Author Topic: where is sol?  (Read 27379 times)

solon

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where is sol?
« on: July 11, 2019, 09:59:36 AM »
@sol

He hasn't logged in since July 2
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/profile/?u=393

Did I miss announcement that he was taking a break?

Kris

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #1 on: July 11, 2019, 10:08:49 AM »
I'm guessing he got temporarily banned for some stuff he said on another thread. That is pure speculation, though.

Or, maybe he just decided he's had enough of us.

terran

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #2 on: July 11, 2019, 10:10:07 AM »
Well, his most recent post concludes with

I'm done.  I'm sure the forum will be fine without me.

So...

FIREstache

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #3 on: July 11, 2019, 10:10:31 AM »
He attacked another member and was addressed by one of the mods.  Was probably banned.

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/off-topic/are-social-conservatives-always-wrong/msg2405352/#msg2405352

Kris

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #4 on: July 11, 2019, 10:12:35 AM »
Well, his most recent post concludes with

I'm done.  I'm sure the forum will be fine without me.

So...

Yeah. I saw that, too.

At the time, I interpreted it as his just being done with that thread, even though he said "forum," because leaving the entire forum because of stuff that was said just on that thread seemed... well, silly? I dunno.

But he was in quite a froth. So... :shrugs:

EngagedToFIRE

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #5 on: July 11, 2019, 10:49:38 AM »
Wow, that thread!  Am I the only one who thinks this site probably doesn't need an Off-Topic section?  What a disaster and wasteland that section seems to be.

solon

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #6 on: July 11, 2019, 11:10:49 AM »
Wow, that thread!  Am I the only one who thinks this site probably doesn't need an Off-Topic section?  What a disaster and wasteland that section seems to be.

For real. I have steered clear of that thread. There is no good that can come from posting in threads like that, as sol found out, I guess.

RetiredAt63

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #7 on: July 11, 2019, 11:15:25 AM »
Wow, that thread!  Am I the only one who thinks this site probably doesn't need an Off-Topic section?  What a disaster and wasteland that section seems to be.

For real. I have steered clear of that thread. There is no good that can come from posting in threads like that, as sol found out, I guess.

Some are interesting and useful, if only to show how varied peoples' views can be.

Paul der Krake

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #8 on: July 11, 2019, 11:22:47 AM »
Some posters are way too invested in winning societal arguments on this forum. Sol was one of them. RIP in peace in peace.

FIREstache

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #9 on: July 11, 2019, 11:33:41 AM »
Wow, that thread!  Am I the only one who thinks this site probably doesn't need an Off-Topic section?  What a disaster and wasteland that section seems to be.

For real. I have steered clear of that thread. There is no good that can come from posting in threads like that, as sol found out, I guess.

Yeah, it was sort of like watching a train wreck.

undercover

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #10 on: July 11, 2019, 12:00:54 PM »
Wow, that thread!  Am I the only one who thinks this site probably doesn't need an Off-Topic section?  What a disaster and wasteland that section seems to be.

Well, I disagree. Not only was that thread extremely tame compared to what you'd get in most other environments, there's also plenty of lighter topics there.

Seems to me like sol overreacted a bit to a fairly innocuous statement and no one seemed to really agree with him and that got to him. Doubt he was banned, probably just needs a little reflection time.

John Galt incarnate!

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #11 on: July 11, 2019, 12:27:15 PM »
Wow, that thread!  Am I the only one who thinks this site probably doesn't need an Off-Topic section?  What a disaster and wasteland that section seems to be.

Well, I disagree. Not only was that thread extremely tame compared to what you'd get in most other environments, there's also plenty of lighter topics there.



I also disagree w/ ETF and agree with u.


Moreover, in another thread not in the Off Topic forum  (I think Zikoris'  thread about banning politics)   it was sol himself who opined   that politics is inseparable from tax policy and other matters of political economy  that directly affect Mu$tachian$' achievement of their financial objectives.

I think the Off Topic forum  best for discussions of these political matters.

« Last Edit: July 11, 2019, 04:44:58 PM by John Galt incarnate! »

SwitchActiveDWG

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #12 on: July 11, 2019, 12:27:33 PM »
Wow, that thread!  Am I the only one who thinks this site probably doesn't need an Off-Topic section?  What a disaster and wasteland that section seems to be.

