Might get banned for this....

[Cagivagurl]

That doesn't match my experience at all.

We all walk different paths
We all see different truths
we hold them close and speak them honestly
Facts feel fiction and fiction feels like truth
In a world full of lies finding the truth can be difficult...
Your truth is yours to hold, as mine belongs to me...
I speak not for the world, I speak for me...
Enjoy the sunshine, it may not last.

 

[StillStunned]

You just never know where these measured, thoughtful discussions will crop up.

 

[SkyBubble]

A "few"? I think you are being generous.

The Politics Board, IMO, is just an extended version of the old SNL Point/Counterpoint skit where everyone is saying "Jane, you ignorant slut" to everyone else.

I was thinking of one or two in particular.

 

[anthrodisiac]

I think the important thing to remember is that sarcasm doesn't translate well online. As a sarcastic person with very little natural intonation or affect, I have to put in extra effort when talking to people face to face so they know I'm joking, because otherwise I come off like a jerk. Trying to distinguish between if someone online is being sarcastic, snarky, joking, or an asshole can be difficult. A lot gets lost in translation because most context when speaking is non-verbal cues. It's why I throw in emojis, because my silly, understated comment otherwise comes across as being totally serious or bitchy.

Also consider that a lot of people in AH have known each other for a while, and so like to banter and rib each other. It's easy to forget that not everyone is familiar with or comfortable with this dynamic. Some people have no problem with their thread being derailed by polar bears, other people dislike it because it feels like they aren't being taken seriously, when really, it's just the forum dynamic to go into silliness sometimes.

I'm incredibly guilty of this in person when I'm hanging out with people I've known for a while, and also new people, because I forget myself and tease the new person much like I tease my old friends because I'm in a specific conversational context/dynamic. Similar thing can happen here, where the context and dyanmic between people who've known each other for a while can bleed over into new people who aren't used to it, or who take the derailments personaly, when really 90% of threads are derailed somepoint in the first page. It's not the fault of the new person, nor is it the fault of the regs, it's simply something all parties should understand so we can realized the context we're in and adjust accordingly.

For example, someone who doesn't know me that well reading my responses in this thread will think I'm a very measured, reasonable person, when in reality I'm a silly chaos goblin who enjoys talking about writing and is occasionally mauled by polar bears

 

[Comshaw]

And sometimes they're going to make statements of fact about other people that are false, then when the statements are proven false, double down on them and claim the people who are correcting them are lying. We have a few of those over on the Politics board.

I frequented the PB for a time, until it went positively batshit crazy. The denizens over there don't want to hear facts. It doesn't matter if they claim to be a liberal or a conservative. All they want to do is piss in each other's boot and call each other names. Anyone here calling this forum toxic has no idea what the term means until they are immersed in what goes on there. It's the difference between a Bell Pepper (here) and a Carolina Reaper (there).

Back a few years, before the PB was made, when all that political stuff was hashed out on the GB, it wasn't bad. Most could actually talk to each other, no matter their political leanings. Ain't that way now. It's like a bunch of red-eyed rabid wolves waiting for a sheep to wander by.


Comshaw

 

[Comshaw]

And he rushed away to do them with glee.

Old farts doing chores with glee?? Not so! Me and work aren't compatible anymore. Sittin' on my duff staring at my computer screen, grumbling under my breath and pecking on my keyboard is much more gleeful and to my liking.



Comshaw

 

[Cagivagurl]

Facts have been mentioned several times in this thread. I see those words frequently in the AH...
That's a fact...
IS IT?????
In the world we live in. Facts are hard to come by. Yes, you can find statistics to prove any point. Does that make it a fact?
For me, if I can see it directly (In the flesh). See feel it in my hands. Taste it, smell it or hear it directly. Then that is a fact. Everything else is somebody else's opinion...
Read ... NON FACTUAL...

Yes, I am very wary when I see people quoting their facts...

IS IT REALLY????

 

[SimonDoom]

Facts have been mentioned several times in this thread. I see those words frequently in the AH...
That's a fact...
IS IT?????
In the world we live in. Facts are hard to come by. Yes, you can find statistics to prove any point. Does that make it a fact?
For me, if I can see it directly (In the flesh). See feel it in my hands. Taste it, smell it or hear it directly. Then that is a fact. Everything else is somebody else's opinion...
Read ... NON FACTUAL...

Yes, I am very wary when I see people quoting their facts...

IS IT REALLY????

This is my view. I don't mean this acrimoniously. You're entitled to your view.

