I said elsewhere that it would make an interesting study.Cold wrote:Ironic you should say that. I did a stint at both Panda's Thumb and After The Bar Closes for a bit and these people are a million times worse than the people we mocked at those places. If I had to pick between being entertained by the Uncommon Descent crowd and the SJW's, I'd pick the former in a heartbeat, because while they're still complete and utter morons, the way in which they're morons is part of what makes them a little bit likeable. Almost cute, like watching a puppy struggle to stay awake or a child pretend to be an adult. These people on the other hand can be a source of humor, but at the same time it's unsettling because then you realize they have even less awareness of their idiocy than the creationists.VickyCaramel wrote:I have read through the Forums of StormFront and felt less disgusted. I really don't think I am exaggerating.
I don't know about Stormfront, because I'm pretty sure the majority of those people there actually believe what they're saying, but I can go on certain parts of 4chan and be rest assured that most of what is being posted there is either trolling or good-natured fuckery. The worst people on the site are sociopathic at best but at least they're completely aware of their sociopathy and can be self-referential.
Pharyngulites and SJW's in general reek of zealotry, and it's the inability to stop taking oneself so seriously that makes them more unlikeable than creationists and other pseudoscience types.
I have seen all the elements before, but not all together. I have talked to people who lived in communist countries who say they were in constant fear of being dragged off in the night. So they sung the songs, and many people denounced their neighbors before their neighbors denounced them. But despite singing the praises of communism, they knew it was wrong and would have escaped if they could.
FTB/etc act as if they are constantly trying to prove they aren't the enemy within by showing how aggressive they are and how much they hate the enemy. If they are afraid, it is probably fear that they would be removed from the group that validates them. And they actually seem to believe this crap. It is like a cult.
I guess the higher levels of Scientology are the only thing I can think of which is comparable to this, but it isn't the same methodology, not even close.
I wonder if animal rights activists are similar?