The following statement can apply to almost any political or policy discussion

[tzikeh]

I have said nothing about anything currently going on re: VividCon's policies, either by posting here, or in comments elsewhere. However, morgandawn has posted an entry with an invitation to anyone to repost it, if they so care to. I am taking her up on that invitation.

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"I don't think we need absolutists to be setting convention policy or dictating convention culture. There should be room for a little bit of both points of view, and I believe we can create a public space that balances these multiple points of view. I am not angry at the convention organizers for soliciting feedback and then seeking to negotiate a compromise. What they need right now is support and encouragement to find that balance - because they're not getting much from the absolutists.

Feel free to copy and paste or link if you agree."
******

I have had many, many angry thoughts, gut-wrenching feelings, and the desire to publicly rage with hate-filled diatribes since this began. I have felt an urgent need to slam any number of people, but I know that that only brings a very short moment of anger relief, followed by the weary, overpowering frustration of knowing that I have accomplished nothing. I have also often felt an urgent need to explain things to people who Are Not Listening, but I know that that is also an exercise in futility.

As some of you are aware, I have been working for a few years on a personal philosophy of Shut the Fuck Up. It goes like this.

"First Response: shut the fuck up. Second Response: no, seriously, shut it. Third Response: step back and take a breath. Fourth Response: think hard. Fifth Response: ask yoursself if it's truly worth engaging."

Therefore, in this instance, after getting to Fifth Response, I am restraining myself, 100%.

In conclusion, to quote Forrest Gump: "That's all I have to say about that."

Comments

[jackiekjono.livejournal.com]

I actually managed to get to the Sixth Response: Try to post something about it that sounds rational. Unfortunately, I was so overwhelmed by the need to caveat everything so as not to sound like a baby-eating monster to people with strong opposing opinions that I feel like I rather failed to actually say what I wanted to say.

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

:nod: Well, this is my philosophy *in general* for all of my dealings with life. But I can see the Sixth Response in internet situations.

[anoel.livejournal.com]

Me too on the STFUness. It usually works out the best even when it's hard to implement.

[kadymae.livejournal.com]

Remember Cereta's Law -- [I'm paraphrasing]

Would your time be more constructively spent if you had read porn?

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(I been readin' a lot of porn.)