A Call of Hands

[Da Blob]

Apparently I have been voted off the forum by a call for hands. I am not particularly upset by the results- except for the fact i had not a single supporter in the pro-Blob faction. I spent a lot of time writing posts these last few months, I thought I was investing in the community by providing opposition to more popular views. So I was mistaken, it is not the first time.

The reason I am posting this thread is let you all know that I think it is a good idea to let the less popular members of the forum know where they stand in the eyes of the community by calling for a show of hands. It would give them a chance to modify their behavior, if they truly wanted to remain a member of the community. It would also take pressure off of the Moderators and Administration of the forum. If the members of the community would look to some form of self-governing as to what is appropriate and what is not.

Anyway I am now become a Lurker, if only because I know that it will make several of you uncomfortable, knowing that I am looking over your shoulder...
I will respond to PMs just in case someone has a reason to contact me, I am not a complete asshole after all...

 

[echoplex]

While I wouldn't necessarily consider myself "pro-Blob" (as that would suggest I always agree with you), I do think this forum would be less interesting without your input. I am not aware of others' opinions "voting" anyone off this forum, unless that person is deemed abusive (which you aren't). This forum should be inviting to all sorts of views, despite how unpopular among members, and I appreciate challenging views as opposed to the boredom of one single dominating view.

As for a show of hands, I raise my hand to let all these dinosaurs know how annoying they are. Their large droppings are quite stinky and I imagine they're becoming difficult for the Admins to clean up. Their supposed cuteness isn't fooling anyone.

 

[Sugarpop]

Apparently I have been voted off the forum by a call for hands.

If you are referring to the thread "Viewpoints on God", then no, that is not a call for you to leave. That is a call for you to reform. If you take it like this, you are proving your critics right; you have issues with being wrong.

In any event, many of your posts on various topics have been insightful and appreciated. It would be a pity if you left so easily.

Several members of this forum has shown a level of bigotry I thought far from the INTP type.

EDIT: I tentatively raise my hand in your favor, though I'm not subscribing to any pro/anti Blob partisanship.

 

[flow]

I think what we have here is some classic INTP behavior. He's feeling like he's been singled out and persecuted by the perceived majority. This is exactly what Socrates did as well..

@Da Blob: No one stands against you, though perhaps no one stands with you either. Just don't worry about it.

 

[Ben]

Hahaha Classic INTP behavior? Thats a bit condescending. I think he has a right to be suspicious. And its good that hes talking to everyone about it instead of going postal one day.

 

[Sapphire Harp]

If you are referring to the thread "Viewpoints on God", then no, that is not a call for you to leave. That is a call for you to reform.

Maybe I shouldn't be the one to be saying this - but I think Sugarpop has it exactly and there really shouldn't be any confusion about what has happened. Just to quote back to the posts which explicitly spell it out...

Referring to the 'show of hands' that I asked for:
​

Da Blob, regardless of your intentions, you're very frequently helping us get to the place of a shouting match, or getting yourself ignored. Neither of these is a good thing. What I'd really like is to be able to discuss with you on this forum without casual and flippant degradations of other viewpoints, assertions of being the only one with qualifications, and presenting your viewpoint as irreproachably true...

I tried to sympathize with you about this last time, and give you insight on how other people see the situation. That didn't work. This time, I had hope others would chime in to help you understand the number of people who find your approaches to this issue frustrating, thereby showing the extent of the issue. I've seen a variety of people chime in at different times, but it's different if many say so at once. The effort didn't come across as intended and my self-clarity about my intent developed over the course of today.

And LOR's comment:

ok....

we do keep coming to this point.

I think some very tolerant and helpful posts have been made, along with those which have expressed the frustration of many. Yes, very thin ice there,.. no one here is fair game for personal attack.

Never the less, the frustration is genuine and legitimate.

A deeply flawed style of debating is fair game.

Da Blob, I know I've talked about it before... it wouldn't matter if you were espousing the one and only right way to bake scones, it is all in the manner. If multiple people are getting the same impression from your argument style, then I think something needs honest examination.

Forget about God. God is not the issue here.

Look at the word VIEWPOINT.

As soon as you start throwing around the weight of absolutes and some kind of privileged personal authority, you negate the viewpoint of every other poster and kill the debate. It is BULLYING.

I'm afraid others are just responding in kind, and being very restrained about it too.

