I think there’s money to be made - maybe even a book to be written - about the motivations people have for blogging and commenting on blogs. I have to admit that that I enjoy the pleasure of the well-turned phrase almost as much as I enjoy the thoughts of those who would use that construct as a for their own experiences. I write, others comment, we all learn a bit about the world around us - we see a single facet of reality through the prism of a different point of view.
But only slightly different for the most part. The information/entertainment market has become so highly segmented that each of us has a place to go where we know that we’ll be welcome. We tend to congregate there, among others who are mostly like-minded. We are comfortable.
But it’s the differences that make it fun, isn’t it?
Well, yes. Up to a point.
From time to time I’ve had the occasion to disagree with some of those who comment here - I don’t generally go other places looking for a fight - and a few of them are treasured friends even if I have never met them. They see the world in fundamentally different ways than I do, and yet we are able to speak to each other about foundational points of view without ever - or rarely, anyway - personalizing them. It starts I think with a presumption of good faith, that the other person honestly believes what he or she does about the topic at hand whether from experience, education or environment. Once we lay aside Type M argument - that is, where we question the arguer’s motivation for thinking as he does, rather than the idea he puts forward in itself - we can examine the notion against our own biases and experience. We can learn.
Even if it means that we only learn that two well-intentioned people can look at the same set of facts or circumstances and often draw quite different conclusions. Which - although it may sound trite - is something worth knowing, I think. People talk admiringly about those who have the courage of their convictions, but you don’t have to travel far to meet people who are courageously convicted about quite lunatic things - any county mental health care unit should suffice.
At some point we have to decide in order to act, realizing that inertia and inaction is a kind of decision in itself. But for true bravery show me the man that has the courage of his uncertainties. The man who knows that he does not know everything. Who isn’t entirely sure. Put another way, no truly great crime is possible absent absolute moral certitude. There would never have been a post-revolutionary Terror in France, the genocidal massacres of native Americans, the collectivization of Soviet peasantry, the Holocaust in Europe, the Killing Fields in Kampuchea without stone hearted men who knew - who absolutely knew - that they were doing the right thing, that previous morality, the things their parents taught them, the received wisdom of their civilizations was somehow superceded, anachronistic, bourgeois.
Some of those people have the will to power and the means to acquire it. For a time, they make the streets run red until finally someone stops them. For the rest, there are now comments boxes in blog posts. As I mentioned over in comments over at FbL’s place after she got trolled, there is a kind of person who goes to bush league hockey games in order to get drunk and yell at referees. You’ll see them there, hear them there, wish that they or you were somewhere else. You wonder what the rest of their life is like, if that’s what qualifies as good fun on the weekend: Drunkenly shouting at bush league hockey refs.
Some folks don’t like hockey. Some folks only hate.
In my mind’s eye, I know the regulars here by what they love. CPT J is a warrior poet, his heart beats to the ancient rhythms. B2 and Sid saw the world as it once was, and think it still the best. Michelle likes a good sea story, Kris likes plane pr0n, Byron loves ships from the inside, Tim loves the whirl of the blades - prop or helo doesn’t matter - and the thrill of the hunt. Chap loves to think deep thoughts, while Skippy-san loves beer and (asian) women. Sim and Chris both like to fly, and they both love Oz, and who can blame them? unkawill loves heroes and the old ways, Brian and Nose like it when the pilots synch the props and remember fondly the stories of their youth. Subsunk loves the good fight and is a man after my own heart, FbL loves doing good, while AFSister likes to flirt but loves her boys. John Donovan loves him some guns, Buck still loves the Air Force even after all these years as Mark and Bill still love the Corps. Babs loves her young man Tim and would fight for him if it came to it and for my own part I’d never want to stand against her if it came to that, and there are many, many more and I don’t want to leave anyone out, but you get the point: I know you by what you love, and in a way I love you for it.
Silly, isn’t it? But there it is.
So it may seem strange, for I pride myself on being open to heterodoxy in opinion, but when someone comes in hurling flame bombs and casting aspersions, picking apart spelling and questioning motivation, trotting out tired tropes as though it’s all fresh and new and unrebuttable and it all seems a part of some juvenile need to feel superior, then forgive me if I don’t sponsor it on my bandwidth - I am paying for this microphone, after all.
