I'm cross posting this from the "Seth" thread so that the information will be adequately disseminated to all.
There are a couple of things I can say for certain about my participation here.
First, I promise never to impute characteristics inferred from posts here to the individuals who make those posts IRL. No matter how nasty or snarky someone gets, I will always be happy to have lunch or a drink with anyone. I hope to be given the same consideration.
Second, I will always give as I get. Polite gets polite. Reason gets reason. Snark gets snark. I've been doing this for a long, long time. I never give up and I never surrender when attacked. Ever. I'm a pit-bull's worst nightmare in that respect. Gallstones and the Snarkmeisters who chimed in earlier (you know who you are) can confirm that fact, and it won't change. Play nice with me, and I'll play nice with you.
Third, in connection with Article the First and Article the Second, I'm a very forgiving sort of person. I don't hold grudges...except perhaps against 914 and a couple of the assholes who conspired to get me bounced from RDF in violation of their own policies. They know who they are. So do I. That being said, I compartmentalize well, and unlike some I could mention, I don't bear grudges and I'm always willing to start over with polite, reasoned, if vigorous, debate.
Fourth, I am very, very protective of my personal privacy, which means that you will likely not get to know much about me IRL. Gallstones can attest to that fact as well.
Fifth, for reasons associated with Article the Fourth, and for reasons of intellectual flexibility, I generally present a "persona" in all my on-line debates. I have done so for nearly a quarter-century now, and I'm not about to change that, because being able to take diverse positions in a debate is how I learn new things and expand my intellect. If that offends some, well, too bad. That being said, I will almost certainly relate personal anecdotes from time to time to illustrate a point. I try my very best not to tell lies, particularly about my life. Therefore, you can be comfortable that any personal information you glean from my writings reflects reality. That's the best I'm willing to commit to in this respect. I reserve the right not to indulge in revealing personal information, for reasons of personal security and comfort.
Sixth, in connection with Article the Fifth, I reserve the right to argue diametrically opposed positions in different debates, and I decline to be tied to any particular position or statement outside of a particular debate. Therefore, I will not acknowledge any accusations of inconsistency between debates, since I may be taking a divergent position in order to move the debate in a particular direction or illuminate a particular point. If you don't like that style of debate, tough noogies, you can scroll past my posts.
Seventh, I admit to being dogmatic about collectivism and I'm a staunch supporter of Libertarianism, individual rights, and the right to keep and bear arms. That's not going to change either. Fair warning: I despise collectivism, Marxism, Communism, Democratic Socialism, Socialism and Progressivism, and probably a couple of other "isms," and I will attack those ideologies whenever they rear their ugly heads. That being said, refer to Article the First for my position on imputing disreputable motives to INDIVIDUALS who may themselves support such ideologies. I will not countenance the tactics used by 914 at either RDF or RatSkep in taking faux offense at attacks on "isms" and claiming that they are attacks on "ists" in order to bolster an accusation of "trolling" or "personal attack." As I mention in Article the First, no one should ever make the assumption that I am EVER engaging in a personal attack, because I assume a priori that everyone else on this board is likewise presenting a "persona" of one sort or another, and that they too may choose to argue inconsistent or opposite positions for reasons of debatorial and intellectual flexibility and enjoyment.
Eighth, in recognition of the somewhat over-the-top complaints of some members here regarding an alleged propensity to "derail" or "destroy" discussions, I note that, like Gallstones, I believe in personal responsibility and personal accountability and the principle that no words, however provocative, can ever be blamed for the reader's emotions in response. I DO NOT ACCEPT even the smallest responsibility for "inflaming" someone's emotions, because it is simply impossible for me to control others to that extent. I expect, and demand that everyone here be responsible for their own emotions and that if they cannot control them, the should step away from the keyboard until they have their emotions under control. I will never, ever accept blame for someone else's tantrum.
Ninth, That being said, I will commit to using as much care as I can not to "derail" threads where it's not a natural digression in the progress of the discussion. However, if someone else begins, or perpetuates such a derail, I will not be placed in the position of having to shut up and not respond merely because the conversation has strayed from the original topic. In short, if you don't want a derail, don't participate or foment a derail. You expect me to use good judgment in staying on topic, and I expect the same courtesy from you.
Tenth, that's enough information for folks here to understand where I'm coming from and how I conduct myself in these sorts of forums. What you see is what you get. Don't expect any changes. If you don't like my style, there's always the scroll key.
So, onward and upward, and I look forward to stimulating and enjoyable discussions with each and every one of you. I'm happy to be here, and I hope the forum can live up to it's own ideals and principles.
"Seth is Grandmaster Zen Troll who trains his victims to troll themselves every time they think of him" Robert_S
"All that is required for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Edmund Burke
"Those who support denying anyone the right to keep and bear arms for personal defense are fully complicit in every crime that might have been prevented had the victim been effectively armed." Seth
© 2013/2014/2015/2016 Seth, all rights reserved. No reuse, republication, duplication, or derivative work is authorized.