For real. I have steered clear of that thread. There is no good that can come from posting in threads like that, as sol found out, I guess.

Agreed. One of the few sections on these forums I have abandoned completely.

CheapScholar

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #13 on: July 11, 2019, 12:36:32 PM »
Damn.  I myself got in a few political fights with Sol in those threads a while back.  But ‘twas all in good fun - I’m sure Sol would agree.  I’ll miss him for sure!

Edit: I just visited the thread in question and read Sol’s remarks.  He definitely went off the handle and crossed the line.  Especially the part about yelling at the other poster and saying he shouldn’t be allowed to talk in public.  Yeesh.  Sol is obviously highly intelligent but I think he got caught up in too many political fights here.  Not saying people can’t have political arguments but most of your posts here should probably be related to personal finance or frugality in some way.
« Last Edit: July 11, 2019, 08:00:35 PM by CheapScholar »

HPstache

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #14 on: July 11, 2019, 12:39:55 PM »
MMM himself almost personally banned him last year:

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/forum-information-faqs/messages-from-the-community/msg1938720/#msg1938720

He was probably on a shorter leash if he was in fact banned and not just taking a break from the forum.

FIREstache

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #15 on: July 11, 2019, 12:41:45 PM »
Wow, that thread!  Am I the only one who thinks this site probably doesn't need an Off-Topic section?  What a disaster and wasteland that section seems to be.

Well, I disagree. Not only was that thread extremely tame compared to what you'd get in most other environments, there's also plenty of lighter topics there.

Seems to me like sol overreacted a bit to a fairly innocuous statement and no one seemed to really agree with him and that got to him. Doubt he was banned, probably just needs a little reflection time.

He may have been given a "time out".  lol

John Galt incarnate!

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #16 on: July 11, 2019, 12:43:43 PM »
Damn.  I myself got in a few political fights with Sol in those threads a while back.  But ‘twas all in good - I’m sure Sol would agree.  I’ll miss him for sure!

I miss sol too.


FIREstache

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #17 on: July 11, 2019, 01:06:34 PM »
MMM himself almost personally banned him last year:

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/forum-information-faqs/messages-from-the-community/msg1938720/#msg1938720

He was probably on a shorter leash if he was in fact banned and not just taking a break from the forum.

That's not the first time he got on Pete about something.

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/what-comes-after-the-aca/msg1762556/#msg1762556

Wrenchturner

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #18 on: July 11, 2019, 01:33:56 PM »
Words are our substitute for physical confrontation.  A heated conversation--to me--is very valuable, because it represents prototyping where no one is physically injured.  And something valuable must be at stake if an argument is getting heated.

You find the most valuable things where you least want to look.


Anyway I generally liked talking with sol.

davisgang90

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #19 on: July 11, 2019, 01:44:31 PM »
If he's gone I'm sorry to see Sol go.  I rarely found myself agreeing with his non-financial posts, but he was generally a smart poster.

Paul der Krake

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #20 on: July 11, 2019, 01:45:44 PM »
MMM himself almost personally banned him last year:

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/forum-information-faqs/messages-from-the-community/msg1938720/#msg1938720

He was probably on a shorter leash if he was in fact banned and not just taking a break from the forum.

That's not the first time he got on Pete about something.

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/what-comes-after-the-aca/msg1762556/#msg1762556
I keep forgetting there is a blog... haven't read it since 2015 or so.

partgypsy

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #21 on: July 11, 2019, 01:52:21 PM »
I think Sol is a valuable member of this community. And while I like the off topic forum, it is best not to get too emotionally involved in some of the topics (I myself have over-posted and gotten worked up myself at times). It's not just in forums. I visited my father and he is very upset at the state of affairs in the US (we have very similar politics, only that he keeps on top of the news while a little goes a long way with me). He has a family member who is equally concerned about the state of the affairs of the US, but in the opposite direction -and I could see he was really getting worked up, so I said, let's talk about something else. I showed him an OK go video (my favorite, one with treadmills) and he showed me his favorite dance routine he saw from the Macy's Day parade/celebration.

J Boogie

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #22 on: July 11, 2019, 02:24:44 PM »
Kind of feel like off topic should be like a no-holds barred zone. I mean, we kind of go there looking for a fight right? Especially a topic like "Are social conservatives always wrong?"

