Quote by Buz

Excessive farting by the GOP.

Greasy Ole Pharts.

please stay on topic. thanks.

and, that said, everyone please stay on topic, thanks.

Quote by Chryses

Then perhaps you can answer the question noll has not: Why cannot one set member provide helpful information about another set member? That is what he has claimed and failed to warrant.

why would i be answering for Noll? he can answer for himself. i mean, you really want me to start answering for other members here? not going to like when i start answering for you, i guarantee it lol

Quote by Ironic

I do something positive, and you know I do, so suggesting I'm not isn't true.

Never said you didn't. What I did say is that you could do more, but don't. Because it's inconvenient. That's an argument that has been used through history as an excuse and it's just kind of tired. I will give you points for doing some things if that helps.

Quote by Ironic

I don't need to explain to you why I don't do as much as you think I should. And since you already know I make an effort, your comment about how my work schedule makes it "impossible to be eco-friendly" isn't true.

no, you don't, but that just makes you seem like you're making excuses because doing something positive is inconvienient and you don't want to. like, you could simply say, i'm a truck driver, so doing this is impossible because... and i'd go, okay, i get that and then maybe make a suggestion, like why don't you try this? wouldn't be telling anyone any personal information, really - unless you're a spy for the Italians, in which case maybe not say that in public?

Quote by IMPURETHOUGHTS

Ohoh, I know nothing and I'll happily criticize anything.

lol as long as you don't mind hit back when you do

Quote by Ironic

That's a pretty mug.

I've already told you some of what I do to reduce my pollution input. I've already told you the interrogation's over, but you refuse to stop asking me to explain what I do or don't do, as if you get to decide how I should change to be more the way you think I should be. Most of what you've posted to this thread has been critical of what I'm doing to help. You feel entitled to criticize me for not doing what you think is enough. There's nothing I can do to prevent you from doing that, but I think you should take a step back and think about your choices.

The only way I can know you is through what I read. Thats why I think you're nasty. You've explained away your nastiness towards me by blaming it on all the people you deal with here that don't share your opinions. OK. I'm sure you're right. But that doesn't entitle you to give me a hard time because I don't do all the eco-friendly things you do or you think I should.

thanks - a gift from my wife. i'm kind of a Disney-head. what you can't really tell from the picture is that it has a bit of a sparkle to it, too. it's also themulated - lol - that is SO not a word, my brain is freezing right now - it keeps hot things hot and cold things cold. mostly use it for my teas - ices and hot. apple juice sometimes, too. yep, i do - my advice? do what i do - ignore me when you're tired of the conversation. it's perfectly fine, won't hurt my feelings. i don't have anything to respond to, i won't respond, simple as that. you give me an opening, though, and i'm going to bull my way in. i've learned over the years that being quiet just means you don't get heard.

and the thing is, i DO feel entitled to criticize anyone who i think isn't doing enough - i also welcome people who are doing far more than me to criticize me - fair game - i could do more, and if you tell me how, i will probably take it to heart. at present, i try...

here's the thing. if you were just messing up your own place - not dusting, tossing cigarette butts on the carpet, i wouldn't care. this is our world. it's the only one we have. i live here too - so what you do, or don't do, affects me. that's why - those mesh bags? i see someone using the plastic ones at the market, i'll give them a few - not out of the goodness of my heart, btw, but because i'm selfish and i like our planet and i've heard that Mars is cold and kind of barren.

well, here's the thing - i'm all over the site with posts - the only way you know me by reading TT posts. go check out my posts in Rumps, or the mental health posts, or ANY posts besides this one - thing is, all i have to judge YOU (and most of the other TT regulars is... TT posts where people don't come off as very nice (remember Damon X? despite being in agreement with him on most issues, he was NOT very nice - hell, even at my least nicest i am way nicer then he ever was lol

so no, i don't blame "my nastiest" (i'm not, that's your opinion) on people that don't share my opinions - not just them, at least - Felix shares my opinions too, and i'm always happy to call him out when he's being an ass. if the old threads were still available i'd hunt down all the past threads where i was actually being reasonable and people responded in ways that make me look like a saint - some pretty horrifying name-calling and threats, etc. some bad enough that people got banned for it. so yeah, i stopped being "nice".

