Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:02:09 -0500
From: CrYpTiK
Subject: Re: Chatham Chatlist #4223
Regarding “real names” on the Chatlist and my posts:
The reason any of you have a problem with me choosing to hide behind an alias is that you suddenly don’t have a person to attack or retaliate in real life against anymore.
Logic does not allow one to get away with attacking the person instead of the points being made; it’s called an “ad hominem” argument and it holds zero weight. I’ll commit one (even if only weakly) right now, in fact: perhaps the reason that you people attack my lack of identity is because you have no substantial thoughts in your head that counter me in a way that other people might actually find reasonable.
I also believe that the Walmart debate is now wearing out and should be taken to the BBS, as so many other contentious topics are. If the counterpoints to a somewhat logical post are logical fallacies and “nasty rant rants” then the topic is probably toast. I am busy enough that I have a hard enough time skimming some of these emails as it is, without having to sift through the digital equivalent of a three year old throwing a tantrum.
If you prefer to assign a specific gender to my posts, I suppose “she” would do nicely. “It” would be much, much funnier, though…especially to those of us who have enjoyed (or perhaps had nightmares from) the Stephen King film of the same name. One final note on the topic of “real names:” unless everyone faxes their driver license to Gene, who is to stop me from writing emails as the fictional (but perhaps realistic-sounding) character “Peter Tong Alfredo?” How do we know for sure that you’re using YOUR real name? Do you think that if you post your address just to prove it, someone will drive by and say hello to check? No. Of course not. Names (and in fact, YOU) are simply not that important. What you say is all that is important, and that’s why I prefer to write something of substance and with some real thought behind it, even if it’s a “rant.” I’m sometimes playing the devil’s advocate, too; I don’t always support my own arguments here, I just want to force you people to REALLY think about everything from all angles.
That’s all I’m here to do. Thanks to those who listen and contribute.
Sincerely,
“It” Cryptik, aka Peter Tong Alfredo