That's why I don't disclose my birthday.

[comicdonna]

Good idea as there are currently 6 Bday threads on the first page

 

I guess it doesn't matter that the majority of people said no more birthday threads in the polls.

 

I wonder about the true motivations of the people creating these threads.

They say a true good deed is one where no one knows you did it.

Sometimes people do good things only if they know it will be seen by other people and they will get credit for it.

 

You want to truly wish them a happy birthday minus the need for recognition for having done so?

Send them a PM saying hey, I saw it was your birthday, and I wanted to wish you a happy one. seems much more sincere than just starting a thread for every name you see on the todays birthdays list.

 

 

 

OMG it's just a birthday wish, I don't want any recognition for it. Just trying to be nice and let the person having a birthday get a little attention. you bunch of old farts

 

 

 

Big (thumbs u to you.

 

Ignore the comments.

 

Whiners gonna whine.

+1

See, exactly what I'm talking about

There's always going to be people who tell you what a great guy you are for doing it, etc.....

So Is it a sincere desire to wish them a happy birthday?

Or a desire for attention and approval from your fellow board members?

 

If it's a sincere desire to wish them a happy birthday, then take the time to send a PM, seems much more personal and sincere.

 

Something tells me it's about wanting to fit in, and being accepted and approved of by the community,(hence the public threads) more then it is a burning personal need to wish everyone a happy birthday.(which could be done in a PM)

[whisp]

Good idea as there are currently 6 Bday threads on the first page

 

I guess it doesn't matter that the majority of people said no more birthday threads in the polls.

 

I wonder about the true motivations of the people creating these threads.

They say a true good deed is one where no one knows you did it.

Sometimes people do good things only if they know it will be seen by other people and they will get credit for it.

 

You want to truly wish them a happy birthday minus the need for recognition for having done so?

Send them a PM saying hey, I saw it was your birthday, and I wanted to wish you a happy one. seems much more sincere than just starting a thread for every name you see on the todays birthdays list.

 

 

 

OMG it's just a birthday wish, I don't want any recognition for it. Just trying to be nice and let the person having a birthday get a little attention. you bunch of old farts

 

 

 

Big (thumbs u to you.

 

Ignore the comments.

 

Whiners gonna whine.

+1

See, exactly what I'm talking about

There's always going to be people who tell you what a great guy you are for doing it, etc.....

So Is it a sincere desire to wish them a happy birthday?

Or a desire for attention and approval from your fellow board members?

 

If it's a sincere desire to wish them a happy birthday, then take the time to send a PM, seems much more personal and sincere.

 

Something tells me it's about wanting to fit in, and being accepted and approved of by the community,(hence the public threads) more then it is a burning personal need to wish everyone a happy birthday.(which could be done in a PM)

 

nice pic

[RockMyAmadeus]

I don't "feel" the need to go over anything again, which is why I didn't. You've made your point, I've made mine. Nothing new has been introduced to the "discussion", so to continue wouldn't be productive.

 

Great, then that settles it, no? Like I said: I'm perfectly willing to go over anything you'd like, as long as you're willing to go over it. If you're not willing to go over anything, then that should be that...right?

 

Did you see what I did in my last post? I questioned your motives, to which you responded rather angrily.

 

Here are the problems you're having: first, you mistake incredulity with "anger." You cannot put onto other people's posts your own emotional overlay...in other words, you are "reading into things." That's a problem many, many people have, and it can cause much unnecessary conflict.

 

"Disagreeing with someone" doesn't mean one is angry. "Expressing incredulity" at something doesn't mean one is angry.

 

Second, there's a distinct difference between a genuine question of a generic "someone"'s motives (which is what Budsbundy did) in the context of the discussion, and what you did here, which was question my motives for having the discussion, which have nothing to do with the actual discussion itself...not a problem, but not relevant.