I don't believe in the concept of "different truths." I think truth is truth. There's one reality. What does "truth" mean if there can be multiple truths? To me, it's internally contradictory. Surely truth isn't just "this is how it seems to me." You can't cure diseases and build bridges with this idea of truth or reality. People will die and the bridges will fall down. Reality is our common currency. We should all strive to know truth, which is the same for all of us.

That said, we should all be somewhat humble about our individual ability to know the truth. We're flawed, we're biased, and each of us, no matter how much we know, knows only a tiny corner of everything there is to know. This is why it's good to be open-minded and to acknowledge that others may be able to tell us things we don't know, no matter how threatening what they say may be to our heavily invested world view. Even in a forum for smut writing.

 

[M_K_Babalon]

The biggest hee haw is the one charging into someone else's thread about people being mean to make sure everyone knows no one gets more mean treatment than they do!

I'll add my bit of generational grumpy old man. If people think what goes on here passes as people being mean to them, then they've obviously never had someone be genuinely mean to them in real life and should be grateful for it.

When referencing butthurt on the interwebz my sister always says, "Can you imagine sticking these people in 1985?"

It is kinda tame as far as websites go. I've dealt with worse, but I also try not to be an asshole on here. By worse... there's a very long thread about me on a local board, that the mods didn't step in until page 18 or so. If the sites still up.

 

[Cagivagurl]

This is my view. I don't mean this acrimoniously. You're entitled to your view.

I don't believe in the concept of "different truths." I think truth is truth. There's one reality. What does "truth" mean if there can be multiple truths? To me, it's internally contradictory. Surely truth isn't just "this is how it seems to me." You can't cure diseases and build bridges with this idea of truth or reality. People will die and the bridges will fall down. Reality is our common currency. We should all strive to know truth, which is the same for all of us.

That said, we should all be somewhat humble about our individual ability to know the truth. We're flawed, we're biased, and each of us, no matter how much we know, knows only a tiny corner of everything there is to know. This is why it's good to be open-minded and to acknowledge that others may be able to tell us things we don't know, no matter how threatening what they say may be to our heavily invested world view. Even in a forum for smut writing.

The road of different truths....
Opinion... You see one, I see the other... Neither right, nor wrong... Simply different views of the same event... Opinion...
How do you judge... Who is to judge??? Certainly not me, or you. All we offer is opinion... Our perspective...
As you say... All of us carry bias...

 

[SimonDoom]

The road of different truths....
Opinion... You see one, I see the other... Neither right, nor wrong... Simply different views of the same event... Opinion...
How do you judge... Who is to judge??? Certainly not me, or you. All we offer is opinion... Our perspective...
As you say... All of us carry bias...

This is what I think. You may think differently. We're looking at the same thing, but choosing to look at it differently.

That's OK.

 

[Comshaw]

Facts have been mentioned several times in this thread. I see those words frequently in the AH...
That's a fact...
IS IT?????
In the world we live in. Facts are hard to come by. Yes, you can find statistics to prove any point. Does that make it a fact?
For me, if I can see it directly (In the flesh). See feel it in my hands. Taste it, smell it or hear it directly. Then that is a fact. Everything else is somebody else's opinion...
Read ... NON FACTUAL...

Yes, I am very wary when I see people quoting their facts...

IS IT REALLY????

No, sorry facts aren't hard to come by. Sometimes they are hard to recognize when you do. A fact is a thing that has been proven by numerous people numerous times to be true and when tested always comes out true. I can't see or hear or hold in my hand the fact our little dirt ball orbits a huge star but I know it does because others have proven it over and over and over again. Facts aren't opinions. Facts are real and provable. Opinions on the other hand are like smoke, made from ethereal substances and like smoke just as likely to vanish in the slightest breeze of scrutiny. Everyone should be wary when someone quotes a "fact". No one should take such things at face value. Anyone who does is asking to be flim-flammed. I fact-check everything presented as a fact.

And you can find a graph of chart to prove any point you want. The key, is it fantasy or real? Too many accept the first thing that agrees with what they want rather than checking to see if it meets the rigorous requirement of having been dissected so many times it has to be what it presents itself to be.

Yes there are real, verifiable facts. Some are not going to agree with what we want them to be. Some will be as elusive as a diamond in a pig pen. But they will always, always be worth the time and effort to seek them out and verify they are what they profess to be.


