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

Sorry. I have to say this somewhere. But apropos of aggressive fisking, am I the only person who finds it incredibly dull? I feel stolen from when page after page of point-scoring keeps intelligent, nuanced, first person experience and analysis out of a thread.

Lesbians?
Gypsies?
Why do women work?

Sorry. I'll get myself a cup of tea.

Definitely not the only one. I love it when we get a good lively debate going on Hootoo, and (I freely admit I'm guilty of this myself on occasion) get so frustrated when it devolves into, as you say, points scoring.

I just can't follow posts, especially strings of posts, that consist of a line of quote a line of reply a line of quote a line of reply at the moment, whether or not it is aggressive or unpleasant. My reading comprehension skills are at an all time low. So if it doesn't have a beginning middle or an end, I can't be bothered, and I have taken to scrolling past whenever I see <<.

So what ARE you all talking about? I don't see any problems.

I was quite enjoying the why do women wok thing though. In fact, I'd thought of a lovely reposte to your urban parable, Mrs Zen, when I noticed something shiny over here and... oooooh, shiny, what was I saying?

Well, I learned a new word today.

I'm really sick of it too. Really sick of it.

Is there anything to be done for noohootoo?


Sol, do you have access to the Tech forum at noesis? We're talking about those format things a bit there.

>> Is there anything to be done for noohootoo?

Yes indeed.

(er... did I just fisk you?)

At the risk of sounding like one of Bertie Wooster's aunts, it's a matter of getting the tone right and setting standards. And being ruthlessly fair.

It'll be mayhem for a while, while people test the boundaries. And then I hope it will be spiky, fluffy, challenging, playful, funny, clever, accepting, stimulating, friendly, and all the other things that h2g2's been at its best.

Ben

That sort of line-by-line deconstruction can sometimes be useful, but it very rarely serves to actually make a point. It's usually, as you say, point-scoring. And unreadable. And, really, deeply silly.

TRiG.

""It'll be mayhem for a while, while people test the boundaries.""

you called???

*actually laughing out loud @ Taff and startled the *

You begger....

B

I can't stand the deconstruction way of posting. I much prefer people to make their own replies rather than cut and pasting other people's words.

Mind you ( after I just poke taff with this pointy stick here)
I'm still giggling at Sol's inadvertent typo in post 4.

"Why do women wok" or maybe she has that wonderful deadpan humour that I adore.

I think there are two things here:

1. line by line argument, using cut and paste

2. line by line argument used to destroy the other person rather than address the issues within their post (including quoting out of context). That's the definition of fisking that I'm responding to and that I think is part of why the debate culture here is at an all time low (not the only reason).

It's the latter that really bothers me, although I think less of the former would be good. Cognitively, sometimes the only way I can manage in conversations is cut and paste. I do know it is annoying though.

""(including quoting out of context).""

you got me there

"including quoting out"
Exactly....

"Ex"

What do you mean by that? How dare you imply that?!?

did you say quoting out? Well, I can out-quote either of you http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/F19585?thread=2337043&latest=1

why the debate culture here is at an all time low (not the only reason). http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/F19585?thread=8248641 <2fingers>

oi!

:
"either of you"

Now that's just a personal attack!