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facebook follies and foibles

Concord

FGM Major
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Well, I had a first today. An old online buddy 'unfriended' me on Facebook after messaging me calling me a 'propagandist'.
Not a huge deal I suppose, but I have been thinking about it.
I didn't know him that well, but we had been gaming buddies for over a decade.
This forum has members from all over the world, and I'm interested to hear what you guys think.

I don't use facebook too much. The occasional family snap. Liking other people's posts and sometimes writing a comment.
I am also following a few news channels and some that deal with politics and world events.

This decade I have taken a greater interest in world politics. The policies and actions of all countries and governments.
I have been sharing some articles and videos to my timeline which are critical of governments around the world.

Now I am in a quandary. Do I just 'shut up' about such things? Particularly on facebook it might be wise.
Do I just quietly keep informed and say nothing about things I have read about and discovered?

I suppose that if I am going to share stuff online or even socially, I had better be prepared for the backlash.
While I am willing to discuss and debate, and share ideas, I get the impression that some people are very set in their views
and get very emotional about criticism of their chosen 'brand'. I see now why people say 'don't discuss politics'.

People praise the word patriotism. But doesn't that also mean sometimes criticising your own government, your own country?
As I said, I share posts that expose all kinds of governments' corruption, repression, violence and policies.
Here is an example of one of my favourite channels, The Juice Media, who are critical of the Australian government.

 
ARRRGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ........... Must not comment (too much :sofa:)......... :shockaroona: politics .....arrrrgggghhhhhhhhhh........gurgle, ........... nighty-night children everywhere...

(Now we've got that out of the way -> imagine hand-washing here :cool: <-
Whilst I agree with the sentiment "I'm prepared to die for the right to have and express an opinion".
There are sensible limits - which no going there today -
Of relevance here and now are twofold
1. Rules of the site -> short version = NO POLITICS,
2. Right to a refuge from said opinions :cool:,
Think that covers it, He's going to have a lie down - for everyone's good. Me I'm taking a break.. o_O)


(Oh nearly forgot - yes you're right @Concord )
 
@Nathangun A good quote that has insight for me. If you are going to stand for principles (even no brainers) you've got to be prepared to weather the storm.

@Zinzan Yeah, I'm pushing the envelope talking about this here I know. :)
However, the concept is more general than specific politics. It's about do you speak openly about things or not. Maybe I should have been an investigative journalist or a human rights lawyer.

I mentioned this to my wife, and she was very blasé about it. She has been 'unfriended' by several people and unfriended others too. People simply not wanting to see certain things. I also learned that you can secretly specify certain people to not see certain posts.

This topic of 'free speech' has been further complicated in the modern era, by fake posts, trolls, and extremism. But I don't think that important issues should be simply buried because of that. The integrity of the human race depends on it.
 
I think you should express what u think and talk about politics as long as it is in a constructive and friendly manner (no insults of personal manner). Personally I have a problem when I have the feeling that a discussion is not based on facts but more on conspire theory and rumors.

U can have your right for your own opinion not matter how wrong it is :ROFLMAO:
 
Possibly last post on this...... groan! (Hanging onto edges of ragged control here :cool:)

As Churchill once said, if you have principles you'll always have enemies.
Abso-bloody-lutely, (and enemies are great things to have.) If dangerous occassionaly - adds spice :cool:

However, the concept is more general than specific politics.
Yes it's basic to freedom as well as freedom of speech. (Can become very political fast - avoid)

This topic of 'free speech' has been further complicated in the modern era, by fake posts, trolls, and extremism. But I don't think that important issues should be simply buried because of that. The integrity of the human race depends on it
Sarcasm, insanity, irony & satire are hugely important things here...... (Safer)

U can have your right for your own opinion not matter how wrong it is :ROFLMAO:
Yeah laughable isn't it - (however it's THE most important RIGHT of all, through all time.) Speaking truth to power is dangerous, rewarding, painful, funny, heroic, deadly, insane etc........
 
OH Yes you BOTH have the right to be wrong, just doesn't ever happen that my significant other ever IS wrong. (And Dat's the TRUTH)

So you have the right to be wrong? I don't think I can float that one by the missus...
 
