Cynicism is the new "cool"

[TitoFan]

I think a lot of this is not just cultural but lost in context. Fenster and many Brits posting here, and I would include myself in this, are simply employing a form of cynicism that is part of a very long British tradition. It is not even a conscious decision. In these days of post Empire , overcast, drizzly gloom we are living in a very divided country without the relief of at least tearing down those fellow Brits we consider successful. As the country falls to pieces and descends into civil war between vegan tofu eating trans zen power activists from Totnes ( a town run on yogurt and a held together with an infrastructure of macrame and hugging) and pink faced bacon licking wannabe football hooligans, calling the vegans, 'Nazis' and turning up to a march with a dead fox to play keepy uppies with, cynicism will allow us to at least cope by raising an arched eyebrow as though it were not even surprising, an possibly part of the plan.

Cynicism means we can celebrate something as beige as toast, and pretend that another ten days of unchanging overcast gloom, as an excuse for weather, is worth talking about. Being bleak and suspecting that everything is a big con, including the conspiracies that say this is true, is actually often what starts conversations here. This is our common ground. 'Isn't life shit' and 'What a load of bollocks that is' are like the British equivalents of 'Have a nice Day' and 'Happy Holidays' for an American.

Context is without doubt the biggest factor but it's not necessarily culture (that could be an excuse?), some people here don't just struggle with context but also have no understanding of self-deprecation and humility.

So an innocent comment like - "I have no problem with that lifestyle" is taken as an "insult," because the particular individual believes they are not just 100% correct, but to be challenged by an opposing view is an insult. They're not posting for opinions, they want back slappers so anyone not on-board is the enemy, which leads to whoever the particular individual dislikes on a personal level becomes the target, regardless of their view.

Except it's rarely an "innocent comment" is it. It's not simply "I have no problem with that lifestyle", but rather "I have no problem with that lifestyle and you're a moron for having a problem with it."

"Wanting back slappers" is an all-too-convenient go-to excuse, simply because there are people who differ, but do so respectfully and with maturity.You're welcome.

This is where we're so different, I totally ignore insults as they're utterly meaningless to me, if someone says "you're a moron for thinking that" i'm only interested in why my view is moronic? If someone wants to call me stupid go-ahead. No problem.

There's nothing more nauseatingly pathetic on this forum than people thanking others for being "civil and nice" whilst disagreeing. It is a blatant sign of a weak argument and weak mind. As long as you don't call my views stupid i'm cool, thanks for letting me be stupid/ignorant/naive/arrogant/wrong. Pathetic.

Calling bad ideas stupid is not an insult. People who deflect to focus on the trivial "insult" are just showing how incredibly thin-skinned and immature they are.

There's plenty of people on here who believe moronic things, nasty, horrible, terrible things, they are not morons or disgusting humans just people with a bad idea in their cranium. There's a huge difference.

If you can't tell the difference between "you're a moron" and "your view is moronic", then I'm afraid I can't help you.

I'll give you a for instance.

Alpha, who BTW predictably liked your comment, is an avowed Flat Earther.

You'll notice that through all the back-and-forth between Alpha and a few of us non-believers, not once has Alpha been insulted or called names. Only his views are being made fun of.

At the same time I'll give kudos to Alpha for going about it in such an unemotional manner.So yes.... that's why we're so different. Thanks for the compliment.

"You're a moron" - is about context, it could be said in a funny, friendly or angry triggered way. Context.

"Your view is moronic" - can apply to every man and beast that has ever made a decision in the entire history of life.

Either way the person getting upset and angry is the moron. Fact.

As you've just perfectly illustrated with Alpha and his flat earth lark. YOU called him unhinged (mentally ill) and someone wished for his death, however, he didn't allow your personal insults to deflect and derail from the topic, which is why we don't have a childish, immature shitfest.

"You're a moron" from YOU is always angry triggered. Quit the bullshit.

"Your view is moronic" only applies when said view is considered to be moronic. No ifs, ands, or buts. Straightforward.... simple. Regardless of the smoke and mirrors you're now trying to put up.

Alpha and I have carried on peacefully and without incident. If that bothers you, then you're the moron. That was an "if-then" statement..... context. Besides... you totally ignore insults as they're "utterly meaningless" to you.

