How Do You Think You’re Perceived on TPF?

Quoting Mikie

Does that track?

I think of you as the Adam Sandler of TPF.

I don’t think you’re an asshole and I don’t think most people see you that way. Some do, but that’s what happens when you post in political discussions and get angry sometimes.

I legitimately have no idea what people think of me. Members educated extensively in philosophy may recognize me as a dilettante, and these days I’m more visible in the Shoutbox than anywhere else so I’m probably thought of as a buffoon, and perhaps an arrogant one.

I’ve had responses to my philosophical discussions revealing that there are members who’ve been around since the beginning who have no idea, and really no interest in, what I’m saying, despite knowing me for many years (and yet they go ahead and respond to my OPs).

Another time, @Noble Dust expressed disbelief on finding out that I wrote a certain short story that he liked a few years ago. That was weird to me. I wondered, why is he so surprised? Never did find out. I didn’t hold it against him though, I should add.

In a nutshell, I am none the wiser, and it’s probably not worth worrying about.

Very basically, a diletante.
More complex-ly, a well-meaning moron with low filtering skills. Though, that last one is a virtue, in my mind.

I doubt most members think of me at all. The writers know I read and review everything; the deep philosophers probably see me as a simplistic naive realist; the scientists have never heard from me, since I stay away from topics on which I'm stone ignorant; the politcos know that I'm a raving socialist who wants to blow up the whole capitalist edifice - or else an idiot who just doesn't understand the Free Market Ideal.

Reply to Jamal

I think it was because you had said it was your first time writing a short story. Considering it was really good and you won the contest, I thought that was impressive, and was therefore surprised. I was also sad to see you deleted it. Attempting publication perhaps?

I think back when I actually contributed to philosophy threads I was probably perceived as a woo-woo diletante, which I'm fine with. These days I suppose I'm just the second-in-command shoutbox class clown, next to @Hanover.

Quoting Noble Dust

I think it was because you had said it was your first time writing a short story. Considering it was really good and you won the contest, I thought that was impressive, and was therefore surprised.

Ah, that’s not so bad then :smile:

Quoting Noble Dust

I thought that was impressive, and was therefore surprised. I was also sad to see you deleted it. Attempting publication perhaps?

Yes, I regret doing that, since there was another way I could have hidden it from the internet. By the way, the Symposium is now private so stories no longer get indexed by search engines.

I think people think of me as the Bob Hope of the forum. Which is great, as everyone loves Bob.

Reply to Baden Why do you have five glasses of wine and three glasses of water? Slow it down there buddy.

Quoting Mikie

I think I’m mostly perceived as an asshole and a punk,

At least you're self-aware.

jk

If I die, nobody would truly care. This is even worse than if someone thinks negatively about you. When you pass unnoticed through life.

Quoting javi2541997

If I die, nobody would truly care. This is even worse than if someone thinks negatively about you. When you pass unnoticed through life.

Remind me who you are?

I’m so droll. But seriously, you’re a likeable chap so don’t be so hard on yourself.

Hey wait a minute. If you were fishing for compliments, I took the bait as fast as a hungry flounder.

Reply to Jamal Thanks. I am not hard with myself. I just think I am not really relevant at all. I always had this sense of emptiness, which has been increasing with the pass of the years. I believe the people around me in my daily life do not think anything at all, neither positive nor negative. This can be more painful than an insult.

I understand why Existentialism is by far my mood.

This is why I wholeheartedly believe that I will have more footsteps here than in the tangible world.

Reply to javi2541997 You are one of a kind and God and the world need you.

Fuck Bob Hope though.

Reply to Mikie
Interesting questions.

Probably perceived as obsessed with certain texts and willing to discuss them way beyond general interest. That is true and can be explained to some degree. I have a chip on my shoulder like the Jude the Obscure character since I engage in scholarly debate but work as an artisan.

I lose my composure on a perennial basis so that has to leave a mark.

