Lingusitics Fancy Language: Recent Resurgence?

[Smurf]

However, I also think it doesn't do well to talk too far over peoples head, like what Art was saying in the Winston Churchill example. In the end our goals should be to extract some form of truth and not just to 'win' the argument.

Pfft get real. This is politics, not philosophy!

 

[Art]

You're missing the point. This has nothing to do with whether or not people are open-minded, but rather how well thought-out and presented their opinions are.

I think perhaps Russ you missed the point, I was responding to this piece by Tom

It's not necessary to learn Latin terms, but some knowledge of how to argue rationally would certainly benefit anyone whose purpose is to persuade others.

 

[Lisa!]

You know what's the problem , Some people come here for everything but discussing or perhaps they simply don't know what discussion means. They're here to impose their own ideas( mostly their political party ideas I guess). They don't want to listen to others, get other people's ideas to learn new things, or whatever like that. They simply want to oppose other people with different political view. They even get angry at themselves when they agree on something with someone. I think there are afew people like what I said, but I think they can cause lots of problems anyway. Sometimes they know what they're saing is totally wrong, because of their partner in the discussion's been able to bring enough good reason to prove them wrong, but they just continue arguing because they're afraid of admiting the fact that they've made a mistake. I usually stay quiet here due to my low knowledge (I've decided not to post here anymore, but I still can't avoid posting here )and I think if others do the same, this forum would improve alot.
AGAIN REMEBER I SAID THEY'RE NOT IN MAJORITY.(PERHAPS LESS THAN 5 PERSON)

When no one in a thread about impeaching Bush can come up with any charges to impeach him for, what else can be said about that?

Welll I don't know know what's going on in that thread( because I'm tired of seeing lots of same threads about Bush and how we can get rid of him. Willy-nilly Bush is the peresident of the US till the next US presidential election unless he'll die), but I think the Iraq war could be enough for impeaching him.

I'll admit to paying a lot of attention to details (whether it is undue attention or not is a matter of opinion, and you are entitled to yours). I've been called a pedant before and I'm fine with that. I am, afterall, an engineer.

I think it's good that you pay attention a lot to details and correct other people's mistakes(especially mine ). But it's not good if you just get stuck on details and don't pay attention to otheerimportant facts or issues.
For example I noticed that you usually correct my mistakes but you never answer some of my questions. I know you have no duty to do that and you have the right to do whatever you like, but it's alittle...
Perhaps you think my question's been silly or you've not got what that mean, but anyway I'd appreciate it if you(and everyone else whom I ask him a question) told me very frankly "I'm not going to answer your question because it doesn't make sense to me" or "could you explian what you mean?"
I really have a hard time to understand what it means when someone side step your question.

 

[SOS2008]

Thats a bit of a sweeping statement, sometimes I think the opposite. That the Conservatives, seem to focus on the details, and miss the big picture. They also tend to ignore the important questions...

Details do not necessarily equate to substance, so often are not meaningful. Focus on definitions, for example, usually is a distraction from the main point, and often used as a substitute for real debate skills.

In addition to what I call the "google-hoop" game (members demanding evidence while never providing evidence themselves), the conservatives tend toward op-ed style posts while liberals consistently provide quotes/links to sources as evidence in making their case. If it could be quantified how often which members provide “op-eds” versus evidence, this would be proven.

One thing that can be said about it is that many of the liberals thought the topic was not worth participating on at all.

True--for example I had no desire to participate in the thread on abortion. Another factor is time. Those of use who provide sources must spend some time to do so. A good example is the thread about impeachment. I love the double standard in that one—where certain members were making generalities, while at the same time demanding specifics from others immediately, Achtung!

…So a person talking in this arrogant way could very easy insult Mr Y, but not Mr X.

Geez, no one is patronizing and demeaning in this forum—what are you talking about?

 

[Skyhunter]

Langauge is a powerful tool.

Communication, especially in this medium is dependent on language. How sophisticated, or "fancy" the language depends on the concepts being communicated. Some ideas just do not translate well into words. Having more words helps reduce ideational confusion.

I wish I had spent more time studying my english assignments and learning to use language when I was younger.

 

[Pengwuino]

You people will argue over anything won't you.

 

[Townsend]

You people will argue over anything won't you.

I see you haven't risen above arguing over anything...don't be such a hypocrite.

 

[Pengwuino]

I see you haven't risen above arguing over anything...don't be such a hypocrite.

I can probably think of maybe 3 threads that i argued in in the PWA out of hte last probably 50 threads that involved an argument. I got sick of it. These people are insane and bias ideologs that think they can do no wrong.

 

[Townsend]

These people are insane and bias ideologs that think they can do no wrong.

So they're pretty much just acting like typical Americans act...the only difference is that there is a lot more liberals around here than normal.

 

[Pengwuino]

So they're pretty much just acting like typical Americans act...the only difference is that there is a lot more liberals around here than normal.

What is "normal"? Everywhere I go its like this.

 

[Townsend]

What is "normal"? Everywhere I go its like this.

My other favorite forum is very conservative...these people wouldn't last 2 seconds over at that forum.

You just don't know where to find conservatives...a good place to start is forums where single rich guys and girls would hang out...like certain car forums for example.

 

[Pengwuino]

single rich girls eh?

Where would i find these girls

I mean uhm, fellow minded conservatives... yah... that's it...

 

[moose]

What is "normal"? Everywhere I go its like this.

You live in California. Move to Arizona and you will see the tons of conservatives...