You laughingly keep trying to get one over on me, and it's not working. I can imagine you seething inside.... it's heartwarming.

By the way, we're still waiting for you to explain why you falsely said some of us were "delighted" at Desmond being exploited. Don't think for one minute that one was successfully swept under the rug.

[Fenster]

"You're a moron" from YOU is always angry triggered. Quit the bullshit.

"Your view is moronic" only applies when said view is considered to be moronic. No ifs, ands, or buts. Straightforward.... simple. Regardless of the smoke and mirrors you're now trying to put up.

Alpha and I have carried on peacefully and without incident. If that bothers you, then you're the moron. That was an "if-then" statement..... context. Besides... you totally ignore insults as they're "utterly meaningless" to you.

You laughingly keep trying to get one over on me, and it's not working. I can imagine you seething inside.... it's heartwarming.

By the way, we're still waiting for you to explain why you falsely said some of us were "delighted" at Desmond being exploited. Don't think for one minute that one was successfully swept under the rug.

1. I never said "some" were delighted I said "you" was delighted, the proof is there for everyone to see with all your childish, immature crow gifs and gloating at the notion a poor little boy could have been abused.

You only got angry after video evidence was produced, which showed the little boy wearing a tracksuit and trainers, never touched or harmed and fully supervised at all times. Before that you was salivating over descriptions of a "half naked boy", "sexual dancing," "strippers," "panties and fishnets," "throngs of adult men."

Why you choose to bring this topic up yet again, in yet another entirely unrelated thread is beyond me. Thankfully I don't see you as a menace to children just a naive man constantly tripping over his own rug.

2. Feel free to show me who i've ever called a moron?

3. You got annoyed with Alpha for "liking" my post, I have no idea why you even brought him up, but even more staggering is you believe he should be grateful you've only made fun of his views not him personally (completely ignoring the fact you called him "mentally ill."). The truth is you're upset Alpha didn't give you an excuse to shit all over him and ruin his flat-earth lark with your childish shit.

Your true motives stick out like a sore Han Solo thumb

[TitoFan]

(sigh)..... and the saga continues.....

1. I never said "some" were delighted I said "you" was delighted, the proof is there for everyone to see with all your childish, immature crow gifs and gloating at the notion a poor little boy could have been abused.

Pure bullshit and you know it. Desmond in the video was not being "abused", but was definitely in a situation where any normal person wouldn't put their child. In the future, it could very well lead to child abuse. If you can't tell the difference between me gloating about YOU being wrong in your previous arguments, and me supposedly gloating about the possibility of Desmond being abused..... you're beyond help and in dire need of a personality transplant.

You only got angry after video evidence was produced, which showed the little boy wearing a tracksuit and trainers, never touched or harmed and fully supervised at all times. Before that you was salivating over descriptions of a "half naked boy", "sexual dancing," "strippers," "panties and fishnets," "throngs of adult men."

"Salivating"?? Do you even pay attention to the incredibly STUPID and MORONIC shit you continue to post?? Are you sure you're not projecting your own twisted, sick little fantasies on me? 'Cause to many of us that's certainly what it looks like. BTW, loving it how you continue to misrepresent, blatantly lie..... and then punish others when falsely accusing them of doing the same thing. Keep up the good work.

Why you choose to bring this topic up yet again, in yet another entirely unrelated thread is beyond me. Thankfully I don't see you as a menace to children just a naive man constantly tripping over his own rug.


The only one here tripping in every sense of the word is you.

2. Feel free to show me who i've ever called a moron?

I'm not gonna play that game with you, going back to search for things you've said. You've called people that and worse. Remember, you're the one to whom insults mean nothing. Or so you claim. So with that disclaimer, you feel free to insult and ridicule people at will. You don't like me because I dish it back in double portions.

3. You got annoyed with Alpha for "liking" my post, I have no idea why you even brought him up, but even more staggering is you believe he should be grateful you've only made fun of his views not him personally (completely ignoring the fact you called him "mentally ill."). The truth is you're upset Alpha didn't give you an excuse to shit all over him and ruin his flat-earth lark with your childish shit.

