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

Lil,

I don't know what to make of Tango's raving at me on the Freespace page. I wrote something (quite nice, really) that was in response to post #80, and then there were things posted after it that I didn't see, and he (she?) just jumped all over me, calling me stupid, etc.

I am ashamed to say I rose somewhat to the bait...but that, coming out of left field, really rather shocked me, and when I'm jumped like that, I tend to come out fighting.

I have to be honest here...I don't think this person is worth anyone's time, particularly yours. You have better things to do.

I have a teener friend who got himself banned for life from hootoo when he was 14 years old. He cultivated a very extreme online persona and got himself greatly disliked. I found him delightful when I got past the porcupine quills -- he had some serious questions to ask the world, and with good reason as it turned out, but the ptb didn't consider themselves to be in the counselling business and got rid of him.

So I have a bit of a soft spot for the difficult ones. I think he is genuinely distressed at the position he finds himself in.

Tango is not acting alone. If he were, he would have answered us directly on most issues, and probably taken pride in his answers. But his whole manner of discourse shows that he is consulting before replying.

As I've said most lately on the Freespace thread, the problem is not going to go away, so we're going to have to look for some other way to deal with the problem, seeing as open discussion doesn't work...

for Lil and MR.
I've finally finished reading the backlog on the freespace/atled thing. Still don't know what to say about it which is why I've said nothing. It did make me laugh when I read the insult he threw your way MR as for all his willingness to research he didn't bother to find out about who he was arguing with (sorry that should be pontificating to shouldn't it).
I'm sure in the main he can be an agreeable chap but he does seem to be trying his best to burn bridges even though he seems to be on them at the time

I guess it's just the need for vituperativeness that I find so odd. Really, can't two or more people disagree on an issue without resorting to name calling and downright meanness?

I feel bad that I came back at him in a bitchy way...I wasn't in a particularly good mood that day, having just been dressed down by my advisor, and was particularly sensitive to the term 'stupid.' Ah, the joys of graduate school!

I guess the question is, given that he is not much more than a marionette, should we not try to winnow out the puppet master and deal directly with him or her?

But then perhaps we shouldn't be so quick to atribute to malice/conspiracy when time and again idiocy is the reason for things.

How are your postgrad studies geting along right now MR?

The puppetmaster appears to be several flavors of coward, not to mention hypocritical. A lot of postures will be seen as just that if the offstage presence outs hirself.

Here's a game: we have two applicants to become CA's currently pending, presumably until the next group hiring. Imagine being as paranoid as I have described myself to be about future attempts to impersonate a newcomer. What do you think?

F99011?thread=316786
F99011?thread=319526

Need more time I think. Perhaps the hiatus in recruiting will help sort out if they're puppets (most likely not but you never know).

Lil, the second one seemed earnest enough to me...although the first was awfully quick to get on the volunteer list!

Phil, if my gallbladder would just quit being such a pain, grad school would be great!

Having had a bit of a mooch round the two peoples pages I'd agree with MR on their applications.

MR you should be fine with them checking out the gallbladder even if it needs to come out. Are you going to be getting much time to do your research this semester or will you be out as a TA for most of the time?
We're currently dealing with the aftermath of the start of term here (started on monday) and all the people who haven't got user ids and passwords (where were they!).

I don't want to make any assumptions that I have apologise for later, but, of the two applicants, I had the same sort of feelings. I wondered at FO appearing, fullblown within 24 hours, making the application, and then not posting anything since.

And the point isn't so much who is what but how I'm having trouble trusting who is what.

MR, I have posted to your gall bladder at the atelier, but nonetheless wish you all the best in dealing with it.