Why the game?

[Belle0101]

There are definitely some folks around here who post simply to stir the pot. Once they've got everyone else in the thread bickering and name calling, they've done what they set out to accomplish.

Personally, here's what I've noticed the last couple of days. If your thoughts on a controversial matter remotely resemble any professed beliefs of the pot-stirrer, some folks can turn a bit ugly toward you. The entire discussion is then tainted and decorum flies out the window. At that point, it's time to leave the discussion.

The folks on the other side of the issue should perhaps be glad that pot-stirrer did not profess to share their view of the situation and make outlandish statements to "support" it. But ya never know, pot stirrer might come back with another ID to continue the argument.

What? You mean like a split personality? A fake name? An alter ego? Why I've never heard of such a thing!

 

[shortbun]

Sarcasm is actually against the rules Fred. You gotta be direct and obvious about your humor-not sarcastic. Also, don't think the Mods are ignoring the other guy but they are not going to talk to you about that person; you will not know if they get points. Just work at it. It's not really a game but a technique and an exersize at control. If someone posts what is obviously a joke or a come on, the mods will allow more participation. If there is a pile on that wasn't directly invited, they will stop it. Sometimes, it's inevitable, we think our position is clearly the only right one. But, it's never that black and white and the mods are pretty good at seeing that. Good luck. I've been here since 1989 and there have been lots of learning experiences. One more thing. Be done here, on this thread. You've heard it several times and it's very good advice. Do you know the serenity prayer? You must consider this one of the things you can not change.

 

[FredinFL]

wait...you mean like write something then comeback as ANOTHER person and agree or disagree with yourself? You're pulling my leg!

 

[Geoff_M]

I'm taking my toys and going home because I wasn't even invited to THE GAME!! *stomping away*

OK, OK, you can play.... The rules are:
1) Once you start playing "the game", you can never stop(*).
2) Whenever you think about "the game", you've "lost" and must start over.
3) When you lose "the game", you must announce "I've lost the game" or some reasonable facsimile thereof.

Congrats, you're in the club!

* = Debate exists about the game ending by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom announcing on national TV that "The game is up!"

 

[marlynnp]

Sarcasm is actually against the rules Fred. You gotta be direct and obvious about your humor-not sarcastic. Also, don't think the Mods are ignoring the other guy but they are not going to talk to you about that person; you will not know if they get points. Just work at it. It's not really a game but a technique and an exersize at control. <snip>

Sometimes you can tell. If they get enough points they lose their sig and pm ability.

 

[izzy]

Anyone remember the Debate Board?

 

[LuvOrlando]

The thought of somebody making a post and then disagreeing with it using another name is eye popping funny... and scary... and funny, but mostly just scary.

The time involved and the attention to detail would make my head swim. As my DH likes to put it, I can get distracted by a blade of grass (said with humor and love because it's sort of true)... I can't imagine doing it. Just when I thought the world couldn't get any weirder "Whoomp there it is!"

 

[Planogirl]

My question is why do so many people feel the need to be right? Everyone can't be right.

It's really not hard to play. Just stay reasonable and direct and avoid insults. Then you won't get points. Well, most of the time....

 

[Mahnahmahnah]

My question is why do so many people feel the need to be right? Everyone can't be right.

It's really not hard to play. Just stay reasonable and direct and avoid insults. Then you won't get points. Well, most of the time....

Says who?

Everyone is right on the internet.

 

[Carly_Roach]

My question is why do so many people feel the need to be right? Everyone can't be right.

It's really not hard to play. Just stay reasonable and direct and avoid insults. Then you won't get points. Well, most of the time....

That's my stance as well. A question I learned years ago has been a lifesaver in these types of situations:

Do I want to be "right" (ie: people admit to me that I'm right) or do I want to be happy?​

Choosing to be happy and dropping the argument with someone who has some need to be right, or even flat out telling the other person they're "right" just to get away from them, has saved my sanity on many occasions in real life. I have learned to remove any desire for validation from others about how I feel about things, which is very, very freeing!

I'm also very lucky that the DIS has an ignore button for those whose posts seem to irk me more than others. I have may have no control over what they choose to write, but I sure do have control over whether or not I choose to see it! But, again, it takes will power, self control and constantly choosing to be happy more than anything else to control the morbid curiosity I may have when I see their posts come up blank.

Mostly when I see the hidden posts quoted in other people's posts, I'm reminded all over again why I chose to ignore them in the first place. That's usually enough to keep them on my ignore list.

 

[happygirl]

Sarcasm is actually against the rules Fred. You gotta be direct and obvious about your humor-not sarcastic. Also, don't think the Mods are ignoring the other guy but they are not going to talk to you about that person; you will not know if they get points. Just work at it. It's not really a game but a technique and an exersize at control. If someone posts what is obviously a joke or a come on, the mods will allow more participation. If there is a pile on that wasn't directly invited, they will stop it. Sometimes, it's inevitable, we think our position is clearly the only right one. But, it's never that black and white and the mods are pretty good at seeing that. Good luck. I've been here since 1989 and there have been lots of learning experiences. One more thing. Be done here, on this thread. You've heard it several times and it's very good advice. Do you know the serenity prayer? You must consider this one of the things you can not change.

This is the best advice

 

[shortbun]

I lost The Game too.

Why is there a "rolleyes" smilie if sarcasm is a banable offense?

The rolleyes is for discussing horrible teen behavior. Or, in law interference works for the rolleyes too. You know, things like 'I can't believe she did that...I can't believe he thinks having his girlfriend sneak in his bedroom window is ok....or my sister in law is trying to run my life.

 

[MickeySP]

I disagree, not sure about what but whatever it is your wrong!!