No more Ms Nice Grl

I'm getting really tired of the BS

You know, I've been blogging for about a month now.

At first I was totally intimidated by some bloggers - I had to read their stuff over a couple of times before I got the point of what they were talking about, and then I didn't dare respond for fear of getting shot down in flames. All in all, I felt pretty un-intelligent and slow-witted.

There are people here who I think are truly brilliant, way smarter than I am or will ever be, and there are people here who I think probably have the IQ of a peanut. It doesn't matter to me. There are people who are right wing, those who are left, bloggers that are devout Christians and are sure that those who are not are all destined for hell...straight bloggers, queer bloggers, old and young bloggers...a myriad of people who come here to write, for whatever reason they may have. Each person's blog is the way they want it to be, and as far as I'm concerned there's room for all. I read (or try to read) what they write, I try to understand their point of view, especially if it's wildly different from my own..and if I think I have something to add, I do.

In have come to realize in the past couple of weeks, however, that there are certain bloggers on here who's sole aim, it seems, is to make themselves seem intellectually superior to everyone else. It doesn't matter what the topic is, they're there with a comment, usually something that they think is stunningly intelligent or incredibly witty - but to me comes over as pretentious and irritating. They nit-pick at little things instead of dealing with the subject matter of the blog, and criticize everyone's ideas/thoughts/dreams/feelings.....

..and I'm tired of it. Why do people feel the need to do that? I'm not talking about debating here, I'm talking about being pompous and arrogant, about having little or no respect for a person's feelings just as long as you get your comment in there and stun us all with your superior intellect...or what you consider to be your superior intellect, anyway.

I think it's BS, and I think I'm going to start calling it as I see it. I haven't been 'Ms Nice Grl' in the past couple of days, and I have to admit it's been kind refreshing. Yes, I got a little criticism for something I said that wasn't too pleasant, but hey...I'm not perfect and I don't make myself out to be...

..unlike some people.
5,077 views 30 replies
Reply #1 Top
so you're going to point out the arrogance of other bloggers by being arrogant? sorry... just calling it like I see it...

I hope i'm not guilty of this atrocity that you're referring to... and if i am, i hope you point it out to me...

at the same time, i hope that you don't feel the need to be anything other than the nice sweet dharmagrl that we all know and love...

just a thought
Reply #2 Top
no, I'm not going to be arrogant...I don't think I know how! I'm just tired of keeping my mouth shut and feeling intimidated...so I'm not going to do it anymore.

No, MJ it's not you. If it were you I would tell you, of course I would.

I am who I am....I can't be anything else...and you think I'm sweet?! Thank you! I'm sure Dave would argue with you about that one...!
Reply #3 Top
lots and lots of truth.   FIrst "insightful" i've given in a while.
Reply #4 Top
Thanks, Jeremy.

It's not you, either, btw.
Reply #5 Top
Hear hear. I'm still hanging back, but I'm slowly getting to the point you're at. However, I live by the mantra that unless I have something nice to say, I'd rather stay silent. I've learnt a while ago that no matter how hard I try, I won't change the way people view certain issues and I'd rather not turn into a zealot and preach what I think is right, as that would put me in the same league as they are, something I try to steer clear of.
Reply #6 Top
Yea, I agree, and I'm not going to go be mean to people just because...that's just wrong, you know? I am, however, going to start speaking up a little more.

I'm just really tired of seeing other people's blogs get picked to bits and condemned by a few 'elitists' who think they're superior to everyone else.
Reply #7 Top
yeah, dharma, I write what I feel, and I write for ME. If other people get some enjoyment out of it, hey, that's great too, but I don't write for the crappy people in the world.
Reply #8 Top
I strongly agree with the article but since you're not lacking for approbation, let me throw in two cents worth of response.

I think that sometime, mental heavyweights feel the need to stop moving boxes and pump some iron. Test out their maxes. Exert their strength. Sometimes, I believe, JoeUser is that venue, not a true expression of their mind but rather a tool by which they can be clever and devious just for the sake of being clever and devious.

Please note that I don't commend that behavior, but I understand and have certainly been guilty of it in the past. Also, just so I don't sound too arrogant, when I say "mental heavyweight," what I mean is somebody whose primary is strength is their mind.

That's what I think. Great post, and it was also my first insightful in quite some time.

~Dan
Reply #9 Top
mental heavyweight... I like that...

i wish i could bench more
Reply #10 Top
The problem with mental heavyweights is the brand of humor...

I have posted overly witty remarks, which a majority of people have appreciated and laughed, but someone who doesn't understand that form of humor will disregard as a blatant insult, and an Internet fight will surely ensue... And it has worked the other way around i am sure, because sometimes wit is lost in translation.

Dharma, tell it like it is, you have nothing to be afraid of here. Besides, i have got your back...

and if its me!!!! i apologise profusely! but i dont think it is, i just thought i would add that discalimer

BAM!!!
Reply #11 Top
I think that sometime, mental heavyweights feel the need to stop moving boxes and pump some iron. Test out their maxes. Exert their strength. Sometimes, I believe, JoeUser is that venue, not a true expression of their mind but rather a tool by which they can be clever and devious just for the sake of being clever and devious.


Dan Kaschel is the smartest person he's ever met.
Reply #12 Top
I have been experiencing different blogs lately and I found big difference with JoeUSer. The structure of JU is between forum and blog, and lead to articles, highly opiniated and highly discussed. JUis actually an arena in the old greek democraty style, and the point system actually allow to show the winners. That has qualities and flaws. but actually heavyweight people can come here for exercising themself and mesure their ability.
In other blog, you tend to explore new blogger using the blogroll, and most of the people have more than 20 favorite blogs. You don't see that much here because the title allows and the category allow you to pick up the "fight" you are in mood to wage. I think that system breed a little of arrogance and a little of agressivity too. At the end, it is a "balls" game, but with a brain behind a keyboard.


