Final thoughts

[nfotxn]

Moral positioning and consumer gluttony aside the irony of the situation is that the wishlist and the wish for a world without wishlists are just that: desires. Nobody's desire takes priority and it was never my intention to imply as such.

I find it alarming that many people who commented on the post in question didn't really read much meaning out of what I'd put forth. They'd merely skimmed and replied in defense of what they felt accused for. I realize that the tone was overly simplistic in the end and probably was the cause of that. Again, that wasn't my intention. It was however alarming and even a little hurtful that some people decide that it's time to get in contact with me only when they want to lay down smack. I'm really glad to be here for your abuse. Really.

That doesn't mean that I'm pulling my punches. I'm not going to give alms in public here but I'm personally taking measures to make the holiday meaningful and personally spiritual experienece. I'm really sorry I didn't properly share that sentiment with everyone.

Comments

[brianrdu.livejournal.com]

Feh. I for one thought your post was spot on. It's completely tacky of people to do that! I've never commented about it; I just ignore it.

[trckrfckr.livejournal.com]

i still wish for puppy, to make soup

[cub4bear.livejournal.com]

I find it alarming that many people who commented on the post in question didn't really read much meaning out of what I'd put forth. They'd merely skimmed and replied in defense of what they felt accused for.

Did you really expect more?

Your post contained actual thoughtful content, so you shouldn't have expected reading comprehension, much less intelligent replies.

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

Really all I want is good discussion but it always turns into a flame war. Again, this time my tone was off.. but I felt passionate about the subject.

I guess I expect too much. The more I read LJ the more things seem to be simplifying into your list of LJ clichés. I think I've been at this too long. I need to do something new with my time.

[plaidninja.livejournal.com]

The real irony here is that it turns out that it's totally tacky to tell other people how tacky they are.

That's not irony anyway

[jwall.livejournal.com]

No it isn't. Clearly, there's a distinction between tacky and not-tacky. Informing bipedal faux pas that they are in fact not eligible for public interaction isn't tacky -- it's a public service (and a public duty for the upper 10%).

"Excuse me, sir; you have shit stains all over your lips and chin." "Thanks! I'd better go home and slit my wrists in the shower!"

See?

The tacky thing is merely a matter of opinion. However...

[plaidninja.livejournal.com]

Feel free to explain to me where I went wrong in my reasoning about the irony thing.
I do so rarely get to interact with the top 10%. It'd be a shame to waste this oportunity.

I'm working under the assumption that Irony functions through amusing contrasts.
If someone is spiting out rightious rhetoric, about tacky behavior, but the method by which he does so is completely tacky, would that not be an ironic situation?

clue me in if I'm wrong. I like learning.

Now since I do like learning I also consulted a dictionary, cause that's what I hear the top 10% do. And this is what I found:

i·ro·ny ( P ) Pronunciation Key (r-n, r-)
n. pl. i·ro·nies

1
a)The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning.

b) An expression or utterance marked by a deliberate contrast between apparent and intended meaning.

c)A literary style employing such contrasts for humorous or rhetorical effect.

2
a)Incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs: “Hyde noted the irony of Ireland's copying the nation she most hated” (Richard Kain).

b)An occurrence, result, or circumstance notable for such incongruity.

Re: The tacky thing is merely a matter of opinion. However...

[jwall.livejournal.com]

I don't consider a non-tacky person posting a PSA explaining why something is tacky an unexpected event. This expectation on my part therefore assumes that should I encounter such a PSA, I will not be surprised; the event (PSA) having been the outcome expected of the aforementioned parties (non-tacky Brodie).

Having been anticipated, no incongruity exists between what might be expected and what actually occurs. I also see no evidence the PSA expressed a message contrary to its literal meaning. If any humorous or rhetorical effects were attempted, they were missed completely by both laypersons and the upper 10%. Be careful when applying absolutes to concepts (like with a dictionary entry). Someone might draw exceptions to your inadaptable criterion by thinking critically.

LJ rewards sincerity with defamation -- that is the only true irony here.

Re: The tacky thing is merely a matter of opinion. However...

[plaidninja.livejournal.com]

So your point here is that you don't think it's ironic because you don't beleive Brodie's behaviour was tacky.
I'm in awe of your genius.
However this is a point that you've already made quite clear. In fact if you glance at the post heading, I've already conceeded that your definition of tacky might completely differ from mine.

The subject I was discussing was whether or not my use of the word ironic defied normal usage. Which makes some of your response a bit confusing: Be careful when applying absolutes to concepts (like with a dictionary entry). Someone might draw exceptions to your inadaptable criterion by thinking critically.
If I'm not mistaken (and I could be. I'm no linguist) word usage is not a very abstract relm of thought. Absolutes generally apply.

So what it comes down to here (Unless you have something interesting to add) is that we have differing opinions on what counts as tacky.
Big Deal.
Could this thread get any more pointless?