For the bonus points: I had friends who readily understood me but by they have died. I appreciate the surviving friends even though they admit they don't understand much of what I say. They don't ask me to stop. Good fortune,

I think the question should be -- how do you perceive a forum member. So, if I'm answering it this way, I'd say @Noble Dust will explain anything if you tag him and @Benkei can be a gasshole. lol.

@baker -- well, Baker can a benevolent prick.

Quoting L'éléphant

Noble Dust will explain anything if you tag him

That's true; having the answers to all life's questions, I'm simply a tag away. Yet so few realize.

Quoting Noble Dust

I'm simply a tag away

Someone with conviction!

Reply to L'éléphant Judgy much? :lol:

Quoting Hanover

Fuck Bob Hope though.

I'm not letting you, or @Jamal, away with this.

Why I like Bob Hope

I like Bob Hope because he has a big chin. Who wouldn’t like that? I like Bob Hope because, well, look at that cheeky smile! After all, he entertained the troops. I like Bob Hope because his relation to vegetative matter was always pure and innocent.

Bob Hope smells of trees and waterfalls.

Did you know that Bob Hope retained the majority of his hair follicles until middle age? That’s hard to criticize. I like Bob Hope’s taste. Nothing tastes like Bob Hope. Don’t knock it until you try it! I mean, have you ever sat through a full Bob Hope movie? Ha! I knew it!

Many people confuse Bob Hope with Jack Melon and even Gary Lewis. This is possibly the reason for irrational animosity towards Bob Hope. After all, he entertained the troops! Did Mr. Melon step up to such plates? Walter Mathews? Ha!

Bob Hope’s chin is two standard deviations larger than the average man’s chin. What’s not to like? Bob Hope never had sex with anything apart from a human being. Bob Hope was almost certainly a human being. I was once within touching distance of Bob Hope’s shoe. I was too young to appreciate it. I have many faults.

Some people dislike Bob Hope for purely subjective reasons. A division of Bob Hope into his respective elements could eliminate such problems. There is no logical reason not to like Bob Hope. Did you know he entertained the troops?!

I hope you will change your mind about Bob Hope. I once met someone who touched Bob Hope’s hat. He told me it was a religious experience. That man is now a priest. Bob Hope’s chin is just… I never said Bob Hope was God. Or Jesus. Or the Buddha. Or the best combination of all of the above! …The man ENTERTAINED THE TROOPS! ...SING IT!

There are many people who are incapable of appreciation. Such people should not be entertained. A chin that big is a sight to behold. I don’t know anything about Bob Hope. But really… Are you saying you don’t like Bob Hope??? :brow:

*

I like @javi2541997 too.

Quoting Baden

But really… Are you saying you don’t like Bob Hope??? :brow:

I largely blame him for our loss in Vietnam. If he's going to take credit for World War 2, he's going to have to admit to his strategic mistakes in Vietnam. I question the entirety of his strategy. His handling of the draft was a debacle, only exasperating issues of domestic inequality.

You've bought into the narrative that he's a grandfatherly Uncle Sam offering comfort and safety in a dangerous world. I know him for what he is: a gin infused hollowed out shell of a man who directs bombs into foreign lands like he's playing a video game.

Fuck Bob Hope.

Hang on a sec... Maybe I got the wrong guy. I need to do some Googling, but for now, the condemnation stands. Fuck Bob Hope.

Quoting Baden

I like javi2541997 too

Quoting Hanover

You are one of a kind and God and the world need you.

Muchísimas gracias chicos. :flower:

Reply to Hanover

You've convinced me. It's Jack Melon I really like. Always have. Never even heard of Bob Dope.

Quoting javi2541997

Muchísimas gracias chicos.

:cheer:

Reply to Vera Mont I will say you are perhaps the sweetest person I have interacted in this forum so far. Of course, the bar is not high — okay the bar is low —, but you do come across as kind.