 

That's why there was incredulity expressed. My motives for having this discussion aren't relevant in this case.. And, as I said, my motive for having this discussion is a little from column A, and a little from column B. But you don't acknowledge that, because that completely deflated your "gotcha!" attempt, as you were, in part, correct (which is no surprise, because I'd already said as much!)

 

That would be like me saying to you "I think the real reason you are arguing for people to not question motives re: starting b-day threads is because you are paid by a shadow birthday celebration organization to promote these threads." Is that true? Highly unlikely. But here's the real question: who cares? It doesn't matter, because you're not the one starting birthday threads, and the issue is why are people starting birthday threads, not your or my motives for this discussion.

 

That's the same mistake you made earlier, conflating two unrelated things ("starting birthday threads" vs. "complaining about birthday threads being started"), with the same "answer" to both. In effect, you're saying "Well, if people are saying HB threads should be in PMs, then so should discussions about why people are making HB threads." That's not rational.

 

You make no distinctions, and that's a problem.

 

You may think it's ok to question motives in this forum; I don't, particularly in the case of unwanted threads. It's not going to achieve anything productive.

 

Again...that is your opinion. As I've already said, people's motives are questioned all the time around here, all day, every day. Why are you not saying anything about those situations? Go to the Probation discussion thread, you'll see people questioning each other's motives all the time. Go to the EBAY BLOCKED BIDDER thread, you'll see the same thing.

 

Where's your indignation there...?

 

:shrug:

 

Lack of understanding an argument doesn't mean it's irrational.

 

Very true. It's irrationality that does that.

 

I don't understand some of your arguments but it doesn't necessarily mean they're irrational. Benefit of the doubt (thumbs u

 

That's a rather telling admission, isn't it...? If you don't understand some of my arguments...why aren't you asking for clarification, and why are you continuing the discussion at all? It would seem quite obvious that if one doesn't understand the argument, one is not capable of formulating a response to it...but you do it, anyways...?

 

How can you possibly have a reasonable, informed discussion if you don't understand what someone else is saying? It's not possible, which is the problem we're having here. If you don't understand what someone is saying, you cannot possibly have a discussion on any substantial level.

 

Not trying to put you down, now, but you don't see this as the problem you're having, here...?

 

What I would suggest is a point for reflection. Your challenge to my original post has not changed my viewpoint on the matter. Is that what you set out to achieve?

 

Not in the slightest, and I didn't expect it to at any point. The only person who can change your mind is you. I can only persuade, reason, and debate. As I've said, many times before, the vast majority (if not all) of these conversations aren't to change the minds of those involved...but to influence those watching, who may not have had a position prior to the discussion.

 

If you believe you need a point for reflection, by all means...you should absolutely do that.

[ttfitz]

Not exactly ignoring, at least in the way you mean it. It's impossible to measure how many threads are on the front page at one time over a period of time, but how many threads are created is a good proxy - particularly in this instance, as the expected life of a happy birthday thread is pretty close to a day.

 

Neither of those statements is true. It would be very easy to measure how many threads are on the front page at one time over a period of time. You take a snapshot at every point you wish to measure. Easy. And how many threads are created isn't a "good proxy", for the reasons already stated.

 

Sorry, my time machine is in the shop, so I am unable to go back and "take a snapshot" of the front page for multiple days in the past in order to get a good set of data. And we of course differ on whether threads created make for a reasonable proxy.

[ttfitz]

However, I will point out that at this very moment, there are 5 Happy Birthday threads on the front page. These wishes of good cheer to members of the community are selfishly taking up the "real estate" of the front page that could be occupied by:

 

"Why does Mile High's site and online ordering suck?"

"Is it just me, or..."

"RAK Random Acts of Kindness"

"SCRAP METAL HULK!!"

"Halloween: What comics to hand out?"

 

Clearly this is a huge problem.

[Batman]

I don't "feel" the need to go over anything again, which is why I didn't. You've made your point, I've made mine. Nothing new has been introduced to the "discussion", so to continue wouldn't be productive.

 

Great, then that settles it, no? Like I said: I'm perfectly willing to go over anything you'd like, as long as you're willing to go over it. If you're not willing to go over anything, then that should be that...right?