We don’t do trolls here.
31 responses so far ↓
1
CPT J
// Nov 18, 2006 at 6:01 pm
Sir,
Allow me to salute for the rest of the detachment.
“We few, we happy few….”
Of course you know the rest
2
Steve
// Nov 18, 2006 at 8:14 pm
A name says a lot about a person. Or in this case four names, all first. I’m guessing the tree doesn’t branch much.
Delete… Next!
3
Subsunk
// Nov 18, 2006 at 9:53 pm
Thank you very much, sir. I learn a lot every time I’m over here. You certainly have the gift, CAPT Lex. Sir Winston would be proud of your command of the language. And you read people very well.
One day I shall be able to stop carrying the torch and put down my cares and worries about my country. Like she is my child, I worry about Her every day. And, yet, like my child, She seems to find her way through the worst with, or without, me (obviously I think I am Her primary defender, self centered and conceited idjut that I am — after all, talking about meself is my favorite subject).
And on that day, they will lay me to rest.
Subsunk
4
Justthisguy
// Nov 19, 2006 at 1:41 am
Weird strange folks like me love you and yer writing, too, Captain.
And I’ll quote Decatur any time. The toast, I mean.
5
Byron Audler
// Nov 19, 2006 at 2:47 am
Lex, I’m just plain old fashioned partial to the Navy. I just happen to spend a lot of time inside them, and for the enormous amount of money they pay to work on them, I’m expected to know a fair bit (immense sarcasm there, especially the amount of money
)
I come here because you are one hell of a wordsmith, and I love to read what you write. Regards trolls: I’ve been hanging out in email forums and IRC chat rooms (for Harpoon), and there’s something about anything military that draws trolls. They’re just a fact of life on the internet, and as long as they can hide behind a username, they’ll spew whatever. I’ve always either ignored them, or banned them, just did what needed to be done to sweeten the signal to noise ratio.
6 Sim // Nov 19, 2006 at 4:41 am
Did we have an attack of the WW’s?
7
sid
// Nov 19, 2006 at 5:03 am
“Sid saw the world as it once was, and think it still the best.”
My poor grammatical skill have failed me!!!
Or maybe its because I spend most of my day job trying to chisel through some of the stultifying ossification that afflicts the business I am in ( nd which has earned me more than a little enduring enmity from a few colleagues), so I sully up the bandwidth with nostalgia just to get away…
I am not about waxing nostalgic because I think its better and eschew all that this lies in front of us.
What I try to do is bring lessons learned in the past to the now and see what may apply looking forward.
Lord knows the Powerpoint rangers who have come up with idiocy like the ACS need all the sense of history they can get (they are of the same mold as those ossified folks I have have to work with…)
Besides, some of that old stuff is pretty cool…
8
sid
// Nov 19, 2006 at 5:04 am
And, oh yeah, Skippy’s motivations are ones that I can take to in a heartbeat!!
9
FbL
// Nov 19, 2006 at 6:19 am
I know the point was trolling, but you’ve written a lovely tribute to the community that has developed here.
10
lex
// Nov 19, 2006 at 7:06 am
Sim, we had an attempt of the WW’s, or someone very like him. But just like you would with a vampire, you’re OK as long as you dont let him across the threshold.
11
badbob
// Nov 19, 2006 at 7:23 am
Gee. Did I do something wrong? Just Snapper guilt, I guess..
To me, coming here is like going to the Flight Deck lounge and beltin’ a few wid my buds. Sure I might get loud & obnoxious once in a while. But then, I’ve got a thick skin.
I may well describe MYSELF as a dino but I do have teens at home, operate a BBerry, and yes, I do know today’s Naval Aviation as well as I knew it 30 years ago.Probably more so seeing how it’s necked-down.
