The Not Happy Thread

Yeah I can visit but every time I go there to see family. I've found, through bitter experience, that the Mediterranean is home to many welcoming people but that most of this is superficial. The only true friend I have is the guy I work with musically who I met via Myspace (over a year ago). He lives back in the UK. My family is also leaving France so I'm going to be here alone (I'm 21 though, so that's not so bad).
All I'm looking for is a place outside of my head that I can call home, cause right now I only feel at home when I'm writing music or writing a story.

Life's not all bad though, I'm just in a rut

 

Merc, I'm sorry that things haven't been going well.

However, this isn't just bitching. It is deeply ironic that a message board for writers would exercise a form of censorship that those same writers would never accept from government. But more than that, it cuts to who and what we are and what we claim to be. I don't blame you for not having this on your radar at the moment, because you have other, more immediate concerns. But if you intend to be a writer, you need to know that there will be those of us who will speak up.

You are also correct that an internet forum is not a democracy. However, that does not absolve those who run them from exercising tolerance and restraint in running them. Again, if a forum for writers won't be tolerant of those writers expressing opinions (in a manner expected by the forum, I might add), then of what use is it?

Good luck in your studies.

 

Remember Merc, it's not just the grades that count when you've attended university. You can pass with average grades, amazing grades; hell, fail with bad grades. But what counts is that you've done the work, had the experience, grown as a person, and learnt a hell of a lot.

No matter what happens, a future employer will see that. You'll never be judged completely on what grades you get on paper. You're still human, and you've still achieved a lot more than you ever give yourself credit for.

I know you were thinking of going on to medicine, which is tough grades-wise. However, if you just keep applying yourself and work hard -for you, not others- I'm sure you can make it. But hey, even if you didn't, it doesn't mean all that work has gone down the drain. All you have to do is give yourself lots of options; you can't fail if there are more, exciting paths to go down. Be optimistic and give yourself a break.

xxx

 

*Sigh*

So my key fob battery died for my car a couple of days ago. So I've been unlocking it the good ol' fashioned way using the key. But now my car alarm keeps going off. So I'm in the process of getting a replacement to see if it helps quiet the situation.

I was leaving the gym the first time it happened. Too funny. I didn't even bother looking back inside. Instead, I just drove off with it blaring like an insane clown car. Ah well, it should make for some interesting conversation the next time I'm there.

 

Well, look at the bright side of things, you should be great at French at the end of it!
And believe me, France is better than Belgium- though, if I have to believe my friend, the pizza sucks.

 

There is also a very good chance that what you see left in the UK Politics isn't what got it closed at all, and that there were some extremely offensive posts in there that got deleted before the thread was closed.

 

Emily, I appreciate you trying be a voice of reason and even can understand your support of the status quo, however, I was online most of the time both those threads were active. They was nothing that warranted closing either thread. The U.S. Politics thread in particular was especially civil.

I find it incredible that a writing site openly practices censorship and the suppression of free speech for no valid reason -- other than they can.

I took some time to review other threads and there are many examples of mods unilaterally closing threads or deleting posts. Objection or dissension is completely forbidden, even in the feedback section where suggestions and feedback are ostensibly encouraged.

In this very thread some posts were deleted including the posts where I suggested perhaps it would be better to delete offensive, inflammatory or derogatory posts rather than closing the entire thread.

You must see the irony in that! They actually took my suggestion and deleted my post. Nothing in there other than questioning their reasoning in calm rational tones.

I had to at least see the humor in that!

In all seriousness, hopefully you and any others that quietly support this censorship in the name of order can see how wrong that is? Take a look at the posts in the US and UK threads. No flames, nothing to warrant closure -- just power to do so and it's done.

In the final analysis this is really not about those particular threads. It's more about what sort of community we want here. An insular closed place where only artificial light reigns, shining harshly into every corner seeking to eliminate all dissent or a place for writers of all manner and opinion come together to share and create without fear of censure or retribution.

Cheers,

 

Eagle,
I have been to many corners of the internet. The most civil, organized, and respected places I visit all have standing bans on political threads. They all end the same way: poop. (I suspect that it has to do with the fact that all politicians are also full of poop).

In the end, this is a private board, there is no first amendment here. If you were in my house, as a guest, and started discussing a topic I was not comfortable with, would you be upset if I asked you to discuss it elsewhere? This is Daniel's house, and the mods are his maids/staff. If you really want to discuss things with a board member, there are political forums that will allow it (or the PM system, or your personal blog and its comment area).

Now get over here and hug me, we are all family here! (Damnit!)

 

I guess that's all I needed was a hug. I feel much better now. Thanks.

Cheers,

 

Not always. I go to a Zelda forum and there is a whole section dedicated to 'Serious Discussion' where Politics are regularly discussed along with moral and ethics all that fun stuff. Its not often that these discussions get out of hand. Both sides argue their points without it going into flamewars. Though sometimes it does happen, but usually there is a mod or two who are usually right in the middle of the discussion and such.

But very rarely does it ever get out of hand.

 

Agreed and more importantly, when it does, the offenders (and their posts) are dealt with, not the entire thread.