Wow.... you truly are a piece of work. "Annoyed with Alpha"..... "I believe he should be grateful"...... "I'm upset with Alpha because he didn't give me an excuse to shit all over him"..... damn. How OLD are you, really? Are you this way in real life? Do you routinely make up shit as you go along? Is there ANYONE in real life that can put up with you for more than 2 minutes? (I was being generous on the time)

If you're gonna engage in arguments, do it like a mature, sane person..... and quit making shit up. It's not a good look for you.

Your true motives stick out like a sore Han Solo thumb


Hey..... at least I put something out there you seemed to like. Feel free to use it any time.

[TitoFan]

You know what? Fuck it. You're not worth spending my time on. I come on here to enjoy boxing talk and other subjects of interest. I'm not gonna let you try and ruin the experience for me. I say try because honestly, after a few minutes of annoyance (yes.... some of us humans get annoyed when dealing with characters such as yourself), I blow it off and occupy my mind on other things. But this is going nowhere fast. You've already proven publicly your penchant for exaggerating and twisting other people's comments into what you want them to be. Yet when someone does it to you it's a capital offense. Well, how about this...... if you don't like me or my opinions..... just stay the fuck out of them, unless I do something that violates forum rules. Ok? Capiche? Esta bien? I'll gladly do the same.

[TitoFan]

"I just saw the PM death wish post, and I can't believe someone here would stoop so low. So sorry, Alpha. I still think you're slightly unhinged regarding the Flat Earth thing. If you still care to, take a look at my latest post on the other thread and you'll find simple proof that the Earth is round. But again, too bad someone had to go there. That really shouldn't be allowed here, PM or not."



By the way, here's that proverbial straw you clutched at, in your pathetic efforts to make your argument. Yeah..... I REALLY insulted and mistreated Alpha in that post, didn't I? I should've been ARRESTED for such an insulting post.

Keep trying. You sink your boat faster with every ridiculous statement you make.

[Spicoli]

I've been a big cynic at times over the last couple of years. And some of us are just really feckin stubborn. I find that one key thing be it here or in the real world is to 'consider the source'. I have varying degrees of respect for everyone I am familiar and have knocked heads or just shot the shat with on here. We're all human and emotions, a days weight and beliefs spill over as is expected. But at the end of the day when you experience the same personalities over years you come to know what to expect and take it with a grain of salt and keep keeping on. Life's too short to sweat the dumb shit. I'm not even sure what the topic is now or what we're talking about but I'm currently making some killer pork butt. Carry on.

[TitoFan]

I've been a big cynic at times over the last couple of years. And some of us are just really feckin stubborn. I find that one key thing be it here or in the real world is to 'consider the source'. I have varying degrees of respect for everyone I am familiar and have knocked heads or just shot the shat with on here. We're all human and emotions, a days weight and beliefs spill over as is expected. But at the end of the day when you experience the same personalities over years you come to know what to expect and take it with a grain of salt and keep keeping on. Life's too short to sweat the dumb shit. I'm not even sure what the topic is now or what we're talking about but I'm currently making some killer pork butt. Carry on.

I know big picture this is but a grain of sand in a vast beach, but the time we do spend on here is because we want to... certainly not like other things in life that are obligations. And yes.... "He who is without sin...." and all that. Stubborn, hard-headed, we've all been there done that. But you'd think after exchanging pleasantries, even on a forum, over a period of years, that there would be just a little more empathy and understanding. Personally, I don't get this "I don't get angry" or "insults mean nothing to me" BS. It's empty posturing. If you're made of flesh and blood, and last time I checked all human beings still were, you're going to have emotions. Certain things are going to get under your skin. Kudos to you, personally, and other Mods like Master and Andre (I may have forgotten one or two). You're the ones who tend to keep it mild and lukewarm in here. You leave the fighting and bickering to us plebes. The way it should be in a forum. That's why you guys make the big bucks. And yes, after a certain number of years, you get to know each others' personalities on here and.... just like in a neighborhood bar.... you're gonna like some people and not others. To pretend emotion is not part of a forum is well..... let's just say it's untrue to put it mildly. BTW, I'd offer some seasoning tips on that pork butt, because there's NOTHING like Puerto Rican roast pork..... but I know you guys down in the bayou know all about seasoning.