Reply to Lionino
Thanks. I figure there's nothing to be gained by meanness; it could give one dyspepsia.

Quoting Vera Mont

it could give one dyspepsia.

Fair. I also dislike pepsi.

Quoting Lionino

I will say you are perhaps the sweetest person I have interacted in this forum so far. Of course, the bar is not high — okay the bar is low —, but you do come across as kind.

You reap what you sow. Since I invited you a couple of months ago you've been arrogant, snarky and insulting to people. And you like to throw around these blanket insults too: sometimes it's that most people on TPF are idiots, now it's that they're not nice.

Fix yourself first. You can't even give a compliment without insulting somebody else.

[And I haven't even mentioned your bizarre fixation on Latin vs French, and the strong possibility that you're a returning banned member who hated the place so much he couldn't get enough of it]

Sometimes it's an advantage not knowing too much about other posters.

Quoting Jamal

And you like to throw around these blanket insults too: sometimes it's that most people on TPF are idiots, now it's that they're not nice.

You simply misinterpret what I say — a joke — because you have a personal dislike towards me. I think I have learned my lesson of not interacting socially here. But I will say that your view of me does not say anything about my character more than it does about yours.

Quoting Jamal

and the strong possibility that you're a returning banned member who hated the place so much he couldn't get enough of it

I am not.

Quoting Jamal

And I haven't even mentioned your bizarre fixation on Latin vs French

Oh, so that is where the personal dislike comes from. Well, I already knew, it is always the same with you folks. If someone comes here to claim Berkeley was a dualist, multiple times, would you not correct them each time? You would.
You are British or Unitedstatian, right? The fixation is not mine, the fixation is from others to state something that is patently incorrect despite being thoroughly debunked each time. Your innate Francophobia comes out each time I correctly point out that French is English's mom.

Quoting Vera Mont

Sometimes it's an advantage not knowing too much about other posters.

No skeletons in my closet, only clothes.

Quoting Lionino

And you like to throw around these blanket insults too: sometimes it's that most people on TPF are idiots, .... — Jamal

You simply misinterpret what I say — a joke —

This here is something you don't get to say and be awarded the interpretation that it is joke. I avoid using this word when I'm joking. I only ever say this word if I mean it because it would always be received as meant, not banter.

That said, I actually find this place to be populated by above average intelligence. I do not always 'speak' softly and sweetly here, but imagine being out there in the general population and trying to talk about philosophy and other things not pop culture. This is a refuge, to me.

Quoting L'éléphant

That said, I actually find this place to be populated by above average intelligence.

It seems that way to me, also. But I suspect AI is crawling along the alleyway waiting to slip through a cracked door. This could be a plus . . . or not? :chin:

Reply to jgill
So long as it doesn't go around accusing people of stupidity (even if it's literally true from its perspective) or self-deception (which is always more or less true, whether we're aware of our bias or not). I hope it takes its diplomatic cue from Data, rather than any imperfect human model.

Quoting L'éléphant

This here is something you don't get to say and be awarded the interpretation that it is joke. I avoid using this word when I'm joking.

That is fine because that was a false accusation. I do not recall calling other TPF members idiots, I recognise that there are quite a few people (much) more educated than me in philosophy, mathematics and logic.
What he is likely misremembering is the few times I stated that there are crazy people in this site. And we all know that there is.
But I am sorry that me saying other adult men are not sweet stirred emotions. Saying people are not sweet is not the same as that they are not polite — which is something I think is generally practiced by members here.
I just wanted to praise Vera Mont for her kind spirit and put a little joke in there, end of conversation for me.

Quoting Mikie

I think I’m mostly perceived as an asshole and a punk

And proud of it!
It annulls your climate activism.

Quoting Mikie

Interested in how others think they’re perceived…and as a bonus: how different would these perceptions be in real life?

I don't have to imagine this, I only need to think of things I've been actually told. A troll, boring, not cool enough.