Cheers,

 

I don't know what it's like in the States (although I kind of presume it's similar to over here), but in Australia there's a lot of pathways to get into medicine, even if you're only average academically. Don't give up hope, and certainly don't convince yourself that you're deluded for having high aspirations. I want to get into clinical psychology when I finish my psych. degree, however because it involves writing a thesis the year beforehand, I certainly have my doubts as to whether or not the academic board will even consider me, but you know what, does it matter? Just because I doubt myself doesn't mean I'm not going to give it a shot anyway; it doesn't mean that I have no way of achieving what I want to achieve, and that I should just dismiss my dreams because I have a history of mediocre grades. In the end, employers really only care about how well you apply yourself and whether or not you're actually capable of doing your job; for example, a graduate teacher may have a spotless academic record from the most prestigious university in the country, yet fails miserably to control a class because they cannot speak to children. Honestly, what use is a piece of paper when it comes to being able perusing the outside world?

 

Thanks, everyone. I really appreciate your positive thoughts and perspectives; I really, really do. I am feeling a little better and have spent the weekend (and will spend the next three days) studying very hard, reviewing old quizzes and exams and hoping that my efforts will pay off on Wednesday.

 

I've just had a bitter disagreement with a friend of a friend because, so far as I can tell, he wasn't listening to what I was saying.

...that sounds a bit arrogant so I'll elaborate: I was simply saying I consider in modern times, nuclear weapons to be a necessary evil; he started shouting at me, saying I'm a horrible person who 'just wants to see the world burn'.

Not happy.

 

Some people have buttons that must never be pushed. It's one of those moments where you're pretty much sorry you brought it up as soon as the words leave your mouth but by then you feel compelled to defend your position to someone who can't possibly fathom why you said what you did.

His response is just a visceral, emotional response to something he feels very strongly about. Nothing personal so I'd just let it be.

No sense in you both being unhappy. Just be at peace, silently knowing you were right in the first place

Cheers,

 

Never argue with a Jehovah's Witness, a Klansman, a Yankees fan, or any other fanatical True Believer. You'll never be heard over the Voices within.

 

Thats tough Lemex. Try not to let it get you down. Its a pity that people think that disagreeing means disrespect.

 

Thanks EagleOne, Cogito and Donal. Really means a lot to me.

 

7-3 loss to Detroit. DETROIT. And the fact is we HAD A CHANCE TO WIN! Why didn't McCarthy say to run it on 4th and 1?! YOU DON'T PASS ON 4TH AND 1 WITH A BACKUP QB!!!!!!

Flynn was absolutely ridiculous at times. Sometimes he was able to pull through for us, but other times he made horrifying mistakes that cost us the game. If only Rodgers hadn't been knocked out, we would've won. However, even though I'm mad at Flynn, I'm not going to give him more flack than he deserves -- he's an inexperienced QB, and that will naturally add up to mistakes. However, he had some throws and plays that killed us in the end.

As for McCarthy calling for a long pass on 4th and 1, that just shows the absolutely pathetic playcalling. I've never been big on McCarthy, and this makes me think, even more so, that he has to go.

I just really, really hope Rodgers is okay. This would be his 2nd concussion of the year, and with all the NFL has said about them, this terrifies me. I hope he's okay, not only for next week or the rest of the season, but for his entire playing career and life -- recurrent concussions can have long-lasting harm. I hope to God that won't be true in this case. Hoping fervently he gets better.

The only thing that could even out my bad mood or make me happy is a Patriots win against the Bears today. Also, even though it pains me, I hope the Vikings win against the Giants -- we're pretty much neck-and-neck with them, and if they lose, more power to us.

 

At last, it all becomes crystal clear.

 

Actually, Lemex, your point of view is not unreasonable. For a few decades, the world's security hung on the concept of M.A.D. - Mutually Assured Destruction. That is, in a bipolar world, with both opposing superpowers having the power to destroy the other, each deterred the other from using nuclear weapons with the threat of total destruction. That's why the US and USSR established the "hot line" after the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The concept of M.A.D. would hold in a multipolar world (which, I take it, is the essence of your position) except for the concept of rogue actors - rogue states, terrorists, etc. M.A.D. was based on the assumption that there would only ever be rational actors (and stories of nuclear destruction at the time were based either on replacing humans with computers - "Fail Safe" - or on insane people intruding on the decision-making process - "Dr. Strangelove"). The portability of nuclear technology causes that assumption to break down. At the same time, voluntary disarmament by established nations does nothing to affect the rogue threat, and rogue actors are utterly unbound by any such agreements.

For what it's worth, I always consider the fact that my opponent in an argument has an emotional outburst or in some other way tries to silence my opinion, is actually an admission that his argument is inherently weaker than mine. After all, if it wasn't, he'd argue on the merits, not just try to silence me.

 

Quite so Ed.

Having that "humanistic" position of what thinking people regard as a Nuclear deterrent if fine. But then, they must have a workable solution to maintaining an acceptable level of "peace and tranquility" (relative I know), when "The crazies" like N. Kora, Iran and Pakistan decide it's safe to flex their muscles???.

Clue: Being "Nice" and appealing to their better instincts are, Not the answer to a good nights sleep. I'd rather have a bigger Gun!!, using it may be abhorrent but waving it about occasionally seems to maintain the equanimity.

 

Let's not hijack the thread with a debate about nuclear disarmament, please.

 

Good grief.

 

I somehow managed to tear a hole in my foot on the derby floor last night. It's kind of purpley and weird looking. And it hurts.