am staying - skin is thick

[offroad]

Just to be Mr. Opposite,<br /><br />Am staying for the long haul.&nbsp; Will pop in and read at random.&nbsp; Will treat this virtual world like it is all secondhand opinion, insulated by 1000 miles of distance, and the fact that I can turn off the computer any time.&nbsp; Will not take it personally even if you swear at me online, because its text, and I can look away.<br /><br />Will understand what an INTERNET TROLL is, and how they like to bait and inflame others opinions, and play devils advocate (as an online devil).&nbsp; Will call those trolls out, when needed.&nbsp; Be being smarting and saying STOP BAITING or STOP TROLLING, or might just ignore that person completely.<br /><br />Oh if you are getting too many attacks, well, then go to GMAIL, get a new email address (you can get ten) and sign up as a new user.&nbsp; No one will know you.&nbsp; You can ever pretend to be someone else, like Einstein or Newton, or someone famous.<br /><br />&nbsp;Point is, its the internet folks, and you can turn off any time you want.<br /> &nbsp; <br /><br /><br />

 

[josephusminimus]

Just to be Mr. Opposite,<br /><br />Am staying for the long haul.&nbsp; Will pop in and read at random.&nbsp; Will treat this virtual world like it is all secondhand opinion, insulated by 1000 miles of distance, and the fact that I can turn off the computer any time.&nbsp; Will not take it personally even if you swear at me online, because its text, and I can look away.<br /><br />Will understand what an INTERNET TROLL is, and how they like to bait and inflame others opinions, and play devils advocate (as an online devil).&nbsp; Will call those trolls out, when needed.&nbsp; Be being smarting and saying STOP BAITING or STOP TROLLING, or might just ignore that person completely.<br /><br />Oh if you are getting too many attacks, well, then go to GMAIL, get a new email address (you can get ten) and sign up as a new user.&nbsp; No one will know you.&nbsp; You can ever pretend to be someone else, like Einstein or Newton, or someone famous.<br /><br />&nbsp;Point is, its the internet folks, and you can turn off any time you want.<br />&nbsp; <br />

<br /><br />I'll miss the hippie on the cooking posts.&nbsp; <br /><br />As for being offended by what strangers on the web might say in response to what a person might say, seems to me there's an unhealthy and unrealistic level of personal involvement.&nbsp; Or a concern that doesn't recognize the reality we're each defining ourselves in the minds of others with each post we make, and when the definition refines itself into traits, it's still just electrons making symbols on a screen at the command of strangers.<br /><br />We'd find ourselves in a constant state of high anxiety if we allowed ourselves a similar concern for the opinions of others when we meet them in grocery stores or rooms full of people talking to one another.&nbsp; But there's something seductive about those electrons on the screen.&nbsp; <br /><br />The forum's a good source of information, even when the info comes from people we'd take no pleasure knowing or communicating with where life is flesh and blood.&nbsp; If Joseph Stalin were on here explaining why he trusted Adolph Hitler's promise about the Poland Agreement I'd read and savor it, despite the fact Joe Stalin and I aren't on the same page otherwise.

 

[Ballenxj]

Well said Jack. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> <br />Me? I came here for the knowledge, camaraderie, and possibly make some new friends. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br />-Bruce

 

[Annie W]

well said Bruce.


Post edited due to unnecessary quoting