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Forum Post: Dissonance on the forum. SOLVED

Posted 12 years ago on Aug. 31, 2012, 2:59 p.m. EST by richardkentgates (3269)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

It became clear to me last nigh that at least one university is using this forum collectively. For what purpose, I'm not sure. I am sure that that it is not focused on the narrative of the movement per se. So there is a lot of general academia taking place on this forum. There is nothing wrong with this, in and of itself. The problems with this usage are complicated and simple at the same time. Many of you grew up in well off families and have no understanding of what inequality actually is. You can read about it but that does not mean you understand it. Poverty is something that must be experienced to fully appreciate. I am not faulting anyone for this but it allows the conversation to easily and often stray from the overarching narrative of the movement, inequality.

Then there is the matter of trolling or forcibly trying to mold the social arrangement on the forum to one of a classroom, Thrasy. I'm still not sure whether Trashy is a student or a professor but he is fluent in German. Ultimately, it doesn't matter whether trashy is a student or professor. What matters is the arrogant attitude to not only be so self assured in the face of such misunderstanding, but to be forceful with their ignorance.

I don't mind sharing space with well off people, even 1%er professors. But, in your new found opportunity for more learning about politics and humanities, if you want to learn, you need to learn how to listen. Including you professor.

Us poor folk may not have the knowledge of history you have, or the spelling and grammar skills you have. But this is about inequality and we have first hand knowledge. We also know the life stresses of being poor, a crucial component to fixing the issues of poverty.

Just think on it.

64 Comments

64 Comments


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[-] 1 points by PoliticalBabbleKillsOWS (-117) 12 years ago

Those were official polls conducted by OWS itself. They were on the main page of the site, not in the forum. Please take a moment to confirm this with jart. Thank you.

[-] 5 points by beautifulworld (23824) 12 years ago

I remember that poll on the main page as being from a university. Why does it matter? Why does the level of education of anyone on this forum matter?

[-] 1 points by PoliticalBabbleKillsOWS (-117) 12 years ago

I have no idea why they wanted to gather those statistics. You might get an answer from jart or zoe. I figure the University had to propose the project before jart allowed it on the site.

[-] 4 points by beautifulworld (23824) 12 years ago

I don't care enough to ask jart or zoe.

[-] -2 points by PoliticalBabbleKillsOWS (-117) 12 years ago

They probably wouldn't care enough to answer back.

[-] 4 points by beautifulworld (23824) 12 years ago

We'll never know.

[-] 0 points by VQkag2 (16478) 12 years ago

What is your concern?. Do you object to the poll? To the university conducting it?. Have they expressed political babble you think might kill OWS?

[-] 0 points by PoliticalBabbleKillsOWS (-117) 12 years ago

Read the thread before interjecting like a jack in the box, beautifulworld was asking why they had the poll, not me.

[-] 4 points by beautifulworld (23824) 12 years ago

Nope. I asked why it mattered to anyone, not why they had the poll.

[-] 2 points by PoliticalBabbleKillsOWS (-117) 12 years ago

Thanks for the precision.

[-] 2 points by shadz66 (19985) 12 years ago

The Hannah Arendt Center for Politics and Humanities at Bard College - is an expansive home for thinking about and in the spirit of Hannah Arendt. The Arendt Center's double mission is, first, to sponsor and support the highest quality scholarship on Hannah Arendt and her work; and, second, to be an intellectual incubator for engaged humanities thinking at Bard College and beyond, thinking that elevates and deepens the public argument that is the bedrock of our democracy.

As the intellectual cornerstone of Bard College's Civic Engagement Initiative, The Arendt Center insists that liberal arts thinking is at the core of an enlightened politics. While policy questions are important, serious political engagement requires that citizens confront the intellectual foundations of the crises and challenges facing our world. The Arendt Center nurtures the foundational thinking that prepares students for active citizenship that can humanize an often inhuman world.

In her book "Men In Dark Times", Arendt explains that darkness does not name the genocides, purges, and hunger that mark the tragedies of the twentieth century. Instead, darkness refers to the way these horrors appear in public discourse and yet remain hidden.

