About Conversations Versus Insults at The Cooler

[hoot1]

I've often thought if the posters at The Cooler who exchange insults with each other were to meet in person they could most likely have a friendly discussion and find a new friend.

In watching 60 Minutes last night a guest commentator Dave Isay has for the past 18 years been bringing people together from different parts of the political spectrum. He has discovered my premise from above has merit.

In part Isay had this to say, "I think people feel-- people feel misunderstood. You know, nobody has ever, in the in the history of humanity, ever changed their mind by being called an idiot or a moron or a snowflake."

 

[anon_mya1phvcpf5x4]

People generally have less of a filter online.

Talking politics in person can still get heated but more likely to let bygones be bygones before it gets to name-calling.

Online or in-person, no one is likely changing their minds on politics regardless of what is said or posted.

 

[hoot1]

People generally have less of a filter online.

Talking politics in person can still get heated but more likely to let bygones be bygones before it gets to name-calling.

Online or in-person, no one is likely changing their minds on politics regardless of what is said or posted.

Hickory, thanks for responding.

Given the lack of response, I may be preaching to the wrong choir .

As to your comment, Isay (and definitely me) would probably agree that conversations may not change our politics, but at least the conversations build respect for each other as being fellow human beings with lots of other things in common.

To this I would add, in the big scheme how important is politics anyway ?

 

[larsIU]

I have several what I'll call "work friends" with whom I share very little in the way of ideology. However, we like cars, racing, basketball, fill in the blank. So we mostly talk about that. I'd like to think that helps us both understand the "other side" (which is a moronic term) isn't some kind of demagoguing asshole. Plus the more we talk about shit we inevitably find things we agree on. I have to say this is mostly local politics, which I think is part of the equation, i.e. people are eager to argue about Medicare for All even though they both have health insurance through their employer and then both agree on a referendum to raise sales taxes 1% to pay for a new school or whatever.

Also, my dad often changed my mind by calling me an idiot. IT WAS A TERM OF ENDEARMENT AND MUCH BETTER THAN THE MORE FORCEFUL "DUMBASS".

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

I've often thought if the posters at The Cooler who exchange insults with each other were to meet in person they could most likely have a friendly discussion and find a new friend.

In watching 60 Minutes last night a guest commentator Dave Isay has for the past 18 years been bringing people together from different parts of the political spectrum. He has discovered my premise from above has merit.

In part Isay had this to say, "I think people feel-- people feel misunderstood. You know, nobody has ever, in the in the history of humanity, ever changed their mind by being called an idiot or a moron or a snowflake."

We have a large number of posters here who showed up just to troll. They never tried to engage anyone; they just starting responding to every thread telling the dumb libs how stupid they all were. Those people don't exist in real life. If you walked into a bar and acted like that, you'd get your ass kicked.

If we didn't have those types of people poisoning the well, I think we'd all be better behaved overall. Not saying we'd be perfect, but we'd be better.

 

[IUJIM]

We have a large number of posters here who showed up just to troll. They never tried to engage anyone; they just starting responding to every thread telling the dumb libs how stupid they all were. Those people don't exist in real life. If you walked into a bar and acted like that, you'd get your ass kicked.

If we didn't have those types of people poisoning the well, I think we'd all be better behaved overall. Not saying we'd be perfect, but we'd be better.

We have a large number of posters here who showed up just to troll. They never tried to engage anyone; they just starting responding to every thread telling the dumb conservatives how stupid they all were. Those people don't exist in real life. If you walked into a bar and acted like that, you'd get your ass kicked.

If we didn't have those types of people poisoning the well, I think we'd all be better behaved overall. Not saying we'd be perfect, but we'd be better.

 

[anon_mya1phvcpf5x4]

We have a large number of posters here who showed up just to troll. They never tried to engage anyone; they just starting responding to every thread telling the dumb conservatives how stupid they all were. Those people don't exist in real life. If you walked into a bar and acted like that, you'd get your ass kicked.

If we didn't have those types of people poisoning the well, I think we'd all be better behaved overall. Not saying we'd be perfect, but we'd be better.

Because conversative posters never troll or insult lol

 

[Marvin the Martian]

I've often thought if the posters at The Cooler who exchange insults with each other were to meet in person they could most likely have a friendly discussion and find a new friend.

In watching 60 Minutes last night a guest commentator Dave Isay has for the past 18 years been bringing people together from different parts of the political spectrum. He has discovered my premise from above has merit.

