Let us start over.

As a foreigner posting about American topics on a Canadian message board ;), I generally try to leave out local idioms and meanings so as to convey a clearer message. Where I get tripped up is in reapplying American idiom and culture to the message. That generally gets me into trouble arguing about things I inadvertently said because I used idioms I didn't mean to use; or failed to use one where one was appropriate.

Case in point: "Theory of Evolution is 'only' a theory."

Frankly, it's impossible to keep up with all the idioms in English, let alone American English in the specific. You do the best you can and hope you deliver a clear enough message in the right idiom. It helps that most folks here will give you the benefit of the doubt when you clarify your message through a garbled translation.

The Overlord is mostly benevolent and will give a lot of useful tips on posting if you ask. Others will give translation notes and context background on topics if asked politely; I suggest you do. Many will even post helpful links!

It's notable that this forum is the only American/Canadian forum in which I participate in political discussion. Other forums on the internet are too hostile. It may help that the language barrier is shielding me from some nastiness that may or may not be going on; it's really hard to tell sometimes.

When reading responses, if a reply could be meant in several ways, interpret it in the best possible manner.

Larry, I think it's your good nature and the general attitude of the boards that is keeping you from nastiness.

Robear wrote:

Larry, I think it's your good nature and the general attitude of the boards that is keeping you from nastiness. :-)

The shock collar helps a smidge.

dejanzie wrote:

How should I go about posting in a thread on American politics, as a 'foreigner'? Do you mind outsiders chipping in, and under which conditions?

I think that you'll be fine chipping in as long as you don't mind someone pointing out (sometimes less than delicately, sometimes unfairly, and sometimes rightly so) that you're misguided in some aspect of how you perceive it.

I'm a foreigner, but I've spent 6 years living in the US. There's subtleties to the American Experience that still go completely over my head.

TL:DR - chip in by all means, but do it with the knowledge that you don't, in fact, really know what you're talking about

Jonman wrote:

TL:DR - chip in by all means, but do it with the knowledge that you don't, in fact, really know what you're talking about.

That might be the best catch-all solution posted here

Can we start over? I'm starting to feel like the answer is no overall.

DSGamer wrote:

Can we start over? I'm starting to feel like the answer is no overall.

Buddy, but that says more about your mental state than it does about the crowd. I emphatically do *not* mean that as an insult or troll. We can always start fresh! There are absolutely posters that have driven me crazy, who I really like now - and vice versa. This is true in real life as well. I sure as hell hope we can start over, because I try to take life one day at a time. If we can't, my whole foundation is rocking:)

SallyNasty wrote:
DSGamer wrote:

Can we start over? I'm starting to feel like the answer is no overall.

Buddy, but that says more about your mental state than it does about the crowd. I emphatically do *not* mean that as an insult or troll. We can always start fresh! There are absolutely posters that have driven me crazy, who I really like now - and vice versa. This is true in real life as well. I sure as hell hope we can start over, because I try to take life one day at a time. If we can't, my whole foundation is rocking:)

I didn't take it as an insult. I feel like I've grown and changed over the years and yet there are people at this point who I feel won't give me a chance. This has been a rough couple of weeks where I've felt like I either speak a different language or need to come back with a pseudonym.

DSGamer wrote:
SallyNasty wrote:
DSGamer wrote:

Can we start over? I'm starting to feel like the answer is no overall.

Buddy, but that says more about your mental state than it does about the crowd. I emphatically do *not* mean that as an insult or troll. We can always start fresh! There are absolutely posters that have driven me crazy, who I really like now - and vice versa. This is true in real life as well. I sure as hell hope we can start over, because I try to take life one day at a time. If we can't, my whole foundation is rocking:)

I didn't take it as an insult. I feel like I've grown and changed over the years and yet there are people at this point who I feel won't give me a chance. This has been a rough couple of weeks where I've felt like I either speak a different language or need to come back with a pseudonym.

This new coffee grinder, VitaGamer, sure does seem like a nice fellow!

Tanglebones wrote:
DSGamer wrote:
SallyNasty wrote:
DSGamer wrote:

Can we start over? I'm starting to feel like the answer is no overall.

