Schools of thought/perspective
 

There are approximately
6,602,224,175

people on this big blue marble.

Figure that a bunch of them are not cognizant enough to recognize anyone, except maybe mom and/or dad.... let's round to six billion.

Each of us has a unique experience in our memories. Each of our brains are unique. The consciousness that makes us special, has 6 billion fingerprints out there. No two are alike.

We were born, we had experiences; we grew, we developed relationships, we were taught by parents, we were taught things in school, we had family traditions that went back as far as anyone could remember. We shared what we knew. We shared how we felt about it.

Most of us can trace our genetic background to some similar place... xoB sent off for the kit that can tell you where your vast ancestors came from. For the most part, we share enough genetics that all humans have the same basic capacity to learn. You may think you come from Europe, or Asia, or Africa, wherever... we all have the basic capacity to learn and be unique human beings.

Over time, the human race has developed many tools which allow it to share information. At first, the trick was to publish the information in some form of writing. This allowed information to survive beyond the tales and biases of one or two generations. This allowed information to be collected.

Since then, the sharing of information has led to the progress of mankind. Each change in how we share information has been the front of huge leaps in progress. The invention of paper. The invention of the printing press. Telegraph. Telephony. Radio. Television.

The INTARWEBS

...which comes to where we are now, in 2007; in a remarkable exercise, we have presented each of the 6 Billion minds on the planet, if they are in reach of an Internet cafe, with equal access to pretty much all the facts we commonly know. OK, not all of them have access. But it's a new level we have come to, a vast and fascinating exercise.

To my great delight, it spreads to the Cellar; a place that started as only accessible to one city, is now accessible to at least the entire English-speaking world.

And yet we find ourselves in deep, deep disagreement. We are, in many circles, as separate as we might ever find ourselves. We develop websites for those who believe as we do, and where we can say the worst possible things about the people who believe other things!

How can this be?

(ed. note. probably part one of x.)

more to come?

.... so i shouldn't say something really rude and innapropriate about you right here then?

*chokes on beer*

Perhaps the impersonal nature of the internet affords one the opportunity to express or vent that disagreement without fear of real life repercussions.

My question, if I may - is Why?

If I don't agree with everything the guy across the street says, why on Earth would anyone expect me to agree with everything someone across the state/country/ocean says?

We've had people leave the Cellar, most we don't even know about, because they were offended by someone (probably me) here. Their loss.

If you ever read youtube comments, you can really get a perspective of how many people talk shit and you know that majority of them can't back what they say up.

A feeling of empowerment is my guess. Everyone on the internet is on equal footing and people get to say what they really think because of a lack of social pressure to say what is "politically or sociology correct" (I mean that in a much wider sense than what it is usually used). It also allows you to say something without a fear of getting into a big fight with someone.

Ahhh, freedom to do whatever one wants without having to listen to ones conscience. No repercussions no laws no penalties or fines... Without any rules or guidelines we are reverting, getting more primitive and caring less. That is not good. Actually, that really sux.

FWIW, thats primarily why I left a few months ago - I didn't like what was happening nor the way I was reacting/posting.

I don't do youtube, except some of what is posted here, nor do I do myspace or facebook or any of that sort - just not interested. So I really cannot relate to your reference firsthand, although I can imagine.

What tends to happen in online communities is they become to a large extent self regulating. I found that to be the case in online gaming communities. There were very strict ideas about what was and was not acceptable behaviour. Then there'd be a bunch of rebels who'd just want annoy everyone, but generally, there would be a more or less accepted rule set.

Well, in my case, wysiwyg. Much to my family's chagrin.

If you look at it, it's really just a matter of motivation.

When I read something I agree with online, I nod my head and grunt assent. on a rare occasion, I'll post in agreement or, more likely to further the point.

But.....post some stupid assed opinion of yours like you have some kind of a clue, and I'll poke you right in the eye with a dirty finger.

makes perfect sense to me.

The average YouTube post can be traced back to the beginning of time where the phrase was coined to degrade a fellow human:

"YOU ARE TEH SUX0RZ!!1"

Now that's a matter of perspective. Some people know that there was time, much time, before "YOU ARE TEH SUX0RZ!!1"

lol fresh:P

I don't post on youtube but I will read the comments every once in a while if I'm bored and need a laugh. It lowers your IQ a good ten notches or so but worth it in a depressing way.

I agree with this. Even though it is online there are still social norms on the closely knit forums (like the cellar) and even more on smaller forums and ones with a low average age (15 or so). It starts to almost become cultish on some of them.

IMHO, UT, the mode of communication really hasn't altered group dynamics. We're still a clan of neanderthals, vying for Alpha status. Instead of physical fighting, we use words. When that doesn't work, either because we don't express information well or the receiver doesn't agree with our position, we take out our verbal clubs and beat each other with them. You'd think there'd be something between agreement and a dirty finger in the eye. Some people in this cafe manage it - but to many of us are Lumberjims, deep down inside, and it doesn't take much for him to rear his ugly head and start poking.:p

The above does not apply to the writer. :cool:

I look at it as an opportunity to touch more lives than I would outside this podunk town. :)

No matter the medium, our real selves shine through: the good and the bad, the surly and the sweet. Maybe the lack of repercussions does have some bearing; I would certainly not debate a coworker about abortion and tell them "when men stop recreational f***ing so will women" but at the same time isn't it wonderful to have a venue where you can say things like that? And I don't know about lack of repercussions anyway. The times I have been called out, *sometimes* :) deservedly so, did not sting any less than if someone had slapped me upside the head.

