McClean whinging again.

[howdydoo]

An interesting point. In the last few years, I have actually come to believe it is overwhelmingly probable that we live in a simulation.

Why so worried about Vaterland, he's a big boy. I'm the one getting all the aggression on here, yet all I'm doing is giving a robust critique.

Stop griping about aggression. You're behind a keyboard FFS. You're a big girl now.

[howdydoo]

An interesting point. In the last few years, I have actually come to believe it is overwhelmingly probable that we live in a simulation.

Why so worried about Vaterland, he's a big boy. I'm the one getting all the aggression on here, yet all I'm doing is giving a robust critique.

....... and I have sneaking suspicion you might be right about simulation.

[Brin]

CAM made that comment in the context of having directly pointed out that you had abused your new moderator powers.

I find it funny when people try to argue they're fishing. I'm always happy to bite, so well done!

The problem is, on this occasion I don't think you were joking, and I think you're hiding behind that as you're a bit embarrassed again as you realise you were subtly hinting at abusing your moderator status in an attempt to shape the discussion more to your liking.

I only say that, because as I have shown, you do have previous with abusing your powers.

You’re my bestest intellectual person on here 🥸…you’re my hero 😍

[vaterland_miller]

LOL. You actually believe this don't you?

You must have conveniently forgotten about the dark ages. There is a clear correlation between secularism and the advancement of technology.

On CRT, I went to Clifton Comp in the 90s, one of the worst performing in the town.

I know full well how tough working-class white kids from Rotherham have it.

Do you think a working-class person with otherwise identical qualifications, experiences, and personality as me, but of Pakistani ancestry, has otherwise identical prospects at a job interview?

Let me put that question a different way...

If the people of millers mad were collectively interviewing for a job, and they have identical working-class candidates in all areas except ethnicity... who do you think they would hire?

We know the answer. Acknowledging and being aware of these things isn't racist. Not that that's necessarily what CRT is.

My point is, just because white working-class people also have it tough, it doesn't mean we can't also consider the implications of race in our society.

No other civilization in the world produced the science and technology that came via our culture. And that was in spite of the Greeks, the Arabs and the Chinese etc having a head start (by at least the odd thousand or two thousand years).

Having been the equivalent of a Pakistani in a highly xenophoebic European country for more years than I care to remember, I can sincerely say that I have never felt a need for the support of Woke warriors with their rainbow flags. I have overcome, what I see as understandable antagonism (even hatred) of some of my hosts by being nice and polite and respectful. And do you know what, it works and the animosity disappears and people say "I don't like the English but you're OK". And that is how to integrate - not by having sanctimonious (I like that word - thanks Howdydoo) but nasty social engineers "helping" by terrorizing the locals.

[Brin]

Ian Barraclough has been sacked by the Irish FA. Maybe McClean might fancy taking this on?

[John2]

Stop griping about aggression. You're behind a keyboard FFS. You're a big girl now.

I wasn't griping, just pointing out the inconsistency.

To be fair I take the flak I get on here quite well, if I'm being really honest have to admit it often makes me smile.

[John2]

No other civilization in the world produced the science and technology that came via our culture. And that was in spite of the Greeks, the Arabs and the Chinese etc having a head start (by at least the odd thousand or two thousand years).

Your delusion over the role of Christianity in the technological revolution is hilarious.

By your logic, anything that has changed is automatically credited to Christianity.

In reality, we had 1800 years where Christianity ruled in Europe and very little progress was made.

The thing that distinguishes Europe from those other cultures you mention was the Age of Enlightenment when Christianity started to lose its dominance.

You really should look up some basic history.

[Heliosphan]

I don't use MillersMad as a popularity contest, you must all have realised I've never made being popular something I've prioritised on here. I have had some fascinating conversations and insights though and I am grateful for the interactions I get to have.

No you don't use it to be popular. You use it to to boost your ego and pull people down. You must literally scour the board daily for OT posts and if there's any chance to antagonise someone then you do so. You're subtle in how you do it and hide it within the premise of debate, but that's what you do.

Your reaction here is a bit dramatic though don't you think? You're literally calling for people expressing minority opinions to be banned. Ironic given the free speech context of the discussion. A rather fascist tone. Maybe fascism is in the majority here?