This is pretty much how I feel most of the time here:



esp. around the forum greats.

(For example, I’m actually a nice guy in the real world! If I had any friends you could ask them.)

Bah, that's the thing with this forum: one never knows when one should read between the lines and when not.
And then there's the Old Boys club.

Quoting L'éléphant

well, Baker can a benevolent prick.

*sigh*

One thing that I find so peculiar (and for which I have gotten a lot of flak) is the almost complete lack of introspection, lack of self-reflection, and lack of applying the theme that is being discussed to oneself, on the spot. Esp. in Western philosophical discourse, any request for such is instantly dismissed as a fallacious ad hominem. I just don't understand this.

There is a whole existential meta-level to a philosophical discussion, yet esp. in Western settings, this meta-level is entirely off-limits, and anyone probing to this level is dismissed as a troll etc. etc. As if the norm of philosphical discussions is to engage in them, and then close the book, shut down the computer, and go and have a beer as if nothing happened.

Quoting baker

This is pretty much how I feel most of the time here:

I like you, baker. I think you are a honest and good mate.

I remember when you helped me to write in cursive, and I invited you to my home for supper. A true friendship was built... :flower:

Quoting baker

And proud of it!
It annulls your climate activism.

I’m not a climate activist, and nothing I do “annulls” (sic) climate science in any way. Your worthless, unsolicited opinion notwithstanding.

Quoting baker

This is pretty much how I feel most of the time here:

Right— and despite all the feedback, you endlessly go around lecturing others on how to properly and effectively communicate, and how ignorant we all are for not changing our ways. Meanwhile, you continue doing the same thing time after time, apparently without an iota of self awareness or adaptation. Rather, you play a victim.

I’ll start taking your unsolicited advice seriously when you grow up. Until then, leave me alone. I have no interest in your opinions and haven’t once ask for them. Hypocrites are to be ignored, where I come from.

Quoting Jamal

I legitimately have no idea what people think of me. Members educated extensively in philosophy may recognize me as a dilettante, and these days I’m more visible in the Shoutbox than anywhere else so I’m probably thought of as a buffoon, and perhaps an arrogant one.

Doesn’t track with my perception. You’re one of the better communicators here. Whether that’s true of your verbal skills I have no idea…

As for dilettante: aren’t we all?

Quoting Vera Mont

I doubt most members think of me at all.

This is not meant rudely, but for me this is true. But I think it’s only because we haven’t interacted much and you’re often reasonable enough that your posts don’t stand out. And perhaps it’s something about your name — for some reason it blends with so many others that I have a hard time remembering.

Quoting Noble Dust

These days I suppose I'm just the second-in-command shoutbox class clown, next to Hanover.

Yeah I do see your posts mostly in that thread, so it’s hard not to relegate you to chattiness.

Quoting Baden

I think people think of me as the Bob Hope of the forum. Which is great, as everyone loves Bob.

Yes, you’re definitely the Bob Hope of the forum.

Quoting javi2541997

If I die, nobody would truly care.

Oh stop. I’d care— I just don’t know you well enough to care deeply. That’s for real time interactions.

Reply to Paine

:up:

Quoting Mikie

This is not meant rudely, but for me this is true. But I think it’s only because we haven’t interacted much and you’re often reasonable enough that your posts don’t stand out. And perhaps it’s something about your name — for some reason it blends with so many others that I have a hard time remembering.

Not too many people are pissed off at me? That's just the way I prefer it. You know what happens to the nail that stands out, right?

Reply to Vera Mont

Exactly. Better to go under the radar.

Quoting Lionino

But I will say that your view of me does not say anything about my character more than it does about yours.

And yours. Because he’s right. So maybe it’s worth taking the feedback.

Quoting L'éléphant

That said, I actually find this place to be populated by above average intelligence.

:chin:

There’s a dozen or so people who are certainly above average. But there’s a lot of morons too. But those dozen or so make it worthwhile— far more so than Twitter or and other social media sites.