In part Isay had this to say, "I think people feel-- people feel misunderstood. You know, nobody has ever, in the in the history of humanity, ever changed their mind by being called an idiot or a moron or a snowflake."

The time frame may be less, but I am not sure anyone has ever changed their mind on the internet for any reason whatsoever.

Not name calling should be a goal.

 

[Bulk VanderHuge]

We have a large number of posters here who showed up just to troll. They never tried to engage anyone; they just starting responding to every thread telling the dumb conservatives how stupid they all were. Those people don't exist in real life. If you walked into a bar and acted like that, you'd get your ass kicked.

If we didn't have those types of people poisoning the well, I think we'd all be better behaved overall. Not saying we'd be perfect, but we'd be better.

Yeah, but that's different.

 

[Bulk VanderHuge]

The time frame may be less, but I am not sure anyone has ever changed their mind on the internet for any reason whatsoever.

Not name calling should be a goal.

Shut up, idio...

Darn! I just couldn't do it. Marv is too awesome to say it even as a joke.

 

[Bowlmania]

There are people here with whom I disagree about almost everything, but I'm convinced they'd be a lot of fun to have a beer or three with. My exchanges with those people are always (ok, usually) civil and cordial, and there's mutual respect.

There is one guy in particular, and everyone knows who he is, who is just an asshole. He makes outrageous, unsupported claims, lies through his teeth, and his raison d'etre, as least as far as posting goes, is to defend the, um, honor of a certain former president. Habitual lying and/or stupid false equivalences are, in my view, the biggest posting sins, which means this guy should be in confession every day.

Then there are a handful of guys on both sides who are simply partisan hacks and two or three other guys (and one girl) who just aren't very bright. I give two thumbs up, though, to the vast majority of the people here.

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

We have a large number of posters here who showed up just to troll. They never tried to engage anyone; they just starting responding to every thread telling the dumb conservatives how stupid they all were. Those people don't exist in real life. If you walked into a bar and acted like that, you'd get your ass kicked.

If we didn't have those types of people poisoning the well, I think we'd all be better behaved overall. Not saying we'd be perfect, but we'd be better.

Actually, we don't. Who showed up only to troll conservatives? TMP for one. Name another? Lucy, bailey, DANC, etc. We libs have plenty of idiots, but you guys on the right have us dominated when it comes to trolls.

 

[anon_mya1phvcpf5x4]

Actually, we don't. Who showed up only to troll conservatives? TMP for one. Name another? Lucy, bailey, DANC, etc. We libs have plenty of idiots, but you guys on the right have us dominated when it comes to trolls.

I am guessing he will name me since I sometimes lob insults back at conservatives that insult me. He rarely notices the initial insult though which is curious lol.

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

I am guessing he will name me since I sometimes lob insults back at conservatives that insult me. He rarely notices the initial insult though which is curious lol.

You might be one of the idiots, but you're definitely not a troll.

 

[anon_mya1phvcpf5x4]

You might be one of the idiots, but you're definitely not a troll.

Thanks...I think

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

Thanks...I think

I got you, bro.

 

[anon_mlxxvlbug9dpa]

Actually, we don't. Who showed up only to troll conservatives? TMP for one. Name another? Lucy, bailey, DANC, etc. We libs have plenty of idiots, but you guys on the right have us dominated when it comes to trolls.

The only way to solve this is to make a pictograph a la those charts that show media bias on the X axis and trust ability on the Y axis.

Maybe a “worth reading” for X axis and assholeness for the Y axis?

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

The only way to solve this is to make a pictograph a la those charts that show media bias on the X axis and trust ability on the Y axis.

Maybe a “worth reading” for X axis and assholeness for the Y axis?

Oh man, put in a pin in that. Sounds like a fun project, but I'm going to bed at halftime, so I can't do it tonight.

 

[CO. Hoosier]

I am guessing he will name me since I sometimes lob insults back at conservatives that insult me. He rarely notices the initial insult though which is curious lol.

I consider insults from you and other lefties to be positive feedback.

 

[anon_mlxxvlbug9dpa]

Oh man, put in a pin in that. Sounds like a fun project, but I'm going to bed at halftime, so I can't do it tonight.

You lightweight. You’re in CST. This EST for championships is a bitch.

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

I consider insults from you and other lefties to be positive feedback.

You've got a big weekend coming up.

The essential event for HVAC professionals — AHR Expo

www.ahrexpo.com

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

You lightweight. You’re in CST. This EST for championships is a bitch.

