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

Well, I'll probably cast my first vote to the L.D. I *said* at 11 years old that Labour was a bad idea. Did anyone listen to me? Nope. Now look where we are.

Anyway. Back on topic.

I've never voted for anyone other than the lib Dems and now I'm a member.

We're 'voting' for Justin now?

Please! Someone, want to go look at my poll? I need some data, fast! It's on the top entry in my journal. Any input appreciated! And it has /nothing/ to do with Justin...

- Jordan

Hi all,

My poll answer: acceptable

I stumbled over my first Justin thread earlier today, and it is an interesting... whatever it is.

I think it's great to see this thread going so well, with so many intersting views and the right result for hootoo.

Particularly the general (though *i* first saw it said by Mother of God herself! Only on H2g2!) point that conversations here are communal and the observation factor is potentially very positive for some lurkers or posters. good point!

I also had a thought on when the reception this person (sorry Justin, if you read this, to refer to so coldly, but we haven't met, so...) received on a Christian forum. I was thinking it wasn't surprising that a marginal idealist with a lot to say for themselves should feel at home here!

I too wondered at times whether it must be mockery, but the tone is always (frighteningly) sincere.

As to the question of, 'What happens when he hits AskH2g2?... well, we'll have to cross that bridge when we come to it. But maybe he's not looking for it. All this seems to have been building up to a head for several weeks (months were even mentioned!) and yet i, like others, had never come across Justin or heard of it. Now, clearly i live a sheltered existence in the pedestrian and boring climes of PR, but people that i 'recognise' have often been involved. But there was no 'splashback', as it were. I think that's a good sign regarding imminent doom for AskH2g2 at our man's hands.

Did i mention i was voting 'acceptable', and proud to be part of a site that comes up with threads like this!
cya
spiff

Re: other BBC message boards...they're not the most wonderful places, and don't come any where near h2g2.

I'm currently on pre-mod on all the other BBC message boards although they haven't officially informed me the fact that my posts take half an hour to appear and don't appear at all if I put in anything libelous is a subtle hint.

I got put on pre-mod for giving out advice to students who'd just recieved their AL results on the onelife message board I also ignored their warning asking me to stop posting because they were worried that people might think I was an official advisor . I also had a couple of posts removed for being libelous because I implied that UCAS essentially came down to a data input clerk on minimum wage at one point or other.

I don't find it hard to believe that Justin got banned from the Christian message board...today I've noticed they've introduced a button of their very own (awww). The boards aren't very heavily monitored and its fairly easy to get some very offensive (although it wouldn't allow me to post "Cock-up") messages online.

Yes, Justin is acceptable.

Although for me personally the whole belief yes/no/who/what thing is of academic interest only, I feel that Justin should be allowed to put his views about within reason on the site.

The second point is that I think that if I heard Justin preaching in real life on the streets of Weston-super-mud, I would be tempted not to catch his eye and to keep on moving quickly. (This would have the added advantage of being able to leave Weston quickly as well).

The Internet in general and hootoo in particular allows people to listen to and interact with other people who in real life they would never meet and indeed may not want to. This is a good thing.

Finally, as others have pointed out, if you don't like what Justin espouses, it's very easy to avoid him on the site.

Sprout

Who says I do nothing about such people? I just don't fan the flames online because it is pointless to try and deal with such faceless people online.I also do not believe in censorship of any kind because I FERVENTLY believe in freedom of speech.I do however challenge anyone who is racist in front of me in real life.I also challenge anyone whom I find to be sexist and ageist.I have taught my own children to question such behaviour whenever it occurs.However this country(Britain) is a democracy the last time I looked so people are entitled to think what they like and vote the way they want,provided they do not incite violence whilst doing so.The danger in suppressing such people is to drive them underground where they will become freedom fighters.Best to have such people in plain view spouting their usual rubbish which most can see is ridiculous.Bet you the next time round the BNP loses votes because those that voted for them will become disenchanted by their lack of acheivements.

