toldailytopic: What does it take to survive on TOL, and can you predict those who wil
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January 3rd, 2012, 02:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Knight
toldailytopic: What does it take to survive on TOL, and can you predict those who will?
I think the biggest thing is to be able to walk away from a conversation frustrated, annoyed, perhaps even disappointed with your opponent and talk to them again in a different thread fresh without all that baggage. There are some exceptions, but the people you end up talking to a lot are gonna be from a small core set, and if you can get along with enough of them in the long run, you're probably ok.
Of course having a thick skin is often necessary too.
Eternal life is an easy promise to make and a hard one to fulfill.
What about in cases where the one you have been in disagreement with quits dialoguing and simply parades out the same old one-liners over and over again as if they were actual arguments? At what point do we shake the dust off our sandals?
In such a situation, I will often not have joined that particular conversation, either just reading it, or leaving it alone.
Sometimes it's just too wearying to compose another argument. Or maybe that's just me.
I think the biggest thing is to be able to walk away from a conversation frustrated, annoyed, perhaps even disappointed with your opponent and talk to them again in a different thread fresh without all that baggage. There are some exceptions, but the people you end up talking to a lot are gonna be from a small core set, and if you can get along with enough of them in the long run, you're probably ok.
Of course having a thick skin is often necessary too.
would you agree that most of your kind do not last here?
I don't think there's a formula for what it takes to survive. It's different, depending upon the user's intention with his time on the site. Someone who wants to always be actively engaged in a thread is going to have to have a thick skin, or else he won't last long. Someone who just wants to read and not participate much simply has to be someone who can stay interested.
Funny how threads morph.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." ~ Paul
"You should never wave to someone you don't know. What if he doesn't have a hand? Then he'll just think you're being cocky!" ~Mitch Hedberg
My Top Twenty for Surviving on TOL, in no particular order:
1. Pay for a subscription every year or more
2. Don’t take the bait—ignore those that continue to annoy and/or provoke you
3. Start your threads with descriptive titles
4. Don’t tug on Superman’s cape—respect the Admins/Mods
5. Review a thread before jumping in so you understand the topic and contexts
6. Do your homework and get to know your opponent—review their previous posts
7. Cast pearls wisely, as the entrenched are not worth much effort, 2 John 1:10-11
8. Quote posts accurately—forging quotes is dishonest and a sure sign of desperation
9. Learn how to post content and get familiar with BBcode
10. Engendering strife is not Biblical, Phil. 1:15; 2:3; 2 Tim. 2:22-26; James 3:14, 16
11. Offer correction Biblically, per Galatians 6:1; 1 Peter 3:15-16
12. Don’t make drive-by posts just to get noticed or increase post counts
13. No gamesmanship—if you have a point, make it—versus asking vague questions hoping for a “gotcha!”
14. Never draw first blood in a discussion—mud slung first is ground lost
15. Be a good steward of your gifts and time—not everyone deserves it and you are not obligated to give it unworthily, Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 5:15-17; Psalm 90:12; Isaiah 49:4
16. This is a discussion site, not a blog—master the difference
17. Confrontation is not a bad thing (but see #10 and 11 above), Ezekiel 33:6; 2 John 1:7-8
18. Obey the rules and get to know the biases of the management
19. Keep your post on point and try to keep its length manageable
20. Before you act, pass the “glorify God” litmus test, Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:8
As to the second part of the question, I will just say that those that have not or won't survive, typically trip over not a few of the above.
Good psychology. People invested in a thing enjoy it more and feel more a part of it.
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2. Don’t take the bait—ignore those that continue to annoy and/or provoke you
You're just saying that to get me going aren't you?
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3. Start your threads with descriptive titles
Personal favorite: This.
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4. Don’t tug on Superman’s cape—respect theAdmins/Mods
I don't know. Some of the funniest threads have been attempts to upbraid the admin...not funny for the poster, of course, but if you want to make a homily you have to break a few threads...something like that.
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5. Review a thread before jumping in so you understand the topic and contexts
Couldn't agree more, which is why I'll never support subsidies for ethanol.
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6. Do your homework and get to know your opponent—review their previous posts
Amen! You give those Calvinists what for AMT!
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7. Cast pearls wisely, as the entrenched are not worth much effort, 2 John 1:10-11
...too late now. Though in my defense it's done wonders for a few smiles around here.
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8. Be wary of AB.
what? Oh, all right, I know the way out.
That said, a good list and better advice. I find humor, perspective and intelligence appear to help a few of you stay the course over time. For the rest of us it's all motor reflex and a strong sense of smell.
My Top Twenty for Surviving on TOL, in no particular order:
1. Pay for a subscription every year or more
2. Don’t take the bait—ignore those that continue to annoy and/or provoke you
3. Start your threads with descriptive titles
4. Don’t tug on Superman’s cape—respect the Admins/Mods
5. Review a thread before jumping in so you understand the topic and contexts
6. Do your homework and get to know your opponent—review their previous posts
7. Cast pearls wisely, as the entrenched are not worth much effort, 2 John 1:10-11
8. Quote posts accurately—forging quotes is dishonest and a sure sign of desperation
9. Learn how to post content and get familiar with BBcode
10. Engendering strife is not Biblical, Phil. 1:15; 2:3; 2 Tim. 2:22-26; James 3:14, 16
11. Offer correction Biblically, per Galatians 6:1; 1 Peter 3:15-16
12. Don’t make drive-by posts just to get noticed or increase post counts
13. No gamesmanship—if you have a point, make it—versus asking vague questions hoping for a “gotcha!”
14. Never draw first blood in a discussion—mud slung first is ground lost
15. Be a good steward of your gifts and time—not everyone deserves it and you are not obligated to give it unworthily, Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 5:15-17; Psalm 90:12; Isaiah 49:4
16. This is a discussion site, not a blog—master the difference
17. Confrontation is not a bad thing (but see #10 and 11 above), Ezekiel 33:6; 2 John 1:7-8
18. Obey the rules and get to know the biases of the management
19. Keep your post on point and try to keep its length manageable
20. Before you act, pass the “glorify God” litmus test, Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:8
As to the second part of the question, I will just say that those that have not or won't survive, typically trip over not a few of the above.
AMR
Whoa!!! Brilliant list!!
But you forgot one....
#21 Occasionally send Knight boxes of expensive cigars. :BiillyBob:
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...the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love thei
The TheologyOnline.com TOPIC OF THE DAY for January 3rd, 2012 09:30 AM
toldailytopic: What does it take to survive on TOL, and can you predict those who will?
What it takes to survive on TOL are a thick skin, a decent (if not excellent) sense of humor, knowing what you believe and how to explain it, and knowing when to sit on your hands instead of immediately typing out a response to certain offensive posts.
As to predicting those who will survive, I'd say for sure that anyone who has been here as long as I have will more than likely survive. The newbies will come and go, either by banning or by leaving.
June is Gay Pride Month. Tolerance and diversity? More like tolerate perversity.
morph.
to someone you don't know. What if he doesn't have a hand? Then he'll just think you're being cocky!" ~Mitch Hedberg
(blushing) 
...too late now. Though in my defense it's done wonders for a few smiles around here.
what? Oh, all right, I know the way out. 
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