Uh, you got me confused with another annoying lefty. It's almost 10 PM for me.

 

[UncleMark]

Oh man, put in a pin in that. Sounds like a fun project, but I'm going to bed at halftime, so I can't do it tonight.

Whatever you do, don't put me and Bulk close together. McM doesn't need any more encouragement.

 

[Ohio Guy]

Part of my job is to connect with legislators - mostly at the state level. There was one guy in particular that I was sort of dreading meeting in person for the first time. Usually you get around 20 minutes in their offices, but this guy was coming to where I work and I was going to give him a tour of our building. We were going to spend a good chunk of a morning together.

I’m guessing many of the conservatives on this board would be big fans of his social media accounts. He mentions all the greatest hits and weighs in on pretty much any issue, trial or debate with his conservative approach and stance.

I was planning on being metered and biting my tongue a lot, but it was actually a really great visit. We talked about what my work is up to, college football, things around town, mutual and pretty much had a nice cordial conversation. None of the social hot button issues came up. He even asked if I’d want to play golf sometime.

All that to say that I agree with the OP’s premise. Meeting someone face to face can really alter the perception and conversation you might have with someone online.

Speaking of, I remember a time when some forum regulars from peegs used to semi regularly get together. I’m talking early 2000s. I went to a IU - Penn State basketball game in Happy Valley one year and met a few folks at a football tailgate in Bloomington. I also played in the Peegs 3 on 3 basketball tournament in 2002 in Bloomington. As far as I can tell no one from those days posts regularly here anymore.

If the stars aligned and there was a time and place to meet some of you guys, I’d be up for that.

 

[ribbont]

Actually, we don't. Who showed up only to troll conservatives? TMP for one. Name another? Lucy, bailey, DANC, etc. We libs have plenty of idiots, but you guys on the right have us dominated when it comes to trolls.

I disagree and DANC and Bailey. Have they trolled? Sure at times. So has Stuff shot and OS and Hick. But if you look through their body of posts, they do link articles, articulate their position, and offer solutions. And yes, the insult and needle others. But I don't throw them in the troll category, or at least the constant troll category. That's reserved for Lucy and TMP IMHO.

Edit was to change Hick for TMP. Brain fart.

 

[anon_mlxxvlbug9dpa]

Uh, you got me confused with another annoying lefty. It's almost 10 PM for me.

Ah that’s right. My bad.

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

I disagree and DANC and Bailey. Have they trolled? Sure at times. So has Stuff shot and OS and Hick. But if you look through their body of posts, they do link articles, articulate their position, and offer solutions. And yes, the insult and needle others. But I don't throw them in the troll category, or at least the constant troll category. That's reserved for Lucy and Hick, IMHO.

Uh huh. They've been trolling since their first posts. They didn't even try to see who was worth talking to. They just showed up and started slinging shit. You're delusional if you think otherwise.

 

[ribbont]

Uh huh. They've been trolling since their first posts. They didn't even try to see who was worth talking to. They just showed up and started slinging shit. You're delusional if you think otherwise.

Plenty of people sling crap. You just like their crap and accept. You really need to acknowledge your own bias once in a while.

 

[CO. Hoosier]

I've often thought if the posters at The Cooler who exchange insults with each other were to meet in person they could most likely have a friendly discussion and find a new friend.

In watching 60 Minutes last night a guest commentator Dave Isay has for the past 18 years been bringing people together from different parts of the political spectrum. He has discovered my premise from above has merit.

In part Isay had this to say, "I think people feel-- people feel misunderstood. You know, nobody has ever, in the in the history of humanity, ever changed their mind by being called an idiot or a moron or a snowflake."

You are of course correct. Minds are seldom changed about politics regardless of the tone of voice of the participants. We can do with less name calling, but as I've said often, name calling and personal attacks is essentially a sign of laziness and/or weakness.

One thing this online community gives us is wide exposure to dozens of people. While I'm sure I could be personal friends with almost all here (with only 1 or 2 exceptions ) we are more or less thrown together without being acquainted first, that is just the opposite of real life.

The bad part of all of this isn't necessarily insults and name calling. It's how anger and ideology has affected those in government whom we expect to be civil, get along, and compromise on issues. That no longer happens and it is a problem. It has gotten worse this week and some have promised to make it worse in the near future.

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

Plenty of people sling crap. You just like their crap and accept. You really need to acknowledge your own bias once in a while.