I think most of us like Sol so much we want to create a nice unsafe space just to accommodate his aggression. Or at least I do.



robartsd

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #23 on: July 11, 2019, 04:26:50 PM »
Looks like @sol decided to opt out because of the interaction in that OT thread. This is his last post on the forums:

Also, I am sorry for hurting your feelings.

Don't try to make this about me.  When a racist person says something extraordinarily racist, you don't want them to say "I'm sorry I hurt your feelings" and you don't want them to say "I'm sorry you're such a fragile snowflake that you can't take a joke."  You want them to say "I'm sorry for being racist.  That was wrong of me, I will try to be less racist in the future."

You're dealing in sexism.  It's offensive.  Your apology was insincere and inadequate for the scope of your mistake, which you still fail to recognize or admit.

I'm done.  I'm sure the forum will be fine without me.

No evidence that mods took any action other than reprimanding him for forum rules like they do in other posts with similar violations (strikeout text with explanation). I will miss Sol's point of view, but not his argumentative style; he was always at his best when speaking from his point of view and at his worst when contradicting someone else's.

John Galt incarnate!

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #24 on: July 11, 2019, 04:41:56 PM »
Words are our substitute for physical confrontation.  A heated conversation--to me--is very valuable, because it represents prototyping where no one is physically injured.  And something valuable must be at stake if an argument is getting heated.

You find the most valuable things where you least want to look.


Anyway I generally liked talking with sol.

An angry Mu$tachian is an upset Mu$tachian so I'm sorry for them when I realize they are perturbed.

Nevertheless, as a free-speech absolutist I always encourage individuals to say exactly what they mean in the words of their choosing whether they are intemperate or not.


use2betrix

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #25 on: July 11, 2019, 05:50:56 PM »
Wow, that thread!  Am I the only one who thinks this site probably doesn't need an Off-Topic section?  What a disaster and wasteland that section seems to be.

I’ve said countless times that it needs to separate the off topic section with the political section. Those of us that firmly live by the “low information diet” as MMM preaches, shouldn’t have to wade through lists of political BS threads to see some regular “off topic” posts.

Sure, you can just not click them (which i typically don’t) but I try and eliminate the temptation of engaging in political discussions altogether.

Dee18

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #26 on: July 11, 2019, 06:24:36 PM »
I miss Sol. He wrote many thoughtful posts that I enjoyed reading. Hope you come back Sol!

But until now I avoided reading the thread (are socially conservatives always wrong) because I knew something  in it might set me off. I like reading the forum to be relaxing.  I should have stuck with that avoidance...

js82

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #27 on: July 11, 2019, 06:33:14 PM »
Wow, that thread!  Am I the only one who thinks this site probably doesn't need an Off-Topic section?  What a disaster and wasteland that section seems to be.

I’ve said countless times that it needs to separate the off topic section with the political section. Those of us that firmly live by the “low information diet” as MMM preaches, shouldn’t have to wade through lists of political BS threads to see some regular “off topic” posts.

Sure, you can just not click them (which i typically don’t) but I try and eliminate the temptation of engaging in political discussions altogether.


I've been a moderator in other (non-FIRE) internet communities, and in one community I deliberately created a separate space for political discussion there with the specific intent of allowing political discussion to occur, but keeping it out of other areas whose primary purpose is not political.  It serves the useful purpose of keeping overt political debates - and the emotions/animosity that sometimes accompanies them - compartmentalized, and allows those who wish to avoid them, to do so while those who wish to debate, can.   People that choose to come that that forum go there knowing that their views will be challenged and debates may get... heated.  Most of the time it works pretty well, at least as far as keeping political debate in its own space(Then again, I created the space for that purpose, so take my opinion with a grain of salt).

One tricky aspect of these forums is that the subject matter here is heavily skewed toward financial topics, and as such some subjects that were not originally intended to be political brush up against political matters.  Tax policy impacts financial planning, as does health insurance policy - so it's hard to completely avoid discussions of politics and policy.  As such, some threads are started with non-political intentions but end up veering into political territory.  In such cases, having a "political debate" forum that these threads can be moved to may still be productive, but the moderators here have a much tougher task than those on other forums where the intended subject matter is obviously non-political.
« Last Edit: July 11, 2019, 06:35:07 PM by js82 »

DaMa

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #28 on: July 11, 2019, 08:23:45 PM »
@sol was my favorite poster.  He made really good, well researched arguments.  He often wrote what I was thinking, but couldn't get into words.

