The Cellar - An American Place? - Page 7

Griff · 08-01-2008, 10:18 AM

One thing that doesn't change in the Cellar no matter its make-up, we will find something to argue about.

HungLikeJesus · 08-01-2008, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

As Monster explained, certain words and phrases, while still in English, carry different connotations in different countries. If you aren't cognizant of where the poster is from, you can misinterpret the post.

I think this shows up more in the daily banter than posts on serious international issues, but it's still important to flow of thoughts and feelings.

Fag?

Griff · 08-01-2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HungLikeJesus

Fag?

No, but he is exploring his softer side.

Sundae · 08-01-2008, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

I see that YOU have a problem or you wouldn't be saying anything in the first place.

What else is there to your observation, if not an implied complaint? It's obvious that we are from different places and have different things about us--in fact it's SO obvious that there's nothing there to make a thread about.

Nope. I wondered if I was alone in seeing this board as inhererntly American in character, because when I posted that it was disagreed with. I can't be arsed to go back and count how many times I stated that it wasn't a problem, it wasn't a complaint, I didn't have an issue with it, I really like this board, I enjoy the different perspective I get here. Quite apart from the fact that anyone who reads my posts should know this anyway - I revel in the differences because of what they teach me.

Quote:

The second, unfounded complaint you have is that Americans have a "blind spot" to the obvious thing you think you are so clever for having observed.

There's no second complaint as there is no first complaint. But questioning someone else's opinion isn't a complaint anyway. I don't think I'm clever for having a different opinion to some people on this board, no. And there are Americans on here who have seen what I am trying to say.

Flint · 08-01-2008, 10:36 AM

I am one of the Americans who has seen what you are trying to say. There is no difference in opinion, because the original observation isn't debatable--it can demonstrated by raw data, i.e. a greater number of American posters.

Now, putting that first-level, blatantly obvious aspect of the conversation to the side, there is the matter of what does this actually mean, in real-life terms?

You suggest that a person's nationality/geographical location should cause them to feel a distinct separateness, of all places on an INTERNET site (which has no geographical constraints)! This makes smoke come out of my ears. You're focused on the OLD model of human interaction. That isn't how things are done anymore.

If you feel out of place, on the internet, because of where you are physically at, then all I can say is "You're doing it wrong."

xoxoxoBruce · 08-01-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

I see that YOU have a problem or you wouldn't be saying anything in the first place.

You get so pissy when you're losing.

Flint · 08-01-2008, 10:40 AM

I think we're having two different conversations.

skysidhe · 08-01-2008, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

As Monster explained, certain words and phrases, while still in English, carry different connotations in different countries. If you aren't cognizant of where the poster is from, you can misinterpret the post.

I think this shows up more in the daily banter than posts on serious international issues, but it's still important to flow of thoughts and feelings.

So this was about word usage? Now THAT I can agree with but that's not what they are conversing about.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

The cultures will slowly merge, and we accelerate the process.

I thought we already were.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

And the old-guard luddites will drag their feet at every step, constantly reminding us that we should stay segregated into little boxes that will be increasingly impossible to maintain the illusion of. I'm against that. If you hadn't noticed. There's no point in resisting the future--it comes whether you welcome it or not.

This is why you can love/hate flint. That's so smart to be almost poetic.

I am still waiting for someone to tell Flint to chill though. My fair meter is blinking. He is way more to the point and the quick than I was.
That means he's blighter too.

ah never mind. It's payday hey!

Sundae · 08-01-2008, 10:53 AM

No.
I'm really not saying that. I think you are taking what I have said and taking the next step - it's honestly not one I am taking, or am interested in taking.

This was my original post:

Quote:

If you're going to denigrate every single "developed" country for their lifestyle, at least acknowledge them. If your issue is only with Americans then you might find a better audience on a US-only forum. This forum is US-based, but thanks to UT and the intelligence and experience of the American Dwelars it is a welcome home to a small but vocal "foreign" contingent, whose views are appreciated if not always accepted.

Bottom line - do your homework rather then posting a set piece. This is a community, not a soapbox.

I've even kept in the typo.