How have you misunderstood a point which was so explicit? He doesn't want to ban people expressing minority opinions, so stop wittering on about fascism. He wants to ban YOU because you're a self-serving, wretch of a human being who gets his kicks out of demeaning others.

I do worry that some people get way too emotionally invested. It's just a forum. It's never worth getting worked up about the text that someone else has written. We do all support the same team and have more in common than divides us.

Just a forum he says. This from someone going to the trouble of digging up old posts and getting all concerned that someone might abuse their power as a mod! Also someone who simply cannot avoid having the last word in any debate. You must worry that people will think you 'lost ' the debate if you don't respond. That just wouldn't do for your online persona would it John. It's just a forum though.

Believe it or not, I'm actually a lot more likeable and less sanctimonious in "real life".

Even admits he's sanctimonious. I would also add narcissistic to that as well. There's definitely some kind of personality disorder going on.

[John2]

No you don't use it to be popular. You use it to to boost your ego and pull people down. You must literally scour the board daily for OT posts and if there's any chance to antagonise someone then you do so. You're subtle in how you do it and hide it within the premise of debate, but that's what you do.

Hmm, I'm unsure what my motivations are, but I'll try to be honest. I don't think I do it for ego, because I evidently care very little what people think of my persona here. Yes, my posts antagonise, but I think my primary motivation is for the debate, to expose people to other perspectives, and a genuine curiosity to how people react and handle having their perspectives challenged in a reasoned way.

Human nature gets in the way sometimes, and I invariably rub some people the wrong way, and I know I'm doing it. However, I only ever do that when I think the person is "fair game", in the sense that they've been quite abrasive, rude, or ignorant. Maybe it serves my ego, but I don't think that's why I post.

I think a way that I'm quite different from people who post on here is I never take it to heart. I can honestly say I never get worked up. I barely even give millersmad a second thought until I pop back into it from time to time when I have a little moment.

I do of course check the OT threads, and contribute where I think there is interesting (to me) discussion to be had. I do that with on topic threads too, I just feel I have less to contribute there other than adding how good I thought Victor was again.

So you're right, I do go on threads that interest me to comment on them, but that's a bit of a redundant statement, because that's what we all do, because that's what a forum is.

(you're a) wretch of a human being who gets his kicks out of demeaning others.

That's a bit harsh, but it's water off a duck's back! I don't think it's fair to say I demean others.

I do "know what I'm doing", but I don't demean people. I interact robustly with people who are looking to engage, and I can see how that could come across. But I am quite sincere in my beliefs, and I do try to be fair, and I do respect people.

Just a forum he says. This from someone going to the trouble of digging up old posts and getting all concerned that someone might abuse their power as a mod! Also someone who simply cannot avoid having the last word in any debate. You must worry that people will think you 'lost ' the debate if you don't respond. That just wouldn't do for your online persona would it John. It's just a forum though.

Let me explain the search feature. It's very easy to use. You click on Advanced search, I typed the word "delete", and then the user "john2" and I knew I would find the thread in question. It literally took about 5 seconds.

I do like to have the last word. Maybe it's narcissism, who knows? I must admit, as you can say many things about me, but I do like to be honest... I sometimes think "do I really need to do this last reply", and then I think "yeah, why not, I've come this far". You can call it many things, determination, stubbornness, pig-headed. Maybe narcissistic in the context of this forum. Probably all fair descriptors.

You might not believe me, but I can honestly say I never make the last post because I'm worried I've lost the debate. Heck, with my level of narcissism, I come away from every post feeling like I've been shooting fish in a barrel. Just kidding there.

Even admits he's sanctimonious. I would also add narcissistic to that as well. There's definitely some kind of personality disorder going on.

Personality disorder . Quite a strong diagnosis from a few paragraphs of content on a football message board per week! But hey, maybe!

For the record, I don't think of myself above anyone at all. I think as humans we are all equal. I feel very lucky to have access to the opportunities, experiences and lifestyle that I do. I must admit I often feel like I have a better understanding of certain issues than people I debate with, but that is what it is. It's not arrogant or belittling if it's true. The same is true in reverse, most here are way more knowledgeable about football than me, so I don't express strong opinions and accept that reality.

[Heliosphan]

John, thanks for the honest response. It was an interesting read.