He was obviously triggered by that comment due to personal experience, and he said so.  I have the same issue when anyone posts that they make sure they are healthy so why should they pay for sick people who don't stay healthy, because my otherwise healthy daughter had a random cancer at age 19.

I hope sol come back.

use2betrix

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #29 on: July 11, 2019, 08:46:14 PM »
Wow, that thread!  Am I the only one who thinks this site probably doesn't need an Off-Topic section?  What a disaster and wasteland that section seems to be.

I’ve said countless times that it needs to separate the off topic section with the political section. Those of us that firmly live by the “low information diet” as MMM preaches, shouldn’t have to wade through lists of political BS threads to see some regular “off topic” posts.

Sure, you can just not click them (which i typically don’t) but I try and eliminate the temptation of engaging in political discussions altogether.


I've been a moderator in other (non-FIRE) internet communities, and in one community I deliberately created a separate space for political discussion there with the specific intent of allowing political discussion to occur, but keeping it out of other areas whose primary purpose is not political.  It serves the useful purpose of keeping overt political debates - and the emotions/animosity that sometimes accompanies them - compartmentalized, and allows those who wish to avoid them, to do so while those who wish to debate, can.   People that choose to come that that forum go there knowing that their views will be challenged and debates may get... heated.  Most of the time it works pretty well, at least as far as keeping political debate in its own space(Then again, I created the space for that purpose, so take my opinion with a grain of salt).

One tricky aspect of these forums is that the subject matter here is heavily skewed toward financial topics, and as such some subjects that were not originally intended to be political brush up against political matters.  Tax policy impacts financial planning, as does health insurance policy - so it's hard to completely avoid discussions of politics and policy.  As such, some threads are started with non-political intentions but end up veering into political territory.  In such cases, having a "political debate" forum that these threads can be moved to may still be productive, but the moderators here have a much tougher task than those on other forums where the intended subject matter is obviously non-political.

Good posting. Obviously with a finance forum, there is significant relation to politics and finances/building wealth, which can be appropriate in nearly any forum section. I find the political discussions in regards to financial topics to stay on very good track around this place.

The off topic section here holds (rightfully) most of the political discussions which have much less to do with direct financial questions/comments, largely for things such as social opinions and politics. I would personally like to see those in a separate political sub group of the forum. Basically a section classified as “political - non personal finance related,” or similar.

CarolinaGirl

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #30 on: July 11, 2019, 09:45:39 PM »
I too was taken aback with the passion in that last thread where Sol went off before signing off.  I also wanted to say that I miss him too. He was one of my favorite posters in this forum. 

Dancin'Dog

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #31 on: July 11, 2019, 10:20:43 PM »
Maybe he just realized that his time is too valuable to waste on conversations like these.  Taking a break from the forums & the internet is never a bad idea. 


Hope sol is enjoying the break.  (thumbs up)

Buffaloski Boris

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #32 on: July 11, 2019, 10:31:58 PM »
Wow, that thread!  Am I the only one who thinks this site probably doesn't need an Off-Topic section?  What a disaster and wasteland that section seems to be.

Nope. You aren’t the only one. I’ve been advocating for a ban on politics pretty much since I arrived  (no big surprise given my tag line, huh?). Posted “off topic” a few times and lived to regret it. Will try not to make that mistake again.

“off topic” reminds me of Obi Wan Kenobi’s description of Mos Eisley.😆

DHMO

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #33 on: July 12, 2019, 01:15:16 AM »

<snip>

No evidence that mods took any action other than reprimanding him for forum rules like they do in other posts with similar violations (strikeout text with explanation). I will miss Sol's point of view, but not his argumentative style; he was always at his best when speaking from his point of view and at his worst when contradicting someone else's.

There may have been some moderator action behind the scenes, one of the participants asked about it.
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/off-topic/are-social-conservatives-always-wrong/msg2408811/#msg2408811

EngagedToFIRE

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #34 on: July 12, 2019, 06:19:49 AM »
Wow, that thread!  Am I the only one who thinks this site probably doesn't need an Off-Topic section?  What a disaster and wasteland that section seems to be.