Don’t like to be boxed but I try to defend what was “good” about the past, especially when it comes to my beloved Navy. Let me tell you, it hurts and has since Tailhook, when over the last decade, Senior naval Leaders use terms like “modifying behavior”, “rejecting the past” and trite cutting edge bidness school euphomisms to implement change. To me it’s just so, well….disengenuous, and I will always point that out. BTW, folks Lex is not one of those fellers, he is a pro and CAN’T comment…
I know very well that few reading any entry of mine re The Nav in these threads, hasn’t the slightest idea of what I am talking about..but some of you might.
At ease. That is all.
B2
12
SeniorD
// Nov 19, 2006 at 7:39 am
Cap’n,
Throughout our careers, we teach and are taught that loyalty runs both up and down the chain. With this post, you have proven that not only does loyalty go top to bottom, it also willingly bears a personal component of honor towards all. That component, may this Beach Chief opine, comes from the center.
“…never been a good officer…” he says once upon a time. Good thing you’re a Captain and all, otherwise I’d say you just disproved your own perspective.
13 Sim // Nov 19, 2006 at 7:43 am
Meh WW is annoying, but no less of one extreme than other commenters are of the other.
As for Vampires some can be useful. If the (now) Hobart class were to be Vampire, Vendetta and Voyager I’d be happier. Naming all large ships after towns is horribly boring.
14 Sim // Nov 19, 2006 at 7:45 am
Actually I ought to qualify the last comment, regardless of place on the spectrum WW puts himself above through sheer repetition, persistence and willingness to ignore the actual topic of the post.
15
Kris, in New England
// Nov 19, 2006 at 8:13 am
I echo FbL’s statements - it is a nice community here and yes, as the grand pooba of your blog, ban whomever you wish. Just keep the plane pr0n coming honey.
And I’d like to think I’m not THAT shallow, but…I can live with it.
16
BigFred
// Nov 19, 2006 at 8:37 am
I drive ships, grey ones of all sizes. I appreciate the turn of a phrase, and the insight of someone who has been there and done that. And I am addicted to this blog.
17 Michelle // Nov 19, 2006 at 8:40 am
That was very sweet Lex. I think for the most most part we all feel the same way, honoured to be here, in this group, and grateful for what you do and how you do it. And as a relative newcomer, I know how much I appreciate this place, haven’t found another on the web like it.
You have me pegged, I really do enjoy a good sea story…..and being exposed to new and different ideas, widening my horizons, straining to see how things can be seen a little diferrently. And what is it, something about your blog, feels kind of like walking into a small house party, full of stangers, but they’re so welcoming, and something different going on in every room. One minute you’re laughing and carrying on, walk into another room and there’s a serious political discussion going on, with different points of view, but all among a group of friends who easily include a newcomer into the discussiion.
Add to that, a place where you can trust the host to keep out the trolls, what more could you ask for?
18
Kris, in New England
// Nov 19, 2006 at 9:25 am
BigFred - you are in good company with said addiction. And happily, no one has proposed a rehab center, alternative drug or other type of therapy.
19
John of Argghhh!
// Nov 19, 2006 at 1:50 pm
Excellent post, Lex. And you almost got me nailed.
I love me some guns, ’tis true. But I loves me the used guns… because of the warriors that *used* them.
Bring me no Arsenal-snazzy gleaming hunk of iron and wood, unless that’s all I can get.
Give me something that has hunkered in a hole with a fighting man. That hopped the hedge not knowing what was on the other side… that drew the steady bead or just blazed away in hopeless earnest.
Because it then becomes my connection to the warrior.
It’s why I spent a long, hot, dark week in the bowels of the ex-USS John Rodgers, will trip excitedly through the Kilo moored in Dago, after having already clambered through the Midway.
Why a jetsicle in the middle of nowhere, where once an air force base was will catch my eye, or that old german trench mortar standing forlorn in the once-bustling square of a now-dying town.
Through them all I connect to the warriors who used them. For good or ill, successful or no. They are my link to the past, and provide context to the future.
Just sayin’.
20
John of Argghhh!
// Nov 19, 2006 at 1:52 pm
Dangit. That’s a Foxtrot, ain’t it? I just can’t keep that straight! Dang you, B-39!
21
unkawill
// Nov 19, 2006 at 5:27 pm
Thank you for your kind words Skipper.
Kinda makes me all warm and fuzzy inside
to be included in such august company.