You can't beat a bit of "precision", n'est ce pas ?

e tenebris, lux ...

[-] 4 points by beautifulworld (23824) 12 years ago

Very interesting. I once had a professor who basically worshiped Hannah Arendt.

[-] 2 points by shadz66 (19985) 12 years ago

Hannah Arendt is a 'Very Influential Thinker' behind the scenes ... just like Leo Strauss.

verb. sat. sap. ...

[-] 3 points by beautifulworld (23824) 12 years ago

Thanks. I'll check it out. I know a bit about her, but I didn't pay too much attention to my prof at the time. LOL!

[-] -1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 12 years ago

I read it. Thanks anyway. Didn't mean to disturb you babble boy.

"sorry we hurt your field mister!" GH

[-] 0 points by PoliticalBabbleKillsOWS (-117) 12 years ago

You didn't disturb me, your question was simply posed to the wrong person. Ask beautifulworld. The poll did not bother me, and I don't care why they had it.

[-] -1 points by VQkag2 (16478) 12 years ago

cool. Your great. Thx again.

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[-] -2 points by PoliticalBabbleKillsOWS (-117) 12 years ago

Why are you spamming Richard's posting with repetitive comments?

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[-] 2 points by elf3 (4203) 12 years ago

I was so feeling this as well Richard -I think you are 100 percent right on that . I think it is absolutely negative to the forum for these little preppy fucks (and yes I called them preppy fucks) to be using it for their studies - these people are not the people struggling to make ends meet - they need to leave mommy's helicopter wing and daddy's rent checks and feel what it is to be a true American (broke). Then maybe they will realize life is not all peaches and cream whatever you dream. I challenge anyone of them to give up the family help and attempt doing it on their own. These people aren't do-ers they are people who didn't fuck up their allowances. While they congratulate themselves on their achievements - I'd like to congratulate them for not fucking up - Congratulations on not fucking up what you were handed. School is easy - paying for it is the hard part - I'll say that again. School is easy - paying for it is the hard part. Yes we all know you worked your way through school by working part time at Starbucks one day a week - haa haa haa haa haa - bullshit! Probably claiming financial aid while mommy and dad pay for your off campus apartments and hide all of it with an accountant. And you're going to study the common man and woman now and develop theories on why they can't get ahead? Makes me feel a bit ill actually - and to the universities endorsing this undermining of democracy and collective of American voices - eat me... we all know universities don't have any agenda at all to dislike this movement? - ha they would like to keep their costs as high as possible, they really don't want us messing with their racket. How predictable though really.

[-] 0 points by richardkentgates (3269) 12 years ago

I don't see them in such a harsh light. Just the typical wisdom of youth, ya know.

[-] 2 points by elf3 (4203) 12 years ago

They don't represent the majority of youth - just the privileged few and I have a feeling the universities are the ones prodding for studies - the studies are tainted though since they are being generated from within a system that seeks to derail us.

[-] 2 points by shadz66 (19985) 12 years ago

Trashy ist Deutsch ?! : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JeEXP717T0 ;-)

Denken und danke und auf wiedersehen.

Tschuss ...

[-] 2 points by beautifulworld (23824) 12 years ago

Maybe he uses google translate? I wouldn't give him that much credit, Richard.

[-] 1 points by richardkentgates (3269) 12 years ago

I have never seen him type in German. I'm not going into this but you should know, some of the people you guys call trolls are on your side, they just have different life experiences. The crux of this is understanding and patience.

[-] 3 points by beautifulworld (23824) 12 years ago

I'm not understanding you at all.

[-] 1 points by richardkentgates (3269) 12 years ago

Don't rely on the words in front of you. You get no body language, no facial expressions, you cannot ascertain motive. If someone is being a dick, they are being a dick. Just try not to confuse opposition with being a dick. Thats all you really need to understand.

[-] 3 points by beautifulworld (23824) 12 years ago

I've always felt that way. I could name a few people here who take a lot of abuse who are big supporters of OWS, in my opinion, but they're just a little rough around the edges.

