Thursday, November 15, 2007

Relationships

Good relationships define a life. Bad ones too. I'm working on my relationship with my blogs (both those I write and those I read) because, well, we've had somewhat of a falling out.

I knew what sophistry was before seeing it in living deceptive color, but I never expected it to come knocking on my door so persistently and craftily as it has since I started blogging. For a long time I thought it wasn't really fair to call it sophistry either, believing that people just believe different things and genuinely only try to persuade others in good faith, even when it may seem so diabolical to the over-sensitive. But now I'm convinced that there are folks who just plain believe scoring cleverness points is worth nearly any price, especially if it seems like a means to an appealing end and sacrifices only a few tender sensibilities along the way (anyone's and everyone's, that is).

So, we've been on a break.

But I have high hopes that we'll come around. A relationship is what you make it, after all. I've seen a number of failed relationships, and they're often mis-attributed. Failed relationships with a spouse, failed relationships with a church, failed relationships with God. In great epiphanies of insight, blame is placed, and usually squarely away from one's self.

So, blogs, I'll make you a deal. Maybe I'll post once in a while if things can go back to a happy place where we work together not to go crazy. You get rid of all the sophists (or at least get them to be less prolific) and I'll accept my responsibility for being overly sensitive that people are so stupid.

18 comments:

B.G. Christensen said...

I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE CALLING ME A SOPHIST, YOU FILTHY--

Oh, right.

Happy place.

Nice to see you around here, L. I hope this blog reaches the levels of regular coolness it once enjoyed. Curiously, are you still getting a high number of hits from people using your superMoHolinklist?

Samantha said...

Yay! You posted! I love it when you do that.

playasinmar said...

+10 Cleverness Points to L

drex said...

Yay for L making an appearance! I might have to try that someday. :P

John Gustav-Wrathall said...

I'm glad you're back. I missed you.

Scot said...

You get rid of all the sophists (or at least get them to be less prolific) and I'll accept my responsibility for being overly sensitive that people are so stupid.

I’m glad to see you pop up again, and also, considering the above, that I was taking a break when you left ;-).

I am left wondering what exactly happened to cause this sort of response. Certainly, I too can tell things changed greatly over the summer here. My understanding has been that it was a result of the huge increase in the population, leading to a greater tendency to fracture for the diversity and thereby organize factions. Before, the group was small, about a dozen people who could better consider everyone’s sensibilities in each post.

But what exactly happened. Who should go for their sophist stupidity? Okay :-) to be specific there would bad, but what is, maybe, a general example of what was done to trigger this? I do see the value in being vague here, but by the way you’ve phrased it you may be aiming with an arrow while it appears you’re casting a net. That appearance, even if not meant by you, might inflame around here even more than naming names would.

Michael said...

What Scot says is true. It is unfortunate that some people around here are so quick to take offense though.

I really enjoyed your thoughts. It seems everyone has noticed the change in the blogworld that seems to have occurred over the summer. I think it is slowly getting back to that 'happy place' that you and I remember so fondly. I enjoyed that place much more anyway.

Glad to hear you're doing well. Welcome back! (I hope that it lasts... :)

-L- said...

Yeah, Scot, I'm sadly aware of how being vague invites everyone to take my post as a personal attack. :-) But really, it was just Mr. Fob I was talking about, and he took it so admirably. By the way, Fob, I still get a surprising number of daily hits for a blog that hasn't posted in so long. I'm trying to fix that by being abrasively honest, knowing that will send them running. ;-)

Seriously, I'm surprised at how nice these comments are, and I really appreciate it.

I should clarify, I suppose, that the moho blogs are not the only ones I read or comment on. And they're not the only ones that frustrate me. Also, I should have distinguished between the separate issues of sophistry (clever sounding arguments that are crap) and plain old disrespect/childishness. Either way, I recognize that putting up with other people is why blogging is a community activity. Anyway, it's nice that so many folks who I really like still seem to stop by for the occasional post.

B.G. Christensen said...

Thank you for confirming my narcissistic assumption, L.

chedner said...

clever sounding arguments that are crap

Would you be willing to elaborate?

Marlo said...

As always L, your comments are appreciated and enjoyed.

salad said...

L, I've missed you!

Beck said...

I miss over-reacting to your posts. I miss taking things personally. How am I to do so when you don't post?

But most of all, I miss your insights and wisdom, your sense of strength and purpose in life.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
playasinmar said...

[clears throat] So... where does the conversation go after that?

Neal said...

Perhaps Father Lehi forsaw the Bogsphere, and the answer to "sophistry":

1 Nephi 8

"24 And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.
25 And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were aashamed.
26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.
27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.
28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.
29 And now I, Nephi, do not speak all the words of my father.
30 But, to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.
31 And he also saw other multitudes feeling their way towards that great and spacious building.
32 And it came to pass that many were drowned in the depths of the fountain; and many were lost from his view, wandering in strange roads.
33 And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after they did enter into that building they did POINT THE FINGER OF SCORN at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also; but WE HEEDED THEM NOT.


Neal

Abinadi said...

So I've been reading your blog for a long time and I am really glad that you have decided to return. I have missed you immensely! You have such wisdom and grace. You are also an amazing example for the rest of us!

Thank you!

PS I recently started a blog with another person and we would appreciate it if you would put it on your list. Thanks again! :)

kittywaymo PharmD said...

nice to know i'm not the only sensitive blogger out there:)

we'll keep enjoying yours!

love kitty and dr. h