"Being 'Stupid' on the Forums" Topic

There is no forum rule against 'being stupid.'

We do have a few rules about specific types of behavior. We generally prohibit references to current politics (last 10 years). Advocating violence or expressing bigotry against a race or religion are not allowed.

(Sometimes I receive complaints from people who see things that are not there. They might say, "People who say X actually believe Y." Well, maybe. Let's stick to what was actually posted, OK?)

However, on an almost daily basis, I get requests that basically amount to: "Reader X should not be allowed to express his opinion, because it is stupid and I find what he said to be offensive."

If Reader X has not broken any forum rules, and if you find his post offensive, you could of course contact Reader X directly (assuming you are a Supporting Member and can PM him) to resolve your differences. Perhaps it is just a misunderstanding.

Or you could politely respond to his post publicly on the forum, suggesting why he is wrong and you are right.

And, of course, you can use the forum tools to Stifle and/or Ignore him.

While I encourage everyone to avoid 'being stupid' on the forums, we are all stupid from time to time.

And, of course, you can use the forum tools to Stifle and/or Ignore him.

That's too easy.
It's also un-manly and does not allow true outrage to flow.

Surely this is a stupid topic. Do you not agree?

Instead of stifle, TMP should have an official brace of dueling pistols. That way we can solve any disputes like gentlemen.

Stupidity is a natural right for every person with an Internet connection. It should be enshrined in the Declaration of the Rights of Man.

I had a boss who said people have a God-given right to be stupid…and exercise it every day. Who are we to take away their rights? Instead of dueling pistols, I propose duct tape at twenty paces.

Are we there yet?…

Dueling ? Firm believer in balloons and blunderbusses
over sewage pits, myself.

(If you've seen 'Those Magnificent Men in their Flying
Machines', you get it. If not, do arrange to see the
movie, it's really funny).

So, I can write to Bill and complain about the stupid people here… and he will read it!

I had no idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo!!!

Making a list!

Eye kant halp that my leval of thinkeng is far soup ear ior two most posters hear on TMP. Howevar, eye think that thay shoud be aloud to post enyweigh as it is gud praktis four them. And thatz knot jest my stoopid opinion, itz a fakt!

I may not be the brightest bulb on the tree, but I do know that being different, acting different, saying different does not make a person stupid. If I thought someone was stupid because their statements were in opposition to mine, wouldn't the inverse also be true?

Does the Supreme Court ruling apply – I can't define Stupid but I now it when I see it.

"Thank God for stupid people, otherwise being smart wouldn't mean anything."

and

"Does it hurt to be so stupid?"

I think we all occupy some of that space at times. Pain, being a behavioral modifier, typically motivates one to become less stupid less often, or at least be less offensive.

@ zoneofcontrol
Thank you. I struggled a bit, but laughed in the end. I appreciate it.

And then there is one of my favorite Gilligan's Island lines:

"Too stupid to be stupid".

Eye kant halp that my leval of thinkeng is far soup ear ior two most posters hear on TMP. Howevar, eye think that thay shoud be aloud to post enyweigh as it is gud praktis four them. And thatz knot jest my stoopid opinion, itz a fakt!

You write better than some of my grad students.

Gunfreak,

You must be totally stupid because you want to duel with pistols when everybody with any brains knows that epees at dawn are the proper weapons of real gentlemen. I say cold steel is the only way!

For anyone who is offended by anything….

YouTube link

Sorry I have visions of the aforementioned holding the duelling pistol and shooting themselves with it. As it would take to long to teach them how to fire one better to use clubs.

And I have visions of Upper Class Twits trying to duel….

I just have visions.

Must be the pills.

Oh.

Don't take any pills.

It was just a vision.

Ooohh, I would support a little tool on TMP that allowed members to conduct "duels" with one another! And also between members and the Editor-Boss. Determine the result with a randomizer. Equal odds all round. Then all differences would be settled honorably, like Gentlemen. Give the loser a special bandage icon for a few days, let the winner have a brace of pistols or rapier as an icon for the same period of time.

Yes, it's silly, but anything would be better than this recurrent bickering.

And we'll need a slapping glove for issuing challenges.

Why suffer being stupid? Embrace it!

Dan

Doctor- "Does anyone in your family suffer from mental illness ?"

Patient- "No, they all seem to enjoy it"

Like my momma told me; stupid is as stupid does.

PJ, that's even better than mine!

Dan

I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.

On old Navy Commander that I served with many years ago had a small needle work poster made by his wife, which he posted on the bulkhead of his office, that stated

"The Stupid shall be punished"

I still quote it, 25 years later…..

What if the problem is this called "The Editor"? Does stifling work on him? Let's find out…

Yes--but it automatically locks your account!

Oops. Too late. . .

Well, that problem solved itself!

Wow, locking accounts for dissent. I am not impressed.

SP it is really just natural selection, not suppressing dissent.

Wow, locking accounts for dissent. I am not impressed.

This was automatic, my friend.

In that case,yes.

Maybe others,also?

it is really just natural selection, not suppressing dissent.

Good point COL, as I keep saying, this is Bill's show, he is the judge, jury and sometimes executioner … I know that very, very well.

Not saying I always like or agree with Bill's verdicts, but he is the "Highest Court" in the virtual TMP Land …