Posters - The Essential Ingredients

[Snow]

Two recent conversations with different posters on different topics led me to conclude that there are two different types of posters on the message board

On one side:

There are ignorant posters who know so little and refuse to learn that meaningful discussion is pointless.

There are illogical posters who lack the ability to engage rationally- discussion with them is futile

There are dishonest posters who don't deserve engagement in discussion.

Sooner of later an honest, rational, knowledgeable poster has to simply avoid discussions with such folks because there is no profit to it.

On the other side:

There are posters who are either knowledgeable or who can process knowledge during the discussion, who can reason, who are honest and the with whom meaningful conversation is mutually profitable and enjoyable - regardless or whether or not you both agree.

Certainly there are other types of posters - different personality types - different levels of interest - spiritual or non-spiritual, different motivations for posting - etc. Depending on whether you like or dislike those traits in posters, you may or may not enjoy having a discussion with them.

However, if you choose to have a discussion with someone, the essentials - in both parties - are:

-Knowledge or the ability to process knowledge

-Rationality

-Honesty

Take those traits out of the mix and there's no point in substantive discussion.

[Mahone]

You have been a member since Feb 2003 and it took you until now to come to that conclusion?

There is also another type which kinda slots between the two primary types mentioned. Those who make their posts as emotive as possible in order to cause debate and contention, regardless of their true feelings and beliefs. They get a kick out of seeing the result.

Edited September 20, 2009 by Mahone

[MrsAri]

Labels are for cans.

[annewandering]

So it makes a person wonder what kind of person they are viewed as.

[Mahone]

Everything that was said is not just limited to posters on a message board. That's just people in general. Everywhere you go, you'll get the same thing.

[prisonchaplain]

Labels are for cans.

Some posters are cans? . . .

[MrsAri]

It's utterly impossible to fully understand a person on the internet. It may be likened to going out on a blind date with someone who's wearing a bag over their head. lol

[MrsAri]

Some posters are cans? . . .

Well, they must be... is that why some are always saying "CAN it!"? lol

[Mahone]

It's utterly impossible to fully understand a person on the internet. It may be likened to going out on a blind date with someone who's wearing a bag over their head. lol

Ahh, that reminds me of one of my favourite parts of blackadder:

YouTube - Blackadder II - Lady Farrow

[Elphaba]

It's utterly impossible to fully understand a person on the internet. It may be likened to going out on a blind date with someone who's wearing a bag over their head. lol

You're not all that hard to figure out.

And no, I won't give you a reference. Look it up yourself.

Elphaba

[MrsAri]

You're not all that hard to figure out.

And no, I won't give you a reference. Look it up yourself.

Elphaba

Really? Interesting. I believe I've met you before, too.

[Snow]

You have been a member since Feb 2003 and it took you until now to come to that conclusion?

I'm slow of speech and thought.

There is also another type which kinda slots between the two primary types mentioned. Those who make their posts as emotive as possible in order to cause debate and contention, regardless of their true feelings and beliefs. They get a kick out of seeing the result.

Well there are lots of other kinds but I am thinking of what makes it worthwhile to enter a substantive conversation with someone else.

I don't mind that type that you mention. Posts that stir up emotions are the often the get readership and hence get lots of contribution from others. I much much prefer it to the bland banality of other posters.

[BenRaines]

An interesting thread. I agree and each person should look and see why they are here and what motivates them to be here.

Ben Raines

Edited September 20, 2009 by BenRaines

[MrsAri]

Never wear other people's labels; self-define. :)

An interesting thread. I agree and each person should look and see why they are here and what motivates them to be here.

Ben Raines

That's a very good idea, Ben. I'll go first....I'm here to connect with like-minded LDS. That's it. :)

Edited September 20, 2009 by BenRaines

[rameumptom]

Snow, which group do you fall into? :)

I do believe that the grouping is a little different. People hit a few key categories, rather than fitting them all into two groups.

1. Intelligence/Intelligence-challenged (sometimes on a particular topic, occasionally on all things)

2. Honest/Honesty-challenged

3. Charisma/Charismatically-challenged

4. Open-minded/Dogmatic

I think we could add a few others here, as well. But we each fit into one side or another on each of these categories. And sometimes we can switch sides, depending on the topic.

For example, Snow would probably be: Intelligent, Honest, Charismatically-challenged, and whether he is Open-minded or Dogmatic would depend on the topic.

As for me, I would be: Intelligent, Honest, Charismatically-challenged, and whether I am Open-minded or Dogmatic would depend on the topic.

[talisyn]

Ahh, that reminds me of one of my favourite parts of blackadder:

YouTube - Blackadder II - Lady Farrow

Blackadder rocked.

I don't have anything else to add to this conversation, so continue

[Snow]

Snow, which group do you fall into? :)

I do believe that the grouping is a little different. People hit a few key categories, rather than fitting them all into two groups.

1. Intelligence/Intelligence-challenged (sometimes on a particular topic, occasionally on all things)

2. Honest/Honesty-challenged

3. Charisma/Charismatically-challenged

4. Open-minded/Dogmatic

I think we could add a few others here, as well. But we each fit into one side or another on each of these categories. And sometimes we can switch sides, depending on the topic.

For example, Snow would probably be: Intelligent, Honest, Charismatically-challenged, and whether he is Open-minded or Dogmatic would depend on the topic.

As for me, I would be: Intelligent, Honest, Charismatically-challenged, and whether I am Open-minded or Dogmatic would depend on the topic.

That's an interesting way to put it and a fair assessment of yourself.

If I had to self-define, with my own adjectives, I'd say I'm educable, abrasive by design, honest, stubborn.

As whether or not any of that makes me charismatic or charismatically challenged... for every person or two that it repels, there's one or two that it appeals to.

[Dravin]

I'm slow of speech and thought.

That made me think of Moses 6:31. :)

[lattelady]

Ah yes...the great Apostle Moses...:)

j/k

[Maxel]

HWJP?

(How Would Jesus Post?)

[Elphaba]

I

H

CD

OM/D

Elph

[Moksha]

I think of posters as the ingredients of a stew and there are so many types of ingredients - and that is wonderful. I like carrots, leeks, potatoes, rice, whole corn, little pearl onions, Mexican insanity peppers, ect... When any ingredient is left of the pot - unless it is a truly unruly ingredient - it lessens the stew. Whether fruits, vegetables, meat or nuts, they are all good.

Snow, I hope that tweaks your appetite.

:)

[MrsAri]

I think of posters as the ingredients of a stew and there are so many types of ingredients - and that is wonderful. I like carrots, leeks, potatoes, rice, whole corn, little pearl onions, Mexican insanity peppers, ect... When any ingredient is left of the pot - unless it is a truly unruly ingredient - it lessens the stew. Whether fruits, vegetables, meat or nuts, they are all good.

Snow, I hope that tweaks your appetite.

:)

Don't forget the funny brownies!

[beefche]

I

H

CD

OM/D

Elph

Is this an eye test? Let me grab my glasses....

[Snow]

I think of posters as the ingredients of a stew and there are so many types of ingredients - and that is wonderful. I like carrots, leeks, potatoes, rice, whole corn, little pearl onions, Mexican insanity peppers, ect... When any ingredient is left of the pot - unless it is a truly unruly ingredient - it lessens the stew. Whether fruits, vegetables, meat or nuts, they are all good.

Snow, I hope that tweaks your appetite.

:)

Eh - certainly there are a lot of ingredients to the stew. I like all the ingredients, even the bad tasting or spoiled ones, because they provide more opportunity to stir the pot, but if you are trying to creating a good tasting stew, some ingredients are better left out.