How to deal with stupidity?

[Juks]

What do you do when a replay to one of your posts or in a thread you are following is so stupid(or/and childish) that it is beyond your comprehension?


I usually starts writing, sometimes half a page. And then I read my response, and notice that my response to stupidity often ends up in stupidity and I know that if I publish the answer the level of stupidity will just continue to grow and grow and maybe engage further posters with even more stupidity . It is hard to get around it. So usually (most of the times), I delete what I have written and let the stupidity stand for itself.


But then sometimes a second and/or two other posters comes in and says, oh, haven't thought of it you are probably right or even worse: They takes the stupidity to a whole new level., either because he/she respect the original poster in the first place or because they share leanings or because they have no idea about the subject and just like to bully or confirm their own biases, selfimage or conseptions . . So, I write again. this time one full Word page, but still to answering stupidity can only be done with even more stupidity, it lowers your standard. So I delete it again (most of the times).


What do you do?


(Since I place this in the loft, I expect no example from real posts but just a general strategy for how to deal with it)

 

[Sweden]

What do you do when a replay to one of your posts or in a thread you are following is so stupid(or/and childish) that it is beyond your comprehension?


I usually starts writing, sometimes half a page. And then I read my response, and notice that my response to stupidity often ends up in stupidity and I know that if I publish the answer the level of stupidity will just continue to grow and grow and maybe engage further posters with even more stupidity . It is hard to get around it. So usually (most of the times), I delete what I have written and let the stupidity stand for itself.


But then sometimes a second and/or two other posters comes in and says, oh, haven't thought of it you are probably right or even worse: They takes the stupidity to a whole new level., either because he/she respect the original poster in the first place or because they share leanings or because they have no idea about the subject and just like to bully or confirm their own biases, selfimage or conseptions . . So, I write again. this time one full Word page, but still to answering stupidity can only be done with even more stupidity, it lowers your standard. So I delete it again (most of the times).


What do you do?


(Since I place this in the loft, I expect no example from real posts but just a general strategy for how to deal with it)

I agree, stupidity is best ignored. This is particularly so in the case of the religious variety.

 

[bongsaway]

Generally I respond with sarcasm.

 

[Nomad4Ever]

Generally I respond with sarcasm.

This. I generally write something I think is funny that exemplifies the part of their post I think is the most stupid but in an exaggerated or ironic way.

 

[Lovebug]

Everyone has the right to opine within the rules.
Many here come across as too snobbish to recognize that right. They see themselves as heroes for the underclass, the minorities, the less fortunate, depending, of course, on where they live and who they are.
I.e., white religious southern people are fair game for insults, while, were they people of color and/or members of the lgbtq community, they must be defended at all cost.
Hypocrisy seems to be a game well played by those who are smarter and more well versed than the rest.
Of course there's the dismissing of opposing opinions as very dumb when they are, in fact just opposing opinions.

 

[Artymoon]

Not just replies. There are more than a few threads currently going where I ask myself why was this even started? Most times, I think of being sarcastic but decide to move on and not step into that pool of stupidity.

 

[Juks]

Everyone has the right to opine within the rules.
Many here come across as too snobbish to recognize that right. They see themselves as heroes for the underclass, the minorities, the less fortunate, depending, of course, on where they live and who they are.
I.e., white religious southern people are fair game for insults, while, were they people of color and/or members of the lgbtq community, they must be defended at all cost.
Hypocrisy seems to be a game well played by those who are smarter and more well versed than the rest.
Of course there's the dismissing of opposing opinions as very dumb when they are, in fact just opposing opinions.

I wasn't really asking what you think is stupid, more how you deal with it when you find yourself in the middle of it.

 

[Loulit01]

Everyone has the right to opine within the rules.
Many here come across as too snobbish to recognize that right. They see themselves as heroes for the underclass, the minorities, the less fortunate, depending, of course, on where they live and who they are.
I.e., white religious southern people are fair game for insults, while, were they people of color and/or members of the lgbtq community, they must be defended at all cost.
Hypocrisy seems to be a game well played by those who are smarter and more well versed than the rest.
Of course there's the dismissing of opposing opinions as very dumb when they are, in fact just opposing opinions.

Everyone has the right to opine within the rules except the people you're mocking. Care to post a list?