[-] 3 points by Odin (583) 12 years ago

errrrr...I can't think of anyone. ;-)

[-] 1 points by richardkentgates (3269) 12 years ago

In some ways visible, some not so much, we are all rough around the edges.

[-] 1 points by DanielBarton (1345) 12 years ago

how do you know there is college kids on here

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

[-] 1 points by DanielBarton (729) 33 minutes ago

it wasn't irrelevant at all college kids like myself are in a better position to learn and to grow from this and if not act upon somethings found here. To say that were that we never understood what it is like to be poor or to go a week with out food is bluntly ridiculous most of us make up the third class rank.

So my question to you is how do you ignorantly put something up like this these broad assumptions knowing they are lies ↥twinkle ↧stinkle reply permalink

[-] 0 points by DanielBarton (1345) 12 years ago

what does this have to do with anything DK

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 12 years ago

Seems like you asked and answered your own question about college kids.

That's all.

[-] 0 points by richardkentgates (3269) 12 years ago

[-] 1 points by DanielBarton (736) 7 hours ago

how do you know there is college kids on here

↥twinkle ↧stinkle reply permalink


This is an example of the wisdom of youth. That is what DK is pointing out. It may make you uncomfortable that others have more experience than you, but I put in my time for the experience. You don't get that credit just because you throw a fit. You also won't gain that experience until you can admit you do not yet have it.

[-] 0 points by DanielBarton (1345) 12 years ago

Ok this doesn't make me uncomfortable at all by the way honestly

For my age i have more experience with financials than most people who are in their thirties I've help run million dollar business and help others stat their own with ideas and planning. So i think i know what im doing when i have people much older than me ask for help.

the reason im on this thread is not emotionally but to spread knowledge and truth. I am one of reason on this forum to bring the radical ideas to more realistic ones

I dont know who you are and why you have a bone to pick with me like DK does but i suggest you lose it so we can have a mature conversation otherwise the kiddy table is over there.

[-] 1 points by richardkentgates (3269) 12 years ago

For my age i have more experience with financials than most people who are in their thirties I've help run million dollar business and help others stat their own with ideas and planning. So i think i know what im doing when i have people much older than me.

Thats awesome. I don't have anything against you. I am being realistic and honest. People often times take offense to forwardness as much as I take offense to people beating around the bush. My form of disrespect is to patronize. If I'm being forward, you can take that as a sign of respect, a sign that I expect you are mature enough and intelligent enough that I don't have to dumb it down or sugar coat it. If thats to much, you may find the kiddy table yourself.

[-] -1 points by richardkentgates (3269) 12 years ago

...

[-] 1 points by DanielBarton (1345) 12 years ago

what?

[-] -1 points by richardkentgates (3269) 12 years ago

How do you know what you know? You learned it in one fashion or another. Sorry, just seemed like an irrelevant question. Do you have any questions about the actual content?

[-] 2 points by DanielBarton (1345) 12 years ago

it wasn't irrelevant at all college kids like myself are in a better position to learn and to grow from this and if not act upon somethings found here. To say that were that we never understood what it is like to be poor or to go a week with out food is bluntly ridiculous most of us make up the third class rank.

So my question to you is how do you ignorantly put something up like this these broad assumptions knowing they are lies

[-] -1 points by richardkentgates (3269) 12 years ago

You can take offense if you like, but the majority of collage students do not have any time supporting themselves and very little work experience if any. Even if your parents did struggled, does not mean you can speak to that experience.

[-] 1 points by DanielBarton (1345) 12 years ago

your not in touch with modern families or college kids

[-] 0 points by richardkentgates (3269) 12 years ago

I'm sorry, do you have information that invalidates my assertion? Or are you being petulant because what I said made you uncomfortable?

[-] 1 points by DanielBarton (1345) 12 years ago

uncomfortable no making me loose faith in people like you yes

no because you assume we have no understanding of money or that the fact that we werent paying the bills when we were younger that we didnt feel the affect.

you're not worth the time or space on this planet

[-] 0 points by richardkentgates (3269) 12 years ago

If you are that emotionally connected to this forum, I suggest a break and some sunshine.