Quoting Mikie

And yours. Because he’s right. So maybe it’s worth taking the feedback.

Seething frustration and false accusations are not feedback.

Quoting jgill

It seems that way to me, also. But I suspect AI is crawling along the alleyway waiting to slip through a cracked door. This could be a plus . . . or not? :chin:

You'll know them by the essays they write. haha! :lol:
They write for themselves, and it's not a two-way communication -- they'll respond to you but not to you.

Quoting Mikie

There’s a dozen or so people who are certainly above average. But there’s a lot of morons too.

Well, in that case, I only read the dozen or so people.

Quoting Lionino

What he is likely misremembering is the few times I stated that there are crazy people in this site. And we all know that there is.

lol. :sweat:
I don't read most posts in this site. So, I must have missed the crazy ones.

I hope those few crazies did not leave a lasting impression here such that they now define this site.

Quoting baker

One thing that I find so peculiar (and for which I have gotten a lot of flak) is the almost complete lack of introspection, lack of self-reflection, and lack of applying the theme that is being discussed to oneself, on the spot. Esp. in Western philosophical discourse, any request for such is instantly dismissed as a fallacious ad hominem. I just don't understand this.

I know. Caring is hard. Like loving is hard. :wink:

You need to outsmart them, Baker. Write it differently instead of using words that betray your undertone. If I come along and post in a thread in favor of paternalism, for example, and just blaarrgghh the basics, sans nuance and metaphor, like I have-no-reservation-so-take-it-or-leave-it, then guess what I'm gonna get in response?

Quoting javi2541997

A true friendship was built... :flower:

Except that I'm wearing black.

Reply to L'éléphant

Honestly, the thing that stands out in my perception is your name— which I like— and the fact that you usually write well and are fairly unassuming. I don’t know much else about you though…

The thread was supposed to be about how we thought we appeared to others, sort of a test of self awareness, but it's instead become an assessment of others thread.

In the Hillary-Trump debate, the moderater asked Hillary and Trump to say something nice about each other, which I thought was the only interesting question.

Compliments are more challenging, not because we can't think of things, but because it takes us out of our comfort zones to be nice.

I ate dinner at a Mormon's home, and his 5 kids took turns before dinner telling each other what they admired about one another. That was not an event that ever happened at the House of Hanover.

Anyway, I throw down the gauntlet. Only compliments.

Reply to Hanover
Only compliments? My siblings built me up and tore me down. Both efforts hit the mark.

But your challenge is fair. Will consider.

Quoting Hanover

Compliments are more challenging, not because we can't think of things, but because it takes us out of our comfort zones to be nice.

Oh, I thought people came here to unlearn being nice.
It's easy to be nice and to care.

Anyway, I throw down the gauntlet. Only compliments.

Lol, of all the idioms, you choose a martial one, and then invite compliments. It's as if you're categorically unable to say something without it being a double entendre. Don't repudiate it, it's a fine art.

Quoting Mikie

Honestly, the thing that stands out in my perception is your name— which I like— and the fact that you usually write well and are fairly unassuming. I don’t know much else about you though…

Thank you. No, that should stay that way. It's good to know less -- it's the thought that counts.

And of you, as well -- good to know you are one of the mods. That's all I need to say about you.

Hate to think what people think of me. I have very low self-esteem and tend to think the worst.

Quoting praxis

I have very low self-esteem and tend to think the worst.

Jesus! That would cripple me to the point of not being able to participate in a forum like this. The fact that you're here and having that condition is a puzzle to me. I wish you the best.

Reply to L'éléphant

You’re supposed to offer me compliments to bolster my self-esteem.

Apparently I’m not as funny as I think I am. :sad:

Quoting praxis

Apparently I’m not as funny as I think I am. :sad:

Whatever posts you've written in the forum which I had read, I liked your posts. You seem to be level-headed to me.
I didn't say this earlier because I didn't want you to think I was pandering.