 

[Antiwar]

It's a tragedy of the commons.

 

[Lloyd Christmas]

What do you do when a replay to one of your posts or in a thread you are following is so stupid(or/and childish) that it is beyond your comprehension?


I usually starts writing, sometimes half a page. And then I read my response, and notice that my response to stupidity often ends up in stupidity and I know that if I publish the answer the level of stupidity will just continue to grow and grow and maybe engage further posters with even more stupidity . It is hard to get around it. So usually (most of the times), I delete what I have written and let the stupidity stand for itself.


But then sometimes a second and/or two other posters comes in and says, oh, haven't thought of it you are probably right or even worse: They takes the stupidity to a whole new level., either because he/she respect the original poster in the first place or because they share leanings or because they have no idea about the subject and just like to bully or confirm their own biases, selfimage or conseptions . . So, I write again. this time one full Word page, but still to answering stupidity can only be done with even more stupidity, it lowers your standard. So I delete it again (most of the times).


What do you do?


(Since I place this in the loft, I expect no example from real posts but just a general strategy for how to deal with it)

there is nothing to do, most people on the right are nothing more than trolls so stupid garbage and then deflecting, dodging and projecting is all they do. I'll typically respond to their idiocy then just ignore their responses becuase like every troll you know you are going to get the same stupid non response back. Because they have no facts, logic or reasoning.

And even with liberals if they are wrong and don't have facts they will resort to the same stupid tactics.

From a Bill Burr bit on how women argue. If they are right, they stick to the facts and keep you on point for the facts. If they are wrong they will go off target and egg you on to get you to call them a name, and that name trumps all the other bullshit and they say "we will talk about this when you calm down". ironically, that's exactly how trolls behave, they want you to attack them so they can whine persecution and then claim victory. Because they are always wrong

Everyone has the right to opine within the rules.
Many here come across as too snobbish to recognize that right. They see themselves as heroes for the underclass, the minorities, the less fortunate, depending, of course, on where they live and who they are.
I.e., white religious southern people are fair game for insults, while, were they people of color and/or members of the lgbtq community, they must be defended at all cost.
Hypocrisy seems to be a game well played by those who are smarter and more well versed than the rest.
Of course there's the dismissing of opposing opinions as very dumb when they are, in fact just opposing opinions.

Speaking of the topic of someone saying something stupid. Notice how this response plays into my post above about the Bill Burr bit, playing right into the bullshit whines and persecution.

 

[CaughtInThe]

I start asking simple questions until they paint themselves into a corner.

Then they get mad.

 

[Lovebug]

I wasn't really asking what you think is stupid, more how you deal with it when you find yourself in the middle of it.

Ignore?

 

[Elora]

What do you do?

Nothing...there's no changing stupid...

 

[Juks]

I start asking simple questions until they paint themselves into a corner.

Then they get mad.

You get 2xlike, this is the best advice so far. I will try it next time. Definetly less time consuming than my own (not published) postwriting...

 

[NWRatCon]

Ignore?

I miss many of these posts because I have a robust "ignore" list. It's usually the response that gets my attention.

If, on review, the post is an obvious bait or troll post attempting to derail the discussion, I report it as such. Even if the Mods ignore the report (can't tell if they do or not), I feel better for complying with the rules and seeking to keep discussions on topic.

If the post is on topic, but just stupid, I try to start by being sincere in my critique. I assume they mean it, and really are that idiotic, so I try very hard to keep it civil, and politely point out their error(s). Sadly, I often fail. Often they think I'm condescending. I can't understand how they could feel that way.

If they are repeat offenders, I resort to snark.

 

[Antiwar]

Sorry, but @NWRatCon thinks too highly of their commentary.

 

[Juks]

Sorry, but @NWRatCon thinks too highly of their commentary.

Who are "they"?

 

[The Mark]

What do you do when a replay to one of your posts or in a thread you are following is so stupid(or/and childish) that it is beyond your comprehension?


I usually starts writing, sometimes half a page. And then I read my response, and notice that my response to stupidity often ends up in stupidity and I know that if I publish the answer the level of stupidity will just continue to grow and grow and maybe engage further posters with even more stupidity . It is hard to get around it. So usually (most of the times), I delete what I have written and let the stupidity stand for itself.