Comshaw

 

[Lolita30]

Bullying has no place in the forum nor does passive aggressive behavior. Attacking someone's character is not debating the issue (which in this case is AI technology). Perhaps the two of you need a time out

 

[Lazaran]

The first thing I do when I look at an unfamiliar poster is check when they joined Literotica, and how many posts they've made. The OP joined in May 2002 (same year and month as me), and has made (as of now) 175 posts. Ive made about 15,000 all told. It takes quite a few posts before you learn how to use this forum, well over 200. It seems that the OP is extra-sensitive to "bad vibes" in the forums. Pair-growing is recommended.

I read somewhere in the forums that Lit was hacked somehow, and that usernames (abandoned?) with early “join dates” were hijacked by some troll(s).

I am super suspicious of any poster who has a 2002 join date with only 200 posts…

Just sayin’…

(And then there are those trolls who have a spreadsheet to keep track of their alts…)

 

[Cagivagurl]

No, sorry facts aren't hard to come by. Sometimes they are hard to recognize when you do. A fact is a thing that has been proven by numerous people numerous times to be true and when tested always comes out true. I can't see or hear or hold in my hand the fact our little dirt ball orbits a huge star but I know it does because others have proven it over and over and over again. Facts aren't opinions. Facts are real and provable. Opinions on the other hand are like smoke, made from ethereal substances and like smoke just as likely to vanish in the slightest breeze of scrutiny. Everyone should be wary when someone quotes a "fact". No one should take such things at face value. Anyone who does is asking to be flim-flammed. I fact-check everything presented as a fact.

And you can find a graph of chart to prove any point you want. The key, is it fantasy or real? Too many accept the first thing that agrees with what they want rather than checking to see if it meets the rigorous requirement of having been dissected so many times it has to be what it presents itself to be.

Yes there are real, verifiable facts. Some are not going to agree with what we want them to be. Some will be as elusive as a diamond in a pig pen. But they will always, always be worth the time and effort to seek them out and verify they are what they profess to be.


Comshaw

Perhaps we are saying the same thing, maybe not...
Facts exist... True statement.... Sorting through the myriad of supposed facts published today in all forms of media make it impossible to discern the truth from the lies...
Throughout history has relied upon people taking notes...
For most of history, they could be relied upon to some extent...
Today, that is not the case... Data and statistics are so easily manipulated and published to push agendas...

My statement was more about my process....

Events are these days reported based on opinion...

Scenario.
2 people stand watching city council chop down a tree.
One of the onlookers is an environmentalist... They see it as a criminal act...
The other witness is the opposite they see it as a good thing. Less leaves clogging drains, less chance of a dead branch falling on somebody...
They both saw the incident, but if asked about it would proffer very different opinions...
Same incident, 2 different truths. 2 very different assessments... Neither right, nor wrong, but each deeply believed...

The truth... The facts are sometimes very different... Coins have 2 sides.

Just my opinion of course.

 

[ElectricBlue]

The truth... The facts are sometimes very different... Coins have 2 sides.

The truth is, the tree was chopped down. Everything else you mention are the reasons why, good or bad, and what people make of them. But the fact of the matter remains: the tree was chopped down, that isn't someone's opinion, it's a fact.

 

[Cagivagurl]

The truth is, the tree was chopped down. Everything else you mention are the reasons why, good or bad, and what people make of them. But the fact of the matter remains: the tree was chopped down, that isn't someone's opinion, it's a fact.

You missed the point...
The comment was aimed at how circumstances are reported and how difficult it is to discern the truth... was the tree even cut down at all???
I was attempting, to explain how there can be more than one truth...
Both who witnessed the event would colour it differently and which version would retained for the history books...
Somebody reading the story in the future wouldn't know...
Facts are often merely opinions...
Read different news streams and the events around the world look completely different...

 

[TheRedChamber]

@Cagivagurl

You are talking about inaccuacies and biases. No one doubts that the truth is slippery and liable to be easily lost down the drain of history.

 

[Cagivagurl]

@Cagivagurl

You are talking about inaccuacies and biases. No one doubts that the truth is slippery and liable to be easily lost down the drain of history.

Again, my point is...
It is possible for their to be more than one truth...
It goes back to an earlier comment about there being only one fact...
Depending on who tells you, all you are getting is their opinion...

 

[TheRedChamber]

If two supposed 'truths' contradict each other then a) one is wrong b) there is a more nuanced third truth or c) one or both consist of some degree of opinion or definition ambiguity.

 

[TheNovelist2000]

kissing the ass of the founder of Literotica j

Ass kissing is real. If only brownnosing could get Laurel and Manu to finally fix the issues with this website!

 

[Writer61]

Is the Literotica forum some sort of popularity contest to see who can be the biggest jerk to people they don't know? Whatever happened to 'If it doesn't apply, let it fly?'