 

Did you see what I did in my last post? I questioned your motives, to which you responded rather angrily.

 

Here are the problems you're having: first, you mistake incredulity with "anger." You cannot put onto other people's posts your own emotional overlay...in other words, you are "reading into things." That's a problem many, many people have, and it can cause much unnecessary conflict.

 

"Disagreeing with someone" doesn't mean one is angry. "Expressing incredulity" at something doesn't mean one is angry.

 

Second, there's a distinct difference between a genuine question of a generic "someone"'s motives (which is what Budsbundy did) in the context of the discussion, and what you did here, which was question my motives for having the discussion, which have nothing to do with the actual discussion itself...not a problem, but not relevant.

 

That's why there was incredulity expressed. My motives for having this discussion aren't relevant in this case.. And, as I said, my motive for having this discussion is a little from column A, and a little from column B. But you don't acknowledge that, because that completely deflated your "gotcha!" attempt, as you were, in part, correct (which is no surprise, because I'd already said as much!)

 

That would be like me saying to you "I think the real reason you are arguing for people to not question motives re: starting b-day threads is because you are paid by a shadow birthday celebration organization to promote these threads." Is that true? Highly unlikely. But here's the real question: who cares? It doesn't matter, because you're not the one starting birthday threads, and the issue is why are people starting birthday threads, not your or my motives for this discussion.

 

That's the same mistake you made earlier, conflating two unrelated things ("starting birthday threads" vs. "complaining about birthday threads being started"), with the same "answer" to both. In effect, you're saying "Well, if people are saying HB threads should be in PMs, then so should discussions about why people are making HB threads." That's not rational.

 

You make no distinctions, and that's a problem.

 

You may think it's ok to question motives in this forum; I don't, particularly in the case of unwanted threads. It's not going to achieve anything productive.

 

Again...that is your opinion. As I've already said, people's motives are questioned all the time around here, all day, every day. Why are you not saying anything about those situations? Go to the Probation discussion thread, you'll see people questioning each other's motives all the time. Go to the EBAY BLOCKED BIDDER thread, you'll see the same thing.

 

Where's your indignation there...?

 

:shrug:

 

Lack of understanding an argument doesn't mean it's irrational.

 

Very true. It's irrationality that does that.

 

I don't understand some of your arguments but it doesn't necessarily mean they're irrational. Benefit of the doubt (thumbs u

 

That's a rather telling admission, isn't it...? If you don't understand some of my arguments...why aren't you asking for clarification, and why are you continuing the discussion at all? It would seem quite obvious that if one doesn't understand the argument, one is not capable of formulating a response to it...but you do it, anyways...?

 

How can you possibly have a reasonable, informed discussion if you don't understand what someone else is saying? It's not possible, which is the problem we're having here. If you don't understand what someone is saying, you cannot possibly have a discussion on any substantial level.

 

Not trying to put you down, now, but you don't see this as the problem you're having, here...?

 

What I would suggest is a point for reflection. Your challenge to my original post has not changed my viewpoint on the matter. Is that what you set out to achieve?

 

Not in the slightest, and I didn't expect it to at any point. The only person who can change your mind is you. I can only persuade, reason, and debate. As I've said, many times before, the vast majority (if not all) of these conversations aren't to change the minds of those involved...but to influence those watching, who may not have had a position prior to the discussion.

 

If you believe you need a point for reflection, by all means...you should absolutely do that.

You're obviously a person who likes to stamp their authority with the "having the last word" approach (thumbs u

 

A lot of that post is "re-going" over old ground and is just arguing for arguing's sake. Is it productive? No. However would appear to be your raison d'être, perhaps?

 

You say my arguments are irrational, however I say it's a lack of understanding on your behalf. Using your logic, I will say "ok, some of your arguments are irrational". I'm not that stupid that I can't see the point you're trying to make, nor counter it; it's that they don't make sense. For example, you say Bud was questioning the motives of the HBT group (if I may call them that) but not Azkaban... however Azkaban is part of that group. So is he excluded for some reason? He puts up the threads, therefore it's his motives that are being questioned.

