h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It's a totally stupid sounding name.

Footinooti.

Like hankypanky, nambypamby, etc - very childish ways of expressing rather adult situations.

Meanwhile, although I quite agree with the concept of not resorting to adhominem attacks in a debate forum I also disagree with being 'nannied' if I happen to say something someone takes exception to and then takes as an 'ad hominem attack' when I meant nothing of the sort.

Frankly, with the implimentation of this stupid profanity filter - which never tells us which word was blocked - I reckon we are all being nannied quite enough without any more of this nonsense.

Just to say that all you 'footinooti' people may be well within your rights to see certain threads as this-that-whatever . . . but you are not within your rights to say that certain people should express themselves in a manner that *you* happen to find comfy and okey-dokey.

There are some people here who love a good old flame war - I don't happen to be one of them, but I would never want to disallow them their fun. Mostly because sometimes some of that stuff makes for quite entertaining and interesting reading - and often makes me laugh out loud.

My take is that 'Footinooti' wants to make everyone behave *exactly the same* as designated by you lot.

Well, sorry, but that would be way too boring!

I don't go in for adhominem shit, I don't treat people here unkindly, but I do see others doing this *somewhat* and - so sue me - find it rather entertaining at times. I see it as a challenge. And look forward to the next post.

The point being, if we are all grown-ups here, then why don't we let other grown-ups deal with a supposed 'adhominem attack' instead of saying OHMYGOD WE HATE THIS IT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN!

Get real guys, we are dealing with so many different people here all the time. Do you really think all of us should succumb to what *you* think is the *one and only* appropriate way to debate?



az

Traveller in Time _trying_ not to interfere
"I thought the idea was to start with yourself an -show- other people the decent way.

However about the name: would BooByWobbly be more fitting "

Ha!

The 'decent' way?

Show me the door, please . . .


az

I think it is funny name and doesn't at all let on what it is about. For some days I was sure it had to do with making footnotes in (maybe) entries or declarations or something. (Denmark is expert in footnotes in the EU ) Especially as our librarian-cum-president carried the tag. .

As I understand it, footinootiing (it really looks funny) has nothing to do with nanying (sp?), policing, conforming, reforming or making everything into the same grey porridge. forbid.

But of course it can seem and maybe *is* provoking, bordering on exhibitionistic, when someone flashes a 'badge' and tells what s/he is about. Hmmm. Decency. Maybe it is less dangerous/offending to claim to be indecent? (Not a word about Cretian hunks )

Is it also frightening and/or preventive - even forbidding - when one/I partake in a conversation, I wonder?

I don't think so. The researchers who have already talked to me or, I dare say, some of the others who have signed up, will certainly know how we talk to others and how we react to different situations.

I very rarely come across nasty or viscious conversations/threads - I've seen - but not been part of - a few, and I hope I'll be as constructive as I've seen Elentari has been.

That is to me the essence of Footinooti - to be decent and constructive.

D***, words fail me. Would you like it in Danish.

I guess where it all falls down is getting everyone to agree on what is *decent and constructive*, tartaronne.

Footinooti people seem to have a very clear and solid idea about this formed amongst themselves, but I don't reckon it would work - or even should work - in the vastiness that is h2g2.

And the name still makes me gag!

az

I don't mean agree on or define how to be decent and constructive - that will take from now and till I die in 47 years - but being it myself.

So, I'm a and you are a troublemaker, eh?

And I like decent and constructive people. They are usually passionate also.

I'm an Official Troublemaker because Wilma gave me a shiny badge and this new name the other day - I think it's rather funny.

I don't know why, but the word 'decent' tends to stick in my craw. But I also like interesting and challenging people who are passionate.

And to be honest, I'm not sure I've ever come across a person here on h2g2 who wasn't 'decent' (whatever that means).


az

I don't personally derive much amusement from watching someone tear another part. I don't care it the tearer feels justified in their own supremacy, or the torn is a simpleton, "obviously" expecting to be scorned.

I get my greatest kicks from the the rants, chest-thumpings and wailings from people so mortally offended when someone suggests common decency and respect. Or even relatively clean language. It's akin to someone stripping them of citizenship, or perhaps their perceived "right" to be above such things as rules.

Traveller in Time just reread the page
"Are we really supposed to go along all the Personal Spaces to post the manifest ?

< F2131439?thread=3087342 > I will get yikesed after the second. "

RN, I think you're confusing rules with rights, as are a few others. Some consider a certain amount of rights to be inherrent here but there must be limitations to those rights as there are in RL. Rules must be maintained in order to protect the sensibilities of youth, the inexperienced, those of religion, ethnicities, etc., etc.. The rules of debate have been tried here but they didn't seem to work. Limiting attacks on individuals and restricting language is just another way of preventing personal attacks while maintaining entertaining and educational dialogue.

As to the term *footinooti* I like it because it fits in with the slightly irreverent and nutty nature of this place.

Hmm. In all this footinooti malarkey, isn't there an element of 'my way or the highway'? There's an implication that anyone who doesn't follow the strict letter of the law *as laid down by the self-appointed footinooti community* is a vicious person prone to making senseless personal attacks. Problem is - that doesn't sound like me.

Face it - people have different conversational styles. Some are more robust than others. Some are more adept than others at deflating a preposterous opinion with a well-aimed dart of sarcasm. It takes all kinds.

Now, I agree - deliebarate personal attacks made with the sole aim of offending are seldom useful (although I reserve the right to allow them in extremis). However...the key word there is 'intention'. Who's to judge? Quis custodiet ipsos footinooties?

There haven't actually been any "rants, chest-thumpings and wailings" about common decency and respect, only about the right of one section of the community to tell the rest what these terms are to mean.

I take particular exception to the snide tone of Rev Nick's second paragraph, coming as it does from someone who's habit seems to be to stalk another researcher (az), passing hypocritical comments that aren't matched by his own behaviour. Cut it out, okay?

As for the rest -

footinooti is a horrible name.

Noggin

Stalking? The last I posted to her to congratulate on the opening of her business.

Anyway...I think you're all a load of ing ers.

And you're fully free to feel that way. In many instances, I have personally enjoyed your wit, EtB.

<>

You mean, our business?

In any case, on a thread on az's personal space, where she hadn't spoken to you for nearly two years, and where your presence was obviously not welcome.

More of an "I'm still here" than anything else.

But enough of such unpleasantness.

Suffice to say

footinooti is *still* a horrible name.

Noggin

Yes, I've just reviewed that thread, ... with the occassional call. If she found this offensive, I do apoligize. I've left any number of threads open, and re-aquainted with friends by an occassional call in. I hadn't realized this was considered inappropriate and stalking. Rest assured, I won't intrude again.

I don't think I've been affiliated with something this controversial in a loooong time. I'm tickled pink.

I don't think anyone in their right mind would actually post a footinooti in the PS of a flamer. It'd be too dangerous. So calm down all touchy, anxious folks.

And bonobo, we've been through this, but FootiNooti has no issue with 'robust' arguing .

The problem is when people
_abandon the arguement_
to
_attack their opponent_.

Since you like arguing, you must also be annoyed when someone ceases to argue and begins a personal crusade. It suggests that they're backed against a wall and reduced to something undignified and childish.

So let's all FootiNooti, OK?

I look at it more like an approving label of myself rather than a condemnation of anyone else. Sort of like *I gave blood today* or *Who's a pretty boy, then!* (Well, maybe not the last one.)

So if I want to be footinooti I can, just as I can call myself the illegitimate heir to the Throne of the Unofficial Kingdom of Vancouver Island, so there.