As a fan of Marvelous Prose, I hope you never quit providing a fix for us addicts.
22
Skippy-san
// Nov 19, 2006 at 6:30 pm
What happened over at FBL’s place? Guess I need to go over there and see……………
23
Barb
// Nov 19, 2006 at 7:40 pm
That’s a good post, Lex. I like the community feel of your place, and of the Castle, and the various viewpoints expressed here and there, and at other places around our neighborhood of the ’sphere. We’ve had some pretty distinct disagreements on some issues that ended with most agreeing to hold different views, and few hurt feelings because of mutual respect and admiration. Trolls are just the bad smell in the room, and you definitely don’t need to let them stink up your place. Total agreement!
And, for the record, I’m certain we’d be standing on the same side if it came to that - not that it would
24
AFSister
// Nov 20, 2006 at 6:21 am
Lex,
I’m shocked and appalled that you think I’m a flirt. SHOCKED, I tell ya.
Um…. so when are you gonna wear those Dress Whites again? *blink blink blink*
OK.
SO. I’m a flirt, but YES.. I really do love “my boys”. All of them. I’m a flirt because it’s fun and light-hearted in a serious world, but I honestly do love my boys and care about them all. I’m always checking in with SWWBO so see how John’s feeling; sending ‘Hello Stranger’ emails to BillT- and sometimes going to great lengths to find Our SugarButtons; I’ve sent contriband to a certain officer who is no longer in Iraq; participated fully in Valour-IT, and on and on.
I love coming here, Lex. Love it because of the commenters, and because of the fantastic, soulful writing you provide us with. I hope one day to meet you in person- and I promise to keep my wild side in check. Honest. I can do it.
I think…..
25
Babs
// Nov 20, 2006 at 7:33 am
I was included… snif!
Yes, I do love my young man Tim but, I also love all his shipmates that I spent the last 4 years getting to know. They are ALL my young men, even when they are women, LOL. I defy any mother of a Midshipman to say differently…
I would go to the mat for any one of the young men and women I have met in uniform… and don’t cross me here Lex because it could get ugly
26
jpr
// Nov 20, 2006 at 9:49 am
Lex,
I guess I’m a bit late coming to this, but I enjoy your insight and writing, especially “Rhythms” (which you need to publish), though I may not always agree. Somehow somewhere I came across your site and have been a frequent visitor and occasional poster only as of recently. If (and it’s a big if) any of my posts were memorable, you probably have an idea of my leanings. Hopefully not troll-ish.
I like to hear the different views people take on particular topics, I think it makes me a better person. Again, I may not always agree, but I will listen. Though, I can do without the shouting by the lunatic fringe found on both sides of the blog world. That is definitely *not* the case here.
You’ve built up quite a devoted community here, it’s clear that everyone adores and admires you. Keep up the good work.
27
Buck
// Nov 20, 2006 at 10:18 am
We don?｢どｨび｢t do trolls here.
One of the (very minor) reasons you’re a constant read, Lex. Your comments section is an environment characterized by an honest exchange of views, as long as that “presumption of good faith” holds true. And I’ve seen you come down hard and appropriately on those who would violate that good faith.
But the main reason I come here is for the writing, and the thought behind it. Not to mention the fact that I’ve learned a lot in these parts.
Thanks. Many, many thanks.
28
SFC D
// Nov 20, 2006 at 12:23 pm
I started reading your blog while deployed, it’s entertaining, inightful, and even educational. A crisp salute to you Sir, and all the rest of the MILBLOG gang!
29 Michelle // Nov 20, 2006 at 5:05 pm
“You?｢どｨび｢ve built up quite a devoted community here, it?｢どｨび｢s clear that everyone adores and admires you.”
It’s true you know ….
So tell us Lex, how DOES that make you feel?
30
lex
// Nov 20, 2006 at 6:51 pm
It’s only fair, Michelle! You know how sad unrequited love can be
31 Neptunus Lex » The presence of greatness // Feb 19, 2007 at 6:15 pm
[...] know he was wasting his time and mine too. I believe I’ve made myself clear on the article of trolls. I don’t sponsor [...]
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