[Fenster]

You know what? Fuck it. You're not worth spending my time on. I come on here to enjoy boxing talk and other subjects of interest. I'm not gonna let you try and ruin the experience for me. I say try because honestly, after a few minutes of annoyance (yes.... some of us humans get annoyed when dealing with characters such as yourself), I blow it off and occupy my mind on other things. But this is going nowhere fast. You've already proven publicly your penchant for exaggerating and twisting other people's comments into what you want them to be. Yet when someone does it to you it's a capital offense. Well, how about this...... if you don't like me or my opinions..... just stay the fuck out of them, unless I do something that violates forum rules. Ok? Capiche? Esta bien? I'll gladly do the same.

You always say you've had enough when failing to back up the accusations and bullshit.

Same old, same old. After finishing your tantrum you play the butter wouldn't melt in his mouth routine. Tito, such a nice mature guy, never done anything wrong, never causes any trouble. You're exactly the same now as you were 10-15 years ago - the VD days. You have a history littered with complaints and reported posts and Mod intervention going all the way back long before many of your friends were even here.

As I always say, feel free to release your rage on me whenever you please, better me than someone in the real world.

Enjoy the arcade

[walrus]

(sigh)..... and the saga continues.....

1. I never said "some" were delighted I said "you" was delighted, the proof is there for everyone to see with all your childish, immature crow gifs and gloating at the notion a poor little boy could have been abused.

Pure bullshit and you know it. Desmond in the video was not being "abused", but was definitely in a situation where any normal person wouldn't put their child. In the future, it could very well lead to child abuse. If you can't tell the difference between me gloating about YOU being wrong in your previous arguments, and me supposedly gloating about the possibility of Desmond being abused..... you're beyond help and in dire need of a personality transplant.

You only got angry after video evidence was produced, which showed the little boy wearing a tracksuit and trainers, never touched or harmed and fully supervised at all times. Before that you was salivating over descriptions of a "half naked boy", "sexual dancing," "strippers," "panties and fishnets," "throngs of adult men."

"Salivating"?? Do you even pay attention to the incredibly STUPID and MORONIC shit you continue to post?? Are you sure you're not projecting your own twisted, sick little fantasies on me? 'Cause to many of us that's certainly what it looks like. BTW, loving it how you continue to misrepresent, blatantly lie..... and then punish others when falsely accusing them of doing the same thing. Keep up the good work.

Why you choose to bring this topic up yet again, in yet another entirely unrelated thread is beyond me. Thankfully I don't see you as a menace to children just a naive man constantly tripping over his own rug.


The only one here tripping in every sense of the word is you.

2. Feel free to show me who i've ever called a moron?

I'm not gonna play that game with you, going back to search for things you've said. You've called people that and worse. Remember, you're the one to whom insults mean nothing. Or so you claim. So with that disclaimer, you feel free to insult and ridicule people at will. You don't like me because I dish it back in double portions.

3. You got annoyed with Alpha for "liking" my post, I have no idea why you even brought him up, but even more staggering is you believe he should be grateful you've only made fun of his views not him personally (completely ignoring the fact you called him "mentally ill."). The truth is you're upset Alpha didn't give you an excuse to shit all over him and ruin his flat-earth lark with your childish shit.

Wow.... you truly are a piece of work. "Annoyed with Alpha"..... "I believe he should be grateful"...... "I'm upset with Alpha because he didn't give me an excuse to shit all over him"..... damn. How OLD are you, really? Are you this way in real life? Do you routinely make up shit as you go along? Is there ANYONE in real life that can put up with you for more than 2 minutes? (I was being generous on the time)

If you're gonna engage in arguments, do it like a mature, sane person..... and quit making shit up. It's not a good look for you.

