Quote:
Originally Posted by OldDave
Gracie, I always appreciate that you take time to explain your thoughts, even though you are a bit "enthusiastic" at times. I know it is sincere. btw, the person who sent me a personal message about Jonestown, was not a girl. He is someone who I've become friends with on here. So if you know a girl, there are at least two people on here who were personally touched by that tragedy.
I have heard that "drinking the kool-aid" is older than Jonestown. I thought so too, but I have tried to find an earlier reference and haven't been able to do so, if someone has I'd like to see it.
MGM, you stated things very well. I appreciate your thoughts. I'm truly not sure if the people who snap at newbies really mean to be rude or what. As I said earlier it truly puzzles me. As Gracie said people are coming in droves. Maybe those grumpy folks are just trying to slow down the growth.
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I do not think "drinking the kool-aid" as an analogy is older than Jamestown. I think it is directly related to that tragedy, and refers to people who blindly follow along with the crowd or a charismatic leader, without regard to the consequences.
As for people who snap at newbies, I think they see certain opinions as a threat to their strongly held beliefs and react accordingly. The dynamics of chat sites like this, and I have been a participant on several over the last ten plus years, are interesting to say the least, and would probably make for a fascinating psychological study. People who are relatively non-confrontational in their real life, suddenly become active debaters on a keyboard. People who are passive-aggressive in life become simply aggressive on a keyboard. With a level of anonymity comes a "courage" to say things one would seldom, or never, say to another person's face. Add that to the fact that many people struggle to accurately express their opinions and feelings, and you have a situation rife with the probability of misunderstandings. I have often found statements I have made to be minconstrued or mischaracterized. Sometimes it is my fault, particularly in an effort to be brief and concise when I don't provide adequate context, and sometimes it is because the responder did not read carefully, or misinterpreted what I said. I try not to get too excited about what people say here because; a. everyone is entitled to their opinion, and legitimate opinions can coexist, even if diametrically opposed, and; b. because I can choose what I read, and I can choose what I want to beleive, regardless of what anyone else thinks or types. Have a nice day and be kind to one another! Merry Christmas.