I’m kind of ranty today. So this is your warning. Ta-da! Now that the warning is out of the way. On with the rant.
Hi folks! How is everybody today? Good? I hope so. There is a pattern of behavior going on in Second Life social circles and especially on plurk and in blogs which frankly, I find abhorrent. It’s this whole “Being vague” thing. You may think by not naming names you’re being considerate and nice, but you’re not. In truth, you’re being a bigger dick than actually naming names. You see, this whole tone of “civility” you adopt is a false front. And I’m going to explain to you why.
See that? You have no idea who I am talking about. I could be talking about that guy behind me. Or I could be talking about somebody else and this poor schmuck is simply standing behind me. Or there could be a male reading your plurk/blog who is now upset because you didn’t have the common decency to out who you believe is a dick. And with that you’ve hurt multiple people. But it really doesn’t stop there now does it? No. Instead, you will receive attention. People will flock to your blog/plurk and they will ask “Who are you talking about?” and what will you do? You’ll be cute and say things like “Oh…I will PP you and tell you”. That my friends is some grade A bullshit. Because not only are you inconsiderate, but now you’re an attention whore. So now, not only are you not being civil you’re being a dick. The very same thing you’ve accused somebody else of being. Which kind of makes you a flaming hypocrite. There is a way to fix this though. And it’s surprisingly easy.
There it is. Name names people. See, now you know exactly who I am talking about. There is no confusion as to who I think is a dick. It is indeed the guy behind me. The butthurt stops at one. They might ask why. And you may very well tell them. And perhaps a dialogue can be established and maybe things can be patched up. But if their not patched up well then shoot at least the person knows where they stand with you. Hell, people might give you the attention you’re yearning for by being forthright about your opinions and your honesty. And you know what? You can even be civil about it and not come off like a total douche. It’s actually not that hard.
So what do you say people? Think you could maybe try this for a day? A week? Maybe longer? I’m willing to bet if it was done then maybe the drama will die down a bit.
But who am I kidding? Things will go on as they were. People will make vague plurks and blogs, the butthurt will pile up, and the cycle will continue. Why? For the same reasons blogs with drama get more hits and why people like Lindsay Lohan are actually getting news coverage.
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Dan and I are a perfect example of how this works in actual practice.
When he returned to SCD, I plurked and SAID “HEY DAN I STILL THINK YOU ARE A DICK”
(that is a summary)
And he said “HEY, WE MADE UP”
And I said, “No we didn’t, you ass”
And he said,”Yeah we did, remember – and reminded me…….
And I said “Oh, ummm,I’m sorry I called you a dick. Let’s be friends forevah.”
And we are, as long as I respect the restraining order.
This is sooo true! I don’t know you so you may or may not be a dick but I enjoy your blog posts.:)
Amen, brotha.
Someone vaguely Plurked about me a few weeks ago. And about 20 people IMed me and said, “Hey, so-and-so is vaguely Plurking about you.” (paraphrased!) So there’s nothing classy or even subtle about it.
Damn it, now I’m being vague in this comment.
Sorry.
If we were all hanging out in the flesh, we could just take it out to a back alley somewhere and beat the crap out of each other.
They should put it on this year’s SLCC agenda, actually:
9:30 a.m. – Noon “Group Session in the Catfight Cage.”
5 p.m. – 9 p.m. “Melee in the BitchSlap Pit. Mud slinging optional. BYOB!”
That’s all I got.
I think I just saw the Pale horse go by…..
I agree with Dancien
I think you’re a dick too Dancien….but, I kind of like your dickiness. You once outed me as a dick (which I was) and now I’m a dickless wonder.
When I saw you had rejoined SCD, I had visions of them wheeling you out of the dungeon Hannibal Lecter style to reclaim your title as King Dick of the Bloggers and I for one am glad to see you back. SL is much more colorful with you in it.