, if dave has to sift around looking for evidence to support his gut reaction, so too should Paris.
posted by J. R. Hughto at 12:51 PM on November 1, 2001
You can be polite and use flowery language, and still have crap coming out of your mouth.
Yes, but you miss my point. Which was not that obscenity is the problem, but that it tracks it closely. And you have to start somewhere.
posted by ParisParamus at 12:53 PM on November 1, 2001
Yes, but you miss my point. Which was not that obscenity is the problem, but that it tracks it closely. And you have to start somewhere.
posted by ParisParamus at 12:53 PM on November 1, 2001
Here's an amusing BritSpeak game for those who think Americans speak English or vice-versa.
And here, k... er, people, after much research, is the thread we're talking about.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 12:54 PM on November 1, 2001
And here, k... er, people, after much research, is the thread we're talking about.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 12:54 PM on November 1, 2001
it tracks it closely
Does it, though? I remain unconvinced.
posted by redfoxtail at 12:57 PM on November 1, 2001
Does it, though? I remain unconvinced.
posted by redfoxtail at 12:57 PM on November 1, 2001
Full quote:
"rikabel:
Don't call me a fucking kid.
You condescending asshole.
I would have loved to enter a debate on this topic, but the original post was so off-putting in its wording that I could only muster the above heartfelt sentiment.
posted by dfowler at 6:54 AM PST on November 1 "
ParisParamus: I just knew a day would come when I would disagree with you! It certainly makes a change. ;-) But obscenity, at least in this case, does not correlate with vapidity as dfowler's P.S. is both cogent and honest. OK, you big lug?
posted by MiguelCardoso at 1:14 PM on November 1, 2001
"rikabel:
Don't call me a fucking kid.
You condescending asshole.
I would have loved to enter a debate on this topic, but the original post was so off-putting in its wording that I could only muster the above heartfelt sentiment.
posted by dfowler at 6:54 AM PST on November 1 "
ParisParamus: I just knew a day would come when I would disagree with you! It certainly makes a change. ;-) But obscenity, at least in this case, does not correlate with vapidity as dfowler's P.S. is both cogent and honest. OK, you big lug?
posted by MiguelCardoso at 1:14 PM on November 1, 2001
What are you asking for, Paris?
Are you asking for a technological solution? There are dozens of situations -- direct quotes being the most obvious -- in which one might wish to use an obscenity when not making a personal attack.
Are you asking for a crackdown from Matt? Matt doesn't seem to mind the Seven Dirty Words per se. What if Matt thinks throwing around racial invective (such as the term "towelhead", spotted in a thread today) is worse than calling someone an "asshole"*?
Are you asking for people to try to watch themselves and try to avoid saying anything you find offensive? That's not going to happen, if for no other reason than the fact that Skot's head would explode, possibly showering Skot brains all over Delfuego's apartment.
Are you asking for MeFi to try to be more polite in general and to treat other MeFites with the respect that they deserve? That seems to be a laudible request, and the nastiness dial certainly seems to have been turned up a notch in the last few months.
* In Hincandenza's totally over-the-top attack on Aaron, previously MetaTalked, the explitive was possibly the least hurtful thing he said.
posted by snarkout at 1:20 PM on November 1, 2001
Are you asking for a technological solution? There are dozens of situations -- direct quotes being the most obvious -- in which one might wish to use an obscenity when not making a personal attack.
Are you asking for a crackdown from Matt? Matt doesn't seem to mind the Seven Dirty Words per se. What if Matt thinks throwing around racial invective (such as the term "towelhead", spotted in a thread today) is worse than calling someone an "asshole"*?
Are you asking for people to try to watch themselves and try to avoid saying anything you find offensive? That's not going to happen, if for no other reason than the fact that Skot's head would explode, possibly showering Skot brains all over Delfuego's apartment.
Are you asking for MeFi to try to be more polite in general and to treat other MeFites with the respect that they deserve? That seems to be a laudible request, and the nastiness dial certainly seems to have been turned up a notch in the last few months.
* In Hincandenza's totally over-the-top attack on Aaron, previously MetaTalked, the explitive was possibly the least hurtful thing he said.
posted by snarkout at 1:20 PM on November 1, 2001
I'm always shocked at how little profanity there is on metafilter, considering it's so public, and so populated. I don't think profanity is a problem, "uncivilized, vapid, ad hominem debate" is. You scot. (See, Rebecca, I'm getting better!)
