This is the Thread Where I Say Pt 28: My Pimp Hand is Strong

Tina got a big ole butt
I know I told you I'd be true
But Tina got a big ole butt
So I'm leavin' you...

Hi, wow, unsolicited hostility.

Let me respond to your post in a sort-of general way before I tackle a few points individually. To the personal charges of negative attitude and elitism I have little to offer in my defense except for this: I find it useless in any discourse to challenge the speaker’s intention rather than responding to their stated point. If you find my style elite or negative I’m largely unconcerned, but I think that may be the kind of sentiment better kept unexpressed. Electronic media are (obviously) terrible for conveying tone, subtext, and intention and seem to have a way of exacerbating skirmishes into bulge-battles. And if you /do/ already find me a snobby pessimist, I’m sorry, but I’m more concerned with expressing my frustration at this discussion ( which others mentioned on Tuesday’s class) than the tone of my response.

Now, I think I want to go through your suggestions in-line, so I’ll apologize preemptorily for cutting-up your text.

If you do not listen to the people that have already spoken on the discussion board (i.e., read the other posts) and incorporate what they have said in your response, and just speak, that is not a discussion. It is a monolog. [sic]

I totally agree, XXXXXX, and that is why my last three posts have been direct reponses to the questions / points others have raised. I went back to check them, too. I was hoping, in all cases, that the original posters would reply to me, but I’m batting 0 for 3. In each case I’ve quoted the speaker’s original text - doing to a lesser extent what I’m doing here - and responded after ample thought.

Just because you may have to read a paragraph or more, rather than a sentence or two that constitutes a “post” on other discussion boards, and based on the fact that you can not tack on a simple “yeah, I saw that movie too” and call it a “response” as they may do on other boards, does not mean this forum can not work for discussion.

Your snarky quotes around post aside, I think your assessment of all internet movie boards as thoughtless, rapid-fire, and vacuous forums for single-line response is totally baseless. I’ve never once typed-out as facile a response as ‘yeah, I saw that movie too’ and doubt that anybody would in any of the other forums where I work. Beyond the pervasive and uncritical fan culture which has swept-up the popular conception of internet discussion, there are tremendously academic, thoughtful, and articulate discussions which I’d advise you to research before your blanket dismissal.

Second, a post needs to consist of actual substance and have a point of view or stance on some subject. It can not just be random thoughts loosely strung together. These types of post say nothing that another person can agree or disagree with. It leaves nothing for anyone to build on.

As a courtesy to you, XXXX, I read all of your previous posts before responding to this one. I credit you with taking strong and arguable positions every time, and with stating upfront your thesis statement. Nevertheless, I couldn’t help noticing that you despite your insistance that posters refer to previous statements, you never seem to do this yourself. Given the changing role of the board in our class, this is excusable thus far, but it does very little with furthering the discussion. ‘Actual substance’ too, is a problematic charge on a board in which many of the contributions are reconstituted, cut-and-dried, or what-have-you. Posts, for instance, stating that Griffith was a master inventor who contributed much to film lexicon but are culturally idiotic and offensive are themselves lacking in ‘actual substance’ because the points are so utterly obvious.

Finally, I suggest you check your negative attitude, preconceived notions as to what constitutes a discussion board, elitist ideas of how to run a film discussion board, at the door and actually spend as much time concentrating on the technical, social, economic, political and historical impact that silent film has had on cinema history,

Each of my posts previous to the one on this Week 5 discussion has done, I hope, just this. As a matter of fact, this is /exclusively/ what I’ve concerned myself with.

and possibly how these pictures have paved the way for you to have the opportunity to study and create films presently. If you would actually concern yourself with content of the course, rather than the form it may have,

I don’t find these as seperable discussions as you seem to, Dean, and think that the content of a course is largely guided by its form. Wanting to engage in a discussion of pedegogy doesn’t suggest I’m unconcerned with the content at all, but (to my eyes) indicates an attempt to actively engage with it.

you may be surprised at what an organic and inartificial experience this class may create for you and your classmates.

I hope so, XXXX.

...

I don’t find these as seperable discussions as you seem to, [XXXX], and think that the content of a course is largely guided by its form. Wanting to engage in a discussion of pedegogy doesn’t suggest I’m unconcerned with the content at all, but (to my eyes) indicates an attempt to actively engage with it.

Nice.

