How to deal with annoying idiots
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I have recently been in a discussion with an annoying fanatic here in the lounge after coming to the defence of another member decrying the idiot position of said fanatic. Said fanatic is clearly arguing for the sake of it since their position is unsupportable ("Metro is wonderful and better than anything else that ever existed on any version of Window before") and I got fed up of answering his pointless points to the point where I went back and deleted all my messages. Now they show as "Message Removed" and it occurs to me that that seems like I was flinging abuse or something (while actually they were reasoned arguments) and does not look good. Perhaps we need a "Message Withdrawn" heading? Does anyone have any good suggestions on how to deal with annoying idiots in discussions - other than just ignoring them?
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
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I have recently been in a discussion with an annoying fanatic here in the lounge after coming to the defence of another member decrying the idiot position of said fanatic. Said fanatic is clearly arguing for the sake of it since their position is unsupportable ("Metro is wonderful and better than anything else that ever existed on any version of Window before") and I got fed up of answering his pointless points to the point where I went back and deleted all my messages. Now they show as "Message Removed" and it occurs to me that that seems like I was flinging abuse or something (while actually they were reasoned arguments) and does not look good. Perhaps we need a "Message Withdrawn" heading? Does anyone have any good suggestions on how to deal with annoying idiots in discussions - other than just ignoring them?
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
-
I have recently been in a discussion with an annoying fanatic here in the lounge after coming to the defence of another member decrying the idiot position of said fanatic. Said fanatic is clearly arguing for the sake of it since their position is unsupportable ("Metro is wonderful and better than anything else that ever existed on any version of Window before") and I got fed up of answering his pointless points to the point where I went back and deleted all my messages. Now they show as "Message Removed" and it occurs to me that that seems like I was flinging abuse or something (while actually they were reasoned arguments) and does not look good. Perhaps we need a "Message Withdrawn" heading? Does anyone have any good suggestions on how to deal with annoying idiots in discussions - other than just ignoring them?
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
Just wave them away while saying "bah". It's the Dogbert method that never fails :)
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I have recently been in a discussion with an annoying fanatic here in the lounge after coming to the defence of another member decrying the idiot position of said fanatic. Said fanatic is clearly arguing for the sake of it since their position is unsupportable ("Metro is wonderful and better than anything else that ever existed on any version of Window before") and I got fed up of answering his pointless points to the point where I went back and deleted all my messages. Now they show as "Message Removed" and it occurs to me that that seems like I was flinging abuse or something (while actually they were reasoned arguments) and does not look good. Perhaps we need a "Message Withdrawn" heading? Does anyone have any good suggestions on how to deal with annoying idiots in discussions - other than just ignoring them?
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
-
I have recently been in a discussion with an annoying fanatic here in the lounge after coming to the defence of another member decrying the idiot position of said fanatic. Said fanatic is clearly arguing for the sake of it since their position is unsupportable ("Metro is wonderful and better than anything else that ever existed on any version of Window before") and I got fed up of answering his pointless points to the point where I went back and deleted all my messages. Now they show as "Message Removed" and it occurs to me that that seems like I was flinging abuse or something (while actually they were reasoned arguments) and does not look good. Perhaps we need a "Message Withdrawn" heading? Does anyone have any good suggestions on how to deal with annoying idiots in discussions - other than just ignoring them?
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
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Why? Just because someone disagrees with you or you are sick of them does not necessarily mean that they are being abusive. In my opinion, this is the worst advice to give in this case. This option should be reserved for when someone is being abusive rather than having a disagreement with you.
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I have recently been in a discussion with an annoying fanatic here in the lounge after coming to the defence of another member decrying the idiot position of said fanatic. Said fanatic is clearly arguing for the sake of it since their position is unsupportable ("Metro is wonderful and better than anything else that ever existed on any version of Window before") and I got fed up of answering his pointless points to the point where I went back and deleted all my messages. Now they show as "Message Removed" and it occurs to me that that seems like I was flinging abuse or something (while actually they were reasoned arguments) and does not look good. Perhaps we need a "Message Withdrawn" heading? Does anyone have any good suggestions on how to deal with annoying idiots in discussions - other than just ignoring them?
