What do YOU think?
(7 previous messages)Sukey's Demon - Aug 11, 2005 6:34 am (#8 of 197)
Edited by Aug 11, 2005 6:35 am
Speaking of Breakdowns......
Your forums
![[F]](http://wc4.worldcrossing.com/Images/i2/site.gif){kind=small}
WorldCrossing 
Demonizing
Religion Book Talk
Book Talk
When your message is approved, it will appear as follows:
__________________
Curbolo Firus - Aug 11, 2005 2:46 am
Master of
Misapprehension
Moulton, "Science and Religion" #829, 5 Aug 2005 4:55 amI understand that Dubya is teaming up with Curbolo Firus, MMA, to publish a seminal new book on Mimetic Nihilism.
The book is out, but I didn't ghost write it for
So far I've only seen one review of it, and it wasn't all that flattering...
Mimetic Nihilism is about the cancerous spread of nihilistic practices in our culture. These practices were recently dramatized in a long-running soap opera, "Bildungsroman in the Age of Character Assassination."The book presents a withering criticism of the practice of Mimetic Nihilism, and concludes with a scathing criticism of itself: "This book not only makes a mockery of Mimetic Nihilism, it stands as a nefarious and unconscionable model of the very cancer which it passionately urges us to eradicate."
Curbolo Firus - Aug 11, 2005 6:38 am (#9 of 197)
Harrumph.
Harrumph! Uffda! Zounds! - Aug 11, 2005 6:39 am (#10 of 197)
Uffda!
- Aug 11, 2005 8:18 am (#11 of 197)
There follows about 6 posts by each of the pseuds that Bela mentioned, as if they're carrying on a conversation about him. If they really are pseuds, this guy makes onion seem normal...
Bela's Clue - Aug 11, 2005 11:15 am (#12 of 197)
Who you talkin' to, Homeboy?
Montana Mouse - Aug 15, 2005 5:35 pm (#13 of 197)
Edited by Aug 15, 2005 6:08 pm
Elsewhere in these boring and disgusting pages, our hapless characters, who are engaged in a delightfully amusing tango know as the Nihilistic Neuromance, unearthed an 11 year old discussion on LambdaMoo that includes this remarkable think piece by 'Camus' ...
Message 2662:
Date: Wed Mar 9 14:11:54 1994 PST
From: Camus (#67123)
To: *social-issues (#7233)
Subject: Newbie OppressionI hope this note does not offend the old timers. I do not want to appear as a 'young turk', but speaking as a newbie (though not necessarily on behalf of newbies):
1. The primary reason I log onto the MOO is to experience diversity found nowhere else in the MU* world. Unfortunately, that meanssay large numbers, but so be it. If the medium has any serious utility whatsover, it seems to me, it is simply the ability to communicate with others. The bobbles, scenery, etc. are a distant second. While programming ability is necessarily a skill acquired over time, I strongly feel that such abilities are wholly unnecessary to make a valuable contribution to the MOO community.
2. I have noticed no correlation between rudeness, baffoonery, immaturity, etc. and one's MOO status. I would assume that these things depend upon RL maturity level rather than the length of time spent on the MOO.
3. I would strongly encourage persons to be less thinned-skinned and/or self-righteous regarding appropriate behavior. IMHO, the burden of proof should be upon those who would with to restrict MOO expression, and very compelling reasons should be supplied when such actions are taken. In my opinion, it is almost never justified, esp. given @gag and @refuse. Certainly, this would include behavior that is not merely obnixious, but also offensive. For some reason, I seem to get the impression that this is a minority opinion on the MOO. Diversity demands tolerance, and the ability to overlook other's foibles, no?
4. Lastly, since others have offered citations, I will offer the following. Thorstein Veblan made a variety of acute observations regarding social dynamics that are also apparent here on the MOO. Particularly, he noted the furious pace at which societies tend to develop invidious distinctions among their members, according to whatever criteria is available (in modern societies, usually the conspicious consumption of material goods). The thrust of the recent arguments on this mailing list suggest to me the same dynamic, whether based upon more or less arbitrary distinctions re. newbie status, spelling ability, or whatever. It is troublesome when such distinctions are used to confer entitlements upon some, and exclude others. Clearly, I recognize that some of this behavior is legitimate, in awarding quota increases, programmer's bits, and so forth, but surely should not include access to the MOO, or permitting one group to establish standards of behavior for others, without a very compelling reason for doing so. Simply finding certain behavior obnoxious or annoying does not constitute a compelling reason, at least not in my book.
These remarks were meant to be constructive, and ARE NOT directed at anyone in particular, but rather at the general tone of the list, as I see it. I would hope that the comments would be judged on whatever merits they may have, rather than the newbie status of their author. I didn't mean for the tone of these comments to be so formal, but I do think the problems raised are serious, and constitute a threat to the social integrity of the MOO, and of this medium of communication in general.
Just my humble opinion, Camus
The writer has adopted the name of 'Camus' -- an obvious reference to author Albert Camus whose novel The Stranger is about a character who becomes estranged and alienated from society.
(184 following messages)
What do YOU think?