Also also, I concede the point that discussion is not the same as shitposting, trolling, and flaming. I've only dabbled here, but generally everyone seems to abide by an honor system that encourages discourse and thoughtful exchange. Mostly. If not, there's always cheese.

Being Wisconsin-adjacent, gotta put a shout out for good ol' Wisconsin Sharp Cheddar. It may be the basic bitch of cheeses, but damn it's tasty.

kicker_of_elves wrote:7 herbs and spices, beeyatch.

Am guessing that's a KFC reference - well, I hope so!

My computer tried to change your 'koe' to Joe, a steady choice.

sparky wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 10:57 am

kicker_of_elves wrote:7 herbs and spices, beeyatch.

Am guessing that's a KFC reference - well, I hope so!

My computer tried to change your 'koe' to Joe, a steady choice.

Isn't that still a KFC tagline? I don't watch much TV. Is 7-Up still The Un-cola?

God I'm old.

Slight political detour: Watching the January 6th commission. Every one of those treasonous Trump cunts want shoeing.

kicker_of_elves wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:01 am Isn't that still a KFC tagline? I don't watch much TV. Is 7-Up still The Un-cola?

God I'm old.

I wouldn't worry - I confess I looked it up on Google!

A_Man_Who_Tries wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:07 am Slight political detour: Watching the January 6th commission. Every one of those treasonous Trump cunts want shoeing.

Just started following this.

sparky wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:36 am

A_Man_Who_Tries wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:07 am Slight political detour: Watching the January 6th commission. Every one of those treasonous Trump cunts want shoeing.

Just started following this.

Livestream on nbc via youtube, if you're able.

I don't have the stomach for it, I'm afraid. Work's beasting me as it is, and this will make me even more miserable company this evening. Reading the name "Matt Gaetz" has been enough to cloud the countenance.

jason from volo wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 6:58 am Forum novices like me could benefit from an onboarding course from all of you that have been dealing with how best to run a forum for 17+ years. Like a "lessons learned". I know there is sort of a thread already for this. If there's any more advice that you think would be of benefit, you know, so we don't inadvertently end up on your foe lists for no other reason than just being stupid... might be helpful.

For me it's less "how to run a forum" and more just being able to recognize bad-faith (usually: far right-wing) propaganda bombing on the internet. Being a fan of metal and wanting to avoid dickheads has probably been the biggest refiner of that skill for me. I doubt you are running any risk of being foe'd.

Since you asked, though, here's a list of warning signs off the top of my head:
- non sequitur jumps to standard far-right talking points or hot-button issues: abortion, Israel, "cultural marxism", etc.
- reliance on heavily biased sources without any meaningful or specific critique or acknowledgement of that bias. "everything is biased" does not count, it's a diversionary tactic.
- generally: avoiding any examination of context and actively thwarting it when others attempt to do so
- "I'm just asking questions" or claims that their speech is being censored when they're merely being called a dick
- rhetorical logorrhea: making more arguments faster to avoid probing detail on any individual point
- jumping to religious talk real fast in political talk. Usually indicates speechmaking, not conversation
- things that look like facts, but aren't. a color-coded map of the Middle East with no legend or explanation, for instance
- speaking in the code. 14, 88, focus on the virtue and/or "impurity" of "blood", emphasizing the supremacy of the West or "Western civilization" or "Western values", talking about "globalists", using the Nazi-era Totenkopf symbol...

The last item here is far from exhaustive. Kim Kelly is a good writer to read if you want to recognize this kind of thing in metal bands.

brephophagist wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 1:26 pm using the Nazi-era Totenkopf symbol...

Goddamn are there ever so many secret handshake, dog whistle, Nazi/white supremacist symbols to keep up with. I'd never even heard of that one before. Another way to spot a douche. Thanks.