Buddy, but that says more about your mental state than it does about the crowd. I emphatically do *not* mean that as an insult or troll. We can always start fresh! There are absolutely posters that have driven me crazy, who I really like now - and vice versa. This is true in real life as well. I sure as hell hope we can start over, because I try to take life one day at a time. If we can't, my whole foundation is rocking:)

I didn't take it as an insult. I feel like I've grown and changed over the years and yet there are people at this point who I feel won't give me a chance. This has been a rough couple of weeks where I've felt like I either speak a different language or need to come back with a pseudonym.

This new coffee grinder, VitaGamer, sure does seem like a nice fellow!

Good call on VitaGamer. That name is evergreen just like DSGamer. Nothing could go wrong with that.

You should pick something we'd never guess. I suggest Kindlegamer. That should be anonymous enough, no one would ever... oh, wait... D'Oh!

Or you could just ask Certis to change your username and picture. I seriously doubt most of us would notice it, we'd just think "Man, this guy sure has been around a while. Wonder why I haven't seen him..."

If it makes you feel better DSGamer, you're one of the posters I generally make sure I don't skim past, you always have something interesting to say, and 90% of the time it resonates pretty well with my own views.

That might make you feel worse depending on how you view my posts.

Reiterating for emphasis; Consistently be the person you want to be seen as and over time people's notions of who you are will adjust accordingly.

DSGamer wrote:
SallyNasty wrote:
DSGamer wrote:

Can we start over? I'm starting to feel like the answer is no overall.

Buddy, but that says more about your mental state than it does about the crowd. I emphatically do *not* mean that as an insult or troll. We can always start fresh! There are absolutely posters that have driven me crazy, who I really like now - and vice versa. This is true in real life as well. I sure as hell hope we can start over, because I try to take life one day at a time. If we can't, my whole foundation is rocking:)

I didn't take it as an insult. I feel like I've grown and changed over the years and yet there are people at this point who I feel won't give me a chance. This has been a rough couple of weeks where I've felt like I either speak a different language or need to come back with a pseudonym.

I'm almost 99% certain Sally's post was meant to be a satire of some of the more well-known P&C voices.

Robear wrote:

You should pick something we'd never guess. I suggest Kindlegamer. That should be anonymous enough, no one would ever... oh, wait... D'Oh!

GameGearGamer! Alliteration is the BEST.

NSMike wrote:
DSGamer wrote:
SallyNasty wrote:
DSGamer wrote:

Can we start over? I'm starting to feel like the answer is no overall.

Buddy, but that says more about your mental state than it does about the crowd. I emphatically do *not* mean that as an insult or troll. We can always start fresh! There are absolutely posters that have driven me crazy, who I really like now - and vice versa. This is true in real life as well. I sure as hell hope we can start over, because I try to take life one day at a time. If we can't, my whole foundation is rocking:)

I didn't take it as an insult. I feel like I've grown and changed over the years and yet there are people at this point who I feel won't give me a chance. This has been a rough couple of weeks where I've felt like I either speak a different language or need to come back with a pseudonym.

I'm almost 99% certain Sally's post was meant to be a satire of some of the more well-known P&C voices.

It is the 1% - I meant my response to DSG 100%.

Although in fairness, I can see the similarities that you are referencing. They were unintentional. re

DSGamer wrote:

I didn't take it as an insult. I feel like I've grown and changed over the years and yet there are people at this point who I feel won't give me a chance. This has been a rough couple of weeks where I've felt like I either speak a different language or need to come back with a pseudonym.

This feeling can arise while following any political board. A board evolves over time as new people join and others leave. I often get similar feelings during some threads, and that's normal. Nothing is permanent. There's a reason why we've lost so many posters over the years. At some point people just decide that they're tired of internet debating or just want to discuss politics in a new environment with new people.

Here's one of the reasons why I'm really trying to be completely civil and not respond to some of the conservative baiting. At PAX this year when I introduced myself at the PAX dinner, one guy quipped "oh, you're the conservative a-hole." I learned later he was totally kidding and we had a great conversation about gaming, kids, and working in the tech industry. But it made me realize that GWJ is a community that often leads to friendships in real life. I don't want to be known at the next slap and tickle as the Bill O'Reilly wannabe troll, so I'm toning things down. A lot.

In my defense, I'm so used to boards like 4Chan where nobody would ever meet in real life and it's no-holds barred. If I did meet some of those troglodyte retrobates in real life, I would probably be sent to jail.

jdzappa wrote:

In my defense, I'm so used to boards like 4Chan where nobody would ever meet in real life and it's no-holds barred. If I did meet some of those troglodyte retrobates in real life, I would probably be sent to jail.