In this case Coberst was specifically criticising Americans, and I was actually trying to make the point (obviously very poorly) that in fact he was making points about the whole of the Western world, but giving American specific reasons for his conclusions. Which made no sense when his criticisms could be applied to any number of countries who do not have a common history with the US. I felt he was addressing the board as if it was composed solely of Americans, and that's certainly not true.

However, this lead to me explaining that if you post on a board where general terms like the Government, the military, the schools, the sports industry, tv channels, advertising etc etc ALL mean The American Government, the American military etc and not the ones you (I) am familiar with and know how they work, then you do adjust your mindset slightly. It is barely noticeable after a while, but sometimes a thread will surprise you (football being an obvious example).

I don't want to feel different, to feel apart. I react to the people here - not their nationality. But if you took all the locations away then I would still be making the same adjustments. It's not a bad thing. I don't mind. I'm not complaining. I think I'm done.

I've tried to put my point logically. I've kept coming back because I felt I was being identified as something I'm not and my views were being twisted. But we won't agree, so really I'll just let my posts show that I'm not small minded or trying to pull anything apart. If they don't then that's my bad and I'll live with it.

xoxoxoBruce · 08-01-2008, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skysidhe

So this was about word usage? Now THAT I can agree with but that's not what they are conversing about.

That's what Sundae was talking about... the Cellar has a American flavor because of the preponderance of American posters, that shows in the daily banter. How many "International" boards go on and on about Philly cheesesteaks?

Flint's railing against everyone that doesn't buy into his brave new world, because he wants people to forget he's from Texas.

THEY aren't having the same conversation.

Flint · 08-01-2008, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

I think you are taking what I have said and taking the next step - it's honestly not one I am taking, or am interested in taking.

That's exactly what I'm doing, because that's what I do. I'm sorry if I dragged you along the tangent I couldn't resist following.

It is interesting to see your original post:

Quote:

This forum is US-based, but thanks to UT and the intelligence and experience of the American Dwelars it is a welcome home to a small but vocal "foreign" contingent, whose views are appreciated if not always accepted.

I don't categorize, in my mind, "foreign" posters into a "contingent." That's exactly the opposite of what I think the internet is for.

But to show you that I understand your point, let me propose this analogy: Being a non-American on a predominantly American disscussion forum might feel something like being a non-Christian in America. And God knows I've done my fair share of beating that subject to death.

Sundae · 08-01-2008, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

But to show you that I understand your point, let me propose this analogy: Being a non-American on a predominantly American disscussion forum might feel something like being a non-Christian in America. And God knows I've done my fair share of beating that subject to death.

Thank you.
And btw I feel the same (albeit to a to a lesser degree, despite having a state religion) in the UK.

Flint · 08-01-2008, 12:08 PM

Okay, huggy-thing, now jeez let's move on...

Clodfobble · 08-01-2008, 12:58 PM

What? No! The whole point of fighting is the make-up sex, and you want to just rush through that part? That's just freaking... un-American.

Sundae · 08-01-2008, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

Okay, huggy-thing, now jeez let's move on...

Don't bring Jesus into it now!

08-01-2008, 10:18 AM	#91
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	One thing that doesn't change in the Cellar no matter its make-up, we will find something to argue about. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

08-01-2008, 10:36 AM	#95
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	I am one of the Americans who has seen what you are trying to say. There is no difference in opinion, because the original observation isn't debatable--it can demonstrated by raw data, i.e. a greater number of American posters. Now, putting that first-level, blatantly obvious aspect of the conversation to the side, there is the matter of what does this actually mean, in real-life terms? You suggest that a person's nationality/geographical location should cause them to feel a distinct separateness, of all places on an INTERNET site (which has no geographical constraints)! This makes smoke come out of my ears. You're focused on the OLD model of human interaction. That isn't how things are done anymore. If you feel out of place, on the internet, because of where you are physically at, then all I can say is "You're doing it wrong." __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

08-01-2008, 10:40 AM	#97
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	I think we're having two different conversations. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

08-01-2008, 12:08 PM	#103
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	Okay, huggy-thing, now jeez let's move on... __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

08-01-2008, 12:58 PM	#104
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	What? No! The whole point of fighting is the make-up sex, and you want to just rush through that part? That's just freaking... un-American. __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

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