Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Thread Morons -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Spots who wrote (63)	5/2/1998 11:39:00 AM
From: Len	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 12810

You make a good point, Spots. It was something I gave much thought to when I had the idea to start the thread. I look at it this way. As I mentioned, we all need to laugh at ourselves. Thusly, we don't place ourselves above anyone else. Recognizing that we all could qualify as entrants to the Thread Morons thread, actually helps keep us from actually behaving that way. It's like how we learned early on, that acting a certain way could get you a knuckle sandwich ( terminology borrowed from our charter member, Myron's generation). Risk aversion is what it is all about. Having said that, I didn't start the thread to just skewer others at will. My thought was that people who are obnoxious, mean, condescending, denigrating, nasty and vile, with no provocation, show themselves for what they are all by themselves, with no help from us. And, rather than getting into a fight right there in a thread, it might be fun to bring the posts here and laugh about them. That's all. No name calling, (other than by virtue of becoming a member of the Thread Morons thread). No heaping on. Just good, clean fun. And remember, it's community standards that dictate what is good (bad) behavior. If I post a link to what I think is moronic behavior, I expect to be called upon it, if the rest think I have erred, or chosen one that doesn't meet the criteria. Perhaps that is kind of a self-checking way to keep us from venturing into the "ridicule" realm, based on just OUR individual opinion of what is moronic. That's what a thread should be, I think. I'm certainly open to others' thoughts on the subject. Len

To: Spots who wrote (63)	5/2/1998 12:10:00 PM
From: Scanner Man	Respond to of 12810

Spots, I'll respond, at least as far as my nominations go. I've read through more than half of the Cashco posts. Here is a company that has no apparent verifiable source of information, yet people are touting the stock. (I'll call them the "cheerleaders.") Some visitors to the thread (I'll call them the "ring") started asking good questions, albeit in a sarcastic tone, and they were attacked as naysayers. The ring did more investigation and research into the company than any of the cheerleaders, yet they were accused of having ulterior motives in wanting the stock to fall. The cheerleaders' idea of research is to call the company's CEO, read the company's press releases and look at the company's web site. And they believe it all, without any independent confirmation. Then they broadcast it as the "truth." Now, I agree that everyone has to be responsible for his/her investments and that you should not invest until you've done your own research. (Please don't use the DD phrase; it's become too hackneyed on all these boards.) But there are people who read these posts that invest based on what they are reading. I think the "ring" performed a valuable service to those on the sidelines. I think the cheerleaders opened themselves up to the ridicule when they refused to accept constructive criticism. And they are the ones writing the things that are being posted here. I couldn't make this stuff up!

To: Spots who wrote (63)	5/2/1998 2:06:00 PM
From: Don Pueblo	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 12810

Hey, Spots, you make a very good point. It has been observed that satire and vitriol are close cousins. While I agree that most people have different standards of what is an acceptable flame as opposed to stepping out over the edge, I also believe that once a person injects poop into the conversation, the playing field can be legally lowered, at least here, where there is no threat of bodily injury. Len had a great idea, and I respect his wishes, as I know you do. Those who choose to nominate moron candidates can do so, but with no immunity. Len is the person that started the thread, so we can let him make the rules. I believe that to expect that those who are nominated will not venture over here and vent their hostilities is, IMHO, silly. If you build it, they will come. There are a lot of morons on SI, but there are a lot of good people that don't need to be called morons just because they may be ignorant in some particular area of life. After all, assisting the learning process is one of the overall purposes of Silicon Investor. It looks to me like Len wants this thread to be a game. Hopefully, we all will remember whose team we are on, and the umpire will be around to call the balls and strikes. For example, I want extra points for this thread number! BAWK!! :>