Nope. You aren’t the only one. I’ve been advocating for a ban on politics pretty much since I arrived  (no big surprise given my tag line, huh?). Posted “off topic” a few times and lived to regret it. Will try not to make that mistake again.

“off topic” reminds me of Obi Wan Kenobi’s description of Mos Eisley.😆

I've seen plenty of sites where politics can be discussed without being so overly charged.  After reading even more of the off-topic last night, I just don't think the people on this forum can handle it!  It's quite insane, actually.  Why have that here?  It just makes everyone hate each other.  It's probably best if we don't know who is "left" or "right" because when we don't know others political leanings, for some reason, everyone seems to get along just fine.  Funny how that works.

Even MMM himself, much of his writings are quite "right" and much of his writings are quite "left"... but in political threads, people just put others in a far left or right box and blast them.

Anyways, I will be avoiding Off-Topic.  But it just sucks when long time posters with some 10,000 or so posts fall from grace because of off topic nonsense on a site that is more about eating rice and beans :)

Gin1984

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #35 on: July 12, 2019, 06:51:38 AM »
Wow, that thread!  Am I the only one who thinks this site probably doesn't need an Off-Topic section?  What a disaster and wasteland that section seems to be.

Nope. You aren’t the only one. I’ve been advocating for a ban on politics pretty much since I arrived  (no big surprise given my tag line, huh?). Posted “off topic” a few times and lived to regret it. Will try not to make that mistake again.

“off topic” reminds me of Obi Wan Kenobi’s description of Mos Eisley.😆

I've seen plenty of sites where politics can be discussed without being so overly charged.  After reading even more of the off-topic last night, I just don't think the people on this forum can handle it!  It's quite insane, actually.  Why have that here?  It just makes everyone hate each other.  It's probably best if we don't know who is "left" or "right" because when we don't know others political leanings, for some reason, everyone seems to get along just fine. Funny how that works.

Even MMM himself, much of his writings are quite "right" and much of his writings are quite "left"... but in political threads, people just put others in a far left or right box and blast them.

Anyways, I will be avoiding Off-Topic.  But it just sucks when long time posters with some 10,000 or so posts fall from grace because of off topic nonsense on a site that is more about eating rice and beans :)
I would disagree with that.  Based on the multiple comments you can often tell people's leanings.

Proletariat

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #36 on: July 12, 2019, 06:57:19 AM »
It seems to me that the only people who don't seem interested in talking about politics are the ones who either set it or would feel threatened by it changing. I agree I'm not sure how much good talking about it on a site like this does but it's pretty much inevitable when the subject matter is money and jobs and the like.

We are naturally political creatures bound by the limited resources around us and it seems silly to bury your head in the sand and pretend otherwise. It doesn't always end pretty but I think for the most part it's better to try to have a good discussion than not.

Wrenchturner

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #37 on: July 12, 2019, 07:02:45 AM »
It seems to me that the only people who don't seem interested in talking about politics are the ones who either set it or would feel threatened by it changing. I agree I'm not sure how much good talking about it on a site like this does but it's pretty much inevitable when the subject matter is money and jobs and the like.

We are naturally political creatures bound by the limited resources around us and it seems silly to bury your head in the sand and pretend otherwise. It doesn't always end pretty but I think for the most part it's better to try to have a good discussion than not.
Occasional low res conversation about politics comes up in a variety of places on this board, but the heated argumentative stuff seems to stay in Off Topic.  Works pretty good I think.  As someone else mentioned, people go to Off Topic sometimes for a fight.  I still think that's okay.  People don't understand each other and that's worth investigating.

The line gets drawn when attacks get personal which amounts to well-poisoning.  Still seems reasonable.  I think Sol got caught up in that but I wasn't involved and didn't follow what happened so I don't really know.

wageslave23

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #38 on: July 12, 2019, 07:25:21 AM »
I think political conversations are a good test of emotional intelligence.  If you find yourself getting triggered then you need to evaluate your emotional and mental health.  I read a book on emotional intelligence and it talked about how it can be more effective than IQ in predicting future success.  I LOVE have political discussions with people, especially in real life but I've come to avoid it because too many people let their emotions cloud their judgement.

