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Hey Conn, well I'm sad to see you go, but you have to do what you feel is right of course. Just to let you know, the virtual door is always open, so you're welcome to join back whenever you feel like it if the spirit moves you

Also, for what it's worth, you're quite right on the vinyl. It's the same thing with digital cameras vs analog. Some people think digital cameras have a crisper resolution than analog, but that's not true. In terms of simply being crisper, today's digital cameras (except for maybe professional ones) fall short of a simple pic taken with 35 mm film! Anyway, same idea with old records.

cheers and ciao,

-avatar!

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less drama and dramatic exits, more sweet remixes

I'll be sad to see you go as well, I always thought your posts presented a gentler angle on issues than some people's "I want to smack you down" posts.  Plus, I kinda' liked your avatar.   I've been a long time lurker, and only posted a little recently, you know, whatever topics perk my interest... which (finally) leads me around to my point. 

The only reason I clicked on this topic was because I noticed you posted to it and I generally respect your posts even if I don't always agree with them.  Like I said, they offer a point of view without trying to beat you over the head with it.  The reason why I'm posting to this topic is to let you know that there ARE people who respect you here even if you don't know it.  Could be a whole cult of covert lurkers just like me, but I digress.

I hate to see you go, but like Avatar said, you have to do what you believe is right for you... or something to that effect.  And unfortunately, because you're right, when you go people are just gonna' pick on poor Bernhardt that much harder.  Anyway, I hope you fly off and find your greener pastures, just drop us a quick note to tell us where you landed.

-Brian

And on Jodo Kast, whenever he so much dares as make a post about his thoughts.

Geez, Conn. You still got my MSN, and I'll always talk to you there. Once my damn computer gets fixed.

Sorry to see you go, Conn.  Can't force you to stay, but some things should be said before you leave. 

First, I really think Daniel had a valid point before:

I think perhaps you're being a tad too sensitive, Conn.  Yes, there might have been direct attacks and hurt feelings bandied about, but in Daniel's defense, he did offer a sincere apologize to you.  And Smeg merely pointed out a discrepancy on things that, admittedly, initially looked like something you were passing as fact.  But rather than drag on the debate on who exactly was right or wrong, sometimes you just need to suck it up and take things in stride.  This is the internet, for goodness' sake; you've gotta take it as much as you can give.  I suspect that there are far more demeaning places than STC that can brutalize your ego.

Yes, there were some tangents that sprouted throughout the "Death of the CD" thread, but much of it stayed the course, and even those tangents managed to be somewhat relevant to the topic on hand.  Besides, you have to admit that it was actually you yourself who fueled a bit of that off-topic fire, what with your statement, "I think people are too quick to ditch old technology and ravenously devour the next new thing."  And not that there was anything wrong with that, but you certainly shouldn't expect such an assertion to go without debate or discussion.  And isn't that what the forums are all about?  To stimulate debate and discussion?

I have been kind of lurking these forums for the past 2 years and I have really enjoyed things you have said over time. I guess for me I try not to get too into a topic. More often than not I notice that I am some sort of thread killer or that most things I say have a ethereal feel to them and people continue their conversations but whatever. Pick and choose the threads you post in and don't let anyone get to you. Its not worth it.

In any case have a good time and hope to at least read an opinion or two from you in the future.

Enjoy Persona 4. I still need to get my hands on it.

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Since I suspect my response to your post in the "Death of the CD" thread is the main reason that prompted this, I guess I have to say a few words.

Like Angela said, I did apologize for that. In retrospect, I can easily see how you'd imagine that to be an attack on yourself, but it wasn't. Far from wanting to tear you down or anything like that, I liked your post because it made me think of a lot of stuff, and since I have the habit of being somewhat (*cough*) roundabout and longwinded, it resulted in me going off on a rant about different stuff. I disagree with your opinion that the thread became a "monster" that had little to do with the topic, I think it was an interesting discussion, and I felt enriched by participating in it.

Do you know of the Socratic method in philosophy? To quote from the page, The Socratic Method [...] named after the Classical Greek philosopher Socrates, is a form of philosophical inquiry in which the questioner explores the implications of others' positions, to stimulate rational thinking and illuminate ideas. Now, far be it from me to compare myself to Socrates or some shit like that, but I brought this up to show that intelligent, thoughtful, and rich discussion comes about by questioning and examining assumptions and notions, and sometimes, being a bit "rough" or sardonic about it will actually - in the end, when the flames and ill-will fade away - prove to have produced a better discussion that if everyone had just kept their mouths shut, or obsessively agreed with each other in order to not disturb the peace.

I suspect there are many around here annoyed with my debating style or long posts. That's unfortunate, but understandable. Personally, though, I strongly feel that if you have something to say, you do both yourself and the world a great disfavour by not saying it. Holding a word you want to get out in your head is first of all damaging to you, since you repress and store things inside you that should come out, and its also bad for the rest of the world/community, since it deprives them of another viewpoint that could've changed matters or thrown a different light on things. Just my opinion, and not an eloquently worded excuse to absolve throwing crap on people, rather an explanation of sorts (if there's one needed).

As for you personally, McCall, like I said in the other thread, I think you're a cool guy with many interesting things to share with us, and that you definitely shouldn't leave. Not to break up the conciliatory tone of the post so far, but if you're this thinskinned, maybe you should go see a doctor? I haven't been following all discussions on this forum lately, so I can't say for sure, but I haven't gotten the impression that you somehow have taken more crap for your posts than anyone else here. And if you're pissed off about being ignored... Well, we all get ignored sometimes, don't we? It happens. I'm still kinda sour after typing up that long rant about the Order of Ecclesia soundtrack and not getting any feedback on that, but who cares? I said what I wanted to say, it'd be worse if I didn't say it, and if no one else feels they have anything to say about it, that's OK and ultimately their decision.

