Are you as boldly opinionated in person as you are on something like ILX? (Particularly ILM?)

But around friends, or with a little social lubrication, YES, I am hyperactive, I rant, I go off on things, I am extreme and and mellodramatic and I can indeed stare at photos of DDB's saying nothing but "He's so lovely..." for up to 20 minutes at a time.

My cousin does this impression of me which consists of saying in a loud voice: "WORST... RECORD... EVER!" So yeah I'm boldly opinionated in person. I've been know to actually scare people. But really deep down I'm a pussycat.

This bothers me too; I'm glad you brought it up. People here can be very flip and snide about things they don't like... and it's not just here, it's typical of '90s and '00s attitudes in general, I fear.

For me its that if I'm making a strong point then I want people to see my face, get my body language, get some idea of how seriously I'm taking it, whether I *want* to engage in an argument or whether I'm just saying it as a one-liner/aside (even if I believe it). Online that all goes, so I try to stay diplomatic.

But I wouldn't get too worked up about this shit on a message board that frequently uses the word "FITE!" I mean, I always assume people are comically overreacting.

I don't think I've ever picked a political fight in real life, aside from maybe with my Dad. As for music, ILM has actually done a good job making me not give a shit when people hate what I like. Their loss, stupid popists.

I ask basically because of that bit that Jody quoted. I getting more and more offput by that general dismissive vibe where people (seem to) want to sit around like geniuses passing flip judgments left and right: this is shit, that's shit, fuck you for mentioning it, people who like this are idiots and people who like that should be rounded up and shot. And no, I don't exempt myself, because I know I do the same thing here with politics. I'm cutting down, I hope.

I'm not so vocal about opinions in real life: I tend to just listen to people say awful things and then I make Marge Simpson noises and say "that's interesting." Or I'll make very delicate arguments in the opposite direction, the kind that start off with lots of shrugging and a "well there is something to be said for..." I think I do this a little too often in situations where I don't need to.

Also: I enjoy arguing. The other reason I'm asking this is that my current roommate, who also seems to enjoy arguing, has what I consider to be some patently ridiculous political theories, and for the first time in years I find myself switching into my proper arguing mode, which is strange to me. I used to be, umm, really good at debate, and suddenly I'll remember this and find myself speaking really quickly and articulating really well and attempting these point-by-point demolitions of whatever someone's saying. Not in a mean way, just in a very Crossfire kind of way.

Well I...hey! (Needless to say, I LURV the hyperabsurd. It entertains. :-))

Wow, this is basically my first thread ever that's sort of working out okay.

TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH, you 'orrible -- oh wait.

I honestly have no idea what I'm like in this fashion IRL. Anyone care to chime in?

However, Tom, as the sprititual daddy of ILX, does a very good job of being welcoming yet informed, thus encouraging the tone of the board to follow. If ILX was set up/maintained by a snobby hipster asshole, I think you'd find it would be very different. Well done, Tom.

Having said that if a friend criticises something and I agree or have something to add I guess I will speak my mind on it. I think I am pretty much the same in real life, except that in print I might seem angrier where in real life me getting passionate or annoyed about something is kind of a source of humour for my friends and myself, in a good way. Like a few of my friends have started saying "oh THAT'S JUST STUPID isn't it Ronan" cos apparently at the beginning or end of whatever I'm complaining about I say "THAT'S JUST STUPID" in a particular way.

Mr Harvell's post is interesting, I'd say I'm the least shy person I know, but I still post here alot, perhaps at the opposite end is people who constantly crave human interaction. Or maybe I really do just "love everything".

The thing with this is that it always starts as a joke, doesn't it? At least with me it does...the whole Elitist Asshole persona is one that I used to adopt frequently, because I never thought anyone would actually take it seriously, so when I'd say things like "Radiohead's Kid A is the worst piece of music in the history of mankind and anyone who likes it should be fed to crocodiles", I always assumed that it was understood that I was just being deliberatley nasty because I happen to hate that album, and that this is no way means that I would want anyone to actually *stop* listening to it just because I don't like it or even that I'd somehow like/respect people less if they loved it.

But here as in damn near everything, the triumph of sinceronity can be felt: the line between pretending to be an arrogant twat a la The Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons and actually being that guy is far too thin. On one side, I've started to realise that people *do* feel hurt/insulted when you dismiss something very near and dear to them, even if you're just doing it as a joke; on the other hand, I've also realised that I feel the same way sometimes.

And besides, being deliberatley nasty isn't that great a comic routine in the first place (unless you happen to be Morrisey or Oscar Wilde.)

I sort of found ILM by accident and it was a good thing. I like it better than ILE because ppl are more unpleasant and yet there can also good, informed discussion. I like the contrast.

The unpleasantness is done across a phone line and i think that softens the punches.

In real life I try not to enter discussions with work colleagues, say. it distracts from work but if i do enter a discussion and i have an opinion i will say it.

well, i think perhaps an online schtick such as the one outlined above is possibly refreshing initially, and maybe even a little amusing on occasion, but i am not entirely convinced that, over the course of a number of years, it remains fresh, and there is the danger of the one dimensional persona posting becoming stale and predictable. it is always possible that varying the schtick from time to time might make things a little less tired.