i do step back and think about my choices. that's why i do a lot of the things i do. like i said, not perfect, but it's why i am a vegetarian, why i recycle, why i shop at thrift stores, why i bring my own bags, etc etc. i even gave up reading physical books (which kills me still) because kindle doesn't use the same physical resources and we've started cutting down on using amazon cause dude, freaking packaging materials are off the charts with them. and yes, we still DO use them, and i wish i could say differently, but it's convenient, so see, I totally get it. i try to assuage the guilt by cleaning up my act in other ways.

so yeah, little things add up. there are too many people on this planet and we are using up resources and polluting it at an alarming rate (don't even get me started on climate change - you'll regret it lol) i would rather try doing something now than waiting until it's too late do to anything, dig?

I think that, one thing we can agree on, is that AI is gonna happen - it already is. just letting it happen without at the very least, talking about what the means, how it's going to effect people, taking a hard look at how it's going to be used, not just but us, but by other countries, is better than just ignoring it until it becomes more difficult or impossible to regulate. i think that, at the very least, someone does have to get this thing rolling. is it an attempt to keep all but the big players out? hard to say. i always like to think that people can be altruistic and actually care - i try not to be overly cynical, while still being realistic. so... hard to say. time will tell.

i know a lot of artists and writers are concerned that AI will be used to 'replace' them, especially with the current writers strike going on.... we've had some backroom discussions for a while now about our stance on AI-generated stories for the site - whether we embrace them or discourage them - and really, if they're good enough that no one knows, how do we even monitor them unless someone flat out states that they've used an AI program to write something?

it's new territory - a new frontier, and bluntly, we'll probably blunder our way through it until we figure it out. or don't. no matter what, i am guessing what we (America) decides will be better than what a country like China, Russia, or N.Korea decides and whatever regulations we impose will have no effect on their decisions what do to with it...

Quote by CarltonStJames

That part in bold especially.

IMNewHere, if you like reading novels that will already give you the edge needed of what to do and what not to do. It takes practice, but it's rewarding as hell when your work is out there. You'll even have moments where you're like, "Wait... I wrote that?"

some of my early stuff isn't any good, but it was a stepping stone to some of the later stuff that is actually pretty good - every time you write, you learn, you get better, you figure it out a little more.

Quote by Ironic

And you know nothing about my work life and still feel entitled to criticize me?

here, i'll help you - i'll go first. i'm a social worker. i work with victims of domestic abuse - spouses as well as families - technically, i work 9-5 out of an office. it's very hands on, though, and the hours are very flexible - i do a few evenings a week, some weekends, some overnight work as well. yes, i have a car and an office to keep my stuff in - i don't do a lot of traveling from place to place. like i said, i carry reusable utensils, straws, cups, bowls, and plates - i have a kitchen i can use to wash them with, but sometimes i just shove them in a bag and take them home and do it.

i don't smoke, so no worry about cigarette butts - use my own bags for produce and groceries - they go with me at any place i shop, not just for groceries. keep them in the car trunk. am i perfect? nope. do i try? yep. that's all anyone needs to do - try. it's so simple that it really astounds me that not everyone is doing it.

not like anyone's asking you to pick up after someone else - just take care of your own stuff. you know, control what you can. we all do that, the world is a better place - isn't that kind of a cool goal to be a part of? to achieve?

Quote by Ironic

And you know nothing about my work life and still feel entitled to criticize me?

yep. ball has been in your court for a while to explain how your work schedule makes it impossible to be eco-friendly.

Quote by Ironic

You know nothing about my work life and feel entitled to criticize me. Thats funny!

ok, so tell me about it - tell me what you do and then maybe I'll understand why you can't carry a reusable coffee cup and a set of utensils around with you. you'd not like a professional scuba diver or something, are you? this is mine, currently, btw.

Quote by Chryses

So, no warrant for your claim the Greek sovereign debt crisis provides no lesson to be learned for another country's possible sovereign debt crisis. Perhaps tomorrow you will have one.

seems to me that he already posted such. trolling again, i see.