Miguel: Great game.
posted by Doug at 1:21 PM on November 1, 2001
Miguel: Great game.
posted by Doug at 1:21 PM on November 1, 2001
It's not fucking right to swear so fucking much you fucking cocksuckers! I really fucking don't ever want to hear that shit coming out of your fucking mouth again.
posted by fuq at 1:23 PM on November 1, 2001
posted by fuq at 1:23 PM on November 1, 2001
As the recipient of some hostile words in the past, including in the thread in question, one thing I know helps is when others chime in against it. Shame is the best weapon to use - it usually shuts 'em up and sends 'em running.
posted by mapalm at 1:27 PM on November 1, 2001
posted by mapalm at 1:27 PM on November 1, 2001
"Now. Sit down, have a Coke, n' shut the fuck up."
--Bill Cosby(I think)
Nope. It's from Eddie Murphy "Raw" (I'm pretty sure.)
Eddie is bitching about how Bill Cosby is chastising him for using foul language and Eddie goes to Richard Pryor for advice and Rich says:
"Do people like what you do? Do you get paid for what you do? Then tell Bill I said, "Have a Coke and shut the fuck up!"
This may not be the text verbatim, just what I remember. Man, why did I feel the need to correct you on this? Something must be wrong with me...
posted by ColdChef at 1:28 PM on November 1, 2001
--Bill Cosby(I think)
Nope. It's from Eddie Murphy "Raw" (I'm pretty sure.)
Eddie is bitching about how Bill Cosby is chastising him for using foul language and Eddie goes to Richard Pryor for advice and Rich says:
"Do people like what you do? Do you get paid for what you do? Then tell Bill I said, "Have a Coke and shut the fuck up!"
This may not be the text verbatim, just what I remember. Man, why did I feel the need to correct you on this? Something must be wrong with me...
posted by ColdChef at 1:28 PM on November 1, 2001
Miguel: Hi, Hello. Spiffing game. I was cruising through and feeling smug until I hit "Damp Squid".
Damp squid?
The most scathing comment I use is not profane:
"Not someone I would care to know socially."
How British of me.
posted by Catch at 1:30 PM on November 1, 2001
Damp squid?
The most scathing comment I use is not profane:
"Not someone I would care to know socially."
How British of me.
posted by Catch at 1:30 PM on November 1, 2001
So much for civil society : (
posted by ParisParamus at 1:43 PM on November 1, 2001
posted by ParisParamus at 1:43 PM on November 1, 2001
but you miss my point. Which was not that obscenity is the problem, but that it tracks it closely. And you have to start somewhere.
And my point was that restricting the use of profanity in any way will not solve the problem at all.
In an unrestricted forum, you are right that it is more likely that poor arguments and personal attacks will be accompanied by profanity.
BUT, and this is my point, if mathowie implements restrictions on profanity in whatever manner, that will not stop the problem you are worried about, because it's possible to be just as rude, vapid, and personal without it.
posted by daveadams at 1:44 PM on November 1, 2001
And my point was that restricting the use of profanity in any way will not solve the problem at all.
In an unrestricted forum, you are right that it is more likely that poor arguments and personal attacks will be accompanied by profanity.
BUT, and this is my point, if mathowie implements restrictions on profanity in whatever manner, that will not stop the problem you are worried about, because it's possible to be just as rude, vapid, and personal without it.
posted by daveadams at 1:44 PM on November 1, 2001
So much for civil society
C'mon! Make an argument! Please? If you are in favor of intellectual discourse, you cannot say things like "prove it." and "So much for civil society" and think you're taking the high road.
Either say you misjudged, or tell us your ideas. You can't have it both ways.
posted by J. R. Hughto at 1:50 PM on November 1, 2001
C'mon! Make an argument! Please? If you are in favor of intellectual discourse, you cannot say things like "prove it." and "So much for civil society" and think you're taking the high road.
Either say you misjudged, or tell us your ideas. You can't have it both ways.
posted by J. R. Hughto at 1:50 PM on November 1, 2001
Obscenity is an excellent predictor ... not a ban on it, just less.
FWIW I didn't interpret that as a request for a technological change or primness. But ugly invective is worse than flowery.
Fuckers ...
posted by walrus at 2:04 PM on November 1, 2001
FWIW I didn't interpret that as a request for a technological change or primness. But ugly invective is worse than flowery.
Fuckers ...
posted by walrus at 2:04 PM on November 1, 2001
Every fucking other fucking word fucking is fucking fucking.