 

Here is the problem you're having. You're trying to justify anger by calling it "incredulity". Yes, one cannot put their own "emotional overlay" onto a post, however the phrasing you use shows your anger. You don't like the fact someone disagrees with you and it shows. You can be as angry or "incredulous" as you like, it's not going to change my opinion nor achieve anything.

 

Two things for clarification, I wasn't going for a "gotcha", I was just demonstrating my point. And yes, I work for Hallmark

 

I agree that people's motives are questioned on here "all day". If someone acts like spoon then they've got it coming. But to question the motives of boardies who put up HBD threads as a goodwill gesture...? Seriously...? How low is that?

 

I have no need for a point for reflection, thank you. However, as I suggested I believe you do. You argue with me (sorry "persuade, reason, and debate") yet you say it's aimed at those watching. That's somewhat shoddy reasoning, if I may say. I suggest you think about why you're really doing this. You're having a "discussion" with someone - and I'm guessing it's not the first time - yet you're not trying to change the way they think, just those who are watching. Going back to the beginning, that sounds very much like arguing for arguing's sake.

[Domo Arigato]

 

Based on the points made in the post above, I believe the matter is settled and RMA will not respond.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RockMyAmadeus]

Sorry, my time machine is in the shop, so I am unable to go back and "take a snapshot" of the front page for multiple days in the past in order to get a good set of data. And we of course differ on whether threads created make for a reasonable proxy.

 

Who said you needed a "time machine"? Unless something changes, you can go from this point forward and collect the same data. It's going to happen again. You can disagree on whether threads created make for a reasonable proxy, but how can you? It's not the thread creation that is the issue, per se....it's the bumping of those threads, so that they end up back at the top, that is the "issue"...and not just individual threads, but the aggregate total.

 

Is it the end of the world? No. It is dismissive of what the majority wants? You betcha.

 

However, I will point out that at this very moment, there are 5 Happy Birthday threads on the front page. These wishes of good cheer to members of the community are selfishly taking up the "real estate" of the front page that could be occupied by:

 

"Why does Mile High's site and online ordering suck?"

"Is it just me, or..."

"RAK Random Acts of Kindness"

"SCRAP METAL HULK!!"

"Halloween: What comics to hand out?"

 

Clearly this is a huge problem.

 

You don't agree, so you sarcastically dismiss. 60% of the people who voted asked for a sub-forum (or some equivalent...and we still don't make decisions based on how people who DID NOT VOTE *might* have voted.) And the vote turnout was 166 people, much higher than most "polls" done around here. But that means nothing to you.

 

Who's really being selfish, here...?

 

[RockMyAmadeus]

Based on the points made in the post above, I believe the matter is settled and RMA will not respond.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[slym2none]

Great Friday Threads should last into the weekend!

 

 

 

 

-slym

[KPR Comics]

Something tells me the excerpt below is an accusation. Whether leveled at a specific poster or the collective birthday posters, doesn't matter. It wasn't a question, it was editorial, spin, etc. that comes across, to me, as an accusation.

 

 

Something tells me it's about wanting to fit in, and being accepted and approved of by the community,(hence the public threads) more then it is a burning personal need to wish everyone a happy birthday.(which could be done in a PM)

[drbanner]

Does anyone mind if we post "Happy Birthday to my Dog!" threads here in Comics General with cute pictures of our dogs when they were puppies? Because c'mon, who doesn't like cute puppy pictures and it's all about the sense of community!

[KPR Comics]

Just no cats please

[drbanner]

Just no cats please

Yeah, cats are mean and temperamental so no cats in Comics General!

[RockMyAmadeus]

You're obviously a person who likes to stamp their authority with the "having the last word" approach (thumbs u

 

And what is it that you're doing....?

