I have to admit I do at times reach a point where I think someone's contributions are always, or nearly always destructive. Mostly I ignore, but sometimes I lack grace in responses.
I wasn't trying to imply that conflict, or harsh words were just about a substitute for body language emphasis. I just think it might be factor, along with friendships being more disposable, perhaps less empathy for, or de-humanising someone when we can't see them, or not having to worry about getting a punch on the nose.
To a certain extent that grouping happens here as well.
The blogs aren't my cup of tea at the moment, so I'm spending more time dabbling in the forums. Some threads, or posts interest me more than others. Sometimes I'd like to enter into discussion, but I know that it will be... ...an unhealthy pursuit.
So, even in this set up diversity is quashed and we tend to gravitate towards the like-minded.
So what is it about the social dynamic of the internet that is different from in person interactions? Is it that people, or friendships are expendable because we can just walk away and make new friends from a world wide pool? It's not like our neighbours, or work colleagues who we are stuck with and where bad feeling would be uncomfortable.
During a period of the industrial revolution here in Wales, coal and steel workers were given one day off a year as a treat.
The binge drinking culture in Wales now, where people zip from place to place downing drinks rather than savouring them, has left me wondering if there is still a mentality of cramming as much as possible into their leisure time.
There are different drinking cultures across Britain.
There are four countries, different class cultures, lifestyle cultures, different histories, many different nationalities, belief systems, personal tastes, etc.
I know many Muslim people were driven away through overt hostility and bigotry. It was horrible.
I have noticed since the beginning of the pandemic, or perhaps since the BLM movement became more active that anti-Semitism is more prominent here. Actually, it might be since Trump reacted to the BLM movement with his overt bigotry.
The American people have a reputation for being very polite and I have been told by friends who have visited the US that when someone says, "Have a nice day!", it's no platitude - they genuinely do wish that others have a nice day.
I think perhaps it's a little too easy to forget that many members of this site are from the US because they don't fit the brash, rude, hostile stereotype of a minority of Americans who stick out like a sore thumb. Most Americans quietly get on with being human beings.
American bigotry and hostility is a loud, but not so large sub-culture.
It's one thing for that to cross an MP's mind, it's another for it to be publicly voiced.
It's like having an appointment where the doctor tells you all about their own symptoms. It's not transparency, it's not doing the job they're paid to do.
I don't like cake, but I'm rather partial to tomatoes.
As social events are restricted and I'm struggling with post-covid fatigue, my daughter suggested this morning that for my birthday she would shove a few candles in a tomato for me next time I'm minding my grandchildren.
She then asked me how old I am this year, whereupon the image of a vegetable model of a corona virus popped into my head...
I think the hate accusations have increased as a result of the political climate, too.
If you challenge a belief, or argument it can be dismissed as hate, rather than embraced as discussion, or debate.
It's perhaps indicative of how fragile certain ideas are that all opposition, or objection must be crushed, or ignored in this way. It's sort of the modern day equivalent of lopping heretics heads off.
Wales is mostly governed by England and we have the same laws.
We have a very small amount of autonomy, so our covid restrictions have been more severe all along. I worked out a couple of days ago that more than one person in every 66 has had a confirmed infection here in Wales. That doesn't include people like me who have had it, were not tested and self-quarantined.
It was kind of fortunate in a way that I was laid off right at the beginning, a few weeks before I became ill. The infection itself wasn't too bad, but I've had symptoms ever since including chronic fatigue, chronic pain, migraines, blurred vision, palpitations and tingling in my hands.
I don't envy you working the hours you are. Take care of yourself as much as you can.
I went to the Museum of Welsh Life a few years back with a past CS member. There were a couple of researchers there we got chatting to and I explained my friend had also come from England to visit.
The English researcher replied, "My goodness, you make it sound like Wales is another country!"
When the site first introduced the thumbs thing it was more obvious, red and blue thumbs I think, rather than these pale ones you can barely see.
Well, Thumb War III broke out. It was emotional carnage and very, very personal.
And it was fairly easy to click on a thumb by accident with no 'confirm action' stage, so people had to PM left, right and centre apologising to each other for accidental and unwarranted thumbs downses.
The site removed the facility pdq. I have no idea why they brought it back.
It's like leaving open tins of masonry paint in an unsupervised kindergarten.
jac_the_gripper Forum Posts (5,363)
...an unhealthy pursuit. 
<---- 6 of them
RE: Guys vs Girls
Don't let them win!508