I see you lecture but I do not see where you learn or even try too from us.

Well learning isn't always very visible. Often folks learn by reading other folks posts and commentary, but don't always post a "that was informative...thanks" post in the thread.

It seems one sided.

Well, I don't expect many/any responses to my posts either. After 8 years here I've sort of grown accustomed to the sound of silence. I don't do chit-chat. My specialty is long, eye-glazing posts.

Posting about reincarnation, discarnate entities, parallel universes and such quickly earns one a reputation as "way out there". What's worse its hard as hell to come back to a post like that. You think I don't know that? One can either agree, which is quite unlikely since its a totally foreign viewpoint, remain silent or say "You're nuts!". Most now simply refrain from commenting, though in the early days there was a lot more "You're nuts". Heck, the "Mysteries of the Universe" Board at MSNBC was created because I was gabbing on boards which were not exactly topic appropriate so they were kind enough to offer me a forum to postulate on everything and anything. The Zone was originally a place to get away from anomalists, UFOologists etcetera. One just has to see Buck go ballistic on the UFO thread on CE right now, too see that some folks here can't help but go bonkers when the topic comes up - regardless of how meaningless a post is. "Off-Topic" here was meant to keep such "weird" posts off the other boards and keep folks safe from such discomforting posts or any of my neuron-teasers so they can sleep soundly at night.

So while it may seem like I learn nothing from others and others learn nothing from me, that's sort of a grand illusion. There's merely no acknowledgement of such from either side at this point. Your comments, in fact, betray your "relative newbie" status. Praising an "out there SDAI-Tech1 post" is simply not done. You'll have to brush up on your Zoner etiquette - don't let it happen again!

;-)

I get the distinct impression that you perceive us as all lost ignorant souls and you are the only one who *gets it*.

It's that obvious? ;-) Darn. I try to soften my patronizing nature and tone before I click post.

The truth is nothing of the sort, of course. I've mentioned in many other posts that I believe all souls are of equal merit in the eye of the infinite. No one holds a superior position to another and each of us actually represent a unique reflection of the infinite universe. Do I think some folks here are pretty messed up in their views? Sure. Some more, some less. Do I think some folks here have it pretty well together in their views? Sure. Some more, some less. Do I think everyone here has the inherent potential to be infinitely more wise, kind, compassionate and benevolent than they are now? Sure. Each and every one -especially including myself.

Just an observation.
I have not witnessed ANY feelings from you so far....

You haven't been paying attention...
I feel on lots of issues, and most of those feelings are critical. I often criticize/satirize that which I find to be poorly thought out, hypocritical or motivated by selfish desires at the greater expense of the masses. My blog is 1/3 satire, 1/3 criticism and 1/3 high weirdness.

Most often I am in a state of amusement here at the zone. The Zone is funny. Responding to this post is amusing. I wouldn't spend any time here if I had no fun at all. My winky smiley is the way you'll know my tone. If it's there, I'm smiling as I'm typing. ;-) If it's not - well I'm not smiling.

The zone can be fun or boring. Is the zone the best it's ever been? No, I don't think it is. I think it's gone downhill. Partly because so little new blood intermixes that their is little left to talk about that we haven't heard before. When you can predict the exact response from a zoner, you know you're not exactly broaching a new topic. That's true on ALL the boards. And now as these boards age, the tone is more depressing.

9 years ago on the MSNBC boards there were far more optimists and humorists among the group. More folks were still expecting more from the space program and life, and folks simply were more enthusiastic about life in general and this enthusiasm is mostly gone now. By comparison this place is now bitter and bittersweet. If the zone gets a blood transfusion of youngsters (folks under 40 ;-) that might change. Don't hold your breath.

I have observed you tear into liberals. That does not seem very enlightened to me.

Who makes claims to enlightenment? Only the liberals are "enlightened". ;-)

No Jody, I generally hold my tongue and cancel out negative feelings with positive understandings. Over the years lots of folks have tried to get my goat and they usually get frustrated when they are still at it after the cows have come home. That's another reason why you won't see long exchanges with me. It's hardly satisfying if you're trying to kick sand in someone's face and they merely smile. You've seen more vitriol from me in the past month than I've displayed in quite some time.

You remind me at times of Niccolo Machiavelli.

Nah. He was an amateur. My verbosity and dissertations here on the zone create a far more impressive body of blather. If Robert ever does get around to that incredibly complex coding gordion knot known as a website search engine, you will see I'm not just a joshin' either. ;-)

Hope that answers your concerns and questions.

If not...so be it and be it so.

;-)