Buffaloski Boris

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #39 on: July 12, 2019, 07:46:16 AM »
It seems to me that the only people who don't seem interested in talking about politics are the ones who either set it or would feel threatened by it changing. I agree I'm not sure how much good talking about it on a site like this does but it's pretty much inevitable when the subject matter is money and jobs and the like.

We are naturally political creatures bound by the limited resources around us and it seems silly to bury your head in the sand and pretend otherwise. It doesn't always end pretty but I think for the most part it's better to try to have a good discussion than not.

Interesting perspective, but I can’t relate to it. I don’t agree that we are inherently “political” creatures. Social ones, yes. But “political”is greatly stretching credulity. There is no reason why any of us need to discuss politics at all, let alone on a website that is primarily about personal finance.

Remaining staunchly apolitical in a society that is obsessively political takes some discipline. But no more so than say saving 50% of your income and investing it as many on this website do.

As for “hiding one’s head in the sand”, I find that sort of comment naive. As if any of us with our one voice have any impact whatsoever on national political policy.  Commenting on topics over which we have essentially zero control is pointless and the acrimony it generates destroys the sense of community that people would otherwise share. Further, it drives people away from actually formulating Solutions and solving problems on their own.

wageslave23

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #40 on: July 12, 2019, 07:52:22 AM »
It seems to me that the only people who don't seem interested in talking about politics are the ones who either set it or would feel threatened by it changing. I agree I'm not sure how much good talking about it on a site like this does but it's pretty much inevitable when the subject matter is money and jobs and the like.

We are naturally political creatures bound by the limited resources around us and it seems silly to bury your head in the sand and pretend otherwise. It doesn't always end pretty but I think for the most part it's better to try to have a good discussion than not.

Interesting perspective, but I can’t relate to it. I don’t agree that we are inherently “political” creatures. Social ones, yes. But “political”is greatly stretching credulity. There is no reason why any of us need to discuss politics at all, let alone on a website that is primarily about personal finance.

Remaining staunchly apolitical in a society that is obsessively political takes some discipline. But no more so than say saving 50% of your income and investing it as many on this website do.

As for “hiding one’s head in the sand”, I find that sort of comment naive. As if any of us with our one voice have any impact whatsoever on national political policy.  Commenting on topics over which we have essentially zero control is pointless and the acrimony it generates destroys the sense of community that people would otherwise share. Further, it drives people away from actually formulating Solutions and solving problems on their own.

Amen.  Discussing politics is just mental masturbation.  It might be enjoyable and stimulating but it accomplishes nothing.

Here4theGB

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #41 on: July 12, 2019, 08:03:20 AM »
Wait, masturbation accomplishes nothing?

Paul der Krake

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #42 on: July 12, 2019, 08:53:35 AM »
Amen.  Discussing politics is just mental masturbation.  It might be enjoyable and stimulating but it accomplishes nothing.
This is offensive to me. Apologize.

GuitarStv

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #43 on: July 12, 2019, 09:56:55 AM »
As if any of us with our one voice have any impact whatsoever on national political policy.  Commenting on topics over which we have essentially zero control is pointless and the acrimony it generates destroys the sense of community that people would otherwise share. Further, it drives people away from actually formulating Solutions and solving problems on their own.

There appear to be three main points you've shared here:
- There is no point in participating because no individual has control over anything
- We should focus on being nice to one another and ignore what those in power do
- Discussion of issues and ways to solve problems prevents people from formulating solutions and solving problems

Is this a misreading of your comment?

FIREstache

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #44 on: July 12, 2019, 10:17:20 AM »
As for “hiding one’s head in the sand”, I find that sort of comment naive. As if any of us with our one voice have any impact whatsoever on national political policy.  Commenting on topics over which we have essentially zero control is pointless and the acrimony it generates destroys the sense of community that people would otherwise share. Further, it drives people away from actually formulating Solutions and solving problems on their own.

Yeah, and it's amazing how much time some people on this forum spend posting in the political threads boosting their post count thinking they are actually making a difference or convincing anyone to change their minds about anything while providing poor arguments and hurling personal insults.  Major time wasters that accomplish nothing, so I try to avoid it for the most part and concentrate more on things I can actually control myself.