Reply #13 Top
There are flaws in all blogsites, but it is fun for me to blog here. I try not to nitpick but I've been opinionated all my life and think I'm an expert on everything. So I'm sure I annoy some people. But over all I think it is great fun. I love your comments Dharmagrl so keep on making them.
Sherye
Reply #14 Top
Yep. Agreed. Don't sweat the insults. Speak your mind and then walk away if you need to.

If JoeUser is a venue for mental heavyweights to exert their strength, professional wrestling is ballet. Sorry I will stick to stopping Moving Boxes.
Reply #15 Top
Wait... I think I forgot what this blog was about...

~Dan
Reply #16 Top
Hey, where is the IQ of a peanut midget in a tutu going to hell line? I'm lost. :o(
Reply #17 Top
You are aptly named.

~Dan
Reply #18 Top
Yes, he is.
Reply #19 Top
I don't tend to feel intimidated. I know I have strengths in some subjects and not in others. Noone is strong on every subject (even if they think they are).

Dharma, you are very insightful in manners that are different than a lot of the "mental heavy weights" that you are referring to. I don't see why you should ever feel intimidated either.
Reply #20 Top
It's not so much that I feel intimidated...I just don't know enough about some subjects to get into deating issues with seasoned debaters (read Brad, Baker, Steven etc etc).

There are some bloggers here who, like I said, seem to want us to bow down at worship at the altar of their intelligence...but like the Wizard Of Oz, that intellect is usually smoke and mirrors consisting of long, seldom used words and ideas that are repeated parrot-fashion without any real individual input. They're kids, most of them, trying to throw their weight around with idealistic ideas about the world and what's in it ...when they themselves have yet to dip as much as a big toe into the vast ocean that is the real world. Idealism is fine, but add to it self-righteousness without the benefit of experience...that's the recipe that really pisses me off. Makes me want to yell at them to go away and come back when they've grown up a bit, dig?
Reply #21 Top
They're kids, most of them, trying to throw their weight around with idealistic ideas about the world and what's in it ...when they themselves have yet to dip as much as a big toe into the vast ocean that is the real world. Idealism is fine, but add to it self-righteousness without the benefit of experience...that's the recipe that really pisses me off. Makes me want to yell at them to go away and come back when they've grown up a bit, dig?


Dharma~You took the words right out of my mouth (as usual). Are you sure we are not related somehow? Because I wish we were. The world (and especially the cyberworld) would seem a heck of a lot kinder and wiser with more smart and down to earth folks like you in it. Your wisdom, intelligence, and humility truly take my breath away. Now will someone please put John Lennon's "Imagine" on for a little background music, and let's all learn to live together in a more civil and peaceful fashion, huh? I've said it before, and I will say it again~there's only one Dharma: Let us never take her for granted. Ever.

~MadPoet
Reply #22 Top
If Dharma wasn't my daughter i would suggest that you attempt to court her Madpoet, but you wouldn't try anything like that with my daughter would you old chap.

But on the subject of your article, who are these people who you think consider themselves superior? i think you should name them dear girl
Reply #23 Top
Aww, Mad, you pay me far too many compliments. Did you read my poems? Please, give me your input...no-one had respond so far, and I'm getting really hesitant to post anything else in that genre...
Reply #24 Top
Sir Peter~you are correct (as always). I understand that I am just a lowly peasant, and would never degrade the fair Maxwell name by attempting to court Dharma. Please forgive me if I wasn't all that clear on that point? I mean, my father was a musician, and my mother~a waitress! (And as if that's not bad enough, they both ultimately became chronic alcoholics and nearly drank themselves to death!) I myself am a shameless college drop-out. And a recovering alcoholic. Plus I'm an American. So you need not fear that I will go chasing after the wise and fair Dharma. BTW? If you would be ever so kind as to put in a brief appearance at the Society~I am curious to know what you think of my humble little Staff list? And would it be acceptable to you if we used your magnificent name as part of our mission statement? How about this: Friends Of Sir Peter Maxwell Society~Live and Let Live. Then Let Them Eat Cake! (Do pop in, and let us know what you think~Sir Peter. We're located in the humor section, so you might have to do a bit of a search! But we are well worth the effort~no finer Society has ever attempted to exist! In fact, our very own Dharma is the House Speaker! ) Hope to see you soon? And Chin up! I knew you would never cave in to all these petty pressures you are so bravely coming to terms with. I mean, there is only one Sir Peter Maxwell in all the world! Don't you agree?

Dharma~I will read (and fall in love with) your most recent poems ASAP. I am truly shocked that more people are not taking a peek? But please take heart! Nobody seems to like poetry anymore. And most poets come to a very sad and tragic end. You already mentioned the great Sylvia Plath? Then there's Anne Sexton. John Barryman. Dylan Thomas~all destroyed by the brutal world! But we will somehow survive! I mean, you have saved my wretched life more than once~and I always promise to do the same for you~dear Dharma. Let us stick together, and not allow the world to make us too depressed! Chin up, and all the rest...

~MadPoet
(President Of The Friends Of Sir Peter Maxwell Society, U.S.A.)
Reply #25 Top
I was looking for you, Mad...I'm glad I found you, I need a seasoned eye and ear to read what I wrote.

In light of this blog about no more Ms Nice Grl, I just let fly at marvin on his blog about what will happen if gay marriage is legalized - and I'm not proud of myself. i held back as much as i could, but right now i just want to hurt him..i mean physically hurt him. that man has the ability to piss me off like no other...!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!