Your true motives stick out like a sore Han Solo thumb


Hey..... at least I put something out there you seemed to like. Feel free to use it any time.

ha fenster freaks out over a pm I sent him in jest but everyone else just misinterprets his stuff, what a freakin joke. Sure wish someone to die, I don’t give a fuck if you die, whatever, it’s just hypocritical nonsense. And the pm I wrote to him in private he responded to on the open forum, not really a sign of oh it doesn’t matter what people say it’s just words. It’s lije beyond hypocritical but we will get some kind of retort that shows he is a real man and words to bother him, what a joke. Ok let’s here the retort that everyone else is wrong. Funny u brought up that pm long after I wrote it and I have absolutely no idea what I wrote but u remembered it all, even though words don’t mean anything cause brits are cynical and it’s just words they don’t matter. I do remember you said I mentioned CIA or FBI that was just a play on words cause at the time my wife was upgraded her top secret clearance for work and I don’t know how it works in your country but in the US the FBI goes to all your neighbors and former employers to interview them about you. So frankly fenster, I got no issue with you cause u are no body to me, still I’d feel bad for your family and friends if u die. Shit I’ve seen dead bodies of people I never met and I felt bad for them. If u lack empathy which it appears you do it might actually make life a little easier but certainly self centered but fuck it right, you are god cause everyone who believes in god is a moron as you have said.

[Fenster]

ha fenster freaks out over a pm I sent him in jest but everyone else just misinterprets his stuff, what a freakin joke. Sure wish someone to die, I don’t give a fuck if you die, whatever, it’s just hypocritical nonsense. And the pm I wrote to him in private he responded to on the open forum, not really a sign of oh it doesn’t matter what people say it’s just words. It’s lije beyond hypocritical but we will get some kind of retort that shows he is a real man and words to bother him, what a joke. Ok let’s here the retort that everyone else is wrong. Funny u brought up that pm long after I wrote it and I have absolutely no idea what I wrote but u remembered it all, even though words don’t mean anything cause brits are cynical and it’s just words they don’t matter. I do remember you said I mentioned CIA or FBI that was just a play on words cause at the time my wife was upgraded her top secret clearance for work and I don’t know how it works in your country but in the US the FBI goes to all your neighbors and former employers to interview them about you. So frankly fenster, I got no issue with you cause u are no body to me, still I’d feel bad for your family and friends if u die. Shit I’ve seen dead bodies of people I never met and I felt bad for them. If u lack empathy which it appears you do it might actually make life a little easier but certainly self centered but fuck it right, you are god cause everyone who believes in god is a moron as you have said.

Do I remind you of that little Afghany kid who stole your favourite hot chocolate? I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt your feelings either Walrus whilst shooting at you.

Tell that story again, it was a rare thing you wrote worth reading.

[Master]

Evidence suggests there are 5 steps we can all take to improve our mental wellbeing and stop being a cynical cunt.

1. Connect – connect with the people around you: your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. Spend time developing these relationships.

2. Be active – you don’t have to go to the gym. Take a walk, go cycling or play a game of football. Find an activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your life.

3. Keep learning – learning new skills can give you a sense of achievement and a new confidence. So why not sign up for that cooking course, start learning to play a musical instrument, or figure out how to fix your bike?

4. Give to others – even the smallest act can count, whether it’s a smile, a thank you or a kind word. Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local community centre, can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new social networks.

5. Be mindful – be more aware of the present moment, including your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you. Some people calls this awareness ‘mindfulness’. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.

[Beanz]

I think there is a huge amount of mistranslated intent here and not just a little projection either. Fenster can be an arrogant cunt but the idea that he is seething with anger about anything someone else has posted, is not really born out in his posting. I don't think most people are trying to be cool either, that just isn't on the radar on a forum like this where being the coolest dude would not really amount to a hill of beanz anyhoos. There are of course insults, and observations that are taken as insults, but then there are personal things and those that go over the line. Wishing death on posters has gone on since the day I joined, often by the same people asking for it to be a banning offence whilst threatening to top themselves.

The Des thread situation could easily have been avoided if people had not assumed the worst of all posters who did not subscribe 100% to their own very personal world view. That is the premise on which it was started, the idea that other posters were such low disgusting human beings there would be no depravity or abusive situation they would refuse to defend. That is the long and short of it. To be honest I log in every day to 20 dislikes from posts made months ago and have been called the most heinous things, including worse than somebody who drills holes in children's heads, so I am not sure there is anything that can be done on a forum in which people like that are given free reign. It is part of the 'Freedom' to post relatively unmoderated I suppose.