And Bill Cosby never said "fuck" in his whole life.
posted by jpoulos at 2:06 PM on November 1, 2001
And Bill Cosby never said "fuck" in his whole life.
posted by jpoulos at 2:06 PM on November 1, 2001
walrus, I think most of us are reacting to this part of Paris's post:
I agree that it's best to avoid profanity when possible. Perhaps the manner in which Paris phrased his request is what's upsetting so many people.
posted by daveadams at 2:07 PM on November 1, 2001
prompts me to suggest that the obscenity filter be turned up on Mefi and be more of a basis for being "evicted."Sounds like technological change or active policing by mathowie.
I agree that it's best to avoid profanity when possible. Perhaps the manner in which Paris phrased his request is what's upsetting so many people.
posted by daveadams at 2:07 PM on November 1, 2001
Any ideas to fix it, Paris, perhaps, rather than observations that do not lead to conclusions? So far, in this thread, you have told us of the problem -- we debated what it really was, you subsequently didn't clarify, we debated solutions, you dismissed them.
Offer some information of your own -- we are all interested in making MeFi a cool place to be, but if you've got a problem with it you need to come right out and say it, instead of this elitist, "the masses couldn't understand the vaunted principles behind my 'funtabulous' ideas" attitude...
Hey, my first ad homonim attack, and no profanity!
posted by j.edwards at 2:10 PM on November 1, 2001
Offer some information of your own -- we are all interested in making MeFi a cool place to be, but if you've got a problem with it you need to come right out and say it, instead of this elitist, "the masses couldn't understand the vaunted principles behind my 'funtabulous' ideas" attitude...
Hey, my first ad homonim attack, and no profanity!
posted by j.edwards at 2:10 PM on November 1, 2001
Parisparamus: "anything obvious, and that could be used to catch people who loose something of mine, into a raising of an elongated attack upon principles is..."
posted by clavdivs at 2:47 PM on November 1, 2001
posted by clavdivs at 2:47 PM on November 1, 2001
Wow, I meant scrot, not scot. Sorry Skot. Or Scot.
Paris, you really gotta back up what you're saying, man. This thread seems perfectly civil to me, and it's kind of offensive that you see our view on profanity to be a lack of civility in your eyes.
We're all, for the most part, adults here. What's a few invectives between friends?
posted by Doug at 2:53 PM on November 1, 2001
Paris, you really gotta back up what you're saying, man. This thread seems perfectly civil to me, and it's kind of offensive that you see our view on profanity to be a lack of civility in your eyes.
We're all, for the most part, adults here. What's a few invectives between friends?
posted by Doug at 2:53 PM on November 1, 2001
a few invectives, ok. Lots, decline of civilization.
Sorry if I'm depressed, but I live within several miles of the WTC, and spent yesterday in an office four blocks away.
posted by ParisParamus at 3:18 PM on November 1, 2001
Sorry if I'm depressed, but I live within several miles of the WTC, and spent yesterday in an office four blocks away.
posted by ParisParamus at 3:18 PM on November 1, 2001
Yeah, the foul language I don't mind at all. In fact, I swear all the time. It's when people *attack* other people that's so fucked up.
(I just had to get a "fuck" into this thread.)
posted by mapalm at 3:27 PM on November 1, 2001
(I just had to get a "fuck" into this thread.)
posted by mapalm at 3:27 PM on November 1, 2001
So much for civil society : (
You are the ParisParamus who recently called a whole thread-full of people "pacifist assholes," correct?
Sorry if I'm depressed, but I live within several miles of the WTC, and spent yesterday in an office four blocks away.
You know what? I'm tired of this excuse. Lots of other people are in your position, and still manage to be civil.
posted by rodii at 3:54 PM on November 1, 2001
You are the ParisParamus who recently called a whole thread-full of people "pacifist assholes," correct?
Sorry if I'm depressed, but I live within several miles of the WTC, and spent yesterday in an office four blocks away.
You know what? I'm tired of this excuse. Lots of other people are in your position, and still manage to be civil.
posted by rodii at 3:54 PM on November 1, 2001
Squid ... damp squid? Surely it's damp squib. Correct me if I'm wrong but most squid are - by their very nature - damp. This particular adjective would appear superfluous for the average squid going about his or her daily business.
posted by dlewis at 4:21 PM on November 1, 2001
posted by dlewis at 4:21 PM on November 1, 2001
It - I also know ir, but this is neither the time nor the place.
Tease.
posted by rushmc at 5:26 PM on November 1, 2001
Tease.
posted by rushmc at 5:26 PM on November 1, 2001
This is like Dennis Miller Live for MeFi.
