Manic Moran
03-23-2009, 10:53 PM
I've just read the SDSU editor's response to some of the responses their original article posted. And you know what? In at least one aspect, I agree with her.
So many times I have read people posting on comments sections, or just copying here what they sent, and it was rabid, frothing-at-the-mouth, sheer disgust and hatred at the ignorance displayed by the authors of the articles.
WAKE UP!
You are doing us no good whatsoever. You're better off just shutting the hell up, and waiting for someone with some semblance of self-control to make a more rational response. Reading that SDSU Editor's Response, she made no mention at all of any of the presumably worthwhile points which may have been made in return. No, instead she was able to use our own writings to beat us over the head as to how irrational we are, because we prove it when we write!
Rule #1: Perception is Reality. If the opposition's perception is that you're a redneck, racist, conservative hick, anything you say is going to be taken to reinforce that stereotype unless you take pains to avoid it.
Some hints, based on things I have seen typed by pro-gun types (Not all from this site)
1) Be polite. There are many words in the English language. So many that you don't need to use 'colourful metaphors', to quote Spock. Their usage gives the impression that you have neither the education nor mental capacity to use the rest of the language available to us. Why should they listen to such a person? Related: Do not use childish names for politicians.
2) Stay away from Mexicans. I don't care how much you believe the threat posed by illegals is to your safety, the same point can be made without being seen to be a xenophobic racist. (You may not be one, or see yourself as one. Refer to Rule #1)
3) Stay away from Muslims. Related to hint #2. Your own distinguishing between radicals and the majority muslim population may not be well conveyed through the vitriol.
4) Stop trying to insult the author. Firstly, it's childish. Secondly, it achieves absolutely nothing except making you feel better. Who's going to listen to anyone who insults them? It doesn't matter how much else you write, how accurate or lucid. It goes staight to the 'recycle' bin. On a related note, who's going to give weight to someone who staight hurls insults at someone else?
5) Remember the audience. If you're posting publicly, your words are not going to be read solely by the target. The target may be a lost cause, and completely un-convertable to our cause. Everyone else who reads those comments, though, will draw their own conclusions about the author of a letter/comment, and whether they even care what he has to say. That 'Everyone Else' is who you should be writing for.
6) You prizumably lernds' english in skool. Look back over that which you have typed before hitting 'send,' make sure you haven't made any glaring spelling or grammatical errors. They can really make one look uneducated. And learn correct apostrophe usage. OK, that last one is probably less critical: Given how frequently they are abused, there's a great chance a mis-use would go unremarked. It's just a pet peeve of mine I wanted to get in!
I'm sure people can add a few more hints.
If these don't apply to you, then fantastic. Keep doing what you are doing. If they do, then think about the image that you are attempting to project to the populace at large. Do you want to hold the high ground? Then act like you do.
NTM
So many times I have read people posting on comments sections, or just copying here what they sent, and it was rabid, frothing-at-the-mouth, sheer disgust and hatred at the ignorance displayed by the authors of the articles.
WAKE UP!
You are doing us no good whatsoever. You're better off just shutting the hell up, and waiting for someone with some semblance of self-control to make a more rational response. Reading that SDSU Editor's Response, she made no mention at all of any of the presumably worthwhile points which may have been made in return. No, instead she was able to use our own writings to beat us over the head as to how irrational we are, because we prove it when we write!
Rule #1: Perception is Reality. If the opposition's perception is that you're a redneck, racist, conservative hick, anything you say is going to be taken to reinforce that stereotype unless you take pains to avoid it.
Some hints, based on things I have seen typed by pro-gun types (Not all from this site)
1) Be polite. There are many words in the English language. So many that you don't need to use 'colourful metaphors', to quote Spock. Their usage gives the impression that you have neither the education nor mental capacity to use the rest of the language available to us. Why should they listen to such a person? Related: Do not use childish names for politicians.
2) Stay away from Mexicans. I don't care how much you believe the threat posed by illegals is to your safety, the same point can be made without being seen to be a xenophobic racist. (You may not be one, or see yourself as one. Refer to Rule #1)
3) Stay away from Muslims. Related to hint #2. Your own distinguishing between radicals and the majority muslim population may not be well conveyed through the vitriol.
4) Stop trying to insult the author. Firstly, it's childish. Secondly, it achieves absolutely nothing except making you feel better. Who's going to listen to anyone who insults them? It doesn't matter how much else you write, how accurate or lucid. It goes staight to the 'recycle' bin. On a related note, who's going to give weight to someone who staight hurls insults at someone else?
5) Remember the audience. If you're posting publicly, your words are not going to be read solely by the target. The target may be a lost cause, and completely un-convertable to our cause. Everyone else who reads those comments, though, will draw their own conclusions about the author of a letter/comment, and whether they even care what he has to say. That 'Everyone Else' is who you should be writing for.
6) You prizumably lernds' english in skool. Look back over that which you have typed before hitting 'send,' make sure you haven't made any glaring spelling or grammatical errors. They can really make one look uneducated. And learn correct apostrophe usage. OK, that last one is probably less critical: Given how frequently they are abused, there's a great chance a mis-use would go unremarked. It's just a pet peeve of mine I wanted to get in!
I'm sure people can add a few more hints.
If these don't apply to you, then fantastic. Keep doing what you are doing. If they do, then think about the image that you are attempting to project to the populace at large. Do you want to hold the high ground? Then act like you do.
NTM