The internet has become a double edged sword.
It's great that everyone has a voice, but it becomes a cacophony.
There's the danger that really important stories get swamped by the storm of voices and opinions.
So often I see the comments section of posts devolve into an emotional ego-fest, and trolls abound.

In a perfect world only our brightest and best would be in positions of power, corporate and government.
But even intelligent people can make mistakes...or be psychopaths.
Many of the officers in the SS were highly educated.
There was even one nefarious twit that required everyone to address him as "Doctor Doctor" because he held two doctorates.

Most of the world's problems are complicated, with no easy solution.
One thing's for sure though, much the stuff that's being done around the world just ain't right.
And it's ordinary people that end up suffering for it.
You'd think that we could work a way out of it.
 
Two more points.

My friend challenged me on several previous posts I had shared, and I engaged him in fairly polite debates.
It forced me to research the subjects I had posted on, which made me even more informed about the topics.

Secondly, I have found political satire one of the most powerful forms of protest I have seen.
Using genuine humour to highlight issues seems to work. It usually prevents people getting too caught up in their own ego outrage long enough to listen.
 
This topic of 'free speech' has been further complicated in the modern era, by fake posts, trolls, and extremism. But I don't think that important issues should be simply buried because of that. The integrity of the human race depends on it.

This I agree with. On FB I stick to commenting on fake posts or people expressing "news" that are clearly false and easily provable as such. I do a bit of digging and posting links to the real news or the debunking. And yeah I do it to people who post crap from the "side" I agree with too. I am totally good with discussion and debate but lets start with facts please. :)


I think you should express what u think and talk about politics as long as it is in a constructive and friendly manner (no insults of personal manner).

This is key. Sometimes I find it hard to stay civil because other people don't seem to believe this :) The times I have gotten into trouble are falling into this trap my self. And by got into trouble I mean my own regrets - jackasses can go straight to hell with no sympathy from me. I feel bad when I become a jack ass too.

I did block a person that I was good friends with for many many years - he keeps posting total BS from known bad places and I'm just not policing his crap any more :)


My friend challenged me on several previous posts I had shared, and I engaged him in fairly polite debates.
It forced me to research the subjects I had posted on, which made me even more informed about the topics.

This is good how it should be. I agree many times I have learned interesting things by pointing out the folly in some article or other. Spend some fun hours reading scientific journal entries because the journalist and subsequent propaganda sites got things soooooo wrong.


Secondly, I have found political satire one of the most powerful forms of protest I have seen.
Using genuine humour to highlight issues seems to work. It usually prevents people getting too caught up in their own ego outrage long enough to listen.

Agreed - love the satire. We all need to remember that some day they will be poking fun at someone we like. When that happens we have to at least take it with some dignity or at best see the humour there.
 
I don't use facebook or twitter, for which I'm perfectly happy about - so I might be in the dark somewhat. But in general I try to avoid discussing politics in text form. The only way to have a constructive discussion that can allow for contrasting views, is done face to face with lots of time at hand. And even then, only some people are capable of having a civil discourse.
 
Politics will all raise high feelings even if you speak the truth, a lot of people don't like the truth so they get angry, Truth is we all have different feelings about subjects and if you can talk it over in a friendly way that can be a good meet up, Media sites are the worsted for discussion people say and be abusive and it can get out of control, that's why politics are not allowed to get aired on the FGM, and rightly so
 
A word from Site Supervision (until @Bootie decides to "correct" me . . . . :eek:)

Please remember that The Few Good Men is where "history and war-gaming collide"; such collision being what brings us all here in the first place. With tongue firmly in cheek, I know it can be argued that Religion and Politics play an occasional role in one or two of the wars we re-play or study. As @Hedgehog stated, FGM has done pretty well for itself avoiding religious and political discussion threads. We will leave it that way.

