This place is toxic (not meant for anyone personally)

Posts: 2,312
edited June 2014 in A Moving Train
That's all I'm going to say. I come on here and everyone's a cynic, bitching about the latest horror reality story… because people refuse to stop paying attention to the fucked up media. Yes, the world is loaded with lunatics. But this place is focused on the lunacy rather than the possibilities of greatness, let alone just good news for a change.

That is all.
Post edited by backseatLover12 on

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  • I stopped by on March 7 2024. First time in many years, had to update payment info. Hope all is well. Politicians suck. Bye. Posts: 9,487
    Good news doesn't sell.
  • Posts: 2,312
    That response solidifies my point of view. I'm not looking for reasons or excuses, just an observation at how small people tend to think, what they pay attention to (whatever the media is selling) and what they want to talk about. See through the wool covering your eyes. Recognizing that your gov't is succeeding by keeping you asleep? That should be enough to wake people up. But they don't. That would require work and energy.
  • I stopped by on March 7 2024. First time in many years, had to update payment info. Hope all is well. Politicians suck. Bye. Posts: 9,487
    Solidifies your point? That's funny.

    I was actually agreeing with you, I'll be clearer next time. I did not intend on confusing anyone.
  • Posts: 12,225
    I think we have a tendency to delve deeper in the issues at the root of these news item.
    For example, look at how we debate the gun/mental health issue. There are some solid points made on both sides of the question. The news item is simply the catalyst to start the debate.
    I think it forces us to look further than the 2 minutes the newrooms sell us.
    ...
    I think some of the best discussions occur here.
    ...
    Besides, i already know which picture of Eddie is the sexiest.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • Posts: 24,524
    I think the word toxic might be a bit much.

    Maybe you've missed some of the threads and posts here? - whether on the positive, or as mentioned, constructive discussions on heavier issues (at least, to me - I've certainly learned much from those whom I consider logical, respectful, etc).

    I don't know, but calling people small and essentially blind, and opening the "everyone is this" door doesn't really help your cause.

    What happened to "be the change you want to see"?

    Anyway, I'm with Cos...and I bet we both know which Ed photo is the dreamiest.
  • I stopped by on March 7 2024. First time in many years, had to update payment info. Hope all is well. Politicians suck. Bye. Posts: 9,487
    Yeah, you'd think that if someone were to complain about a place being toxic that they actually wouldn't contribute to it in their very next reply.
  • Posts: 2,312
    Sheesh. Did I accuse any of you who responded? It was a general overview - of the entire culture in this country, let alone in this forum. Way to take things personally. (I apologize for saying that the forum is toxic). And thanks unsung, for clarifying your second post.

    Yes, there are great discussions here, I've been a part of them. But there's a definite trend. A negative one, where the consensus discusses the media events… which are always bad news, and focuses on the lunacy of our culture. Not to mention, that even when people know that the mainstream media is controlled to the point that we only hear what Washington wants us to, we still lick it up.

    I'm just at that phase, where the TV gets thrown out, my phone gets turned off and getting away from the toxicity known as American society, is necessary. I'm not interested in the latest gun story. The more attention we give to the lunacy? The more deeply troubled we are as a culture, not to mention giving killers a reason to do it (attention, glorification, media sensation). Because nothing's changing.
  • Posts: 24,524
    Hey, I'm not offended - I don't know you well enough to be - though your posts didn't come across as general at all. Words / phrases like everyone, small-thinking-people, etc. spoke for themselves to me.

    Anyway, given that the forum is related to politics, current events and the like - much of which is negative - isn't it better to try and find a way to better things - if not only ourselves - through discussions and ideas?

    Venting some doesn't hurt either. It's healthy, even.

    I hope we can figure out WHY the lunacy, rather than throw up our hands and walk away from it (though I'll agree that there's nothing like a good break from it all).
  • Colorado Posts: 332
    hedonist said:

    Hey, I'm not offended - I don't know you well enough to be - though your posts didn't come across as general at all. Words / phrases like everyone, small-thinking-people, etc. spoke for themselves to me.

    Anyway, given that the forum is related to politics, current events and the like - much of which is negative - isn't it better to try and find a way to better things - if not only ourselves - through discussions and ideas?

    Venting some doesn't hurt either. It's healthy, even.

    I hope we can figure out WHY the lunacy, rather than throw up our hands and walk away from it (though I'll agree that there's nothing like a good break from it all).