Whenever someone asks a genuine question, whether it be about their writing, ideas, or even AI, the answers are usually unhelpful, condescending, and obnoxious. There's more to life than policing other people's opinions and kissing the ass of the founder of Literotica just to put people in their place. Get a life!

I notice your signature is "If you're looking for a fight, here I am!"

 

[Djmac1031]

I'm done with trying to be accepted, but for one to blatantly tell you that you don't belong here is discriminatory and bullying.

First day on the internet?

Look, i agree, no one has the right to bully you out of the forum. I'll defend your right to be here and discuss whatever topic you want, to express your views as you see fit, all day every day.

But you also need to learn to read the room and understand that controversial topics like AI will lead to heated discussions and yes, some people here don't know how to have an actual DEBATE on a topic without name calling or making baseless accusations without evidence.

I get you're angry. But you also come off as very confrontational and defensive. And thaf generally doesn't make things go smoothly around here.

That said,there are simple solutions. Block the people you feel are bullying you and dont engage with them. And try to find people of like minds and opinions you can discuss things with.

I wish you the best however you decide to proceed from here.

 

[Lolita30]

First day on the internet?

Look, i agree, no one has the right to bully you out of the forum. I'll defend your right to be here and discuss whatever topic you want, to express your views as you see fit, all day every day.

But you also need to learn to read the room and understand that controversial topics like AI will lead to heated discussions and yes, some people here don't know how to have an actual DEBATE on a topic without name calling or making baseless accusations without evidence.

I get you're angry. But you also come off as very confrontational and defensive. And thaf generally doesn't make things go smoothly around here.

That said,there are simple solutions. Block the people you feel are bullying you and dont engage with them. And try to find people of like minds and opinions you can discuss things with.

I wish you the best however you decide to proceed from here.

First day on the internet?

Look, i agree, no one has the right to bully you out of the forum. I'll defend your right to be here and discuss whatever topic you want, to express your views as you see fit, all day every day.

But you also need to learn to read the room and understand that controversial topics like AI will lead to heated discussions and yes, some people here don't know how to have an actual DEBATE on a topic without name calling or making baseless accusations without evidence.

I get you're angry. But you also come off as very confrontational and defensive. And thaf generally doesn't make things go smoothly around here.

That said,there are simple solutions. Block the people you feel are bullying you and dont engage with them. And try to find people of like minds and opinions you can discuss things with.

I wish you the best however you decide to proceed from here.

Starting with “First day on the internet?” is exactly the kind of crap I’m talking about.
I’ve been here since 2002. I don’t need a tutorial on how arguments work online.
I’m calling out people telling me I don’t belong here and everyone acting like that’s just normal “debate.” If you actually care about that, maybe don’t open with a cheap dig. But be blessed!

 

[lovecraft68]

Ass kissing is real. If only brownnosing could get Laurel and Manu to finally fix the issues with this website!

Like many situations do, the AI and publishing delay issues here has succeeded in exposing the underbelly and true colors of several people.

The site toadies who for a long time would attack anyone with the audacity to complain about a rejection, delay, or any other type of issue and often times slinging the "If you don't like it leave" quickly did a 180 when they began dealing with the sites increasing number of issues. It went from "Its only two people, leave them alone, they do the best they can" to thread after thread and post after post of "They don't care, they don't answer, they don't help!" and even extending that off site, bashing Lit on other platforms. To which I enjoyed telling them if they didn't like it, they could leave.

It reminds me of Hannibal Lechter's line to the senator in Silence of the Lambs, "How will you like it when it's your daughter on the slab?"

Added hilarity-and revealing of character-is when one of them got a problem straightened out and went back to starting a thread praising the site and others all ran in screaming allelujah! Now the clock ticks on when it swings the other way again and knowing how things are here, it shouldn't be long before we get a "I'm being....fill in the blank."

This site when it comes to being an erotic story site for readers is an amazing platform, but to authors and from an operational standpoint, leaves a lot to be desired. From the angle of someone who ran their own business for several years, the attitude of apathy here has always ticked me off, but nothing is going to change it and we all have to either realize that or if it causes that much angst then try another place.

That includes the forum which has the same inconsistent rule enforcement as the site does with stories. Its not always about a rule but more who said it and who it was said to, or who is breaking the rule because it seems some rules only apply to some people and its always been that way.

I suppose I could sum this up simply by saying there is nothing professional about how this site is run but its also obvious, has always been the case, and no one should expect it to suddenly become different. It's on each person to decide what they want to accept and how they handle it.