If anything, I think I have honed some communication skills, and learned a lot more about my reactivity than I would have in the small world in which I live.

Most of the comments I get on YT are positive or at least constructive.

Yeah, you got the pleasure (mostly from earning their respect I am guessing from reading the comments) of having people of a greater maturity age than 14. You did something extremely brave and most people that watched your videos greatly respect you and what you did, and honestly, I don't know how many people are going to call you "emo" either since your appearance can be very intimidating when you look pissed off. You broke a lot of stupid stereotypes with those videos.

Go to a Green Day or any borderline "emo" band video and read, that is usually the funny (in a sad way) ones. Most political topics are pretty funny (in a sad way) as well.

You watching my vids meant a lot to me, thanks.

Funny, I am usually very surprised at how Cellerites respond to my posts. It never ceases to amaze me at how much importance people put on their emotions.

Possibly, That or anyone with differing ideas gets attacked by a couple idiots, ridiculed by others until they leave - leaving mostly a group who all think similarly about most things. I thought the cellar was different - I know it used to be. Now it seems every thread gets reduced to a joke, or lolcatz or a pissing match. I for one am tired of it yet it seems that is what is "wanted" for lack of a better term. I was as much to blame as anyone else, I admit that. Now, I'm just tired of it.

I think that's a little unfair, Yesman. The debate on abortion for instance raged full on, with people very seriously arguing a very serious issue, for a pretty long time. Eventually people get sick of going around the houses and a thread either dies a natural death or dissolves into petty squabbling. But the debate whilst it raged was a good one.

Thats true for that thread - maybe it's me, maybe not - probably is. Maybe I'm just having a shitty day - I said my peace. Perhaps I'm looking for something different or have unrealistic expectations - I dunno - Shawnee even made some good points here that got ignored. I guess thats just the way it is - I certainly have no answers.

I never read youtube comments. I read the news and the cellar.
Am I missing anything in the middle of those two extremes?
Somehow I think not.

Not much of the youtube commentary would fall between the Cellar and the news.

I lurked for quite some time on the cellar, long enough to forget where I originally found it, and I finally joined. I've just joined less than a few weeks ago, but I've already got people that I agree with on many subjects, others that disagree with me on most, and there have been the occasional dick-swingings (of which I've played a bit of a part in :o) but I think this place is much like just about every other forum in it's little hierarchies (although a little more general and less asinine). I know I never expected to be called girls names, and never expected such a wide variety of people, but I don't think anyone's got hurt feelings about anything that's been said, or truly wished any ill will.

That's my n00b two cents.

The Cellar ebbs and flows, ebbs and flows.

Main Entry: Pol·ly·an·na
Pronunciation: "pä-lE-'a-n&
Function: noun
Etymology: Pollyanna, heroine of the novel Pollyanna (1913) by Eleanor Porter died 1920 American fiction writer
: a person characterized by irrepressible optimism and a tendency to find good in everything.

Your point being?

Pollyanna is not a girls name, it's an attitude.

Cassandra


or doomsayer, A prophet of misfortune or disaster.

Ahh, I see, sorry bruce. I hadn't realised that was in response to Queeq:P

school of thought
 

Jean Piaget

Ugh. Such horrible memories.

You see, apparently the correct pronunciation of that name is "pee-AHH-zhey." I had to record a Psychology textbook once, and the voiceactor could not for the freaking life of him get that name right. Not once did he get it on the first take. And there were many, many chapters devoted to the guy.

When I had a kid of my own a couple of the assertions he made went out the window!
He did do a great work. Piaget made a life's work observing and the developmental stages of children and they still apply in my opinion. I don't know if I agree that all persons must go through all stages because 20 years later I am quite sure some folks have skipped a stage or two.

Is this a bad thing? Well I guess yes, if the people on the receiving end take it as they would IRL. But isn't this -like most things- a two way street? If someone on teh interweb calls you a bad name, do you really feel as bad as you would if it were your neighbor shouting out of their window at you?

Maybe it's even a good thing. To be able to say what you feel rather than bite it back and smile that tight "fuck you, you inconsiderate neighbor" half smile.

Catharsis and all that.

I love Mighty Aphrodite:

Cassandra: I see disaster. I see catastrophe. Worse, I see lawyers!
Lenny: You're such a Cassandra
Cassandra: I am not such a Cassandra. I am Cassandra. That's who I am.

Stoics were awesome. But I just can't hack it...so I'm not one.

Oh come on, Cis. Surely, you've read Marcus Aurelius! Great words to live by. He was a realist, as well as a stoic, and the best way to make it through life is to look at your situation with clear eyes, and accept what you can't change. You may as well be stoic in your acceptance, rather than whine about it. (Not that I'm accusing you of whining since I have no idea who you are) ;)

Just because they are great words to live by doesn't make me capable now does it?

You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it a fish.