Annoying internet forum behavior

[TXlib]

You're reading a lengthy thread, and most of the replies are increasingly vitriolic exchanges between A and B.

Reading the original exchange, you notice that A and B are actually seeming to say the same thing, or nitpicking over inconsequential semantics, but A and B both seem to be deliberately misreading each other's posts because they both got it in their heads that the other meant something he did not write initially.

They're going 25 rounds, and you increasingly want to bang their heads together and make both of them stand in the corner.

[PVnRT]

1. You just described GD: 2004

And yes, I've done it myself. Recently, in fact.

[felonious thunk]

2. Wrong

What actually happens is that A and B are mostly making the same points, and not seeing what either is actually saying, because they are both convinced the other is wrong.

How could you miss that?

[TXlib]

3. I see you clearly did NOT read my initial post.

If you had done so, you would see that I am right and you are wrong.

[PVnRT]

6. Why must you persist in spreading lies?

One person disagreed with you, I agree with them, and therefore you're wrong. Deal with it.

[TXlib]

11. No! I am right! I am ALWAYS right!

And I fart in your general direction!

[PVnRT]

12. Oh, so now it's childish behavior?

Pretty sad when you have to resort to that instead of cogent arguments. I guess that means you lose.

[TXlib]

15. I can't lose, because I'm always right! The Black Knight always wins!!!

[PVnRT]

22. I don't know why I waste my time with you

when it's clear that you only want to deflect the argument rather than actually discuss anything.

[TXlib]

24. What's to argue?

Premise A: I am right.
Premise B: You are wrong.

Discuss.

[felonious thunk]

10. I remember a post 8 months ago

where you said that you liked when people disagreed while they were essentially arguing the same points.

[TXlib]

14. That wasn't me!

Don't put words in my mouth!

(Actually, I'm not sure if you're serious on that point or not, because i could see myself writing such a comment...)

[felonious thunk]

Was to!

Yes huh! It was too! I remember it like it was 8 months ago! I'd link to it, but I can't find it, you just have to take my word!

(No, I'm not serious)

[felonious thunk]

17. D'oh!

That is all.

[Jackhammer Jesus]

5. Look, you're not getting this at all

The point is that since both of them are convinced the other is wrong, they don't realize that they're actually making the same argument.

I swear, nothing pisses me off more...

[Rabrrrrrr]

7. You goat-licking turdpile

The problem is that B agrees with A and A with B, but neither of them realize they're in agreement, because they're so sure that the other one is in error.

Gods, open your eyes.

:evilgrin:

[Richardo]

13. It's "turd-licking goat pile", you dweeb...

The problem is that B agrees with A and A with B, but neither of them realize they're in agreement, because they're so sure that the other one is in error.

:7

[Rabrrrrrr]

18. Look, why don't you go back to remedial English and math,

maybe a 3rd grader could help you out, and then you can come join the adults for valuable discourse, instead of wasting our time with your sophomoric lack of vision, you dirt-slinging ridge-backed algae-licking inebriant.

[Richardo]

19. I am NOT ridge-backed!

:D

[Rabrrrrrr]

21. Oh, so now you're resorting to personal attacks

logic fails, argument is lost, so you resort to politi8cs of personal destruction.

You, sir, are a pringles-eating dimwitted Jezebel.

[Richardo]

23. YOU'RE the one with the ad homina homina hominem attacks...

Ask this guy!

[TXlib]

26. Somebody had Ad Hominy grits this morning...

:eyes:

[Rabrrrrrr]

27. How do you know what I had for breakfast? Are you in my shoes?

Do you share me experiences? No, you don't.

So don't speak for me, you gutter-licking beer-swilling furniture wrecker. :evilgrin:

I love flame wars when they're not real. Insult generating is fun! You dress-wearing mangy mendicant.

[TXlib]

28. Your father was a hampster.

Your mother smelled of elderberries.

[Rabrrrrrr]

30. Have you no compassion or sensitivity?

My father was killed when I was a child. I watched him die as he was stabbed to death by muggers, who then raped my mother before feeding her into a chipper shredder with, yes, elderberry branches. And they made ME press the ON button of the shredder, too. That's why I'm on medication and three hours of therapy a day.

To bring up that awful memory now just proves that you, sir, have no decency, and have no shame.

I'd put you on ignore, but I won't give you the pleasure. But you can be sure I've alerted on you, you mud-slinging insensitive jackaninny.

I'm just going to curl up into a ball now and hide from the world for a few days.

You've made me cry.

I hope you feel powerful.

[Rabrrrrrr]

20. and furthermore, don't interrupt my flame war

you obstreperous clown-licking formaldehyde-jar-collecting ass.

Besides, you're utterly wrong, as aare the others, and it should be obvious why that is true.

[Pithlet]

29. Strawman

You're going down a slippery slope with that argument.

[Rabrrrrrr]

31. Your strawnman argument is itself a strawman

and clearly inappropriate at this time, you wicker-fetishist.

[BR_Parkway]

4. People do the same in verbal communication

as they get more focused on what they want to say next vs listening. At least online, they have the excuse of being busy writing their response at perhaps the same time, so they don't have that back and forth flow.

[TXlib]

9. I've seen some of these exchanges go on for hours, if not days.

[jus_the_facts]

8. amazing power of observation.....

.....does it still make your brown eyes....black'n'blue?! :evilgrin:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

16. Sounds like every argument I ever had with my husband.

Must be a guy thing. :P

[A-Schwarzenegger]

25. Locking.

62. Too funny and silly.