 

 

A lot of that post is "re-going" over old ground and is just arguing for arguing's sake. Is it productive? No. However would appear to be your raison d'être, perhaps?

 

Again, what is it that you're doing...?

 

If you want to go over something, no one is stopping you from going over it. If you don't want to go over it...why are you still talking about not going over it...?

 

You say my arguments are irrational, however I say it's a lack of understanding on your behalf.

 

That's correct. And when there is disagreement, how does one decide which party is right? By considering the evidence.

 

1. You've confessed that you don't understand some of my arguments, but you don't ask for clarification, and continue to argue anyway. Arguing with someone, while admitting to not understanding some of their arguments, is not rational.

 

2. You said, in effect, that "if people are saying HB threads should be PMd, then having a public discussion about HB threads should also be PMd." This is not rational.

 

Using your logic, I will say "ok, some of your arguments are irrational". I'm not that stupid that I can't see the point you're trying to make, nor counter it; it's that they don't make sense. For example, you say Bud was questioning the motives of the HBT group (if I may call them that) but not Azkaban... however Azkaban is part of that group. So is he excluded for some reason? He puts up the threads, therefore it's his motives that are being questioned.

 

Ok, let's address that one specifically: no, Azkaban is not excluded from the "HB" group, but that isn't the point of Budsbundy's posts. He's not targeting Azkaban specifically, because...watch me now...Azkaban isn't, and hasn't been, the only one posting HB threads.

 

It is a general comment, generally made, about those who generally make HB threads. Does it INCLUDE Azkaban? Of course. Does it TARGET Azkaban? Absolutely not. Do you see the difference...? What is so irrational about that....?

 

 

Here is the problem you're having. You're trying to justify anger by calling it "incredulity". Yes, one cannot put their own "emotional overlay" onto a post, however the phrasing you use shows your anger. You don't like the fact someone disagrees with you and it shows. You can be as angry or "incredulous" as you like, it's not going to change my opinion nor achieve anything.

 

Oh please. What a bunch of silly nonsense. (Is that me being angry...? You wouldn't like me when I'm ANGRY! HULK SMAS...~ahem~, sorry, where was I? Oh yes, silly nonsense...)

 

I don't give a flat damn if someone disagrees with me. That is patently obvious throughout my entire history on these boards. If I TRULY didn't like it when people disagreed with me, guess what...? I wouldn't post anything but the most innocuous, unobtrusive posts, ever.

 

I LIKE when people disagree with me, because I LIKE to talk to people. If everyone agreed with everyone else all the time, what a horrifically boring snoozefest that would be!

 

And I already told you: I don't care if your opinion changes or not. That's on you.

 

But "achieve anything"...? Ahhh, now THAT is a claim no one can really make, can they...? You don't know how people have been persuaded, for or against, unless they say so, do you?

 

No. And neither do I. So, I put my best foot forward, and if others end up agreeing, great, and if they don't, that's perfectly fine, too. That's what makes life so interesting.

 

\Two things for clarification, I wasn't going for a "gotcha", I was just demonstrating my point. And yes, I work for Hallmark

 

Right. I don't believe you, based on the scope of the discussion here, but hey, people believe all sorts of things that aren't true, even about themselves.

 

I agree that people's motives are questioned on here "all day". If someone acts like spoon then they've got it coming. But to question the motives of boardies who put up HBD threads as a goodwill gesture...? Seriously...? How low is that?

 

Oh please. Righteous indignation alert. That isn't even in the top 10,000 of "how low can you go" acts on these boards. Have you been here very long...?

 

By the way...who gets to decide if someone else "acts like spoon"....?

 

Interesting question, no...?

 

 

In fact....it is the "goodwill gestures" that ought to be questioned most, by ourselves and others. "Why am I really doing this? Am I doing it because I genuinely care about others, or....am I doing it because I want attention, so people think I'm a "nice guy"...or a little of both, or something different altogether?"

 

 

We can tell where someone is coming from with bad intentions, right off the bat. If someone comes at me with a chainsaw, I know their intentions.

