"Here's an article I know how to link! Discuss!"

[Thumpalumpacus]

Until you offer a response which isn't a total non sequitur, it's just a waste of time.

This whole exchange of opinions has been a waste of time thus far, when you boil it down. I'm interested in what you think forums are for if not for exchanges of opinions, but you seem reticent to offer that.

Bullshit.  I've already stated that forums don't serve one specific purpose to the exclusion of others.  Now you're just into your usual games.

Oh, I just saw that you mentioned that they're also for sharing useless-to-you experiences, or recipes, or what-have-you. I'm sorry I had missed that post.

You've offered your opinion on what forums are for; I stand corrected. We disagree, because even when presenting facts, or stories, or recipes, threads invariably turn to opinions.

If you want to simply post quotes and links, who am I to say that's wrong? I just think that I can get news anywhere; useful opinions, not so much. So you're right, I'm taking my own view too much as truth.

Have a good evening, and I'm sorry if I got you riled.

[Dānu]

This whole exchange of opinions has been a waste of time thus far, when you boil it down. I'm interested in what you think forums are for if not for exchanges of opinions, but you seem reticent to offer that.

Bullshit.  I've already stated that forums don't serve one specific purpose to the exclusion of others.  Now you're just into your usual games.

Oh, I just saw that you mentioned that they're also for sharing useless-to-you experiences, or recipes, or what-have-you. I'm sorry I had missed that post.

You've offered your opinion on what forums are for; I stand corrected.

Again bullshit. Again more games. I said quite clearly that none of these things reign supreme above others. Now you're just lying to try and get on top. And you wonder why I don't like you?

I don't think forums have a specific, inherent purpose. They're a tool, and like any powerful tool can be employed to accomplish any number of ends. Often simultaneously.

[Cypher44]

As far as I see, if you’re gonna link an article, I want your opinion on that article, not just a link, because I’m assuming when you post an article, it’s to discuss your opinions of that article and to allow others to share theirs.

Just a small paragraph explaining your stance on the matter in question will suffice.

[Dom]

There are plenty of forums that 'are supposed to be something". Like very topical forums. In that case, we could only talk about atheism here, like Christian forums tolerate only Christian talk. 

We are, however, just a place to spend some quality time, and what that is, varies from person to person. Some things appeal to most of us, some things appeal to only a few. There is plenty of room for all of it. Every member contributes to the tempo of the forum. You all are the forum. 

You are all welcome to create threads and bring up topics about whatever. And you can post in any way you want, bar breaking the few rules. 

That's what this specific forum is for.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Bullshit.  I've already stated that forums don't serve one specific purpose to the exclusion of others.  Now you're just into your usual games.

Oh, I just saw that you mentioned that they're also for sharing useless-to-you experiences, or recipes, or what-have-you. I'm sorry I had missed that post.

You've offered your opinion on what forums are for; I stand corrected.

Again bullshit.  Again more games.  I said quite clearly that none of these things reign supreme above others.  Now you're just lying to try and get on top.  And you wonder why I don't like you?

I don't think forums have a specific, inherent purpose.  They're a tool, and like any powerful tool can be employed to accomplish any number of ends.  Often simultaneously.

Mmkay. I'm not sure why you cannot accept an apology and admission of error with any grace, but it ain't my horse. Hope your evening is a good'un.

[Vera]

Jesus Christ but aren't we taking ourselves sooooo seriously!

This is just an online place that a bunch of people who kinda knew each other from another online place created so that they can come and have a chinwag about anything under the sun. We're not fighting the good fight or waging a war against the dark forces of religion or republikkunts or the monster under my bed. We're here to talk, and waste some time, and talk some more, hopefully learn something new, or hear something interesting, or just socialise a bit.

Different people find different topics and different types of conversations interesting. Something doesn't appeal to you? Don't go in that specific subforum or ignore a post that doesn't quite measure up to your exalted standards.


In the vast majority of cases I'd post the beginning (or most relevant) part of an article, with a link and the rest of it in spoiler tags, and make my comment. Occasionally, the article is so ludicrous, I just post it (with a hint how I feel in the title) in order to see how others will react. If it's an ongoing conversation and the topic is perfectly clear and I have an article that articulates something relevant in a really good way, yes, I'd post just the article.


Either way, dictating how others post and talk, and express themselves is... quite distasteful.

[Dānu]

Oh, I just saw that you mentioned that they're also for sharing useless-to-you experiences, or recipes, or what-have-you. I'm sorry I had missed that post.

You've offered your opinion on what forums are for; I stand corrected.

Again bullshit.  Again more games.  I said quite clearly that none of these things reign supreme above others.  Now you're just lying to try and get on top.  And you wonder why I don't like you?

I don't think forums have a specific, inherent purpose.  They're a tool, and like any powerful tool can be employed to accomplish any number of ends.  Often simultaneously.

Mmkay. I'm not sure why you cannot accept an apology and admission of error with any grace, but it ain't my horse. Hope your evening is a good'un.

You edited your post after I had already responded. If you meant an apology, then I'm sorry I missed it.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Again bullshit.  Again more games.  I said quite clearly that none of these things reign supreme above others.  Now you're just lying to try and get on top.  And you wonder why I don't like you?

I don't think forums have a specific, inherent purpose.  They're a tool, and like any powerful tool can be employed to accomplish any number of ends.  Often simultaneously.

Mmkay. I'm not sure why you cannot accept an apology and admission of error with any grace, but it ain't my horse. Hope your evening is a good'un.

You edited your post after I had already responded.  If you meant an apology, then I'm sorry I missed it.

The apology was in the portion you quoted.

I'm not interested in harrying you, and it seems like that's how I'm coming across, so I will say this clear, here, with no editing: I'm sorry I missed your post where you laid out your other reasons. My accusation that you hadn't done so was mistaken, a matter of my skipping to a "reply" rather than following the thread more diligently.

I won't say anything more. I can only eat so much sackcloth and ashes.

[Dānu]

Mmkay. I'm not sure why you cannot accept an apology and admission of error with any grace, but it ain't my horse. Hope your evening is a good'un.

You edited your post after I had already responded.  If you meant an apology, then I'm sorry I missed it.

The apology was in the portion you quoted.

I'm not interested in harrying you, and it seems like that's how I'm coming across, so I will say this clear, here, with no editing: I'm sorry I missed your post where you laid out your other reasons. My accusation that you hadn't done so was mistaken, a matter of my skipping to a "reply" rather than following the thread more diligently.

I won't say anything more. I can only eat so much sackcloth and ashes.

I took your apology as such as sarcasm. Sorry if I misunderstood.

[Dom]

Sarcasm is one of the things that cause the most misunderstandings in writing. In person, one can see better what is meant. I have seen more misunderstood sarcasm in forums than I care to think about.

Honest replies can be mistaken for sarcasm, and sarcastic ones as stated opinion.