I think you mean reprobate.

NSMike wrote:
jdzappa wrote:

In my defense, I'm so used to boards like 4Chan where nobody would ever meet in real life and it's no-holds barred. If I did meet some of those troglodyte retrobates in real life, I would probably be sent to jail.

I think you mean reprobate.

No, he meant retrobate. You know, people who jerk it while fantasizing how sexy things used to be.

jdzappa wrote:

At PAX this year when I introduced myself at the PAX dinner, one guy quipped "oh, you're the conservative a-hole." I learned later he was totally kidding and we had a great conversation about gaming, kids, and working in the tech industry. But it made me realize that GWJ is a community that often leads to friendships in real life.

I think if I met up with the PA forumers they'd grab the torches and pitchforks (long story), but also I'd have no problems meeting up with anyone here. People have gone out of their way to be civil, and not just because of the banhammer, but privately as well. As someone who's posted on a bunch of different politicial boards over the years... that's a special thing.

NormanTheIntern wrote:
jdzappa wrote:

At PAX this year when I introduced myself at the PAX dinner, one guy quipped "oh, you're the conservative a-hole." I learned later he was totally kidding and we had a great conversation about gaming, kids, and working in the tech industry. But it made me realize that GWJ is a community that often leads to friendships in real life.

I think if I met up with the PA forumers they'd grab the torches and pitchforks (long story), but also I'd have no problems meeting up with anyone here. People have gone out of their way to be civil, and not just because of the banhammer, but privately as well. As someone who's posted on a bunch of different politicial boards over the years... that's a special thing.

I may disagree with you fundamentally on major issues, but I'll still play board games with you

Tanglebones wrote:
NormanTheIntern wrote:
jdzappa wrote:

At PAX this year when I introduced myself at the PAX dinner, one guy quipped "oh, you're the conservative a-hole." I learned later he was totally kidding and we had a great conversation about gaming, kids, and working in the tech industry. But it made me realize that GWJ is a community that often leads to friendships in real life.

I think if I met up with the PA forumers they'd grab the torches and pitchforks (long story), but also I'd have no problems meeting up with anyone here. People have gone out of their way to be civil, and not just because of the banhammer, but privately as well. As someone who's posted on a bunch of different politicial boards over the years... that's a special thing.

I may disagree with you fundamentally on major issues, but I'll still play board games with you

+1

SixteenBlue wrote:
Tanglebones wrote:

I may disagree with you fundamentally on major issues, but I'll still play board games with you

+1

No, I'm not...it's just...my cube is a bit dusty today, you know? And the pollen count. Astronomical. In my cube. They should switch to plastic flowering plants here.

SixteenBlue wrote:
Tanglebones wrote:
NormanTheIntern wrote:
jdzappa wrote:

At PAX this year when I introduced myself at the PAX dinner, one guy quipped "oh, you're the conservative a-hole." I learned later he was totally kidding and we had a great conversation about gaming, kids, and working in the tech industry. But it made me realize that GWJ is a community that often leads to friendships in real life.

I think if I met up with the PA forumers they'd grab the torches and pitchforks (long story), but also I'd have no problems meeting up with anyone here. People have gone out of their way to be civil, and not just because of the banhammer, but privately as well. As someone who's posted on a bunch of different politicial boards over the years... that's a special thing.

I may disagree with you fundamentally on major issues, but I'll still play board games with you

+1

I feel the same way definitely. I hope to one day get to Gencon or Origins back east.

@ Mixolyde - Am I really that bad?

Oddly I've been a regular on a forum that was a proper fluffy hippy place where pretty much everyone treated each other nicely and believed in "self moderating", never banning people, and just being nice to the trolls so they become fluffy hippies too.

Yeah. Only the trolls are left there.

Speak softly and carry a big stick. And nail your T&Cs to the door.

jdzappa wrote:

@ Mixolyde - Am I really that bad?

Heh, no. You're awesome, jdzappa. This community is just awesome sometimes, that's all.

Getting together helps. I need to make a point of making it to PAX next year.

DSGamer wrote:

Getting together helps. I need to make a point of making it to PAX next year.

At least come up for the weekend, even if you don't do the con the whole time