 

It's not the obvious, but the hidden, that we must always, always be very wary of. You don't scribble in crayon on a piece of paper to try and pass it off as a counterfeit bill...no, you try and make it look as close to the real thing as possible, to fool the greatest amount of people.

 

So, why do you imagine that those posting these types of things are "above reproach" and it's "low" to question their motives....? Because they "seem" to be doing "something nice"...? And that doesn't mean they aren't...but why do you think it's "above question"...?

 

 

I have no need for a point for reflection, thank you.

 

I completely disagree, and would point to this entire conversation as evidence of that. Your mileage varies, naturally.

 

However, as I suggested I believe you do. You argue with me (sorry "persuade, reason, and debate") yet you say it's aimed at those watching. That's somewhat shoddy reasoning, if I may say.

 

You may not.

 

Have you already stated it's a fact that nothing I say will change your opinion? Yes.

 

If I was trying to change your opinion, would I, then, continue to try and persuade you? Only a fool would do such a thing, when you clearly stated your opinion would remain unchanged.

 

Am I, therefore, a fool? Some (many?) would say yes. However, I would say no, and since I am not a fool, why continue...?

 

Because there's always someone else whose opinion may not yet be decided.

 

And, on top of that, this type of debate keeps me mentally sharp. Some people do Sudoku...I debate.

 

Change your opinion...? No, not hardly. I doubt anyone's opinion, in any debate, especially debates which have gotten personal, as you have done here, have ever changed anyone's opinion in the entire history of the world.

 

I suggest you think about why you're really doing this.

 

 

Ok, Pop.

 

 

You're having a "discussion" with someone - and I'm guessing it's not the first time - yet you're not trying to change the way they think, just those who are watching. Going back to the beginning, that sounds very much like arguing for arguing's sake.

 

Again....just what is it you have been doing, too?

 

I freely admit, I'll discuss this as long as you wish to discuss it. There are still many, many, MANY valuable points to be made, on all sorts of main and peripheral topics. But a discussion always, always, ALWAYS takes two (or more.)

 

If you want to pretend that you are somehow "above it all", as if you're not doing the exact same thing you're complaining of....again, I think the evidence more than demonstrates the reality.

 

You contradict yourself: You say, in one sentence, that "you're not going to change my opinion", then say "

 

And...you've made this personal, when it wasn't personal to begin with.

 

Who, really, is the "angry" one, here....?

 

[RockMyAmadeus]

Something tells me the excerpt below is an accusation. Whether leveled at a specific poster or the collective birthday posters, doesn't matter. It wasn't a question, it was editorial, spin, etc. that comes across, to me, as an accusation.

 

 

Something tells me it's about wanting to fit in, and being accepted and approved of by the community,(hence the public threads) more then it is a burning personal need to wish everyone a happy birthday.(which could be done in a PM)

 

What if it's completely accurate....?

 

Does that matter....?

[KPR Comics]

Doesn't change the fact that it was accusatory or at least a strongly implied accusation. You said it was merely a question.

[RockMyAmadeus]

Doesn't change the fact that it was accusatory or at least a strongly implied accusation. You said it was merely a question.

 

You didn't answer the question. You already know where I stand.

 

What if it's completely accurate....?

 

Or, is it only the surface that is important, rather than the substance?

[KPR Comics]

Not a whole lot of substance in comics general so I'll go with surface.

Accusation where the subject is guilty is still an accusation. Just ask Ronan.

[wombat]

Something tells me the excerpt below is an accusation. Whether leveled at a specific poster or the collective birthday posters, doesn't matter. It wasn't a question, it was editorial, spin, etc. that comes across, to me, as an accusation.

 

 

Something tells me it's about wanting to fit in, and being accepted and approved of by the community,(hence the public threads) more then it is a burning personal need to wish everyone a happy birthday.(which could be done in a PM)

 

What if it's completely accurate....?

 

Does that matter....?

 

It would still be an accusation.