Originally Posted by William Karsten
WRONG.
Often, banter, and making fun of people will bring about a perspective change or make them a little more aware of thier point of view. In fact, sometimes, it's the best way to ring someone's bell and make them realize that they are out of control, out of line, stupid, or the like.
I've used to to some success. And it's been used on me to some success.
Sure when it's done for PURE HATE then it's wrong. But when it's part of a normal dissagreement, it's fine. In fact it's natural.
In your world, you'd prefer that no one said anything wrong or slightly offended anyone. We'd all be nice, and friendly and good and sweet.
Well, live in your world: ride in mine.
Don't be a menace with your better than thou attitude either.
A joke poking fun at your friend made to your friend with the intent to make them think about something is VERY different than a joke made to anyone about someone else. I guess that's where I would draw the line. I think there are plenty of ways to disagree, to think someone is completely full of *****, whatever, and still be respectful. I am horrible at this on the street. I'm a complete @ss to anyone I feel is infringing on my right to ride safely on the street. I'm not even a little convinced that this helps anything, or that it is actually what I SHOULD be doing in accordance with my philosophy, but my fear of death has a tendency to come out as pure rage in the direction of the person I think is threatening that right.
Fact of the matter is that you, despite your disagreement about aspects of what I'm saying, are still having a positive intelligent conversation with me without being insulting. I don't have any desire to live in a world where everyone agrees about everything, I just think people shouldn't be @sses about it.
I really apologize for the attitude or appearance of attitude. That is NOT my intention. I don't want to be better than anyone, I would like everyone to be equally pleasant to everyone else.