Are you here over the weekend and thus needing a sort for Fortress on the 9th?

no, i'm in helsinki this weekend and won't be able to make the fortress on friday

reviving this thread because i'm feeling a little shaky after a protracted email argument with a good friend. maybe it was the fact that it took place over email that made it seem "boldly opinionated" in an ilx-like way. i meant everything i said but i think if it had come up in person i wouldn't have had the presence of mind to say everything i thought. because i am a wuss.

opinions4u

admit this was an excuse to bump an old thread with a lol kate post

lol i didn't even read the thread because i'm a narcissist.

my opinions are more forceful post-ilx but its hard to tell because ive been posting since i was 17 so that shit maybe just changed naturally - arguing here has sharpened my beliefs which led to me standing behind them more strongly than the tolerant shrug you get from most people, but it doesnt have anything to do with e-thugging or what the fuck ever. i talk as much if not more shit in real life but its easier to laff it off or make things cool with a joke than online where everybody gets butthurt & takes shit real serious

arguing here has sharpened my beliefs which led to me standing behind them more strongly than the tolerant shrug you get from most people

^^^^^^^

ethan, you seem exactly as opinionated in life as you are on ilx, fwiw.

:D

i think my friend and i are just taking shit real serious because it's email and when she gets back into town it'll be fine.

if anything i'm more opinionated in real life cuz as ethan says it's easier to not make it seem like an angry bitter tirade when you're going on about how you didn't like "ratatouille" IRL.

but also i am used to busting friends' balls and getting busted back a lot in real life it's kinda how i do. all for fun & <3 tho.

old ILX me was more like drunk me.

nowadays i don't really post about stuff i don't like and just avoid those threads on ilm although i'll occasionally post about a film i hated. it's harder to say why you liked something that why you didn't like it though, for sure.

I'm considerably more polite and reserved on the internet than actually face to face. To lose your temper online seems very odd to me, there's enough distance and time to be more considered in your response. So kind of the opposite to your experience, horseshoe.

im more likely to get 'heated' about nerd shit online, arguing about whether or not lil wayne is overrated with most people i know would be the most boring/embarrassing convo ever

actually thats a bad example cuz ill argue about shit like that with rap nerd friends.

Yeah a lot of the time stuff comes across irascible on a message board that's more comedy in real life, it's a lot easier to signal to people that you're pulling their leg and a lot easier to listen properly when you're talking directly to somebody. I still rant tho, but the other thing is if you're ranting to one or two people you know then you're a little more tolerant of their feelings. Ranting at a big room full of strangers means you're almost doomed to prick somebody's skin.

in real life you can ACTUALLY pull someone's leg at the same time, avoiding confusion

suzy!!!!!!

There is a picture of Hairclub Albarn in the shower with nowt on taken by Wolfgang Tillmans that will never see the light of day, as he is shown with what one calls a 'semi'. It looks almost like that shower pic.

-- suzy (suzy), Monday, April 5, 2004 6:32 PM (4 years ago) Bookmark Link

get this pic and up it, PLZ

s1ocki is the best ilx0r; it would only be disappointing to meet him

My opinions are equally strong online and in real life, but I'm not aggro or chest-thumpy in presenting them in either situation.

i cant believe slocki doesnt like ratatouille wtf

i don't remember this thread.

i talk as much if not more shit in real life but its easier to laff it off or make things cool with a joke than online where everybody gets butthurt & takes shit real serious

-- and what, Friday, June 20, 2008 4:29 PM (3 hours ago) Bookmark Link

^^^^

(although often people do not laff it off - i laff it off tho)

laff this off dimwit here is a picture of you

http://www.gawker.com/assets/resources/2008/04/moron.JPG

i did lol out loud! i did!

irl id spell it moran tho

bullshit.

incredibles >>>>>> ratatouille

and if you disagree I will kick you in the nuts irl

deeznuts ha more like dumbass here is you all the time

http://evobroker.com/images/400_dumbass.jpg

duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

HA

hi i'm bnw i'm gonna go be a nerd now the incredibles rule dar dar dar

http://www.kristopherej.com/gallery/d/841-2/Idiot_smile.jpg

scott seward more like pot speward do u really want to me to post vomit pics? because vomiting is what your posts make me want do

^^^^

line drawn, line sailed across

im talking about drawing a line in the SAND, man

lol that guy looks a little like me

mookieproof? more like dookypoop is this you after you poop?

http://media.npr.org/programs/atc/features/2007/oct/kidpaint/kid1_500.jpg

awwwwww!!

NO AWW

THIS MAN IS GETTING OUT OF CONTROL

don't worry i'm already getting a little sleepy...

my kid could post that

Nah I'm definitely the same on ILM/ILE as I am off. With strangers I'm a more refined version of myself because of course you can't just be alienating people right off the bat (unless needs be) but with friends its no holds barred fuckery!
But I don't feel the need to be unnecessarily opinionated or be the one to start the party (even though I always do ; ). I'm not aggro about my thoughts, maybe too sarcastic or flippant or even too frustrated but I don't dish it out if I can't take it! In fact I think I am a little more thoughtful on the net because I really don't want to just fuck someone off simply coz I can't see them.

that girl is totally cuter than me although i have a smaller forehead

i am pretty much the same on as off except now i am drunk and am likely to post things that i otherwise wouldn't. generally, these things will turn out to be entirely innocuous.

SKOT I WANT U

im way more timid in real life. i feel bad proving people extremely wrong unless they are v close friends. ilx has def made me a confident or and more cerebral arguer though.

ILX has browbeaten me into expressing my opinions less via the internets, but it's also made it so that my beliefs are more feverent and I'm more likely to argue them IRL.

I'm a pretty non-confrontational dude in general, I won't seek out an argument, but if somebody I'm comfortable talkin mess w/starts spouting some bullshit, I'll argue.

I didn't know I had an option. What was the poll?

My answer is yes. As boldly obnoxious on something.