Author Topic: Enter the Contrarian  (Read 6752 times)

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GAY

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Enter the Contrarian
« on: April 25, 2013, 01:17:45 PM »
Enter the Contrarian
or
The Case for the Ignore Feature

Preface (a letter to --this user currently ignored--)
Dear --this user currently ignored--,
You're going to want to take credit for this thread, as you are admittedly one of the catalysts in the decision to write it.
DON'T.
All you are is the catalyst...another contrarian in a long line of contrarians I've known in my middle-aged life. There will be others, sure as there will always be people with low self-esteem who need to make themselves feel better by differentiating from the "pack" (read: common wisdom, knowledge, vernacular and/or sense).


Hello fellow SLAP message board contributors and lurkers. I love the SLAP boards as they've become a place for me to voice my opinion, albeit rather anonymously; creating another virtual identity (GAY, in my case, --this user currently ignored-- in the case of the subject of my thread) with which I gain a voice I might not have in my real life, one where I can throw jokes around that would never fly in my workplace or home. In short, SLAP lets me be the person I'd like to be in real life due to the opaque veil of my avatar and computer screen but can't be due to the constricts placed upon me by society, my job, my family, or my own head. Sure, there are posters here who will claim that "they the realest niggas in da game" and that they would take any rap artist on in a freestyle battle or tell Lizard King to his face that he's a bitch. THEY'RE LYING. Everybody becomes a bitch when they're trying to impress somebody, be it at a job interview, hanging with the bros or attending a skate demo. Those who don't are sociopaths.

That being said, if you've been paying even a small amount of attention to the forum lately you'll notice that one poster has been doing a whole lot of attention getting 'round here lately. This attention gain is due to its ability to figure out what we collectively like or dislike (i.e.; so and so's bunk last trick) and then create a thread with a title carefully crafted to elicit an emotional response from the group, resulting in pages and pages of responses from people asking said creator of thread to kill himself, focus his account, etc. Then, when we reply in shock, dismay, or disbelief, he calls us out for being a crybaby or bitch. It feels like a set up, as if we're being played like banjos by a man with stumps for hands. In other words, it's no fun.

To be honest, from a distance I'm fascinated by this, mainly due to the fact that I'm so non-confrontational (both in my real life and on teh internetz) that I can't understand why something would ever behave this way. What does he get from the assured backlash he receives when he creates a thread shitting on one of the greatest tricks ever captured on a skateboard on film? Does he really feel this way? Is he posting this way for attention? If you look at the threads, they almost write themselves they're so formulaic:

1) What opinion is hot right now?
2) What is the exact opposite of said hot opinion?
3) How can opposite opinion be summed up in 8 words or less.
4) Create thread and watch the responses pour in.

But there has to be some reason he does this consistently. Are we actually being played? Or does --this user currently ignored-- really feel this way and have some strange mission, some martyr complex, and won't be able to sleep at night unless the world knows that they're wrong. About everything. Constantly.

The --this user currently ignored-- imbroglio has allowed me the opportunity to reflect on others I've known throughout my life who have done the same thing on a consistent basis, and, in the end, to look at myself to ask if I, too, am a contrarian.

So just what is a contrarian. I spent 8 seconds looking for the answer.

Wikipedia defines a contrarian as, "a person who takes up a position opposed to that of the majority, regardless of how unpopular it may be." Sound like someone you know around here? OMG!

So what are other words for contrarian? One might say denialism is a form of contrarianism. Consider global warming deniers or creationists who spit in the face of science regardless of the amount of proof, facts, and evidence they're shown. Skepticism is another form of contrarianism, and I will admit I'm a skeptic through and through, so to say that I have nothing in common with --this user currently ignored-- would be an untruth. I would never, for example, go to a palm reader, attend a seance, etc. Ghosts are bullshit, as far as I'm concerned. Fortunately for me, most logical, rational human beings feel the same way, so to state this doesn't really put me on the outs with society. Thing is, --this user currently ignored-- would tell me that he has always believed in ghosts and palm readers as soon as he found out that I don't. That is the nature of the contrarian.