In other news, Hi everyone! I find my pimp hand is strong, but my pimp spirit is weak.

...Catch my drift?

You're the type of guy that likes to drink Olde English
I'm the type of guy to cold put on a pamper
You're the type of guy to say, "What you talkin bout?"
I'm the type of guy to leave my drawers in your hamper

I'm that type of guy

I am the worst influence on you love...

However, if you are going to cite the brilliant work of documentary filmmaker Brent Owens, this is an important distinction:

Hoe:

http://www.pointshop.com/id-1018//ImgUpload/P_335605_352423.jpg

Ho:

ihttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/ashbyman/004-01.jpg

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Blast.

many xposts

Also: People, please tell me if this is a good idea or not.

And Mark, responding to your query re: Wes Wehmiller -- yes, I did hear the news about his passing. It was very sad.

---

It's 8.53pm, CST, and in 2 hours I have to leave for a film shoot. I'll be gaffing for a stupid advertisement from 11:30pm until 8:30am. After that I have 30 minutes to sleep, then at 9:00 I have to leave for class. I'll be the first person on the planet to admit poor judgement/conversation/motor skills on limited sleep, and I'm dreading tomorrow. Fucking dud, ehh? This is the first time since '01 I'll pull an all-nighter without the aid of contraband psychotropics, and I'm a little worried I might go kinda crazy on like 25+ hours w/o sleep. Am I being paranoid, or is this a legitimate concern?

Actually, I'm really hoping on getting some people to join this community and bring to me what it is that I have been so desperately seeking, i.e. a fan-centric place to discuss fan-centric issues in an intelligent yet slightly exuberant and biased manner. It's really not much use trying to elicit that sort of thing from the people who hang out on this forum, so hopefully LJ might provide me with it instead.

And as for what you're going to be doing -- HOLY CRAP, I wish you the best of luck in attempting to get through that kind of day. Holy cow. I hope you'll be able to get some rest after all that.

I wonder if Remy got any sleep last night. Or are you still up?

I keep wanting to ask for opinions in general about company/product naming. I'm trying to come up with a name for my book projects (since I think that just calling it "Sgs's-real-name Books" is boring) and keep hitting on good things that then don't pass a quick google test. The latest possibility is Counterweight. I've picked out a drawing to use as logo thing: http://www.strangehorizons.com/2002/20020819/first.jpg and were "perpetual motion" not already claimed by a similar indie-press initiative, I'd have chosen that.

I keep making lists of cool words that relate tangentially to the little machine design. It reminds me of trying to come up with band names. I have also discovered I have a fondness for silent letters, particularly silent Gs.

I also just achieved a possible low point in my life by cutting my mouth on a spork. For fuck's sake.

Have you tried going back to sleep? It's the only thing that'll make the suffering stop. Unless you can masturbate successfully, that'll help for a few minutes at least.

So i have this pic as my wallpaper here at work. Yesterday I needed tech support to fix something on my pc...they can access the pc remotely and see your whole screen. So the tech support guy asks me if thats me. I tell him no and he says "oh I just thought you were really full of yourself." Fuck you cocknocker.

OH! And talk about your full-circle moments -- I assume that some of you checked out that Seona Dancing fansite that's out there -- WELL... the owner/operator of that fansite is, according to what I see of her LJ, A TOTAL DURAN FANATIC! She also loves other artists, but... damn... you should go to her site, click on the LJ link therein, and see for yourselves.

Anyway, I wish I could add more to this entry, but I'm supposed to run a half billion errands before going off to a friend's son's birthday party, so I'm off like a bad toupee! (Oh yeah, and I finally caught up with this thing! Yay!)

Dee-did you get the email I sent you?!

First thing I discovered this am is that the company I used to work for, and own shares in, is being bought. Which, I think, means I am obliged to sell my shares to the buyer at 300p per share. Which is a shame, as I bought them at 316p a share. But hey ho - it's hardly my biggest shares disaster...

I have avoided share disasters by the strategy known as 'buying shares never once in your life crossing your mind'.

Matt just paid me a surprise visit at work which was the best thing to happen to a Monday in ages. Especially as we are closed to students so I could just lock up and go for a looonnnngg coffee break with him. Wedding website under construction as we speak, and live webcast booked. Watch this space!

If you want to talk about your five weeks of paid holiday, do it somewhere other than beside me, who gets ZERO paid holidays.

Thanks,

Which is how I feel, some days.