| Author |
Message |
    
Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 3420
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: 
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 20, 2007 - 11:06 am: | 
|
I think it is important.
Because it represents a think tank in a way. Black people have dedicated lots of time to fightin dancin marchin shoutin prayin but very little to discussin and THINKIN.
It is important to have a forum in which issues and things are discussed. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 6832
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 20, 2007 - 01:13 pm: |
|
Yea, chrishayden, and it's too bad that you immediately label anybody who doesn't adhere to your way of thinking as a "self-loathing negro". |
Yvettep
Veteran Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1584
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: 
Votes: 3 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 12:56 pm: |
|
CHris, I am not sure how you are using the term "think tank" here. The way I understand the term, TC is definitely not a think tank. It is what it is, which is a discussion forum.
Different folks seem to use the discussions for different purposes. I think most would count entertainment, information exchange, simple diversion, self-promotion as goals. To some extent "community building" or "social networking" or a similar term might also be what many use TC for as long as you conceptualize these terms in the newer "cyber" sense.
|
Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 3426
Registered: 03-2004
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2007 - 11:25 am: |
|
No, Cynique:
I only lable YOU a self loathing Negro--but you LOOOOOOOVE me so you ain't all bad. |
Emanuel
Regular Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 269
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2007 - 12:03 pm: |
|
I think it's important because we get to learn about good books that might not appear on bestsellers list and may have slipped under the radar. The discussions on the state of books written by African Americans are priceless. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 6867
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2007 - 12:15 pm: |
|
I notice you had no snappy comeback for what Yvette posted, chrishayden, but what else can be expected from someone who imagines any self-respecting woman would actually love him. snort. |
Yvettep
Veteran Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1589
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2007 - 02:44 pm: |
|
Now hold up, Cynique, I ain't tryna get in the middle of you and Chris LOL. I honestly was not looking for a snappy comeback or anything. I am honestly trying to figure out how he sees TC as a sort of "think tank."
In my mind, in think tanks people apply their intellectual powers, debate, etc to pressing problems that they then create specific policy recommendations about. Certainly I think many here at TC could be part of such an organization (what do you say, Troy? LOL) but that is not what I see this site as right now.
But again, maybe I am just not fully understanding the point Chris was trying to make. |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 3128
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2007 - 04:14 pm: |
|
I think that Chris thinks that we are the world's greatest thinkers  |
Yvettep
Veteran Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1591
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 09:46 am: |
|
LOL! It's settled, then. Let's get moving on those policy briefs and white papers. (Or, er, "black papers"... LOL!) |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 8028
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 10:48 am: |
|
I don't think of TC as a think tank either (though, I'm generally quite suspicious of body of people who proudly calls themself such). At best, TC is a good place to obtain some fairly entertaining food-for-thought. |
Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 3437
Registered: 03-2004
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 01:09 pm: |
|
OK--Maybe it is not a formal think tank, but ideas are broached here, even if you have to infer what the principle is from the post.
And it is a gauge of what people are thinking--
Is it what People are thinking?
Or black people who are on the internet (and who like literature) are thinking? |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 502
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 26, 2007 - 02:56 pm: |
|
Obviously I think TC is important or I would not be so willing to pull what little hair I have left out trying to keep TC up and running and preventing it from sliding into complete debauchery -- but that is my administrator’s hat.
As a visitor I really do enjoy the no-holds barred expression of ideas. I think this form of “I’m not biting my tongue” expression is the purer that what one would get in the physical space. Whether it is the fear of getting your ass kicked or respect to elders we necessarily throttle back on expression – to keep the peace. From what I’ve read that does not happen here.
People can passionately disagree, on a topic, but the readers of the discussion can hear opposing points of views debated – throw in the humor and you have an interesting mix. I wish I had the time to figure out how to bottle this stuff and put it one paper. It is not uncommon for me to print a 10, 20 page post to read off-line. I also like the fact that I can pick up a conversation (like this one) days after it ended and someone may reply without missing a beat. I also like the fact that I can easily fire up another window and Google information to support a point I’m making. This is a whole new way of communicating that is just impossible in the physical space.
I also noticed in the physical world I’m able to look at a subject from more angles (the same actually happens when you read too, but TC is usually more fun). It is like mental chess, you can look deeper because you’ve been exposed to more points of views and you’ve had your views challenged.
I have noticed however this form of exchange is not for everyone – even under the cloak of anonymity. Some people just can’t take the criticism. There was an article in this weeks WSJ that spoke about the appropriateness of crying on the job. Apparently it is not uncommon for people to breakdown in tears during an review (even a favorable one). Younger people if seems were socialized in a environment where they were never criticized. I’ve read where some teacher can’t even use a red pen
Shiiiit, when I was a kid all we did was talk bad about each other – for fun. In most respects I think the overall effect was negative, but in some ways there may have been a positive effect. I know, for example, no one I grew up with (male or female) with would be crying during a review on the job! If anything we might be waiting for that person outside the office after work – but crying heck no…
At any rate I enjoy TC and believe it is important.
As an administrator I just wish I did not have to ban so many people lately and I wish all spammers would go somewhere and die.
de |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 6967
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 26, 2007 - 04:54 pm: |
|
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, Troy. Thumper's Corner came way before "America Idol" and is in the vangard of the "delusion-deflating-bubble-bursting" media. As you imply, self esteem can become a casuality here. Posters soon learn that, whether responses to opinions be in the mode of Simon or Paula, all preconceived notions, partisian view points, unsolicited advice and self-righteous hypocrisy will be subjected to the slings and arrows of criticism, ridicule, rebuttal and - bizarre pictures replete with profane rants. And like that other TV staple, "Survivor", alliances will be formed, sides taken, and loyalities strained. As I have previous noted, this site is like a cyber arena where ideas clash amidst a battle of words and bruised egos, and the only weapons necessary are a keyboard and a keen mind. As a time-worn veteran I thank you, Troy Johnson, for providing me with an outlet for my unbridled cynicism.  |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 508
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, February 01, 2007 - 09:20 am: |
|
Thanks Cynique |
Email This Page