Contrarianism isn't always a pain in the ass. Taking the opposite view is the foothold for much of comedy. Surprise shakes human beings out of their conformist slumber. Skateboard culture thrives in the contrary. Our entire identity is, in some ways, created out of choosing to define ourselves as "different than". There is, though, a common understanding that in our difference we are bonded in a brother and sisterhood. Contrarianism is necessary. Every once in a while, however, one of our own feels the need to differentiate further. The need for this is anyone's guess, and I'm not a trained psychologists although I do use wikipedia, but the result is confusion, division, anger, frustration, dismay and exasperation.

There must be a reason a contrarian does what he or she does. Why, God? Why? Here's my theory: To interact with something that behaves this way is to feed it, as it is a vampire that sucks the energy out of the emotions and reactions it creates by taking the opposite view. It stirs the ant hill and then devours the ants that come pouring out. It knocks the bee's hive with a stick to steal the honey inside. It creates drama and chaos, sometimes in small, nearly-imperceptible ways; ways in which, if confronted, it would call you "sensitive" or accuse you of "catching feelings"; it will tease you for trying to "act smart" because you recognize its behavior; it will mock you as a "faggot" or "bitch" simply for being aware enough to call it out on its behavior. In short, it obtains the sustenance it needs to survive and grow by being contrary. To react to it is to feed it. There is no way to win with this thing.

WAIT...THAT'S NOT RIGHT.

There is one way to win. Ignore it. It can be difficult in the real world when you work or live with one of these things, but here it's as simple as a single mouse click. See that ignore button over on the left side of the screen, beneath its avatar? Kryptonite to the contrarian.

"But wait!" you may cry. "If I ignore --this user currently ignored-- I'll be giving --this user currently ignored-- exactly what --this user currently ignored-- wants. I'll be feeding --this user currently ignored--'s purpose. I'll be playing straight into --this user currently ignored--'s plot. I will, in fact, be the sad banjo." On this point I don't necessarily disagree, but the greater point becomes my own mental health. Some Chinese person undoubtedly said at some point in time once, "It is better to admit to a small defeat when the greater objective of victory shall be gained." (ed. note: The Chinese love the word "shall".)

Take the small defeat for your greater good. Click on that button.

I realized that in the end, the ignore feature has nothing to do with --this user currently ignored--, but rather with me. I made the decision to use it not to make a statement to --this user currently ignored--, but instead to reinforce the idea that energy vampires are things that I choose to cut out of my life, rather than attempt to reason or bargain with.

So what the fuck is my point with this tl;dr-level post? Although I posted it here in a public forum, I did it for myself. I wanted to walk through the process of trying to figure out why I react to it the way I do. I could think it through, but I learned a long time ago that thoughts, when left up in my head, tumble around and get confused. I'll feel like I have the answer, but until I write or type things out I don't actually have a solid grasp on what I'm trying to formulate.

GAY

p.s. If you thought this thread is about you, then you're so vein. It was about me.

The Nose Face

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Re: Enter the Contrarian
« Reply #1 on: April 25, 2013, 01:38:53 PM »
When you're right - you're right, Gay...Ignore it is.

Cosme

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Re: Enter the Contrarian
« Reply #2 on: April 25, 2013, 01:59:12 PM »

GAY - you're the Booze N Tits of the Slap:

GAY POTTY 2013 !

Seamus_McShamebag

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Re: Enter the Contrarian
« Reply #3 on: April 25, 2013, 02:00:31 PM »
This thread is about me, about me.  Contrarians are rad if they can pull it off but sometimes they are just turds that either won't flush or keep leaving streaks all over the bowl.  If you can't make people laugh or least question their own thoughts then you are doing it wrong.

