My personal Catch 22

[partly]

I'm not really good at this journal stuff.

I mean, I'm not a sharer by nature. I don't readily chat about myself and, on the occasions that I do, it's never deeply personal. Just the way I am.

I discuss my views on things, mind you. Want to discuss politics, religion, the state of the world in general, how technology has affected the world or if it's better to save the old woman or the Rembrandt painting from the burning building, I'll be glad to do that. I love philosophy and will debate anyone about anything at the drop of a hat.

Of course, it's rare that I can find anyone who I can have such discussions with. I find that most people can't discuss or debate without taking everything personally. I, on the other hand, don't really need to change your mind or convince you that I'm right. What I'm looking for is an exchange of ideas, the cat and mouse game of verbal sparring, and, as long as you don't get personal, the pure joy of getting in that one point that no one else saw coming.

I've never found a way to duplicate that on the Internet -- there is too much time and distance that separates the participants and the lack of verbal and non-verbal cues and inflections make it too easy for small misunderstanding to become personal vendettas. Plus, my debate style becomes more predatory online and not every appreciates being lured into agreeing with something they normally wouldn't.

I am also, I admit, leery of letting my views open to anyone out there. In real life I can spot a troll a mile off and easily avoid contact. On the internet I can either restrict my posts to just my friends or I can chance the possibility that some over zealous idiot will take over my journal and totally destroy the discussion. I work to have a low recognition factor online, I try hard not to leave too many marks that can lead, say, my students (or their parents) to me. Just safer, that way.

Of course, that means that most of the time my journal is filled with light-hearted fluff. I'm really more substantial than that, honest. *sigh*

*ponders*

Perhaps I'll do a more "controversial" post in the future. Of course, I may just put all that energy into writing on BreckenHaven.

I'm full of excuses.... *grin*

Comments

[powerpynt.livejournal.com]

I've found the format far too clunky to debate. Beyond that I've found the new paradigm in debate to be "talk to the hand". More often than not I'm faced with someone that says "I eat grapes", and as I reply I use "grape eater" as a descriptive, followed by their reply "I never said that, you are being personally insulting." Yeah, whatever.

I don't blame you at all, I think I talk way too much about subjects that should never see the light of day and I'm continually amazed anyone reads any of it. While I might like to know more about you, I can't argue that you should post more of a personal nature; that's your choice, I'm just an observer. I can pass by the fluff with a flick of the wrist. Post to your heart's content:p

[partly.livejournal.com]

Both debate and discussion are becoming lost skills. It's not about examining proofs or defining arguments, it's all about belittling your opponent and being as condescending as possible. Our society gives a lot of lip service to the "inherent value of opposing ideas" but what they really believe is that anyone who doesn't agree with them is an idiot and doesn't deserve any respect.

There's a post in there somewhere. I'm sure that I could lay the blame on television, the thought that "polite" is dishonest and the fear that acknowledging any opposing view is tantamount to saying that your view is wrong.

*grin* I think, in fact, I have something on that written, already.

[powerpynt.livejournal.com]

Point of fact, I'm sure I've read it lol. No doubt I have a post or a hundred on it as well, though mine tend to be vulgar rants rather than conceptual thought rationally discussed in a mature manner:p