Today on TRL: Legitimacy

[jwall.livejournal.com]

If you scan the responses to the post in question, you'd see the "Brodie is right/cool" sentiment has a majority vote. So what if a few LJ sissies express their firm displeasure because your thoughts are not their thoughts? It is hard to make a "passionate statement" without throngs of visionless internet non-persons chiming in with how much they agree; trying to get their forgettable face into the picture in hopes of stealing legitimacy by association. Nothing turns a genuine idea to shit faster than popular consent.

You expressed something. Profound or laughable, but personal still. Stop apologizing -- it makes you look like you weren't sincere in the first place.

[birddog.livejournal.com]

LJ is exhausting. I'm exhausted just catching up with the Post In Question. Jeez.

After scanning the really nasty one toward the end, I went to said naysayer's journal and read about his fantasies of a yule tid Wal Mart tinsel and lights binge. So I'm thinking his criticism is a bit windblown.

The stigmatization of contradiction is a laugh. Some people can't accept that they might feel a strong opposition to things that they are inextricably tied up in, let's say, consumerism. I think what you were getting at in your post is letting consumerism surge and submerge us. He took the terms of your conflict and used it as a ramp to wheel his bitch-cart up-- "nyah, you say this, but this is the reality". Fuck this type of thinking. Honestly, the difficulty of living in TOTAL opposition to and isolation from this society is what makes so many of us so lazy and complacent. Give a man props for introducing some ideas!

Let him attack, he obviously needed to walk his yapping little dog, sadly they came down your street.

[ranger1.livejournal.com]

Why crushed? It's hardly your fault that some LiveJournal users are hot-headed, opinionated, immature, prone to flaming, or all of the above.

I'm not saying that you shouldn't have posted what you did, but I find myself reminded that some topics are better to suited to one's friends. And I don't mean the LiveJournal kind. People you hang with at a coffee shop or at home. People you can depend upon to intelligently engage your ideas, rather than using them as pigskin for their tiny-penis rhetorical football games.

Anyway... I'm sorry that your expectations weren't met.

(Oh hey, I managed to nail 'opinionated' and possibly 'flaming' on this one. Maybe I can go for the hat trick next time.)

[clauditorium.livejournal.com]

I totally agree that a public journal is no place to get overly personal (sorry, I might be twisting your words a bit here, rangerbr). That's why I post nothing of consequence on mine and refuse to allow squabbling (which is not the same as debating). Also, because it's so easy to spew one's feelings when your target isn't sitting in front of you, I think the rule should be to be extra careful (and less emotional) when expressing oneself on the internet. I think that's the only place Brodie went wrong; the tone of his post was pretty vituperative, so he should have expected some of the same in return.

I still think...

[fauxbear.livejournal.com]

...that you were spot on. The Defenders of Tacky may kiss my electronic, cathode ray enhanced ass.

smack down

[zombietruckstop.livejournal.com]

Aside from the flame war (lame), I hope you don't think that just because people disagree with you they don't understand/haven't read thoroughly. They might just have a different opinion.

I've always loved a good debate, as long as it doesn't get 1) personal or 2) bogged down in high school debate team semantics. The ability to agree to disagree is also a nice side dish...

Re: smack down

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the flame war is lame. Personally I also love good debate.. but my initial tone in the post was pretty inflamitory.. so the ensuing flame war was sorta to be expected. At the same time I feel the need to vent and reserve the right to do so in my journal.

Generally it just became an acrimonious argument with no real outcome. I do try and keep things civilized most of the time.

Re: smack down

[clauditorium.livejournal.com]

I think Brodie knows it's okay for people to disagree with him; I don't think that was the point. The points are, 1) this did get personal, 2) it did get bogged down in high school debate team semantics (and worse), and 3) this was not a debate at all, but a screaming match.

Re: smack down

[zombietruckstop.livejournal.com]

That was my point.

[clauditorium.livejournal.com]

Cool; I misread your entry. I could explain why it's possible for your entry to be read different ways, but I'd rather not get bogged down in the pointless semantics we both decry.

[zombietruckstop.livejournal.com]

Here here!

[orgelcub.livejournal.com]

You're spot on, though, and your whole stand on retail therapy is wondrous to behold.

Dear Emily Post...

[smointjoker.livejournal.com]

When I was fourteen, my mother put a copy of Emily Post's Guide to Etiquette in my Christmas stocking. In one chapter she pointed out that while one person may have poor manners, it is in poor taste to point this out publicly. Simply put, it is neither the right nor the obligation of one to point out the folly of another.

Happy Hanukkah.

Sj.

I luv it

[largemilk.livejournal.com]

Nuff said....oh yeah, then there is "be True to thyself, cub Brodie" And Fuck em all.

[imattv.livejournal.com]

"It was however alarming and even a little hurtful that some people decide that it's time to get in contact with me only when they want to lay down smack."

(I hope that you're not alarmed by my post Brodie...I really haven't been on line in forever and I apologize if I intruded...I
still think you were completely right on w/your post.

MDV

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

Oh no, you were greatly supportive and encouraging which I appreciate so much. It was those who decided to spit vitriol at me in defence of their views when they don't express anything else at me. I dunno, maybe I'm sensitive...