The Lakotas have a pretty cool concept/belief regarding what they call "Heyoka":

Principally, the Hey?kȟa functions both as a mirror and a teacher, using extreme behaviors to mirror others, thereby forcing them to examine their own doubts, fears, hatreds, and weaknesses. Hey?kȟas also have the power to heal emotional pain; such power comes from the experience of shame?they sing of shameful events in their lives, beg for food, and live as clowns. They provoke laughter in distressing situations of despair and provoke fear and chaos when people feel complacent and overly secure, to keep them from taking themselves too seriously or believing they are more powerful than they are.

In addition, sacred clowns serve an important role in shaping tribal codes. Hey?kȟa's don?t seem to care about taboos, rules, regulations, social norms, or boundaries. Paradoxically, however, it is by violating these norms and taboos that they help to define the accepted boundaries, rules, and societal guidelines for ethical and moral behavior. This is because they are the only ones who can ask "Why?" about sensitive topics and employ satire to question the specialists and carriers of sacred knowledge or those in positions of power and authority. In doing so, they demonstrate concretely the theories of balance and imbalance. Their role is to penetrate deception, turn over rocks, and create a deeper awareness.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heyoka


nino brown

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Re: Enter the Contrarian
« Reply #4 on: April 25, 2013, 02:01:52 PM »
another shitty thread

GAY

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Re: Enter the Contrarian
« Reply #5 on: April 25, 2013, 02:12:17 PM »
This thread is about me, about me.  Contrarians are rad if they can pull it off but sometimes they are just turds that either won't flush or keep leaving streaks all over the bowl.  If you can't make people laugh or least question their own thoughts then you are doing it wrong.

The Lakotas have a pretty cool concept/belief regarding what they call "Heyoka":

Principally, the Hey?kȟa functions both as a mirror and a teacher, using extreme behaviors to mirror others, thereby forcing them to examine their own doubts, fears, hatreds, and weaknesses. Hey?kȟas also have the power to heal emotional pain; such power comes from the experience of shame?they sing of shameful events in their lives, beg for food, and live as clowns. They provoke laughter in distressing situations of despair and provoke fear and chaos when people feel complacent and overly secure, to keep them from taking themselves too seriously or believing they are more powerful than they are.

In addition, sacred clowns serve an important role in shaping tribal codes. Hey?kȟa's don?t seem to care about taboos, rules, regulations, social norms, or boundaries. Paradoxically, however, it is by violating these norms and taboos that they help to define the accepted boundaries, rules, and societal guidelines for ethical and moral behavior. This is because they are the only ones who can ask "Why?" about sensitive topics and employ satire to question the specialists and carriers of sacred knowledge or those in positions of power and authority. In doing so, they demonstrate concretely the theories of balance and imbalance. Their role is to penetrate deception, turn over rocks, and create a deeper awareness.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heyoka


Your reply made all my gibberish worth it.

Yu Dum

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Re: Enter the Contrarian
« Reply #6 on: April 25, 2013, 03:15:43 PM »
I can't tell... Is this about T-Racer or Strike a Pose? They're both contrarians and just generally suck at life.

ROCKxADIO420

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Re: Enter the Contrarian
« Reply #7 on: April 25, 2013, 03:47:05 PM »
im about to post a gif of willem dafoe cumming blood in here

GAY

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Re: Enter the Contrarian
« Reply #8 on: April 25, 2013, 03:59:29 PM »
I can't tell... Is this about T-Racer or Strike a Pose? They're both contrarians and just generally suck at life.

The blanks are for you to fill in regarding anyone you please, although I had someone in mind while typing it...but since he's on ignore for me I didn't get too specific. Your question means you picked up on all the clues, though, so thank you for your time...I'm sending you $5 in the mail.

ROCKxADIO420

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Re: Enter the Contrarian
« Reply #9 on: April 25, 2013, 04:02:22 PM »

ice nine

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Re: Enter the Contrarian
« Reply #10 on: April 25, 2013, 04:17:34 PM »
why would I believe that's Dafoes dick?seriously tho in 50 years where the boundaries of what's shocking is pushed even further; I could see someone winning best actor for actually jizzing blood on camera
I;m sure i;m not the only dc/monster/subaru type guy here

Chris Hansen is back

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Re: Enter the Contrarian
« Reply #11 on: April 25, 2013, 04:41:05 PM »
Dafoe's dick double. How good would that look on a resume?