FUCK!
Damn that felt good.
Cold Chef: You nailed it, except it's "Have a Coke and a smile and shut the fuck up!"
Oh, and Paris: you seemed to have cleaned up the obscenity problem quite nicely. Excellent work. Keep up the good posts, ya fuck, ya.
posted by David Dark at 5:42 PM on November 1, 2001
FUCK!
Damn that felt good.
Cold Chef: You nailed it, except it's "Have a Coke and a smile and shut the fuck up!"
Oh, and Paris: you seemed to have cleaned up the obscenity problem quite nicely. Excellent work. Keep up the good posts, ya fuck, ya.
posted by David Dark at 5:42 PM on November 1, 2001
I thought 'squib' was more likely too. However, I did have fun doing the Google search
Damp squab, now that is disappointing.
posted by Catch at 7:24 PM on November 1, 2001
Damp squab, now that is disappointing.
posted by Catch at 7:24 PM on November 1, 2001
I'm not going to have to take this thread to Metatalk, am I?
posted by daveadams at 7:42 PM on November 1, 2001
posted by daveadams at 7:42 PM on November 1, 2001
You are the ParisParamus who recently called a whole thread-full of people "pacifist assholes," correct?
Tout a fait. Which represents 0.1% of the words I have submitted to Mefi.
posted by ParisParamus at 10:20 PM on November 1, 2001
Tout a fait. Which represents 0.1% of the words I have submitted to Mefi.
posted by ParisParamus at 10:20 PM on November 1, 2001
I think your point has some validity, Paris. But I, too, am confused about your solution. And dubious as to the efficacy of any solution.
posted by rushmc at 10:52 PM on November 1, 2001
posted by rushmc at 10:52 PM on November 1, 2001
Tout a fait. Which represents 0.1% of the words I have submitted to Mefi.
But you did say it, nonetheless (as rodii pointed out), and you've also managed to be quite uncivil and vapid many times on MeFi without using any of the seven dirty words, as have many of us. As dave said, the lack of profanity (or presence of it) doesn't necessarily change the tone of the conversation.
posted by lia at 12:23 AM on November 2, 2001
But you did say it, nonetheless (as rodii pointed out), and you've also managed to be quite uncivil and vapid many times on MeFi without using any of the seven dirty words, as have many of us. As dave said, the lack of profanity (or presence of it) doesn't necessarily change the tone of the conversation.
posted by lia at 12:23 AM on November 2, 2001
An apology, of sorts:
Okay, it *was* a "lazily scripted, throw the dogs a bone link", mea culpa, I should have thought more about it and worded it more carefully, and I apologise again for any perceived condescencion...
I came across the article while reading the news at work, thought it was interesting and, yes, pretty inflammatory in places, and I wanted to know what the predominantly American audience would make of such an article, whether it would be dismissed as 'loony-leftism' and enrage readers or whether the topics raised in it would be taken seriously at all...
Maybe I should have vouchsaved my personal opinion on the article in my initial post, I didn't realise this was the protocol. Sorry again for making anyone feel like a dancing bear.
So anyway, when I got round to checking the post an hour or so later to see if it had sparked any debate, well I was a bit surprised by the vituperative nature of some of the posts, to be sure.
Which leads me to the "Brits using Americanisms" argument of MiguelCardoso...well, I use Americanisms, like, all the time, and I think I have a pretty good understanding of American idiom. 90% of what I read on the web is American, most of the decent TV I watch is American, most of the novels I read are American, man, some of my best friends are American. (I'm even married to a Canadian, which is a sort of mad English/American hybrid, no?) The use of 'kids' was, in hindsight, a mistake as it could so easily be misinterpreted as patronising or condescending, but it was meant in an affectionate, I-wanna-be-accepted-as-part-of-the-MeFi-gang sense.
Anyway, I wasn't personally that upset by DFowler's attack, I just figured he had misinterpreted me, or was having a bad day, or someone had just pissed in his coffee, and yes, it *was* a lazily worded post. I've learned my lesson, and I will endeavour to be a bit more thoughtful and less flippant if I ever make a second post to the home page...;)
Believe it or not, I'm really *not* someone who likes to wind people up, I feel physically nauseous at the first sign of confrontation...I just thought it was an interesting post.
At the end of the day, I've learned what 'ad hominem' means, and that must be a good thing, right?
posted by rikabel at 2:50 AM on November 2, 2001
Okay, it *was* a "lazily scripted, throw the dogs a bone link", mea culpa, I should have thought more about it and worded it more carefully, and I apologise again for any perceived condescencion...
