An exchange that took place in Cyberspace within the hour:
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His avenue for uncovering "the truth"? Thumbing through the pages of the New York Times. I shit you not.
POSTED BY WILL "TAKE NO PRISONERS" HART AT 1:41 PM
2 COMMENTS:
(O)CT(O)PUS said...
Will,
When you disparage a person on your weblog, at least have the decency to provide the link so readers can adjudge for themselves the subject conversation; otherwise all you have accomplished is a gratuitous argumentum ad hominem in a churlish and cowardly manner.
OCTOBER 25, 2013 AT 7:36 PM
Will "take no prisoners" Hart said...
Fuck you.
OCTOBER 25, 2013 AT 7:44 PM
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Classy!
This is eerily reminiscent of Sleeping with The Devil.
ReplyDeleteRN,
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
I have encountered far worse examples of vituperation in Cyberspace than this; but what struck me about this exchange was the compactness – flaming the messenger in a context far removed from the original post, the ambush, the ad hom devaluation, the incivility, the dishonesty – all within a space of two short comments.
No, I have no intention of turning this post into a platform for partisan stereotyping. Dervish, the liberal, is just as intolerant, quick tempered and character-disordered as Will, the Wingnut – and both equally unpleasant in every engagement. Nope, this is not about politics, merely gratuitous head-butting for no reason.
An unfortunate sign of the times methinks.
ReplyDeleteSo many people blog (or troll) simply to have an opportunity to play the Incredible Hulk. I suspect very few web warriors resemble Thorkill the Skullsplitter in real life. This one, as many of them do, seems to have a toybox full of stereotypes that he takes out and abuses. It can be funny as hell to the outside observer, but Wild Will isn't playing for us, it's for the trolls and gnomes and gremlins who read him -- and of course for his pathetic inner child.
ReplyDeleteNot much more to add to this, except perhaps that some folks feel the need to squelch anyone who doesn't agree with them. That and saying "Eff YOU!" is always the lazy way to end a discussion.
ReplyDeleteShaw,
DeleteOne reason why I highlight this - albeit not the worst example ever encountered: Everyday you read accounts of Cyber abuse, Cyber bullying, Cyber stalking, harassment, predatory behaviors, and teen suicides. Will-the-VisiGoth is no child but acts like a bully, and his actions add to the culture of bullying that now pervades Cyberspace.
Another reason why I highlight this: Will-the-VisiGoth acts worse than a troll. You can laugh at a troll because, after they hit-and-run, they usually disappear. When a blogger engages in ambush, it changes the direction of the debate - not on the merits of points raised, but as a consequence of dishonest and abusive behavior.
You can tell a lot about a person whom you never met in person on the basis of how he or she acts in Cyberspace among strangers. A person who ambushes and bullies has a character flaw. I have chosen to call him on this.
Octopus: Dervish, the liberal, is just as intolerant, quick tempered and character-disordered as Will, the Wingnut – and both equally unpleasant in every engagement.
ReplyDeleteNice to know what you really think about me Octo... thanks for sharing. For the record, I read Will's post and didn't agree with it. I really thought you were being unfairly maligned. After that I came here and read your maligning of me. Obviously I disagree with your characterization of me. I have never been disagreeable to you. Perhaps all Octo has accomplished is a gratuitous argumentum ad hominem in a churlish and cowardly manner? Not that I'm making a disagreeable accusation... just something for Octo to think about.
Sorry Dervish,
DeleteYou have treated people in exactly the same way - too much ego investment in your posts and comments such that, after awhile, you turn increasingly defensive, belligerent, and hostile. I can cite numerous examples but don't have time; I have a funeral to prepare for, my mother.
You're talking about Rational Nation? I treated him as he treated me... when he trolled my blog using anonymous IDs and kept insisting my blog was a sh*tbowl and a sewer. And I defend myself against untrue things said about me on the blogs of others (exactly as you did with this post). And, a big ego is the last thing people who actually know me would accuse me of. Sorry to hear about your mother, in any case.
DeleteBTW Dervish,
DeleteThere is an invitation to link your article on voter suppression, third post down.
Dervish,
DeleteThe defensive "but he threw sand at me first" gets silly and childish after awhile. I am sure all of us are guilty of indiscretions in Cyberspace and in our lives, but there comes a time to let go. An honest and healthy "lets put this out in the open" helps clear the air so we can move on.
What I have learned in Cyberspace: All folks are anonymous at first and easy targets; but when you finally get a chance to know them, you discover that they are decent people undeserving of vituperation. I regard RN as a friend and, while I may sometimes but not always disagree with him, there is no way I would want to hurt him. Malevolence has no place in Cyberspace.
Dude,
ReplyDeleteLook, I've been as guilty as anyone of unrestrained attacks in the past and I'm often tempted to do it again. The web is an unrestrained place and there are few consequences to being nasty and face it, a good malediction is a bracing tonic, but a kind word turneth away wrath.
I'm willing to entertain the idea that many people are here for unworthy purposes but
I was once called out on this once by none other than the Cephalopod in question and of course he was right and at least in this place he's done a lot to keep it civil. Not easy in a place full of egoists who want to be heard. I'm learning to be slow on the trigger and that responding to every challenge isn't necessary and that we often agree on almost everything but argue like enemies over minutia.
Please can we tone it down? I find much on your blog to agree with and perhaps it works both ways.
My condolences (O)CT(O)PUS on your loss.
ReplyDelete