Quote by Ironic

It wasn't and isn't a cop out.

if you say so. lol

Quote by Ironic

You need to be nice to become nicer.

something you should realize, you only know me from my posts in TT. am i nice here? not particularly, but look at the people i have to deal with and maybe you'll get why. Trolls and bigots and racists (i'm not calling you any of these, btw) and misogynists and some downright nasty people - oh, and don't forget all those folks pretending to be gals with more than one account. seriously. so yeah, news to you, people who actually know me, know that i am nice. like i said, you don't know me. want to hear something funny? i assume you're nice too - just misguided.

Quote by Ironic

Also sprite:

" i don't have time to be nicer about it these days."

You'll probably have more success in getting results if you stop giving people who don't share your opinions a hard time.

if you shared my opinions, you probably wouldn't have copped out with "my work schedule doesn't allow me to do most of those things'. news for you - my daily schedule is pretty crazy too, but i still manage.

Quote by Ironic

Also sprite:

" i don't have time to be nicer about it these days."

You'll probably have more success in getting results if you stop giving people who don't share your opinions a hard time.

i didn't say "nice". I said "nicer". i think i'm plenty nice. sure, i could sweet talk you into doing the right thing, but sometimes guilt is a great motivator too, and it really didn't sound like anything i said was going to give you any kind of a push to change your behavior - and when you find yourself tilting at windmills, you just kind of stop trying to be diplomatic.

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Thank you, Jen! I'm submitting tonight or tmrw. I will of course tweak if needed to stay put of . I think I'm good though.

you are better than good. try awesome.

Quote by Ironic

I told you the interrogation's over.

aww. the old 'i can't justify it so i'm just not going to answer it' line. you've been taking lessens from Crysesist.

Quote by Ironic

Since I do try, you've got no reason to give me a hard time, which is what your interrogation has been. Yes, you aren't nice, but your lack of time doesn't justify being unpleasant to other people.

Since you know I try, you know I care. Just not the way you think I should.

how am i being unpleasant? just because you don't like what i have to say?

Quote by Ironic

Yes, that's right. Many of them don't. The ones that do, I do.

which ones don't?

Quote by Ironic

That's how you come off.

to you, perhaps, and to anyone else who doesn't care enough to try to make a difference. i'm okay with that. i don't have time to be nicer about it these days. maybe it won't convince you to do anything more, but someone else reading might go... hmm.. mesh bags. i didn't know you could get those. and the metal straws. yeah, neat. YOU will either try harder or not - i have no control over that. i may come of as virtue signaling, but at least no one can say i don't care. can you say the same?

Quote by Ironic

You already know I do. Just not as much as you want me to.

no i don't. here is what you said.

Many of the eco-alternatives don't easily fit into my work schedule. but the reusable water has worked for me for more than a year now.

i came in and give you a bunch of ideas, but you said that most of those don't fit into your work schedule (here's a link to collapsible and reusable metal straws, btw, that you can carry on a belt look or in your pocket).

https://www.amazon.com/Funbiz-Reusable-Collapsible-Stainless-Telescopic/dp/B086D7Z5SD?th=1

Quote by Ironic

^^^ That's ^^^ true!

so.. don't you want to try to not add to it, just a little?

Quote by Ironic

The interrogation is now over.

shrugs if that's what you think this is, that's on you. listen to suggestions or close your ears and ignore the issues.

Quote by Ironic

Different people do what they do using their personal priorities. Nobody knows anybody else's priorities better than the others. I don't feel a need to virtue signal to anybody since that's not one of my priorities.

so your priorities don't include trying to find ways to pollute less. got it. and i don't think it's virtual signaling to try to take care of issues with effect EVERYone living on our planet. if that's what you think this is, ok.

this is why we should all try to cut down on plastic, btw - the pacific ocean + plastic =

Quote by Ironic

Actually, I do use reusable shopping bags. Not mesh, but cloth. Insulated for the cold items.

cool - now, do you use the plastic bags they supply for your produce?

i will even help you out. buy the mesh bags - i put up a link, but it's not the only place you can get them. carry a metal straw in your car and a couple of sets of cheap silverware - keep them in the glove box or something. there, that's 3. see? i really am trying to help