Mocking old folks who are worried about paying their bills?

[alcibiades_mystery]

105. To deny factionalism on this board is real Flat Earther territory - there are obvious factions

Last edited Fri Apr 12, 2013, 09:56 AM - Edit history (1)

When I say groups, I am not referring to organized actions. I am referring to factions. They may be matters merely of agreement rather than organized affiliation. If you think you know what a "Third Way Dem" is and what an "FDR Dem" is, who is part of the "Cult of Personality" and who is a "Real Democrat," who is a "Realist" and an "Emoprog," then you recognize factionalism on the board. If you see a poster's name and say immediately before reading the post "I am going to agree and like this" or "This asshole again?" then you are part of a faction, pure and simple (cue the righteous ones who will now deny that they ever do this, that they read every post on its own merits, and play the "speak for yourself" routine - you do it and you know it). Pretending not to understand that and demanding a focus merely on individuals is a ridiculous denial of basic social dynamics. One need not have "officially" joined a faction to act in concert - it is crowd dynamics and factionalism all the way down. The factions on this board are attacking each other in obvious ways, but they are attacking each other as "the opposing faction," not as seniors, or the poor, or the needy.

Even if somebody has a worthy cause, they sometimes act like an asshole or make silly arguments. If they are mocked for acting like an asshole or making silly arguments, and try to hide their assholery or silliness behind their cause (you're not mocking me because I'm acting like an asshole or making a silly argument, but because I am poor!), then that's just dishonest and disingenuous and a further development of asshole behavior. And that's what's happening.