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
.
It was broke, so I fixed it.
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Why? Just because someone disagrees with you or you are sick of them does not necessarily mean that they are being abusive. In my opinion, this is the worst advice to give in this case. This option should be reserved for when someone is being abusive rather than having a disagreement with you.
Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
Just because someone disagrees with you or you are sick of them does not necessarily mean that they are being abusive.
I agree with that. But the OP was complaining about someone who is an annoying fanantic arguing for the sake of argument. That is different from disagreeing or debating. Perhaps I misinterpreted what he is saying?
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Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
Just because someone disagrees with you or you are sick of them does not necessarily mean that they are being abusive.
I agree with that. But the OP was complaining about someone who is an annoying fanantic arguing for the sake of argument. That is different from disagreeing or debating. Perhaps I misinterpreted what he is saying?
Pualee wrote:
arguing for the sake of argument.
No he isn't! ;P https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQFKtI6gn9Y[^]
"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer
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Just wave them away while saying "bah". It's the Dogbert method that never fails :)
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Forogar wrote:
Does anyone have any good suggestions on how to deal with annoying idiots in discussions - other than just ignoring them?
I thinking laughing works well. Also I try never to take myself too seriously, so I don't expect others to take me seriously, either.
CQ de W5ALT
Walt Fair, Jr., P. E. Comport Computing Specializing in Technical Engineering Software
Walt Fair, Jr. wrote:
Also I try never to take myself too seriously, so I don't expect others to take me seriously, either.
Done :)
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I have recently been in a discussion with an annoying fanatic here in the lounge after coming to the defence of another member decrying the idiot position of said fanatic. Said fanatic is clearly arguing for the sake of it since their position is unsupportable ("Metro is wonderful and better than anything else that ever existed on any version of Window before") and I got fed up of answering his pointless points to the point where I went back and deleted all my messages. Now they show as "Message Removed" and it occurs to me that that seems like I was flinging abuse or something (while actually they were reasoned arguments) and does not look good. Perhaps we need a "Message Withdrawn" heading? Does anyone have any good suggestions on how to deal with annoying idiots in discussions - other than just ignoring them?
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
You could try the obligatory Dilbert[^] way, suitably modified.
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952) Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
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I have recently been in a discussion with an annoying fanatic here in the lounge after coming to the defence of another member decrying the idiot position of said fanatic. Said fanatic is clearly arguing for the sake of it since their position is unsupportable ("Metro is wonderful and better than anything else that ever existed on any version of Window before") and I got fed up of answering his pointless points to the point where I went back and deleted all my messages. Now they show as "Message Removed" and it occurs to me that that seems like I was flinging abuse or something (while actually they were reasoned arguments) and does not look good. Perhaps we need a "Message Withdrawn" heading? Does anyone have any good suggestions on how to deal with annoying idiots in discussions - other than just ignoring them?
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
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A bit over the top perhaps but I like this: One belief, more than any other, is responsible for the slaughter of individuals on the altars of the great historical ideals – justice or progress or the happiness of future generations, or the sacred mission or emancipation of a nation or race or class, or even liberty itself, which demands the sacrifice of individuals for the freedom of society. This is the belief that somewhere, in the past or in the future, in divine revelation or in the mind of an individual thinker, in the pronouncements of history or science, or in the simple heart of an uncorrupted good man, there is a final solution. Two Concepts of Liberty (1958), Isaiah Berlin
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I have recently been in a discussion with an annoying fanatic here in the lounge after coming to the defence of another member decrying the idiot position of said fanatic. Said fanatic is clearly arguing for the sake of it since their position is unsupportable ("Metro is wonderful and better than anything else that ever existed on any version of Window before") and I got fed up of answering his pointless points to the point where I went back and deleted all my messages. Now they show as "Message Removed" and it occurs to me that that seems like I was flinging abuse or something (while actually they were reasoned arguments) and does not look good. Perhaps we need a "Message Withdrawn" heading? Does anyone have any good suggestions on how to deal with annoying idiots in discussions - other than just ignoring them?