I came across the article while reading the news at work, thought it was interesting and, yes, pretty inflammatory in places, and I wanted to know what the predominantly American audience would make of such an article, whether it would be dismissed as 'loony-leftism' and enrage readers or whether the topics raised in it would be taken seriously at all...
Maybe I should have vouchsaved my personal opinion on the article in my initial post, I didn't realise this was the protocol. Sorry again for making anyone feel like a dancing bear.
So anyway, when I got round to checking the post an hour or so later to see if it had sparked any debate, well I was a bit surprised by the vituperative nature of some of the posts, to be sure.
Which leads me to the "Brits using Americanisms" argument of MiguelCardoso...well, I use Americanisms, like, all the time, and I think I have a pretty good understanding of American idiom. 90% of what I read on the web is American, most of the decent TV I watch is American, most of the novels I read are American, man, some of my best friends are American. (I'm even married to a Canadian, which is a sort of mad English/American hybrid, no?) The use of 'kids' was, in hindsight, a mistake as it could so easily be misinterpreted as patronising or condescending, but it was meant in an affectionate, I-wanna-be-accepted-as-part-of-the-MeFi-gang sense.
Anyway, I wasn't personally that upset by DFowler's attack, I just figured he had misinterpreted me, or was having a bad day, or someone had just pissed in his coffee, and yes, it *was* a lazily worded post. I've learned my lesson, and I will endeavour to be a bit more thoughtful and less flippant if I ever make a second post to the home page...;)
Believe it or not, I'm really *not* someone who likes to wind people up, I feel physically nauseous at the first sign of confrontation...I just thought it was an interesting post.
At the end of the day, I've learned what 'ad hominem' means, and that must be a good thing, right?
posted by rikabel at 2:50 AM on November 2, 2001
OK, kid, ya took it like a man! You now deserve to play the hilarious game I just posted on your undoubtedly i(do not forget, rikabel, or lose heart) damn interesting thread. :-)
posted by MiguelCardoso at 3:26 AM on November 2, 2001
posted by MiguelCardoso at 3:26 AM on November 2, 2001
What an odd site, Miguel, that thinks the British say cheerio instead of goodbye and use gaol instead of jail. I think the author got the language from Mrs Miniver or Brief Encounter. And we do use the word kid to mean something other than a baby goat. Recently people have started using kiddies to generally address a group in the UK, so it's not a language thing. I had no problem with rikabel's comment and I was amazed anyone else had.
posted by Summer at 3:49 AM on November 2, 2001
posted by Summer at 3:49 AM on November 2, 2001
So someone gets on my case for foul language and unwarranted ad hominem attacks. Sorry to have come off firing like that, rikabel. I found the tone of your post insulting and responded with an insult. That was not nice, sorry.
What especially frustrated me was that the article was well worth commenting on (because it was so inane, incorrect, and... that would all have been in my reply on MeFi, not here). I just couldn't get over the "kids" bit.
I'm on edge, I'm on edge, I'm on edge. I shouldn't be posting anywhere, anyway. Bad day at the "office," though no excuse for calling a stranger an "asshole."
If I had just left it as "Don't call me a fucking kid," I would've had folks saying, "yeah, Dick, yeah!" Or if I had called rikabel a "prick" or something else, it would have been just fine. But isn't life better when we air "shit" like this out, get people's attention?
MeFi gets better when things like this happen.
That said, ParisParamus is riding a horse so high, us occasional posters might get a spur in the eye. Oh, fearless leader, guide me, tell me what to do and say!
posted by dfowler at 10:28 AM on November 2, 2001
What especially frustrated me was that the article was well worth commenting on (because it was so inane, incorrect, and... that would all have been in my reply on MeFi, not here). I just couldn't get over the "kids" bit.
I'm on edge, I'm on edge, I'm on edge. I shouldn't be posting anywhere, anyway. Bad day at the "office," though no excuse for calling a stranger an "asshole."
If I had just left it as "Don't call me a fucking kid," I would've had folks saying, "yeah, Dick, yeah!" Or if I had called rikabel a "prick" or something else, it would have been just fine. But isn't life better when we air "shit" like this out, get people's attention?
MeFi gets better when things like this happen.
That said, ParisParamus is riding a horse so high, us occasional posters might get a spur in the eye. Oh, fearless leader, guide me, tell me what to do and say!
posted by dfowler at 10:28 AM on November 2, 2001
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posted by walrus at 12:01 PM on November 1, 2001