Rhetoric And Invective
Reasoned debate and discussion seems to have become the exception in our society today, not the norm. The norm is now rhetoric and invective, intended to incite emotion and reaction, not thoughtful persuasion or opposition.
Yesterday I responded to a post on a social-media site because the author said he liked “stimulating conversation”. His post was inflammatory and illogical and I challenged him on it, reasonably using concrete examples to challenge each of his assertions. Eventually he resorted to invective saying “Stop being an a-hole by trying to show the world that you’re somewhat more intelligent than you really are.”, and “I can’t fight ignorance, goodbye.”
Today I went into the forums on derbyfever.com to look for some information and see what was being posted. Suddenly I was struck by the lack of invective and rhetoric. There was debate, there was good-natured ribbing, and there was sharing of information, but there was no rude rhetoric or invective as there seems to be in other internet forums. Everyone seems to have checked their attitudes at the door.
Despite our philosophical differences we have groups get together at Saratoga, we read of players in our community and the fun they have while visiting the track in real life, and we congratulate our opponents on their victories and feel badly for them in their defeats. What an excellent community we have, all brought together by a horse-racing simulation.
I’ve been in and out of the game for years, having quit for various reasons along the way. However, it has never been because of rudeness, insults, or name-calling as it has been with other internet games. I’m proud to say I’m a member of the derbyfever.com community and will continue to be a member for the foreseeable future.
(The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of The Black Type Bugler or the management of derbyfever.com.)
Excellent post. The community aspect of this game is really unique and very special.
You must be talking about that second rate degenerate gambling lie known as HRF.
Ill say it cause I have been threatened by the owner quiet a few times and I still havent seen him show up at my door. If I am wrong so be it ill still say it degenerate gambling site known as HRF Dont let it get ya whiteriver
I don’t know, I kinda enjoyed quite a few of those message board donnybrooks & shenanigans. I mean, when does stoners finally get to come back to the MB and where the hell has Andrew and Big Oil been? Sometimes the board gets moribund and stagnant and a good brouhaha is good for morale and entertainment purposes. I mean Donny Beisbol is now a pussy and marginalized. Perhaps the game is ripe for the return of Dr Dipper Lip
What do you mean ‘now’? 😛
Thanks for the article, whiteriverfarm. Glad you are feeling at home here – it is a place that at least tolerates trainers of all stripes. Having said that, the good Dr. has been conspicuous by his absence. Coincidentally, just yesterday I submitted an article to the BTB that may address some of the whirlwind concerns… who knows if it actually gets published, though.