[Fenster]

Evidence suggests there are 5 steps we can all take to improve our mental wellbeing and stop being a cynical cunt.

1. Connect – connect with the people around you: your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. Spend time developing these relationships.

2. Be active – you don’t have to go to the gym. Take a walk, go cycling or play a game of football. Find an activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your life.

3. Keep learning – learning new skills can give you a sense of achievement and a new confidence. So why not sign up for that cooking course, start learning to play a musical instrument, or figure out how to fix your bike?

4. Give to others – even the smallest act can count, whether it’s a smile, a thank you or a kind word. Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local community centre, can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new social networks.

5. Be mindful – be more aware of the present moment, including your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you. Some people calls this awareness ‘mindfulness’. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.

1. I have no family or friends.
2. I can't walk.
3. Physical activity is virtually impossible and it's extremely tiring dealing with simple day-to-day affairs like eating and drinking.
4. I can barely afford to eat and get constant threats from extortionate rip-off energy companies let alone donate money.
5. I'm very mindful of everything around me, at any moment one wrong fall could result in death.

1 out of 5.

Although I deserve 5 out of 5 because it's the thought that counts.

[walrus]

ha fenster freaks out over a pm I sent him in jest but everyone else just misinterprets his stuff, what a freakin joke. Sure wish someone to die, I don’t give a fuck if you die, whatever, it’s just hypocritical nonsense. And the pm I wrote to him in private he responded to on the open forum, not really a sign of oh it doesn’t matter what people say it’s just words. It’s lije beyond hypocritical but we will get some kind of retort that shows he is a real man and words to bother him, what a joke. Ok let’s here the retort that everyone else is wrong. Funny u brought up that pm long after I wrote it and I have absolutely no idea what I wrote but u remembered it all, even though words don’t mean anything cause brits are cynical and it’s just words they don’t matter. I do remember you said I mentioned CIA or FBI that was just a play on words cause at the time my wife was upgraded her top secret clearance for work and I don’t know how it works in your country but in the US the FBI goes to all your neighbors and former employers to interview them about you. So frankly fenster, I got no issue with you cause u are no body to me, still I’d feel bad for your family and friends if u die. Shit I’ve seen dead bodies of people I never met and I felt bad for them. If u lack empathy which it appears you do it might actually make life a little easier but certainly self centered but fuck it right, you are god cause everyone who believes in god is a moron as you have said.

Do I remind you of that little Afghany kid who stole your favourite hot chocolate? I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt your feelings either Walrus whilst shooting at you.

Tell that story again, it was a rare thing you wrote worth reading.

ooo edgy must be British cynicism. I’d tell u in a pm but u might cry

[Fenster]

ha fenster freaks out over a pm I sent him in jest but everyone else just misinterprets his stuff, what a freakin joke. Sure wish someone to die, I don’t give a fuck if you die, whatever, it’s just hypocritical nonsense. And the pm I wrote to him in private he responded to on the open forum, not really a sign of oh it doesn’t matter what people say it’s just words. It’s lije beyond hypocritical but we will get some kind of retort that shows he is a real man and words to bother him, what a joke. Ok let’s here the retort that everyone else is wrong. Funny u brought up that pm long after I wrote it and I have absolutely no idea what I wrote but u remembered it all, even though words don’t mean anything cause brits are cynical and it’s just words they don’t matter. I do remember you said I mentioned CIA or FBI that was just a play on words cause at the time my wife was upgraded her top secret clearance for work and I don’t know how it works in your country but in the US the FBI goes to all your neighbors and former employers to interview them about you. So frankly fenster, I got no issue with you cause u are no body to me, still I’d feel bad for your family and friends if u die. Shit I’ve seen dead bodies of people I never met and I felt bad for them. If u lack empathy which it appears you do it might actually make life a little easier but certainly self centered but fuck it right, you are god cause everyone who believes in god is a moron as you have said.

Do I remind you of that little Afghany kid who stole your favourite hot chocolate? I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt your feelings either Walrus whilst shooting at you.

Tell that story again, it was a rare thing you wrote worth reading.

ooo edgy must be British cynicism. I’d tell u in a pm but u might cry

Cry laughing.

Try replying for a 3rd time to the same post.