If you have any poo, fling it now!

or; thanks for the title, BlueDev

Published on July 19, 2006 By SanChonino In Politics

I've been thinking a lot lately about how I can change my life and make myself a better person. (I know, you may be thinking to yourself, “What the crap?” but I just want to make some changes.)

At any rate, I've been pondering why I argue and how I can debate more effectively. And it occurred to me – the problem is that, once I resort to name calling, any argument – no matter how important it might be – loses all validity once the mudslinging begins.

This is true of a lot of us, I fear. Once we start “flinging the poo” (as my brother likes to call it) we lose all moral high ground. And everyone is guilty of it at times.

Think about it – the liberals call the conservatives “Nazis” or “Hitlers” or any other number of fascist epithets. The conservatives, in turn, call the liberals “pinkos” or “commies.” Once those names start flying, we lose all strength in argument.

Christians call atheists “god haters.” Atheists call Christians “insipid.”

There's tons of other names that are flung about as well, even within the groups that we ourselves espouse. And what does it serve us? It simply alienates the other side all the more, and drives wedges through any semblance of understanding and growth.

So go ahead, JU, keep flinging the poo. I don't care; just know that you lose validity and your argument loses force once you start throwing names around. (This includes calling the other side stupid, moronic, idiotic, etc.) I'm not going to stop liking you – because there are some pretty cool people out there that are famous for calling names – but I will probably steer clear of your thread.

And if any of y'all see me flinging the poo, make sure that you remind me about this.

Comments

Dr Guy

on Jul 19, 2006

Atheists = God Haters? Kind of funny when you think about it. How can one hate that which does not exist?

SanChonino

on Jul 19, 2006

How can one hate that which does not exist?

Good point. But you have to admit, that is a famous catch phrase among the atheists.

InBloom

on Jul 19, 2006

SC~~Just know that you lose validity and your argument loses force once you start throwing names around. (This includes calling the other side stupid, moronic, idiotic, etc.)~~

I agree. There are people on here with very strong and talented debating skills, but they kind of screw it all up with the immature playground antics. I guess it's alright sometimes, you know when tempers flare and passions arise, but to do it all the time makes them look a bit foolish and too arrogant for their own good.

Trudygolightly

on Jul 19, 2006

I found this interesting. I was recently, on my own blog, the recipient of name calling, insults, and sarcasm, and this wasn't even a debate.

The last time it happened I was chided by a blogger I thought liked me. I've even been told to just let it slide...it was my understanding that it's against the JU TOS to verbally attack someone. Yet nothing happened.

I think that's why we see this "poo flinging", because no stop is put to it even when it's against the TOS.

I agree, it lowers the credibiltiy of the person that's swearing, name-calling, and being belligerent. I have to say it sure is a way to get points though.

foreverserenity

on Jul 19, 2006

I have to say it sure is a way to get points though.

That it does and also garner a lot of attention!

I try to stay away from the name calling and poo..er mud slinging! San, when I saw the title I thought it was Pete's article!

SanChonino

on Jul 19, 2006

San, when I saw the title I thought it was Pete's article!

It probably should have been, because that is his famous by-line . . . but I couldn't help myself from using it when I wanted to write this article. (Hopefully he doesn't kick me around a bit for infringing on his 'flava".

)

I will agree, though, that name calling is a great tactic to get yourself some (many times) much wanted attention. If there is anyone out there just dying for this attention, call me whatever the heck you want. I'm thick, thick skinned.

Dr Guy

on Jul 19, 2006

If there is anyone out there just dying for this attention, call me whatever the heck you want. I'm thick, thick skinned

You are also a good debater. With wisdom, you will be a great one. Lets keep the names in the games forum. And the debates in the rest of them.

SanChonino

on Jul 19, 2006

Lets keep the names in the games forum. And the debates in the rest of them.

Exactly. We can let those "noobs" (or whatever the heck you call them) stick to themselves. We can be a little more "civilized".

dynamaso

on Jul 21, 2006

I've never liked the sort of behaviour you're describing. I find it immature and unnecessary and I avoid any threads that do this. How can we ever move past the crap going on in the world at the moment if the best we can do is resort to petty, schoolyard name-calling?

Myrrander

on Jul 21, 2006

lol I don't mind being called "pinko" or "commie" because it's true. It's much worse when someone calls me a "Democrat."

BlueDev

on Jul 21, 2006

I thought that was Hu Flung Dung, LW. They must be related.

SanChonino

on Jul 21, 2006

How can we ever move past the crap going on in the world at the moment if the best we can do is resort to petty, schoolyard name-calling?

My thought exactly, and the reason I wrote this article.

It's called "Brown Spots on a Pink Wall" and it's by a cousin of Confucious named Hu Flung Poo.

Ja ja ja ja ja!

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