Am I a hypocrite- are my questions ever insulting?
I don't always practice what I preach. I don't want to be offensive or insulting towards anybody, but it is quite possible that I come across as being rigidly dogmatic at times. If you're answering this, you probably don't know who I am. But I often whine and complain about how rude some people are on "answers." I just asked people if it was necessary for them to be "douche canoes" about things. In other words, I was asking if it's necessary to be rude and insulting in their answers to certain questions.
I really ought to practice what I preach. If you have ever seen my questions before, and please be honest, have I ever been insulting? If that is true, then I have no right to ***** about rude answers. But if I just ask unique questions that may make some people uncomfortable, but I remain polite in the question, I think it's bullsh*t to be rude in response.
What do you think?
2012-06-06T13:38:09Z
EDIT: Endorse Freedom- I love you too, man. Thanks to everyone for these quite insightful answers. Much obliged.
?2012-06-07T04:41:50Z
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Perhaps I just have a really thick skin, because I've never felt insulted by anything you've written.
I've always thought you were pretty easy on others and a bit too hard on yourself... You *have* challenged atheists a time or two... but that's OK, because almost everyone here does the same. It's a safe place for debates, much better than in the streets.
MG, you've always been one of my favorite posters, and I will tell you with all honesty that I am not a people person.
Have you been "insulting?" Well, generally, "insult" is a function of the person assuming it, not any person doling it out. For example, I frequently state here that I don't believe in any claimed magical god-things because there's no evidence of any such thing. I consider that a factual and honest statement, while some believers consider it an "insult."
So no, I don't think you've been "insulting." Some people may feel "insulted" by you, but that's really their problem, not yours.
I would criticize your formulation of some questions, though. For example, "rude" and "douche canoes" are rather silly ways to characterize people you disagree with, especially given what I just pointed out about "insults." And asking if it's "necessary" is rather silly -- of course it's not "necessary," the formulation of your question answers itself, but doesn't do anything to address why people answer or ask questions the way they do, does it?
Finally, I'd just point out that while I'd stop short of labeling you "hypocritical," you don't seem to do what you apparently consider "proper," or demand of others. You seem to think being "polite" is always the best thing to do (I disagree, by the way), but you're not always polite. Said "douche canoes" reference serves as an excellent example.
Me, I don't think "polite" is necessarily the best way to interact with other people, and it's certainly not a requirement or "necessity." Dishonest, ignorant, idiotic posts merit honest criticism and condemnation for what they are -- I don't see how being "polite" about them serves any purpose.
Peace.
p.s. you do seem to spend a lot of time trying to get others to approve of your actions, as in this question. Why the need for such peer/societal approval? Do what you rationally consider best, and try not to harm others -- why care if anyone else approves of that?
I think we all tend to do this from time to time. I've seen people on here complain about other groups being offensive, while they are being offensive themselves. And in here, at times, it's hard to tell if someone is being a Troll or if they're just being sarcastic even though the question/answer looks polite. I'd take anything said in here with a grain of salt (some you should take with a lb of salt or more).
I think you are self reflective and this is such a great trait as long as it doesn't immobilize decision making. I don't know who you are since my memory is rather spotty these days. As a rule I like people for friends who think about their actions even if they have snarky days. We all have them. The unexamined life is not worth living.
You're never unnecessarily insulting. I mean, in your last question, you did call people douche canoes, which is an insult, but you didn't call out anyone specific, so anyone who found it personally insulting probably deserved it.