    This is how I feel about it too. Just interesting to see how other people think, and how people can view the same events so completely differently. Seems healthy to discuss some controversial topics in an unfiltered way, no real social ramifications... not necessarily the topics I'd discuss with friends or neighbors. And yes, a good break from it is always healthy too....

  • Posts: 12,225
    What I think all Americans need to do is come to the understanding that there is a huge difference between News (Journalism) and OpEd (viewpoints). We need to understand that just because the News and OpEd Cable programs look alike.. they are not alike. Journalism is just stating the facts of events without any bias... whereas OpEd is just that, Opinion/Editorial.
    The other thing we need to understand... the person that disagrees wth your opinion is not your enemy. He is simple someone who's point of view is different from yours. Whether it is guns or abortion or religion or politics... it is just a differing view.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • Posts: 19,893
    Its good to talk about the chaos about us like someone mentioned because it makes us better people somehow I think, but I also agree a change is good too, I like talking about positive things as well it good to get away from the negative drag, and give us a reason to sleep at night, if you will..
  • Sweden Posts: 4,004
    edited June 2014
    I would like to have more examples of how we could get less toxic then :) the media gives us the information of what's happening in the world and we bring some of it up for discussion..
    Maybe we could come up with more ideas of our own, like how do we make the world better place and other subjects...
    Excuse me I'm just thinking loud here..
    Post edited by Annafalk on
  • Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,662
    backseatLover12 said:

    That's all I'm going to say. I come on here and everyone's a cynic, bitching about the latest horror reality story… because people refuse to stop paying attention to the fucked up media. Yes, the world is loaded with lunatics. But this place is focused on the lunacy rather than the possibilities of greatness, let alone just good news for a change.

    That is all.

    I try to avoid mainstream media but never-the-less a lot of what I read is heavy news or disturbing information. This is the second time this week a good and bold person has reminded me (and I don't mind viewing this in a personal light) that it is unhealthy to focus only on the toxicity of the world we live in. Thank you for that, backseatLover12.

    My brother sent me a little note once about 20 years ago when I was in the thoes of despair. I don't remember the exact wording off hand but basically it was this:

    "The world is gasoline and fire, but we can get through it. You're cool, I'm cool. Cool."

    Another bit of wisdom thrown at me was from a prof I worked with. She said, "If a wolf is away from the pack for any length of time, when it returns the others lick it's face and it licks their faces in return."

    Maybe we should at least figuratively lick each others faces now and then and to remind ourselves that much of life is good. We might try posting more things here that are what Edward Abbey called "anitdotes to despair" rather than just keep laying on more ugliness. Maybe we we can show more love and/or care and/or concern for each other. I'm surely as guilty as anyone here for adding to the toxicity. Good call, backseat.


    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • Perth, Western Australia Posts: 4,007
    I think using the word Toxic is a little bit too far...The Topics and Articles opens this Place up for some Good...Healthy debating and to voice your own Opinion and Yes the Media in Particular tend to Focus on the Negatives rather then the Positives because as Unsung said Good News doesn't sell.
  • Posts: 21,037
    if you think this place is toxic, I take it you weren't around in 2006-2009? Here's one example of how things usually panned out back then: http://community.pearljam.com/discussion/109683/why-hitler-failed
  • Posts: 16,881
    Byrnzie said:

    if you think this place is toxic, I take it you weren't around in 2006-2009? Here's one example of how things usually panned out back then: http://community.pearljam.com/discussion/109683/why-hitler-failed

    Call me a loser, but I scanned through that thread.

    Dunkman nailed it: Hitler failed because of his wee moustache.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • Charleston, SC Posts: 8,661
    This place is not toxic. It's entertainment. And you pay for it. I do agree that the media has to try and get every nonsensical detail on every horror story that happens and the public eats it up. But this place, this forum, is far from toxic.
  • Posts: 16,826
    This place can certainly be toxic, but it can be great to. And you don't get to decide what people post about. If you don't like it, don't participate. If you are into the discussion, contribute.


    hippiemom = goodness
  • Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,662
    Cincy, if the OP doesn't get to decide what people post about do we get to decided who does and does not participate? I agree this place is great at time (otherwise I wouldn't waste my time here) but I also agree that it can be very negative at times (especially lately) and I support the OP's right to participate by saying "this place is toxic".
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • Posts: 24,524
    I think any comment (within the given guidelines) should be put out there, but with the caveat that there will be responses, some which may or may not be disagreed with.

    It comes with the territory and is one of the things I dig about this place.

    Different strokes.

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