But then sometimes a second and/or two other posters comes in and says, oh, haven't thought of it you are probably right or even worse: They takes the stupidity to a whole new level., either because he/she respect the original poster in the first place or because they share leanings or because they have no idea about the subject and just like to bully or confirm their own biases, selfimage or conseptions . . So, I write again. this time one full Word page, but still to answering stupidity can only be done with even more stupidity, it lowers your standard. So I delete it again (most of the times).


What do you do?


(Since I place this in the loft, I expect no example from real posts but just a general strategy for how to deal with it)

Sometimes I do this, but then come back after a day or so when I have distance from the stupid, and try to respond with something non-stupid.

 

[Antiwar]

Who are "they"?

"Their" is a substitute word for 'his.'

 

[NWRatCon]

Sorry, but @NWRatCon thinks too highly of their commentary.

Oh, it's not about them, it's about me.

I've been a Moderator (on another board, with stricter standards) for over 20 years. When I became a Mod, that status required me to be more circumspect with my posts. I found that it actually made me a better poster.

I've been here long enough to distinguish, usually, the genuinely stupid from the rhetorically stupid. Granted, there's a lot of overlap. I don't deride the genuinely stupid until they persist in it. Stubborn ignorance is the worst kind.

I am no saint. My record demonstrates that, and I can be biting, as you know. Making fun is fun. But I heed the advice of a friend I got many years ago. "Only you can make you mad." Being mad is a reaction. Being cutting without breaking rules, that, my friend, is art.

 

[Lovebug]

I miss many of these posts because I have a robust "ignore" list. It's usually the response that gets my attention.

If, on review, the post is an obvious bait or troll post attempting to derail the discussion, I report it as such. Even if the Mods ignore the report (can't tell if they do or not), I feel better for complying with the rules and seeking to keep discussions on topic.

If the post is on topic, but just stupid, I try to start by being sincere in my critique. I assume they mean it, and really are that idiotic, so I try very hard to keep it civil, and politely point out their error(s). Sadly, I often fail. Often they think I'm condescending. I can't understand how they could feel that way.

If they are repeat offenders, I resort to snark.

I don't have anyone on ignore, I just don't take anyone or anything serious enough to get rattled. Some exceptions noted.

 

[Antiwar]

Oh, it's not about them, it's about me.

I've been a Moderator (on another board, with stricter standards) for over 20 years. When I became a Mod, that status required me to be more circumspect with my posts. I found that it actually made me a better poster.

I've been here long enough to distinguish, usually, the genuinely stupid from the rhetorically stupid. Granted, there's a lot of overlap. I don't deride the genuinely stupid until they persist in it. Stubborn ignorance is the worst kind.

I am no saint. My record demonstrates that, and I can be biting, as you know. Making fun is fun. But I heed the advice of a friend I got many years ago. "Only you can make you mad." Being mad is a reaction. Being cutting without breaking rules, that, my friend, is art.

What does that have to do with what I said?

 

[noonereal]

What do you do when a replay to one of your posts or in a thread you are following is so stupid(or/and childish) that it is beyond your comprehension?


I usually starts writing, sometimes half a page. And then I read my response, and notice that my response to stupidity often ends up in stupidity and I know that if I publish the answer the level of stupidity will just continue to grow and grow and maybe engage further posters with even more stupidity . It is hard to get around it. So usually (most of the times), I delete what I have written and let the stupidity stand for itself.


But then sometimes a second and/or two other posters comes in and says, oh, haven't thought of it you are probably right or even worse: They takes the stupidity to a whole new level., either because he/she respect the original poster in the first place or because they share leanings or because they have no idea about the subject and just like to bully or confirm their own biases, selfimage or conseptions . . So, I write again. this time one full Word page, but still to answering stupidity can only be done with even more stupidity, it lowers your standard. So I delete it again (most of the times).


What do you do?


(Since I place this in the loft, I expect no example from real posts but just a general strategy for how to deal with it)

🤡

 

[psikeyhackr]

Insults that are not crude but that you find entertaining. They might even go over the offender's head or require etymological research.

 

[NWRatCon]

Insults that are not crude but that you find entertaining. They might even go over the offender's head or require etymological research.

It's an art. And a hobby.