Of course plenty of people sling crap. You included. Me included. Everyone except Marvin is good at it. But most of us earned our asshole wings. The trolls are the ones who just showed up and started acting the asshole from Day One.

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

You are of course correct. Minds are seldom changed about politics regardless of the tone of voice of the participants. We can do with less name calling, but as I've said often, name calling and personal attacks is essentially a sign of laziness and/or weakness.

One thing this online community gives us is wide exposure to dozens of people. While I'm sure I could be personal friends with almost all here (with only 1 or 2 exceptions ) we are more or less thrown together without being acquainted first, that is just the opposite of real life.

The bad part of all of this isn't necessarily insults and name calling. It's how anger and ideology has affected those in government whom we expect to be civil, get along, and compromise on issues. That no longer happens and it is a problem. It has gotten worse this week and some have promised to make it worse in the near future.

Hint: The fact that in your mind it's always getting worse and the Republic is always failing every single time a Democrat opens his mouth is not a good sign that things are getting worse; it's a good sign that you are getting worse.

 

[CO. Hoosier]

You've got a big weekend coming up.

The essential event for HVAC professionals — AHR Expo

www.ahrexpo.com

Stop my booth. I'll give a show special.

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

I've often thought if the posters at The Cooler who exchange insults with each other were to meet in person they could most likely have a friendly discussion and find a new friend.

In watching 60 Minutes last night a guest commentator Dave Isay has for the past 18 years been bringing people together from different parts of the political spectrum. He has discovered my premise from above has merit.

In part Isay had this to say, "I think people feel-- people feel misunderstood. You know, nobody has ever, in the in the history of humanity, ever changed their mind by being called an idiot or a moron or a snowflake."

hoot, you make me want to try and be a better poster. I think I’ll start tonight.

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

hoot, you make me want to try and be a better poster. I think I’ll start tonight.

By logging out?

 

[CO. Hoosier]

Hint: The fact that in your mind it's always getting worse and the Republic is always failing every single time a Democrat opens his mouth is not a good sign that things are getting worse; it's a good sign that you are getting worse.

Being and old fart is not only liberating it provides immunity from ankle biting on-line insults.

.

 

[ribbont]

Of course plenty of people sling crap. You included. Me included. Everyone except Marvin is good at it. But most of us earned our asshole wings. The trolls are the ones who just showed up and started acting the asshole from Day One.

No. I don't sling crap. And I don't think you do either. We disagree. We get triggered, but that's not trolling. I don't think you or I or many constantly try to sow discord. Lucy does. TMP does. But DANC and Bailey do engage in conversation as I said. Maybe you and I will just have to disagree, again. Back to the game I go.

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

No. I don't sling crap. And I don't think you do either. We disagree. We get triggered, but that's not trolling. I don't think you or I or many constantly try to sow discord. Lucy does. TMP does. But DANC and Bailey do engage in conversation as I said. Maybe you and I will just have to disagree, again. Back to the game I go.

If DANC and bailey engage in any conversation, it's a sideshow to their main purpose, which is to troll.

How about Mas? Give me the liberal equivalent of Mas on this forum.

Look, I'm not trying to deny that we liberal posters suck. But we suck in different ways. You've got a couple of real gems on your side that we simply have no answer for.

 

[ribbont]

If DANC and bailey engage in any conversation, it's a sideshow to their main purpose, which is to troll.

How about Mas? Give me the liberal equivalent of Mas on this forum.

Look, I'm not trying to deny that we liberal posters suck. But we suck in different ways. You've got a couple of real gems on your side that we simply have no answer for.

Hoops, ButHerEmails come to mind. Can't recall a thread started by Hick ever. Usually he just name calls with no desire to have a discussion.

 

[BCCHoosier]

If DANC and bailey engage in any conversation, it's a sideshow to their main purpose, which is to troll.

How about Mas? Give me the liberal equivalent of Mas on this forum.

Look, I'm not trying to deny that we liberal posters suck. But we suck in different ways. You've got a couple of real gems on your side that we simply have no answer for.

Notice none of those guys even want to participate in a thread like this.

 

[IUJIM]

Actually, we don't. Who showed up only to troll conservatives? TMP for one. Name another? Lucy, bailey, DANC, etc. We libs have plenty of idiots, but you guys on the right have us dominated when it comes to trolls.

In the first 10 seconds I would say Kurt Cloverdale, Hickory is borderline. But Her Emails is another