However, to @Concord's original post, it is fair to ask the opinions from all the thoughtful and deliberative members of our diverse group about the kinds of matters he raises. FGM is a good place for thoughtful discussion (and good music!). Here is my personal opinion separate from my duties as Site Supervisor.
  1. I dislike and don't use Facebook for many reasons, one of which is the "unfriending" @Concord experienced that seems all too prevalent there.
  2. The person who unfriended @Concord as a "Propagandist" is a shallow thinking Name-caller. He would have been much more honest and courteous to have stated that he found @Concord's opinions personally disagreeable and unsettling to his own; that "unfriending" was his way to discontinue receiving notifications of such distracting posts.
  3. From the very little I've seen, I suspect that I too would disagree with much of @Concord's opinions. However, I realize that many of my own opinions and beliefs are not shared by most of you fellow FGM'ers. I'm fine with that because the whole point of FGM is to celebrate what we have in common as historical wargamers while courteously respecting our many differences as multi-lingual, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-national fellow historical gamers.
Feel free to continue this discussion as an affirmation of genuine personal integrity and intellectually rigorous objective thinking. Please do not make it a discussion about religious matters nor political beliefs. There are myriads of other sites elsewhere on the internet much better suited for heated argument and opinionated conversations. FGM is where we set such matters aside for conviviality and gaming!

Good luck to us. :cheerso:
 
We have 19 friends on FB, thats right 19. All are family or close friends. I have stopped getting one of my friends stuff on my timeline as it's all political (And I agree with all of it BTW) But I just didn't like the sheer volume of his posts. I stay non political with 99.5% of my posts. What I do like to do is post headlines from Viable newspapers (The Toledo Blade is our hometown paper) in order to make points. I don't even "Like" some political posts from other family members as not to Piss off others. I DO put @Hedgehog funny jokes on there along with some other stuff from FGM. I use FB for communication with family/friends, but I don't do politics, it pisses everybody off. But @Concord I feel your pain. I don't use twitter, I have turns to get out......
 
I try to hold it short:

- Facebook, Twitter and all that other crap - absolutely no go
- a meaning is a meaning - that should get holded in mind by the ones who demand this from others but aren´t able to deal with other opinions as with insults and threats and more worse yet
- conspiracy theories - are only so long such kind of theories as to the point the history, time, new facts, old facts, whatever show they aren´t only theory - until then it can be good entertainment
- thought terminating/killing cliches/arguments - no go - we have to deal all the time with it if politics, religions or similar stuff is "discussed" - What is the problem to go with different opinions? In fact that thought terminating "arguments" were reason for much woe in the world.
- most people are very set in their views - otherwise we had only geniusses (is that the right plural for genius) on the world
- stay/stick/stand to/by Your opinion - but not on Facebook and the other crap - do it in Your daily life and give a good example for/to others (that´s the only way)

So to answer Your intial statement/question I cite two Germans: Konrad Adenauer "Wer den Mund spitzt, muĂź auch pfeifen. Worte sind billig, es mĂĽssen den Worten Taten folgen!" and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe "Der Worte sind genug gewechselt, laĂźt mich auch endlich Taten sehn! Indes Ihr Komplimente drechselt, kann etwas nĂĽtzliches geschehn." - Free translated: Konrad Adenauer "Who purse his lips, has also to whistle" and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe "There were enough talking, now let me see deeds instead/as well! During You shape compliments something useful could happen/get done."

Greetings
 
We have 19 friends on FB, thats right 19. All are family or close friends. I have stopped getting one of my friends stuff on my timeline as it's all political (And I agree with all of it BTW) But I just didn't like the sheer volume of his posts. I stay non political with 99.5% of my posts. What I do like to do is post headlines from Viable newspapers (The Toledo Blade is our hometown paper) in order to make points. I don't even "Like" some political posts from other family members as not to Piss off others. I DO put @Hedgehog funny jokes on there along with some other stuff from FGM. I use FB for communication with family/friends, but I don't do politics, it pisses everybody off. But @Concord I feel your pain. I don't use twitter, I have turns to get out......
Like you Dave I use FB I put funny things on, plus other bits and pieces, purely for friends and family, Photo's are shared, good way of keeping up with distant friends and family, like most things in this life they can get abused, for me I try not make waves, politics can be a storm,
 
I don't mind political discussions, as long as they are kept civil and rational, and as @A Canadian Cat said, are backed by actual facts. My own personal political views are on the conservative side of Moderate, but not extreme by any rational definition.

I also love satire and political humor, from both sides. :)

As for Facebook, I used it for about a year, noted that I had about a hundred "friends", some of which I would barely call acquaintances, and decided to delete my account several years ago (actually doing so isn't as easy as you might think, because FB doesn't want you to). If FB continues to be "a thing" (young people seem to not care much about it these days) I may consider starting a new account, just to keep up with actual friends and family.
 
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