Since I feel the long-windedness coming on, I'll stop here. I'll just make a prediction - I think you won't leave. If you really despaired so badly about the state of this forum, you wouldn't have typed up that post. If you really had wanted to leave - you would have just left.

Another philosopher named Karl Popper wanted science, discussions, politics, etc. to work similarly, by continual rational progression and an impersonal wish to prove ones own ideas to be false. If we weren't humans, this would've been the way to go! Consider this scenario: You always want to find evidence for your ideas to be false, and every potential falsification you stumble upon creates a cocaine-like buzz for some minutes... If that was the case, we would've lived in a really happy forum-world. Everyone would come with new perspectives, ideas and view-points, and try to refute them the second they informed the public about them. The result would be peace, harmony, prosperity!

Actually, we would've been elves! Striving towards the perfection of our race, the progression of science, and unity with our common God.

But we are humans. And as you know, the primary vice of the human race is their ego. Our main reason to dabble in science, discussion, social activities and so on, is to prove ourselves. (Simplified.) We want to establish a position in the social hierarchy. If you get badly beaten in a discussion, and you lack arguments to back up your position, you will most likely either leave the discussion or use foul methods like insisting that your adversaries are flamers, mean, cruel... Or perhaps you will seek out his mate and rape her? Or kill his mother? Foul methods. It's better to admit defeat. But it isn't easy to admit such a thing, I think. It's like all the chemicals in my brain always works against it.

Some years ago, my grandfather gave me some pieces of advice. He said that a man doesn't need to voice his opinion all the time, at least if he knows it won't be accepted. Or if he cannot argue for it. I don't think that I do follow his advice by posting this, as I certainly won't be able to work my way out all the potential insults in in this text. Not that it would be a problem, I could simply leave this place for a year or two. And I could even have many potential excuses for my leave. But the reason for my leaving, would've been the humiliation associated with being in a place were plenty of people can kick your ass, and you (feel that you) only have a Rusty Buckler do defend yourself with.

Btw, from my perspective, Daniel K.'s behavior has been almost elf-like throughout the CD thread. Where is the flaming? I didn't notice many attacks on character, I saw very many intelligent arguments! A Popperian approach towards the common good! Perhaps he even attempted to prove his statements false? I thought it was an enjoyment to read his posts, as they were very clearly written with much intelligence, much humility and so on. Keep it up!

Hey! I've another story here, about those 14 year old "socialists" we have here in Norway, who goes around stating how great socialism is, and that everything would be perfect if we became a socialist society. But once someone confronts them about their opinion, they don't have any arguments at all, and they feel like they've been treated in an "unfair way". I used to think that those needed to pull themselves together.

why do we like watching british sit-coms??? because watching people insulting each other is entertaining and downright hilarious..

compare it to 'beats doorknob'.. someone farts and you call beats on them and you get to hit them until they find and touch a doorknob. Is there anything beneficial to this? no,, but who cares if you get a bruise if its all in good fun.

i dont know too much about Karl Popper, but im a big fan of his sister Jalapeno...

Due to varying personalities (Introvert vs Extrovert) there's probably a good number of people here who simply aren't into the Debating-aspect of conversation, and would rather just state their view without much need for dissecting it.

Extrovert personalities DO get a charge out of back and forth discussion, and enjoy heated debates and challenging others notions and rationale.

Even when just an opinionated discussion rather than bullying arguements, that can still be very stressful for Introvert types, which feel overwhelmed by having to "defend yourself" when others present an opposing case (which can feel like an attack).

There's not a right or wrong to either approach, but understanding that differences in personalities and communication styles are there can hopefully help people relate.

Uhm, I'd like to mention that I've always liked your music and even think you're "good enough" to do an actual "real game" soundtrack. So there, some positive stuff for your life (and I'm being honest, not just nice). Other than that, you don't have to really leave you know. You could just log out and keep reading posts in secret. That's what I'd do. Oh wait, that's what I already do

You bring up a very good point, people are different. But the thing here is, if I have to pigeonhole myself, I'm definitely more of an "introvert" than an "extrovert" personality. But that doesn't mean that I don't like to debate and discuss stuff. I love to hear what others think about questions I find interesting as well as get feedback from others on my own views.

This is an internet forum and we're all mature adults. We should be able to talk about stuff and understand that when the other person disagrees strongly or goes off on a "tangent", its not an attempt at character assassination or mudslinging. What happens when people get this touchy about stuff that they should be able to shrug off, smile at, or at least ignore, is that its setting up an atmosphere in which people start asking themselves "Gee, I have something I'd like to say/share/discuss, but I wonder if I should really post it, maybe someone will get offended or it will erupt into fighting?". I personally think that's not a constructive way to think, leading to repression, tensions resulting from words left unsaid, and oversensitivity. I understand the worth of being diplomatic and cordial, but we also have to be mature enough to say what we think and not be angsty about the possible outcome or repercussions of doing that. But maybe I'm wrong on this, maybe we need some more self-censorship and disciplined restraint, maybe this place would be even more pleasant if everyone employed that approach. I suspect that, like most things in life, its a question of balance, and its hard to get it right, especially dealing with other people.