 

[Townsend]

single rich girls eh?

Where would i find these girls

I mean uhm, fellow minded conservatives... yah... that's it...

Well there is really only about a dozen or so girls and they are all pretty much taken (I guess I should have mentioned that only the guys were single)...

But if you're really interested the site you can pm me.

 

[Pengwuino]

You live in California. Move to Arizona and you will see the tons of conservatives...

I mean online.

In the real world, no one seems to have a set ideology. You can only make idiotic rantings and ravings online because even you'd be embarrassed if you made such statements in public. The people i talk to... man... its not that they don't match an ideology... its probably more like, no ideology would want to accept them as their own lol.

 

[moose]

I mean online.

Easy, check virtually any car website.

It saddens me that this site is liberal, because these are educated people...

Oh, and I sent you a PM asking you what university you attend like two days ago :)

 

[Pengwuino]

You're PM box is full. I go to California State University - Fresno.

I don't like cars though. I guess ill have to suffer :(

 

[SOS2008]

It saddens me that this site is liberal, because these are educated people...

It saddens me that conservatives have taken this thread off topic with their usual high standards.

 

[Pengwuino]

Coming from the person who turned a thread of mourning for the victims of Pakistan into a political rant.

 

[SOS2008]

Coming from the person who turned a thread of mourning for the victims of Pakistan into a political rant.

When did you become so sensitive...or are you drunk again?

Edit: In my post in that thread (#6) I express how tragic the high death toll is, and how U.S. aid has provided goodwill. Actually, this is usually Bush-type spin in regard to our kindness (as with the Tsunami), but I am sincere.

 

[Pengwuino]

When did you become so sensitive...or are you drunk again?

Personal attacks as usual

 

[SOS2008]

Personal attacks as usual

Kinda like the remarks you've made to pattylou?

 

[Pengwuino]

Kinda like the remarks you've made to pattylou?

exactly like the ones you make against all conservatives or anyone else who doesn't agree with you. I'm sorry, I have no respect for people who call our military a bunch of sold off children.

 

[pattylou]

I haven't seen those threads, and I'd like to - I am under the impression that SOS2008 generally provides well-referenced posts, and if she is throwing insults around I haven't seen it. Help me out? I haven't followed all the threads, and no doubt you are referring to some I haven't seen.

I'd also appreciate an apology for your recent comment that "I'm always drunk." As this is far from the truth, it seems like an easy thing for you to rectify by saying "Yeah, I was shooting my mouth off, sorry."

I'm happy to acknowledge that I do, perhaps every ~six months, drink a bit more than I should. But for you to say that I am "always" drunk is an exaggeration at best, and a personal attack at worst. Is this behavior, the image you'd like to promote of yourself?

Are you able to retract the statement?

Thanks, Pengwuino. I know you'll make a good choice.

 

[Pengwuino]

When did you become so sensitive...or are you drunk again?

Yes, pattylou, SOS should appologize to me.

 

[pattylou]

I have every faith in her to make a good choice.

Just as I have every faith in *you* to make a good choice.

Can you point me to the threads where she insults people?

Can you acknowledge that you spoke unfairly when you claimed that I am always drunk?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Pengwuino]

Patty... i tried to make this obvious but I guess you didn't catch on...so please point out where i said you were always drunk...

 

[Pengwuino]

Actually, this is usually Bush-type spin in regard to our kindness (as with the Tsunami), but I am sincere.

How much do we spend each day trying to democratize and nation-build in Iraq alone? We could generate so much more goodwill, but where will the resources come from when we are over extended in military conflict and increasingly in debt to other nations such as China?

Yah, you sure didn't mention anything about Iraq or Bush now did you. I guess Bush-type spin = reading comprehension.

Man, ideological brainwashing sure makes you crazy doesn't it SOS

 

[pattylou]

Patty... i tried to make this obvious but I guess you didn't catch on...so please point out where i said you were always drunk...

Nope, didn't catch on - sorry about that.

Look here, bottom of page one:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=94404

 

[Pengwuino]

Oh, you mean mid page #2. Well I guess the whole joking mood of the thread died out the second before i posted. I must appologize for thinking my joking around was welcome when other people are joking around.

Why didn't you get mad at russ?

 

[pattylou]

No, I meant the bottom of page one, where you say "Ugh, you're always drunk." To be exact, I meant post #15. (Maybe post #15 is on page two on your browser, otherwise I fail to see how you cannot identify the post in which I said I'm "always drunk.")

Your comment didn't sound like joking around to me. It appears *here* you are saying that it *was* just "a joke." In that case, I'd ask a favor, that we try not to make those kinds of jokes anymore.

FTR, I was perturbed by the other comments as well. But a puzzled face with a "It's only Wednesday" did not sound anywhere near as aggressive as your comment did.

Thank you for giving this matter your attention. I appreciate it.

 

[SOS2008]

I have no respect for people who call our military a bunch of sold off children.

I haven't posted in that thread at all. I don't appreciate false accusations.

Yah, you sure didn't mention anything about Iraq or Bush now did you. I guess Bush-type spin = reading comprehension.
Man, ideological brainwashing sure makes you crazy doesn't it SOS

No Pengwuino. The response to the Tsunami was slow and when attention was finally given to the matter, many felt it was being used as another photo-op rather than sincerity from Bush. Ideological brainwashing makes you crazy you say?

Reading increases comprehension, and even occasional fancy language. As for joking around, that is what GD is for, and why some threads of a less serious nature are moved there.