To the readers - my rant for the day

[thekfc]

Let me start by saying that PL is a great community where you can meet and chat with interesting people - new & old as well as a handful of scornful idiots who deserve to be banned from the internet in its entirety.

There have been overblown, melodramatic nonsense & it has ruined a few good threads. Some posters have to learn to relax and take everything in stride – they do not have to get all stressed and angsty. We're all just here to learn, teach, share ideas, to help others along a life's journey & for some - to have a good time. So leave all your haughty drivel at the door.

Some of the stuff that has gone on reminds me of Godwin’s Law. Godwin's Law states that “as an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one”. What that means in real terms is that sooner or later someone involved in an argument will be likened to a Nazi, or displaying Hitler-like tendencies. Please note that if you're the one invoking Godwin's Law and likening someone to a Nazi - you've immediately lost the argument.

By-and-large, the trouble with the internet, and especially forums, is that everyone gets to be anonymous. That essentially gives them free reign to be as snooty and argumentative as they like.

There are people who thinks that their opinion are facts and are better that everyone else but remember one thing; opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one and what comes out of an a**hole – s**t.

To the posters, some people may & do think that your opinion is nothing but crap AND if you are challenge on an “opinion/fact” of yours (as you will be challenged) - be prepared & do back up your statements, "facts" or whatever.

Should you find yourself in a heated debate, stop, take a breather and clear your head before you continue. And if that person is being/acting like a fool, do not continue to argue with the fool - the readers might not know the difference. Remember discussion is an exchange of knowledge; argument an exchange of ignorance.

Sometimes it is better to stay silence as silence is one of the hardest arguments to refute & don't speak unless you can improve on the silence. The difference between a smart man and a wise man is that a smart man knows what to say while a wise man knows whether or not to say it. Swallowing your words will not harm your stomach

With the above being said, PL is a community where we abide to a common set of rules. There are the forum rules to dictate the requirements to lose your rights as a member. But there is another set of rules that while technically allowed, are frowned upon - the rules of courtesy & respect. 

The first step & most important part of being respectful is respecting yourself - if you don't, people won't respect you. There is no respect for others without humility in one's self, show patience and humility - other people may learn something from you.  I am not implying that you becoming a doormat.

Let me stop my rant as people may........................

In closing:
Treat people as you would like to be treated - karma is only a bitch if you are.
Remember courtesy is the mark of a gentleman.

[Micky]

KFC -
 
Very well said.  I am guilty,  sorry.  My only beef is that I just finished a three thousand word post with Hitler as the center piece,  now I have to erase it.
 
Micky

[whitey]

Couldn't agree more, KFC ...

[robert angel]

Eloquent Kfc,
 
Although behavior reflective of being a true gentleman, is the norm for you, along with a dandy sense of humor at appropriate times, your essay is a sobering gem, with wisdom therein that we can all benefit from, I think--Thanks!

[Researcher]

        That's a good rant KFC.If anyone would like to see a good article on the subject check here:

             http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-behave-on-an-internet-forum

       Some of it is pretty much verbatim of KFC's post(hmmm..) and it even includes a neat cartoon video.I think all of us could learn something from it.I especially like the end statement in the video where the narrator says to "grow a thick skin".

      Researcher

[fathertime]

        That's a good rant KFC.If anyone would like to see a good article on the subject check here:

             http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-behave-on-an-internet-forum

       Some of it is pretty much verbatim of KFC's post(hmmm..) and it even includes a neat cartoon video.I think all of us could learn something from it.I especially like the end statement in the video where the narrator says to "grow a thick skin".

      Researcher

Nice research, Researcher!


I disagree with step 14 Gravedigging, I think it is fun to bring threads back to life sometimes, after they have lied dormant for years!


Fathertime! 

[Researcher]

    That's a good point FT especially for a subject like finding a foreign bride.That way you can compare how things have changed over time.

    Lots of articles out there on forum etiquette. Some have good ideas others sound like someone complaining about human nature.

       Researcher

[Bob_S]

Although behavior reflective of being a true gentleman, is the norm for you, along with a dandy sense of humor at appropriate times, your essay is a sobering gem, with wisdom therein that we can all benefit from, I think--Thanks!

Which brings us to Bob's Corollary for the Opinions and A-Holes Maxim:
Opinions are like a sense of humor: everyone thinks they have a good one.

[Researcher]

Which brings us to Bob's Corollary for the Opinions and A-Holes Maxim:
Opinions are like a sense of humor: everyone thinks they have a good one.

       Where does the A-Hole part come in?  hahaha!

          Researcher

[Bob_S]

Where does the A-Hole part come in?  hahaha!

The original maxim is:
Opinions are like A-holes: everyone's got one.

or is it:
Every A-hole has an opinion.

Something like that.
 

[Researcher]

The original maxim is:
Opinions are like A-holes: everyone's got one.

or is it:
Every A-hole has an opinion.

Something like that.
 

        ..... and if you have 2 you have to give one back!!!

        Researcher