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A comment...for what it is worth...


(14 posts) (9 voices)
  • Started 10 years ago by PluckyMunky
  • Latest reply from andhrimnir

Tags:

  • drunk in a duvet
  • Gerontius
  • J'accuse!
  • Jack Hughes
  • Lord of the Rings
  • maiden aunt
  • moral high ground
  • My ass hurts
  • No tags yet
  • puffin twatting
  • Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire
  • Separated by a coma
  • Take an open letter Maria
  1. PluckyMunky

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    Member

    I am not surprised that there is disharmony on this site, every so often. It seems that critical commentary is only reserved for the special few. That special few, paradoxically, accuses others of being inappropriately critical. A lot of name-calling ensues.

    I wrote an open letter to Rikkor, suggesting that he be more than negative about others on the site. I called it an open letter as I could have written to him on the personal message line. I could have done that, but that was not my point. I was suggesting that being positive and encouraging towards others was generally better than being constantly negative. My aim was not to attack Rikkor ad hominem.

    I was surprised by a) the amount of support there was for Rikkor's negative commentary and b) the vitriol heaped upon me for raising the topic. It seemed, at the time (and it still does, I suppose) that while Rikkor's negativity is quite acceptable, other peoples' critical commentary is not. I was roundly told that it was not my place to be critical.

    What surprised me most, I suppose, was the 'jumping on the bandwagon' effect. Those whom I had previously thought of as 'friends' (as far as that is possible on the internet) were suddenly drawn into the playground brawl. I was told that I was occasionally 'a prat', like others. It was suggested that I withdraw from the chat room for a period and to be careful about what I chatted about.

    I find it odd that one person can consistently be critical of almost everything that happens on NB but that if anyone else so much as raises an objection, it is shot down in flames. With the one exception, NB seems to welcome only those on one side of the fence; a sort of party line.

    I loved my time on NB. I enjoyed chatting and posting the odd sub here and there. I never aspired to writing front pages (this is, after all, not the Man Booker prize we are talking about here). I enjoyed the friendship, until I realised that as soon as objections to negativity or any sort of criticism were raised, the whole gang piled in to pull me into line. This is a shame.

    It is often repeated on NB that there is a place for everyone. I hoped this was true but have reason to doubt it. I tried, in my 'open letter' to indicated that I was against negativity - and I still am. I am dissapointed in finding so much negativity towards those who do not, immediately, praise everything that is posted here. This is with the one exception of a member who seems to be lauded for posting continuously negative messages. I make it clear that I have nothing, personal, against Rikkor. He is clearly an intelligent and engaging character. I have enjoyed chatting to him. However, I still fail to understand why his comments are so easily appreciated when other criticism is not, not why he is held up as a 'supporter of good writing' when he contributes so little. Being a critic is far easier than being a writer. I have been both in my career.

    I can assure you that I am not the wilting lily that I might have appeared when I adopted the 'maiden aunt' persona on NB. It remains true that I have mental health problems (so what?) and a broken shoulder, but that is not a rounded description of me. We are all more complex than we appear to be and - I believe - should be more tolerant of each other. We are all flawed. There is little point in the front-pagers taking the moral high ground any more than should our friend from America who contributes only criticism.

    Nor, of course, can I take the moral high ground. I fully accept your right to dismiss this message in any terms you choose to use. Plucky xxx

    Posted 10 years ago #
  2. MADJEZ

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    Member

    Is this available as an audiobook ?

    Posted 10 years ago #
  3. AdrianJ

    offline
    Member

    Welcome back Mr. Monkey - pull up a beanbag and chillax.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  4. AdrianJ

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    Member

    Should there be three L's in chillax?

    Posted 10 years ago #
  5. MADJEZ

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    Member

    Only taking the piss Plucky though it is a bit of a long one (oo-er missus).

    I shall defend your right to comment (it is after all a chat room) and continue to rip the piss and generally be puerile.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  6. rikkor

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    Member

    Three "l's"? I believe you are thinking of chinchillla.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  7. Stan

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    Member

    Oh give a rest Plucky, lad.
    Don't look for problems that don't exist.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  8. sauce

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    Member

    Plucky, this is a comedy site. People take the piss. Sometimes it's hard to be on the receiving end. You're not the only sensitve soul. We probably all are, really. (I've snapped at Rikkor, removed a post when Sid ripped into it and quite often feel agrieved that my wit and wisdom are not received with due respect. Or maybe they are ... bugger.) But there's no point going on about it. Pretty much like real life. There are lovely, sparkly people who make any day shine (Jeni, Maz, Stunts, Babs - you're all in there, dahlings), people who read the Daily Mail, people who are wincingly naughty but make me laugh (Rikkor, that's you) and so on.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  9. shitsu_tonka

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    Member

    *waves hand in the air* I read the Daily Mail, Sauce.

    Can't help it, ever since their website linked to Yahoo I keep clicking on it. Don't want to, but it draws me in. It's the Two Girls One Cup of news media. I wish there was a cure.

    "This is a comedy site. People take the piss."

    And that's why it's so great. Plucky, you're a splendid fellow, but you really need to chill. This is just a website, it's not Reality Land.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  10. ramblesid

    offline
    Member

    When you're trying to be a smart-arse, Sauce, the effect on others goes right out the window. I don't remember the occasion, but I do apologise; doubt I'll stop trying to be an arsehole though.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  11. sauce

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    Member

    Sid I adore the hole of you. No apology necessary. (From one arse to another.)

    Posted 10 years ago #
  12. rikkor

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    Member

    Serious question: What do you think of the anus? I mean, as a whole.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  13. sauce

    offline
    Member

    One doesn't tend to contemplate it in polite Borcestershire society, Rikkor. On (rare, these days) occasions I catch sight of mine I think, "Gosh, I'm beginning to look like my mother."
    [EDIT: and I can't type/spell this early in the morning]

    Posted 10 years ago #
  14. andhrimnir

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    Member

    There may come a point, Plucky, when you realise that the rest of us are just bulletin board code. The Rikkor subroutine is a renowned standard "Rile innocent knuts, keep on riling". The routine only runs at with a taunt factor 3 here, default install is TF 7 many boards run at 10 or above.

    Posted 10 years ago #

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