An introduction

[wander]

Guys, I'm not a troll.

I mean, yes, I know I've trolled in the past. I know my way of thinking doesn't gel with yours. but it is irrelevant. I'm sincere at the moment, and with a little sincerity anyone can talk to anyone else. I know I'm outside your little circlejerk but come on. I'm no trouble, just looking for a place where I can talk, hear some other perspectives, disagree, agree, criticise, etc.

my name is adam. I'm nearly 23 years old. I've nearly finished a degree in philosophy and linguistics and my academic interests include structuralism, phenomenology, mathematics, logic and psychoanalysis. my other interests include computer science, fashion, and art. I'm a full-time bartender at the moment and I'll be returning to night work when my degree resumes.

I speak English and French.

 

[Arianna]

I don't know you personally, but your rep has gotten to my eyes (ie: I've read stuff.)

If you are here for honest talk, great, and, I welcome you. Please just know we try to keep the drama down to a minimum, all over the board.

Forgive me for putting myself out like this, but I don't know what to think, but also feel like people deserve chances.

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

As you've seen, I've respected your efforts so far, but I have to ask something. Do you normally use terms like circlejerk when trying to gain a welcome among people?

 

[wander]

I use terms whose definitions precisely fit their referents. If I were to use a different term in this case, I would not be expressing myself honestly.

Not here for drama. Not here to be a sycophant/narcissist either.

 

[Dawnbreaker]

You've been trolled, you've been trolled!
and you've probably been told,
don't reply to this guy, he is just getting a rise.
Yes it's true! You reply and that's his cue,
to start trouble on the double while he strokes his manly stubble~

You've been trolled, you've been trolled!
You should probably just fold,
when the only winning move is not to plaaaay~
Yet you keep on trying,
Mindlessly replying,
You've been trolled, you've been trolled!

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

As someone who has studied philosophy and linguistics, you must be aware of the power of words, and I'm sure you are capable of choosing your words with an eye to their effect. So to me your claim that the word 'circlejerk' is just you calling it like you see it smacks of disingenuousness (or trolling, I guess).

In reply to Dawn - funnily enough this is exactly how my ex-husband used to troll people before the term 'troll' was even coined, and I still fall for it. Sucker.

 

[Pixel]

Just dont act like a prick, or try to sound smarter than you actually are, and everyone will get along fine. Its best to just remember, nobody really gives a fuck about anything anyone writes here.

 

[wander]

As someone who has studied philosophy and linguistics, you must be aware of the power of words, and I'm sure you are capable of choosing your words with an eye to their effect.

I do not wish to wear a mask. I shall express myself straightforwardly and honestly. I am not here to disguise my personality as one that makes effort to be courteous. When I am spoken to politely, I shall respond politely; when there is an acrid subtext to a person's post, I shall respond as bluntly as I see fit.

Just dont act like a prick, or try to sound smarter than you actually are, and everyone will get along fine. Its best to just remember, nobody really gives a fuck about anything anyone writes here.

These are not things you need to tell me, but others here would do well to hear your advice.

 

[Cthulhu]

I'm gonna put on my part-time community manager slash admin hat here and indicate that if you're gonna act like a prick, nobody's going to like you whether you're right or not, and you won't fit into the community (whether it's the circlejerk you described or not). Nothing personal, I'm sure you're a decent person and shit IRL and I've sorta-known you for however long it's been, just trying to keep this a sorta-decent community where people don't go looking for trouble or conflict on purpose. Having a strong opinion is fine; having to voice it by putting someone else or someone else's opinion down over it is a dick move.

Also, welcome back,

 

[Mage]

I concur with the Great Old One, you seem alright most of the time. Things have kinda moved on from when being an acerbic cunt was the norm though.

EDIT: Does this mean you're sticking around for a bit?

 

[wander]

I don't even have strong opinions, I just like a debate. and I'm not saying I'm going to cause trouble or be a prick. All I'm saying is this: if there are two ways of saying something, I'll pick the one that fits best regardless of whether it may provoke someone a little.

for instance [picking a name with the utmost specificity]

murdim: wander you're such a trolling piece of shit just go away
wander: you're a dick
murdim: UGH, see everyone? just a troll full of bullshit trying to destroy our precious home with his lies and idiocy.

Obviously at this juncture I could have proceeded thus:

murdim: wander you're such a trolling piece of shit just go away
wander: I'm terribly sorry that you feel as though my post was intended to incite a flame war or other drama and was not intended to contribute something serious to the topic at hand. If you will permit me, I shall rephrase some portions of my post and elaborate on my perhaps too hastily written contribution and hopefully dispel any fears of trolling and defuse any animosity. Last thing we all want is a big fight about something silly like who was the best party member in FFVII [it's cid highwind]. And I understand that you are all of course much better than me at this sort of thing, and I make no presumptions about the importance of my little opinion in this discussion; ultimately we're all just dust in the wind and I don't want anyone to think that I lack the humility to know when I am out of line or entirely wrong. At the same time, if it is not egoistic, I do not want to be misunderstood as I fear I have been on this occasion. I do not mind my reputation being affected by a misunderstanding, but it is the discussion I worry about, for if I am misunderstood then the discussion itself could turn sour and then the thread will have been spoiled due to what is surely my foolish mistake. So, without further ado, basically what I meant is that...
murdim: Well, that's okay this time, but I'll still be making a report and you may receive an infraction for speaking your mind rather than falling in with the way things work here.
__________

All I'm saying is that I'll be doing the former rather than the latter. if that is indeed a problem, if you cannot humour me, then I shall be on my way and cause you all no further harm. I don't think I've been that morose since I returned.

 

[wander]

yes I'll be around, mage. with permission from the locals here.

 

[Dawnbreaker]

*eats popcorn and watches*

 

[Mage]

Last thing we all want is a big fight about something silly like who was the best party member in FFVII [it's cid highwind].

You're dead to me. It's Red XIII.

 

[wander]

Red's okay.

better than vincent, cait sith, yuffie, tifa, barret, aerith.

 

[sheens]

Get outta town.

 

[Arianna]

As you've seen, I've respected your efforts so far, but I have to ask something. Do you normally use terms like circlejerk when trying to gain a welcome among people?

Good eye. I didn't read that carefully.

 

[wander]

Get outta town.

fuck me, you're still around? how the hell are you?

 

[sheens]

I ain't half bad! You?

 

[wander]

Fab mate, just working and finishing my degree. What are you up to these days?

 

[Alex]

This thread is like a terrible reunion of people that routinely vanish off the face of the internet.

Adam, Sheena, hows it going?

 

[sheens]

The best type of reunion? All is well in the land of Sheena. Now managerial staff at the big M. Ruling the place with an iron fist. Life is p. sweet. Cannot complain.

How's tricks Alex?

 

[wander]

hi alex. what are you doing these days?

best kind of reunion. good that you're working hard sheena, i hope you enjoy your job. whatcha doing in your spare time? if you get much spare time. if you're doing 60 hours a week like me, spare time is sleeping and occasionally going out.

 

[sheens]

In my spare time I get drunk and spend time with the SO. : )

My weeks are about 40+ hours. On nights now though so that sucks a bit. But so long as you get some sort of socialisation going down, I guess it's arrrrite.