Just look in this very thread, where cyclops is ripping sbergman27 a new one with each and every one of his posts, while sbergman27 is trying to play nice. That's what I'm talking about. cyclops' devotion to GPL/RMS/FSF is so strong, that it's akin to religious devotion. His furor is what you'd be hearing from a devout Muslim if he perceived that someone verbally attacked Mohammed (remember the uproar regarding Mohammed being mocked in a Danish comic strip?), or a Christian being outraged at someone questiong Christ as the true Lord and Savior. Its late I'm tired. I used the term Microsoft Zealot for the first time today, and felt dirty. I always thought the term zealot was extreme...I still do, but something is seriously messed up, and I'm now part of that problem. OS-News for me is now "No your the zealot"
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Member since:
2005-04-01
Member since:2006-03-12
Sorry thanks for the reply. I was as much trying out a feature as anything else. I have *always* objected to the term zealot or anything with religious elements on one level because I think its a nonsense. On another level I actually find it objectionable simply becuase comparing users of an alternative OS to lets be honest, terrorists is a little sick. Its hate speech.
Posts pushing the religious element have reached new heights as the new moderation system removes *any* restraint that was there before.
Member since:2005-04-01
What "new" moderation system? No one has used the new mod system besides the site admins. I hope to roll it out in the next few months.
What is all this? I'm tempted to delete it because it makes no sense whatsoever, but you have ahigh trust level so I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt.
Member since:2006-02-05
Member since:
2006-02-05
Well, I wasn't a part of the specific flame war you are referring to, but I get the overall sentiment of what you quoted.
When we are talking about big things, like the lord and master of the universe being slandered, you can kind of get why people fly off the hook the way they do. Personally, I think that He can take care of Himself in situations like that, but I can at least understand the outrage, even if I don't agree with it.
When talking about small, unimportant things, like operating systems, that kind of outrage and anger is incredibly misplaced. It's not just technology either, people elevate all sorts of things in life to the point of idolic adoration. I had a friend (ironically, who is also a Christian), who loved the Matrix flicks to that point. We walked out of Revolutions together, and I was like "Man, that blew". I almost lost him as a friend over the argument that ensued, and the only reason that I didn't was because I chose to give in when I realised just how crazy it was getting.
While I agree that terms like "zealot" are often overused, I don't agree they are misplaced. Anyone who has loyalties to that incredable level to something less then whoever or whatever they believe to be God needs to seriously take another look at their priorities. In the grand scheme of things, it really doesnt matter if a movie was great or blew, what team wins what competition, which car is better then another, or what operating system is better then another. It matters a bit, and it can be fun to discuss, but there are many, many, many things that are much more important in life.
Member since:2005-10-22
Member since:2006-02-05