I'm an American citizen and independent, so I'll vote in our elections but not waste countless hours arguing with far left liberals about it on the MMM forums.  LOL
« Last Edit: July 12, 2019, 10:25:32 AM by FIREstache »

ducky19

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #45 on: July 12, 2019, 10:24:27 AM »
I miss Sol. He had nice ears.

ysette9

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #46 on: July 12, 2019, 10:25:24 AM »
I’ve learned a good amount from these forums by seeing what people post, though it can be difficult to swallow at times. For the most part people here are much less off the rails that what you would find elsewhere.

Maybe the biggest thing I’ve gotten over time is a better understanding of how the rest of the world represented here sees the United States. It is easy to fall trap to thinking what is around you is normal. It is really good to be reminded that the US is faillit unique in a number of ways. For example, the “far left” in the US is basically center or center-right in most other developed nations represented here.

Kris

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #47 on: July 12, 2019, 10:27:19 AM »
As for “hiding one’s head in the sand”, I find that sort of comment naive. As if any of us with our one voice have any impact whatsoever on national political policy.  Commenting on topics over which we have essentially zero control is pointless and the acrimony it generates destroys the sense of community that people would otherwise share. Further, it drives people away from actually formulating Solutions and solving problems on their own.

Yeah, and it's amazing how much time some people on this forum spend posting in the political threads boosting their post count thinking they are actually making a difference or convincing anyone to change their minds about anything while providing poor arguments and hurling personal insults.  Major time wasters that accomplish nothing, so I try to avoid it for the most part and concentrate more on things I can actually control myself.

I'm an American citizen and independent, so I'll vote in our elections but not waste countless hours arguing with far left liberals about it on the MMM forums.  LOL

LOL. Well, just a glance at your last 50 posts show 32% of them were in the political off-topic threads, so...

FIREstache

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #48 on: July 12, 2019, 10:57:09 AM »
As for “hiding one’s head in the sand”, I find that sort of comment naive. As if any of us with our one voice have any impact whatsoever on national political policy.  Commenting on topics over which we have essentially zero control is pointless and the acrimony it generates destroys the sense of community that people would otherwise share. Further, it drives people away from actually formulating Solutions and solving problems on their own.

Yeah, and it's amazing how much time some people on this forum spend posting in the political threads boosting their post count thinking they are actually making a difference or convincing anyone to change their minds about anything while providing poor arguments and hurling personal insults.  Major time wasters that accomplish nothing, so I try to avoid it for the most part and concentrate more on things I can actually control myself.

I'm an American citizen and independent, so I'll vote in our elections but not waste countless hours arguing with far left liberals about it on the MMM forums.  LOL

LOL. Well, just a glance at your last 50 posts show 32% of them were in the political off-topic threads, so...

I have close to 600 total posts, though.  The vast majority are not in the political threads.   Some of the off-topic threads are not political.   And some of those posts in those few political threads that I've posted to are not arguing with anyone.   So, I stand behind what I said.

Proletariat

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Re: where is sol?
« Reply #49 on: July 12, 2019, 10:57:23 AM »
It seems to me that the only people who don't seem interested in talking about politics are the ones who either set it or would feel threatened by it changing. I agree I'm not sure how much good talking about it on a site like this does but it's pretty much inevitable when the subject matter is money and jobs and the like.

We are naturally political creatures bound by the limited resources around us and it seems silly to bury your head in the sand and pretend otherwise. It doesn't always end pretty but I think for the most part it's better to try to have a good discussion than not.

Interesting perspective, but I can’t relate to it. I don’t agree that we are inherently “political” creatures. Social ones, yes. But “political”is greatly stretching credulity. There is no reason why any of us need to discuss politics at all, let alone on a website that is primarily about personal finance.

Remaining staunchly apolitical in a society that is obsessively political takes some discipline. But no more so than say saving 50% of your income and investing it as many on this website do.

As for “hiding one’s head in the sand”, I find that sort of comment naive. As if any of us with our one voice have any impact whatsoever on national political policy.  Commenting on topics over which we have essentially zero control is pointless and the acrimony it generates destroys the sense of community that people would otherwise share. Further, it drives people away from actually formulating Solutions and solving problems on their own.

No one is apolitical. And this isn't a community of family and friends. It's a public forum. Civil conversation is possible and should be allowed. "Solutions" are dictated by policy.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!