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
Of course, it is natural to want to annoy idiots; we all have those urges. It is when we are in conflict with the idiot within ourselves that those urges become an intolerable experience to the self, resulting in night-sweats, tremors, visions of flashing-lights, terrible dreams, and the other symptoms you describe. The answer lies not in suppressing those urges, or acting them out (which leads to shame and guilt), but getting in touch with your own inner idiot. Think of your inner idiot as being like a small dog with one eye. Now close, or blind-fold, one eye, and spend 24 hours like that. You see ? Take warm food out of a can and put it on the floor: eat it without using your hands. You see ? Read an entire novel backwards (out loud), translating into idiotic, while one foot is in hot water, and the other foot is in cold water. If you are not fluent in idiotic, pick a novel like "Finnegan's Wake." Improvise: as you learn to communicate with your inner idiot, you will find your own unique ways to enjoy their presence, and bring the urges to annoy idiots outside yourself to heel.
“Use the word 'cybernetics,' Norbert, because nobody knows what it means. This will always put you at an advantage in arguments.” Claude Shannon (Information Theory scientist): letter to Norbert Weiner of M.I.T., circa 1940
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Of course, it is natural to want to annoy idiots; we all have those urges. It is when we are in conflict with the idiot within ourselves that those urges become an intolerable experience to the self, resulting in night-sweats, tremors, visions of flashing-lights, terrible dreams, and the other symptoms you describe. The answer lies not in suppressing those urges, or acting them out (which leads to shame and guilt), but getting in touch with your own inner idiot. Think of your inner idiot as being like a small dog with one eye. Now close, or blind-fold, one eye, and spend 24 hours like that. You see ? Take warm food out of a can and put it on the floor: eat it without using your hands. You see ? Read an entire novel backwards (out loud), translating into idiotic, while one foot is in hot water, and the other foot is in cold water. If you are not fluent in idiotic, pick a novel like "Finnegan's Wake." Improvise: as you learn to communicate with your inner idiot, you will find your own unique ways to enjoy their presence, and bring the urges to annoy idiots outside yourself to heel.
“Use the word 'cybernetics,' Norbert, because nobody knows what it means. This will always put you at an advantage in arguments.” Claude Shannon (Information Theory scientist): letter to Norbert Weiner of M.I.T., circa 1940
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Of course, it is natural to want to annoy idiots; we all have those urges. It is when we are in conflict with the idiot within ourselves that those urges become an intolerable experience to the self, resulting in night-sweats, tremors, visions of flashing-lights, terrible dreams, and the other symptoms you describe. The answer lies not in suppressing those urges, or acting them out (which leads to shame and guilt), but getting in touch with your own inner idiot. Think of your inner idiot as being like a small dog with one eye. Now close, or blind-fold, one eye, and spend 24 hours like that. You see ? Take warm food out of a can and put it on the floor: eat it without using your hands. You see ? Read an entire novel backwards (out loud), translating into idiotic, while one foot is in hot water, and the other foot is in cold water. If you are not fluent in idiotic, pick a novel like "Finnegan's Wake." Improvise: as you learn to communicate with your inner idiot, you will find your own unique ways to enjoy their presence, and bring the urges to annoy idiots outside yourself to heel.
“Use the word 'cybernetics,' Norbert, because nobody knows what it means. This will always put you at an advantage in arguments.” Claude Shannon (Information Theory scientist): letter to Norbert Weiner of M.I.T., circa 1940
Can I get back to you on that one?
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952) Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
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I have recently been in a discussion with an annoying fanatic here in the lounge after coming to the defence of another member decrying the idiot position of said fanatic. Said fanatic is clearly arguing for the sake of it since their position is unsupportable ("Metro is wonderful and better than anything else that ever existed on any version of Window before") and I got fed up of answering his pointless points to the point where I went back and deleted all my messages. Now they show as "Message Removed" and it occurs to me that that seems like I was flinging abuse or something (while actually they were reasoned arguments) and does not look good. Perhaps we need a "Message Withdrawn" heading? Does anyone have any good suggestions on how to deal with annoying idiots in discussions - other than just ignoring them?
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
I feel that it is my duty to annoy idiots. :suss:
You'll never get very far if all you do is follow instructions.