[-] 0 points by April (3196) 12 years ago

Wait what? First you think Thrasymaque is some Edward Hall guy. But no wait. Now he's a German student or professor. You're not sure which. This I've got to hear.

And now you're making a subject of the 1% 'studying' the OWS forum, studying them. So now, you're studying them (the '1%er professors'), studying the forum, which is studying them?

[-] 2 points by richardkentgates (3269) 12 years ago

Hall attends or did attend Bard. No idea what the rest of your blathering is about but I don't care either. Move along.

[-] 0 points by April (3196) 12 years ago

Whatever richard. How come you have such a hard-on for Thras and that Edward Hall guy? You seem to be studying them. Really it's totally weird.

[-] 2 points by richardkentgates (3269) 12 years ago

When people call your house, post your info on a forum including home phone# and you don't try to figure out who is trying to intimidate you, that is weird. You trying to guilt trip me for looking out for my own interest, that is weird. Hall wasn't even mentioned in this post until you mentioned him. What is your hangup with Hall, thats whats weird. Are you being intentionally naive and pretentious?

[-] 0 points by April (3196) 12 years ago

I'm not trying to guilt you about anything. I'm saying it's some bizarre speculation that you are making some link between Thrasymaque, Edward Hall and now speculating that he's a German professor. And now you imply that one or all of these people would be calling your house for some strange reason. What naive? You're sounding strangely conspiratorial. Get a grip.

[-] 2 points by richardkentgates (3269) 12 years ago

I have already spoken with some of the people from Bard in private messages. The person that called my house and posted my info is Mark Janssen, who is completely unrelated to this post.

You're blowing this out of proportion for your own effect and you look foolish doing it.

[-] 0 points by April (3196) 12 years ago

You're the one that brought up people calling your house. Not me. Now you say it's unrelated to the post. You brought it up. Why are you trying to figure out who called your house if you already know it was Mark Janssen? But now that you brought it up who's Mark Janssen? And what's the deal with people from Bard since you've been communicating with them?

[-] 1 points by richardkentgates (3269) 12 years ago

Are you drunk?

[-] 0 points by April (3196) 12 years ago

You're the one making bizzare speculations.

[-] 0 points by richardkentgates (3269) 12 years ago

I have answered all your questions. This thread is hardly relevant anymore. So you're just going to keep engaging me until when?

I'm not deleting the thread if thats your aim.

[-] 0 points by April (3196) 12 years ago

That's not my aim. Again. Bizzare speculation. I don't care what you do with this thread. You're strange richard. Very strange.

But technically speaking you didn't answer all my questions.

I asked who's Mark Janssen. You didn't answer that. And I asked what's the deal with Bard since you've been communicating with them privately. You didn't answer that.

I really don't care - just pointing it out.

[-] 0 points by richardkentgates (3269) 12 years ago

You're harping on me long after I've answered your questions, but I'm strange?

If you want info on individuals, you'll have to get it yourself. I got what I needed from the info.

Whats with Bard? Well thats what the thread is about. Maybe you should read it again.

If you didn't care, you wouldn't have been harping on me about it for the last six comments you've made on this thread.

[-] 0 points by April (3196) 12 years ago

No I just think it's funny. You're the one that said you answered my questions when you didn't. I just said you were making bizarre speculations. Then you said you answered my questions. But that was incorrrect. I was just correcting you. If you hadn't of said that, I wouldn't have brought it up because I really don't care. But you were the one that said you answered all my questions. But you didn't.

I read the post. I was asking a follow up question for more information is all. And you never told me who Mark Janssen is and why he's calling you and putting your personal information out somewhere.

[-] -1 points by richardkentgates (3269) 12 years ago

If you want info on individuals, you'll have to get it yourself.

If you didn't care, you wouldn't have been harping on me about it for the last seven comments you've made on this thread.

[-] 0 points by factsrfun (8342) from Phoenix, AZ 12 years ago

I had a friend who inherited a small motel and got his PhD on tuition paid for by daddy and he never understood "the revolution" even back when he quoted Hoffman for effect.