Hi bambs - I've emerged from my lurk in your defense a few times, and probably earned an "ignore" from folks who are ignorant themselves, I'm sure.
So please take this as the middle-ground perspective in which it is meant. I would sorely miss the data underpinning your posts if you were to be dismissed from SI...
First, I am firmly of the opinion that it would be unjust of SI Bob to punt you from SI without similarly punting four others who will go nameless. However, in all fairness I'd rather all five of you still around & posting.
So this to you, on the level.
There's being right (like CSCO's a better short than a long at $70). Which you have been. And above all else, this I value (crusty and thick skinned as I tend to be).
And then there's being fiesty. A fair review of history will also show that you have been dishing out a meal that was first served up to you. Although in recent history you've been handing out seconds too!
Sure, you called someone a "bubblehead" who failed to recall that they first called you a "thread moron" and attacked your factual postings with inuendo and slander: you could easily convince a jury of your peers. Heck, this stuff even got to me and I wasn't even the target - Monty may remember...
... but, truth be told, while perfectly understandable, the "he did it to me first" defense is thin. By responding to ignorant fools in an ignorant and foolish manner, doesn't that put you in the same boat?
Under such a strategy, best case is you manage to get them kicked off SI with you: the bigots for their bigotry, you for getting sucked into the muck and staying there. Then it would be very boring.
I suggest an alternate strategy, far more productive in the long term. If you refrain from expressing judgement about others and deal facts against opinion, then two things will happen.
First, you will regain the moral high ground, and second, those ignorant people you would otherwise waste energy educating will attract the respect they deserve without any of it sticking to you.
Revenge is a dish best served cold - and the cold light of history will reveal the true "thread morons" more harshly than any words spun from the heat of the moment.
It's already burnt one to a crisp, the others could just as easily fall into similar traps of their own making.
John. |