Yu Dum

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Re: Enter the Contrarian
« Reply #12 on: April 25, 2013, 05:38:02 PM »
Expand Quote
I can't tell... Is this about T-Racer or Strike a Pose? They're both contrarians and just generally suck at life.
[close]

The blanks are for you to fill in regarding anyone you please, although I had someone in mind while typing it...but since he's on ignore for me I didn't get too specific. Your question means you picked up on all the clues, though, so thank you for your time...I'm sending you $5 in the mail.
Ahh, I get it now.
Thanks for the $$$ now I can afford that sweet and ultra-radical Grizzly grip so I can be just like every other twelve-year-old.

able

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Re: Enter the Contrarian
« Reply #13 on: April 25, 2013, 05:51:02 PM »
My X-girlfriend who I lived with for 5 years was a contrarian.

Wish I could've clicked the ignore button on her too
ableSkateMag.com

Probably A Robot

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Re: Enter the Contrarian
« Reply #14 on: April 25, 2013, 11:05:03 PM »
If you can't make people laugh or least question their own thoughts then you are doing it wrong.

GAY POTTY 2013 !
"I'm regular, but I identify as switch backside."

Merked

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Re: Enter the Contrarian
« Reply #15 on: April 30, 2013, 01:11:09 PM »
Well stated, Gay.

Also,

Expand Quote
If you can't make people laugh or least question their own thoughts then you are doing it wrong.
[close]

Expand Quote
GAY POTTY 2013 !
[close]
I suck at SLAP.

The Nose Face

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Re: Enter the Contrarian
« Reply #16 on: April 30, 2013, 01:32:35 PM »
My X-girlfriend who I lived with for 5 years was a contrarian.

Wish I could've clicked the ignore button on her too

ha sick...would she want pizza when you wanted chinese food - that kinda bullshit? It's always over food...

Ollie Ringwald

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Re: Enter the Contrarian
« Reply #17 on: April 30, 2013, 02:19:20 PM »
What happened to tracer anyway?

ratherwatch

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Re: Enter the Contrarian
« Reply #18 on: May 01, 2013, 09:30:37 AM »
Quote from: The Nose Face  link=topic=69790.msg1902794#msg1902794 date=1367353955
Expand Quote
My X-girlfriend who I lived with for 5 years was a contrarian.

Wish I could've clicked the ignore button on her too
[close]

ha sick...would she want pizza when you wanted chinese food - that kinda bullshit? It's always over food...
It's not enough for a woman to love a man, she has to want to own his soul as well. That's what all those little 'well I want different_s are about. Domination. Did you dump her?

GAY

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Re: Enter the Contrarian
« Reply #19 on: May 01, 2013, 09:32:51 AM »
What happened to tracer anyway?

I gave him a sound spanking (I spanked him soundly; not that I spanked him with sound) and never heard from him again. My hand was sore for a couple days afterwards though, I'll tell you.

foureyedjim

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Re: Enter the Contrarian
« Reply #20 on: May 01, 2013, 12:10:00 PM »
Expand Quote
What happened to tracer anyway?
[close]

I gave him a sound spanking (I spanked him soundly; not that I spanked him with sound) and never heard from him again. My hand was sore for a couple days afterwards though, I'll tell you.

he posted shit just today actually haha

GAY

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Re: Enter the Contrarian
« Reply #21 on: May 01, 2013, 12:48:38 PM »
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
What happened to tracer anyway?
[close]

I gave him a sound spanking (I spanked him soundly; not that I spanked him with sound) and never heard from him again. My hand was sore for a couple days afterwards though, I'll tell you.
[close]

he posted shit just today actually haha

He must like having his bottom reddened.