Hehe Houllie, I love your thinking:) But of course you will be
shot for being the messenger. People want to feel good about themselves, emotions are black and white.

The reality is that every single poster on OLO prefers to fool
around on OLO, rather then sell their computer to feed the
starving babies in Africa.

The Vatican prefers to keep all their pomp, splendour and wealth
of Rome, rather then save the starving babies.

So pontification is what we have, that is the reality, even if
some don't want to hear it

Hi Houellebecq,

Quite frankly I am surprised that you've seen fit
to contribute so many posts to a topic that you
consider to be merely "chatter" and "noise."

I've explained my reasons for this thread several
times in this discussion and regardless of what
you may think - this thread is not about me. However
if drawing attention to the current plight of the
worst famine in 60 years in Africa -
and the UNICEF East Africa Emergency Appeal
one person is going to donate something to help -
then something positive would have resulted (in my opinion).

I've been brought up with the belief that with one positive
word, one positive thought, one positive idea -
great achievements can be built. And I've found that those
who deny the well-being of others are the first to demand their
own rights.

I'm sorry that you feel all this is a waste of time et cetera -
but as you've proclaimed in the past - no one has the right
to tell you what to think, post, et cetera. Perhaps you
could consider returning the same courtesy to others - seeing
as you insist on it for yourself. Also - if you feel
something is not worth discussing - you could always stay away -
from the topic and not contribute to it thus not wasting your
own time and sparing us your wisdom - which although greatly
appreciated - we can really do without the negativity.

There's a world of narcisism in your post Foxy. For a start, the sheer arrogance to think you are 'educating people' about things any joe blog knows by picking up a paper.

Considering your audience, I doubt one poster has thought, 'wow, that's news. I didn't know that!'.

I suggest you 'raise awareness' a bit farther away from the politically active and savvy. Maybe you can do a school talking tour. Foxy's self-flagellation* 101. But it isn't about rasing awareness, plainly. It's about YOU, and showing YOU care, and an 'entertaining' topic about poor people.

'I've been brought up with the belief that with one positive
word, one positive thought, one positive idea -
great achievements can be built'

Yes, but not from you. From great thinkers is where that may apply. Delusions to think there are any 'great thinkers' trolling around on OLO. On the whole I respect the doers in the world, not the thinkers and talkers. Doers make mistakes yes but achieve far more that the thinkers, who are masters of hindsight and theory.

Positive? The whole first topic is a sea of negativity! Summary; The world's gone to hell, nobody cares except us (The good people) and lets pontificate about where it all went wrong.

'we can really do without the negativity.'
See, that's where you're wrong. It's a positive to break out from the champagne sipping self-congratulatory pontificating about poor people, and into the more positive aspects of the debate; How the world is the world and it has many good parts. One being the the enjoyment of picking off the self-flagellators like Tendulkar picks off an off-spinner.

BTW: I didn't know my opinions held so much sway as to render other people thinking they don't have a right to post contradicting opinions. And I enjoy the noise, especially the bit where i break up this back slapping party of isn't the world so terrible

* self being a slight misnomer, as the implication is invariably that other people are the real problem with the world.

Everything is chatter and noise to Houellie, except his own chatter and noise.....
He turns up to relieve himself on the dining table supposedly to douse the pretension. He doesn't have any airs and graces himself because he's so laid back and relaxed....in fact, you name it and instantly he'll represent the epitome of everything that's contrary to your view if it suits his feel for a particular argument - he's very versatile.

He hates anyone blowing their virtuous trumpet except himself.

"I have more class than to use suffering kiddies for an entertaining chat."

Oh yeah, Houellie, in my experience, people use the word "kiddies" as an emotive tool to inflate their vacuous comments...I see you're conforming to type.

Seems a discussion on anything that criticises Western arrogance is deemed offensive by the "salts of the earth" who inhabit this forum.

underbelly,
Just because you see fit to ask a question doesn't mean I'm compelled to play your game. Mind your own business. What I do to help in its small way is my business.
.

'Everything is chatter and noise to Houellie, except his own chatter and noise.....
He turns up to relieve himself on the dining table supposedly to douse the pretension. He doesn't have any airs and graces himself because he's so laid back and relaxed....in fact, you name it and instantly he'll represent the epitome of everything that's contrary to your view if it suits his feel for a particular argument - he's very versatile.'

That's quite good Poirot. 5 Stars!

See, all that's needed to liven up the debate is the sniff of a challenge.

You should be happy, I quoted your good self in my analysis. I'd normally much rather quote me.

', in my experience, people use the word "kiddies" '

I am dissapointed you missed that being part of the show though.

'Seems a discussion on anything that criticises Western arrogance is deemed offensive'

Not really offensive, I just feel like I'm in a university bar or something sometimes with a bunch of 'world weary' SNAGs trying to pick up chicks with this kind of gear. All the while the chicks are eyeing off the tradies outside.

It's just the kinda thing that amuses me. I'm a reformed leftie, so while I hide my Pilger books in shame I sometimes feel the need to shoot a few unreformed dreamers.

I still maintain the very fact of the social capital that is achieved by the bleeding heart leftie makes that cliche more objectionable than the hard faced neo con. There is an inate self serving social payoff that must never be ignored. Conversely there is often an ignored altruistic result from the hard nosed rightie (intentional or otherwise) with a reduction in social capital.

Dear Poirot,

Houellebecq is baiting and stirring.
He's desperately trying to get a rise
out of someone - forcing them to respond.
Don't fall for it. He's typically
unleashing cynical and sarcastic remarks
because it's the Internet (it's anonymous),
and hey, he can. It's his entertainment.
That's what he does on this forum.
He's trying to de-rail this thread.
Don't let him succeed.