So long, and thanks for all the fish.

Published on October 26, 2003 By brab_alan In Blogging

Following the last few exchanges I have seen or participated to recently, I have decided to stop posting here. You probably don't care why, but here is the reason.

I started posting on this blog because I felt the articles where not balanced enough. It seemed at first like a nice place to debate, where people would point to articles of interest or give opinion about some things, without being called biased or liars for no reason. Sadly, I was wrong.

You do not have to believe me, you can make your own opinion of what I mean. For instance, you can try to find the explanation of why the letter of Bush to congress about the war in Iraq that mentions 9/11 is not introducing any connection between the two. I thought it did, I posted so, and I was answered I chose to misread this letter. No other explanation. You can also read that I'm a liar since I thought that Mrs Wilson was a NOC agent. Or that saying that Iraq was selling its oil in Euros and this might explain why France was so much against the war is a blatant lie. Or that I'm a lazy debater since I post link to sources (instead of making them up), and when I write a longer post I waste bandwidth.

I feel like I do not belong here. I'm have ideas and opinions more on the left that what is the norm here, and they don't belong to JoeRightWingUser.com. This is a bit sad but it's fine. There are many other places where to really debate. And I did learn quite a few things about people, and some interesting facts as well (I ignored for instance that some people still believed in creationism here).

Draginol, you had a great idea creating this site, but I'm afraid that by choosing what would make the first page, and by posting so much and so aggressively, you made this a nice place only for the people who think like you. I don't, and this is why I'm not staying. But I still believe you're a great software writer, and I agree with many things you do, as long as they are not political.

So so long, and thanks for all the fish.

Brab

Comments

Draginol

on Oct 26, 2003

Sanity from the Left is the 6th most popular blog here on JoeUser.

In fact, looking at the top 10 you have:

Mine (1), a developer's site, another developer's site, AnthonyR's (right wing), another developer site, and then a left wing site and then another left wing site.

As for what gets posted on the home page, I try to choose things that people are likely to be interested in and is presented well. Not to be critical but your writing doesn't come across as if English is your first language. There's nothing wrong with that but it makes reading far far more difficult.

brab_alan

on Oct 26, 2003

You got me, English is not my first language. It's just that the last few exchanges with AnthonyR wore me down: I'm not a politician, I don't do well under personal attacks. But as you can see, I care enough to come read the comments to this farewell post.

The one thing I want to get across with you, Brad, is: no hard feelings. I know we disagree about politics (and linux 8) ), and I know I might not be able to convey what I thing with enough subtlety (and it's not just the language issue, I'm a bit blunt as well

), but I do admire what you do and have done. In fact, it is what has kept me here for so long.

Thanks again, and you might see me again posting on the Galciv forums

Brab

PS: I can't help but notice that I went from user number 9 this morning to user 399 right now, with a score of -1256. If I were paranoid, I'd say there is someone a bit pissed off out there. *smiling* If I can make some guy (or girl) life better, this is great

(reminds me of when I was a teenager and IRC)

Draginol

on Oct 26, 2003

It's not your fault.

Debating by written communication is very hard even when you are fluent in the language that the debate is happening in.

When it's your second or third language, it becomes really hard.

Regarding scoring -- that I can't say. The scoring system is sitll in flux. It shouldn't be possible to get a negative score so I'll have to look into that.

KarmaGirl

on Oct 27, 2003

brab_alan, sorry to see you go. Maybe you can just take a "break" and come back when you feel like. I, personally, enjoy your articles (even if I don't agree with them all). Take care, and come back when you can!

Draginol

on Oct 27, 2003

I checked in on the user account stuff. I had his score fixed to 300 and changed the commentin system so that negative marks to trolling only become a factor when it's many people doing it.

Previously, one dedicated person could really zap a person's score which is unfair.

brab_alan

on Oct 28, 2003

Thanks KarmaGirl, and thanks Draginol.

Jen

on Dec 15, 2003

I need to know where the quote "so long and thanks for all the fish" came from. I think it's a movie, but I have no idea what movie, so please respond if you know. thanks ivybyrd1@yahoo.com

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!