And Saturine? Life IS a cliche most of the time when you get to be 50.

Incog - oi! Spell my screen name right on this thread you cheeky monkey. Fair enough, if life becomes a cliche at 50. But that's no excuse to carry it on.

Just came onto this thread to inform everyone that I *swear* I just heard Justin on the radio. The caller in question started muttering about being privy to information that was between him and God and not for the radio hosts ears, and then quietly put the phone down...

Very amusing. I shall now, wholeheartedly champion Justin's precense on here!

Onward men!

Is tedium acceptable? Probibly not. And that's all he is. He's not actually saying anything to be right or wrong, he's an irrelevence.

And irrelevance should be poked until it goes away...

In response to the orginal survey question, not only do I think he's acceptable; I think he's great! Partly, I admire his consistency and perseverence, partly, I think he's a rare type who ought to be treasured (and studied?), and partly, I'm delighted and fascinated at the dynamic of his interaction with this community. (Nobody else gets threads about whether *they're* acceptable!)

I haven't talked to him in a while, as I don't really enjoy those conversations, but I'm an occasional lurker, usually via Hoovooloo's page. Thanks, Hoo, for keeping tabs on him - he's a fascinting character!


Put me down for a definite YES! Totally acceptable!


GTB

Pencil Queen, post 24: "he doesn't seem to *get* the logic other people use and noone so far has *got* his logic."

I disagree with that. I get his logic just fine. What's confusing about him?

Do you know that I had never even heard of this Justin bloke until Hoo started ranting about him (on 3 or more different conversations now I think). If I was to ever come across a thread where he has posted something I find offensive/intolerant/inflamatory I would just unsubscribe and make that one less person he can preach to.

I am in agreement with Incog on this. I *personally* ignore people like this. I walk past the bible bashers on the high street and generally find most religions and religious fundamentalists a total waste of space.

Now please Hoo - don't start any more threads about this guy. You are only making it worse!

Acceptable- I suppose so. Freedom of speech cuts both ways.

Funny- Hell yes! It is a rare trait to be able to hold on to a belief so firmly, in the face of so much rational arguement. I can't decide whether he's an idiot, or something else entirely...

Keep him here for further study- poke and prod until we find out what makes him go.

Hmm. I've always been of the opinion that it is fine to hold beliefs, but not to force them down peoples' throats. Coming from an evangelical point of view, you are much less likely to convert people if you push too hard. I've always *tried* (and often failed, but that's beside the point) to lead by example, and be as open, honest and free with my belief as possible. If people want to know something, I will tell them. if they have no interest, then I won't force them.

As long as he doesn't start to annoy people, be arrogant, or troll, then I can't see a problem.

Well, as someone said earlier in the thread, he seems pretty much to stick to his own street corner.

Lady in a tree:

I have NOT ranted about Justin. You may be referring to threads you did not bother to read where I *did* rant about:

- inconsistent moderation (he could say things, but if I repeated them I was moderated) and
- inconsistent standards (saying one person is "the Antichrist" is acceptable, saying it about someone else isn't)

Neither of those were rants about Justin, they were both rants about the inconsistent and (in my view) perverse application of the rules by the people running the site.

If you can't correctly distinguish what or whom I am ranting about, perhaps you should pay a little more attention...

The only thread I've started "about" Justin is this one, I didn't rant at all, I asked a simple and polite question, I made it clear I find him acceptable, and the overall vibe in the responses here seems to confirm that this community is an open, accepting and tolerant one. Sorry if it upset you to find that out, but thanks for your opinion nevertheless.

H.

Hoov, *WHY* do you *HAVE* (and I have to assume as you continue to do it and seem unable to stop, that it is an imperative for you and not a choice) to be so rude to people who simply post opinions?

Blue shark
Er that would seem like some sort of defence mechanism

Another question.
Do people believe that Justin allows others freedom of speech?