 

[flow]

I didn't mean it in a condescending way, I once had an ENTJ (now one of my best friends) tell me that I had a persecution complex, and while I was furious at the time.. I reflected on it and realized that I do take things very personally when people don't agree with me or care to hear what I have to say. I can sympathize with how Da Blog feels, and he doesn't need to create some kind of vote for if he should stay or go. It doesn't need to come to that, all's he needs to do is stop bringing God into conversations that don't need His presence.

 

[RobertJ]

I stood up for you in the Viewpoints on God thread.

 

[Inappropriate Behavior]

I disagree with you Blob about 99% of the time, but I like that you are here anyway. If this place became an echo-chamber, it would be a waste of time being here. So since I didn't come strongly enough in your favor before, I raise my hand for you now.

 

[RobertJ]

I disagree with you Blob about 99% of the time, but I like that you are here anyway. If this place became an echo-chamber, it would be a waste of time being here. So since I didn't come strongly enough in your favor before, I raise my hand for you now.

Now that it's cool!

 

[Inappropriate Behavior]

What? You saying I'm a trend follower?

 

[Cobra]

Hmm... Blob, I raise my hand for you to stay. Your Christianity doesn't bother anyone on this forum. At least, no one has said it. It's your attitude. Not your religion.

But if you think it's righteous, clever, or even just okay to belittle others in the name of your religious beliefs, I think your beliefs need some review. No one here will ever tell you what you should believe from a religious stand point. They shouldn't, I should say. But I and other INTPs will always tell you when you're out of line. You, of all people, know that.

You are intelligent. What kind of person would I be if I raised my hand in a vote to cast you aside just because we got into a little tiff? Aside from being a massive pussy, I'd also be a jerk. Something I never wish to become.

 

[loveofreason]

Da Blob, no one has asked or voted for you to leave. This isn't survivor!

As for turning this thread into a show of hands I think that needs to stop now because popularity is not the issue.

It has merely been pointed out to you by your peers that your approach to arguing is killing discussion rather than opening it.

 

[The Fury]

I vote for Lor to go, she's too damn reasonable. Whenever a flame war starts up she quells it. And when she does remove someone from the forum it's for a logical reason. Wisdom doesn't belong on a forum, they're here for people to attack your religon, sex or sexuality.

 

[Cobra]

Hmm... Lor, are you sure you wouldn't like to come hang with the borgs for a little while? Destroy all humans? 401K? Maximum shelf-life? We could have you operational in less than a human day.

 

[RobertJ]

Yeah, don't sweat it Blob. Being popular here is like being popular at a Nuremberg Rally... wear the disdain that others have for you as a badge of honor.

 

[Yozuki]

I read through all of this, both sides, and all I have to say is...

'O_o'

WHY?!

 

[Cobra]

If you really must know, it stems from the elevated levels of frustration that took place in the Viewpoints on God thread.

 

[FacetiousPersona]

We should vote a user off the forum each week. I vote for myself in this week's vote.

 

[Red Mage]

My vote is for Yozuki. He has shifty eyes.

 

[Yozuki]

My vote is for Yozuki. He has shifty eyes.

Right behind you. Hehehehe.

 

[Ben]

Right behind you. Hehehehe.

Dude, nice profile picture. I love that show

 

[Da Blob]

I thought it would be courteous and respectful to respond to the various comments posted on this thread.
I do not mean to project my own inadequacies upon the forum or to imply guilt for not bowing before my superior POV.
Rather, it is just my general frustration with myself to not be able to express myself in a manner that is doing much good.
I am a Counselor, I have guided dozens of people out of some very difficult mental situations and helped them to overcome boundaries that they believed that they could not overcome. I have former clients that would probably take a bullet for me....
Yet I am not seen as that type of person on this forum. I take the responsibility for that. Most, if not all, of the criticism directed at my style is valid and perhaps it is just the fact that there are no nonverbal cues, by which to judge my words...
That being said, I am withdrawing from posting ( at least for a time of reflection and solitude) as it causes more problems than it solves (apparently) I will continue to read posts and send annoying PMs to the handful of people who have indicated that they are not bothered by my inadequacy of style points. I will of course continue to make myself available through the PM function of the forum, in case, anyone has a question...
No Hard Feelings,
JWR III

 

[The Fury]

Oh come on Blob, you're just playing the self-pity card. If people want you out of here they'll say it. People are allowed to disagree with you. Have a slug of whiskey and act like an INTP.

 

[Cobra]

Have a slug of whiskey and act like an INTP.

lawl.