Now, does that bolster your self-esteem?

Reply to L'éléphant :up:

Reply to praxis

You’re the best, prax!

Reply to Jamal

Aha, my plan worked after all. :grin:

Well this thread took an unexpected positive turn. Glad to see it.

Only disappointed the contrast between one’s internet persona and that of the real world wasn’t explored more. Oh well!

Reply to Mikie Do you mean their real-world persona?

If so, feel free to make a comment. I assume there isn't much daylight between them here, versus Twitter or FB.

Quoting praxis

Aha, my plan worked after all. :grin:

All for the best. :razz:

Reply to praxis I like your avatar.

Reply to Vera Mont

I think the image reveals a desire to fit into a place where there isn’t really a good fit. I do think that I’m a ‘thinker’ though, and that I’m perceived as a thinker.

I’m always pleased to see your posts because I appreciate good writing and rational thought. Kind of a rare commodity in this day and age.

Reply to praxis I'm not from this day or age - I'm a leftover from the 20'th century, keeping my head down in spaces where I don't exactly fit.

All constrained to the same white posting box, with the same alphabet, same bold feature, etc., same words, yet after even only a few posts, each of our personalities come through as starkly distinct from one another. We are all amazing!

For that, I truly think you each deserve my respect, fellow thinkers about what the hell thinking means, or is, or what meaning means, putting their souls on display inside a small white box of words in the process.

And I hope you see me giving that respect in my posts. None of this matters to me without that respect. Even those of you who might argue no one need deserve any special respect - I still respect you despite yourself, and would be willing to try to discuss respect with you. I believe we have to give respect for no reason. It is only earned because the other to whom respect is given might accept that respect - whether they accept it or not isn't why you give it. Who and what they are, namely, a whole human being, is why respect is already owed.

That said, summing up some other poster's whole person as an "idiot" is never helpful. I think we truly are incapable of judging another whole person as anything, other than person deserving respect. And here, in particular, there can be no idiots in this forum - not physically possible. We passed idiocy when we decided to just join and read, in my opinion. We passed idiocy when we said "in my opinion" in a way that others could judge for themselves.

So when anyone actually thinks some other poster is an idiot and says it, we reveal more about ourself than the other poster. We reveal a limit we won't go to, won't stand that line of argument, don't see the point in it, don't understand, or simply belittle that person's station and moment in the quest, and lash out at the other person for wasting our time. So ad hominem negativity only destroys the baseline respect, and reveals your own limitations.

Unless there is some point to it that is actually focused on the content. Saying some idea is idiotic, that shoves meaning and truth in our faces. I say have at it, and let that personality shine! Further, once we truly get to know the respect is there, once we have a history showing respect, then we can let the harsh ad hominem attacks fly to emphasize our points, like calling your brother an idiot because he is doing something you think is stupid. He knows you love him and respect him, and that baseline deep knowledge is both why the betrayal that comes with being called a total idiot by your own brother who knows you, is funny, and why your brother can decide to either blow it off and say "how would you know, you moron" or rethink how stupid he's being. It doesn't mean you actually think your brother is just an idiot.

Lastly, notice I didn't say what I think of any one in particular. That's because I'm too new and would have to do some research to recall who said what, and what I think it tells me about that person. So I'm forgetful and lazy, and still manage to blather on way too long. Probably annoys a bunch of you.

Quoting Fire Ologist

I think we truly are incapable of judging another whole person as anything, other than person deserving respect.

Not everyone deserves respect, besides the basic acknowledgement of being human. The rest is earned. And some people really are idiots. Judging from their behavior, not seeing into their souls.

I’d argue it’s very important to discriminate between good and bad ideas and good and bad behavior. Making no judgment whatsoever is silly. You want to do that, become a monk.

Quoting Mikie

Making no judgment whatsoever is silly.

It's also dangerous.