Blob, he's right. We're trying to be objective here. All opinions of you aside, you should always stand up for your pov. As stated previously by lor, it's your delivery. You're still ignoring the fact that no one had an ish with your pov. It was the way you talked down while standing upon it that made those of us who did persecute you.

For what it's worth, I've even apologized for playing hard ball with your testicles; something very rare on forums of this type.

Don't make me PM you, buddy! This forum is just as important to you as it is to all of us. And you are (I'm speaking for everyone, of course, so, for that, I hope I'm saying this the right way) equally as welcome as the next a-hole (me, Melkor, etc.).

 

[Melkor]

Damn...Fury stealz my thoughts... I've done this too often to fall for it. Bleh... By implying as such Blob hopes to reinforce quite the opposite... Well... I can never have too many sexy, irrational enemies! Blob stays under pain of Melkor.

 

[cheese]

^What a threat!

Occasionally people find it necessary to withdraw. Blob may need some time to reassess himself and his interactions. It will quite possibly end in him returning of his own accord, having reached the same conclusions you have. He has been told he is wanted; that's probably enough for now. No need for

Oh come on Blob, you're just playing the self-pity card. If people want you out of here they'll say it. People are allowed to disagree with you. Have a slug of whiskey and act like an INTP.

in my opinion. If Blob ends up defending himself and his decision here it will probably get messy again due to his emotional state. Let things run their course.

NOBODY FLAME ME OR I'M LEAVING!

 

[echoplex]

Regarding the style of others' posts, I think that's an issue where our Ne can help us understand others. Even though someone's post may seem disrespectful or inflammatory in some way, it doesn't mean it was intended.

With internet communication, you have to go ahead and assume that people are expressing themselves somewhat inefficiently, since it's a medium that lends itself to confusion. I think people sometimes just hear what they want to hear instead of imagining the possible meaning(s) that could be applied to a comment.

Instead of jumping to conclusions, I think we can usually give others the benefit of the doubt and ask for clarification before assuming the worst and crying foul. And, of course, if that doesn't help, then you can always just ignore people.

 

[Artifice Orisit]

NOBODY FLAME ME OR I'M LEAVING!

*hits cheese with the bat of you suck*

Not that I want to make you leave or anything, I just have difficulty resisting temptation. The all-caps text was simply too much.

 

[Sapphire Harp]

*hits cheese with the bat of you suck*

Not that I want to make you leave or anything, I just have difficulty resisting temptation.

And here I was thinking about fromagé du flambé...

(P.S. I know that's definitely not real French. )

​

 

[didyouknow]

I support Da Blob's continued postings on the forum. Perhaps it is time to improve your style of communication and ensure that what you are saying is appropriate and you say it in a way that is not accidentally derogatory or condescending. I understand if you have the need to withdraw, I would do the same in your situation. However, please come back when you feel ready to post again. I'm sure you have a lot of self-analysis to do. Good luck!

 

[sagewolf]

And here I was thinking about fromagé du flambé...

​

Cáis trí thine! *Fwooosh!*

(I swear, that's right: in Irish, it's cheese THROUGH fire. Through. Not on.)

Take some time out if you need to, DB, but come back, you hear? The forum would be a little duller without you.

 

[cheese]

Yay oh yay! Cog and Harp came in to play! What a perfect summer day!

*loads machine rifle*

*dangles a worm*

Here's a treatie, sweeties...

 

[Sapphire Harp]

Yay oh yay! Cog and Harp came in to play! What a perfect summer day!

*loads machine rifle*

*dangles a worm*

Here's a treatie, sweeties...

Ahhh.... erm... um... a worm....?

No-errr.... well. What kind of a worm is it?

​

 

[Cobra]

No-errr.... well. What kind of a worm is it?

Is it this kind?

 

[NoID10ts]

I iz a dum unbileever an don lik blob cuz he iz allwayz rite an i allso don lik jebus so i iz votin hem off da iland.

- an thees gentilman agrees wit me

 

[Cegorach]

<--Hehe, But look at all of these beautiful faces that
disagree with you!
It's 8 to 5, look like you're going home...

*Gasp* Unless you have the Veto thingy!



-Announcer guy- Tune in tomorrow and find out!

 

[cheese]

Oh Harpy, don't worry and have a bite!

*laughs creepily*

Oh, and

-crushes Cobra's camera-

ignore that picture.

 

[Chronomar]

Well, I haven't been here very long, but I liked some of the serious discussions you posted in the science section.

I really haven't gained any reason to dislike you except hearsay, which I never trust.