I was referring to the internet as a whole, but believe it or not, I played runescape a bit, a very long while ago. Then, it was full of douche bags. The direction I remember it heading served only to sustain their douche bag population. So, I have reason enough to suspect they haven't improved much. Oh, and the nicer population I've encountered wasn't very promising.
Trust me, I know when a game wants to make me dumber.
The majority gets turned on its head when it finds itself aware that it's lacking. There's a reason why interesting complex developments only happen when influential leaders are on the scene, or when major breakthroughs are made (mostly scientific breakthroughs). Take away the minority that keeps the world moving forward, be them scientists or leaders, and the world will begin to decay, lacking any new propulsion.
Yes, why don't we take a look at the USA? For a country started on rebellion and British prisoners, it's doing quite well for itself. At least it's projecting a promising picture to both its population and the rest of the world, using those good elements they have. It's home to a good number of quality minds, thanks to its policies on freedom, along with the availability of funds for academic purposes.
But it's also home to people that make me shudder. Idiots the likes I rarely see around here. We have our douches, but a considerable amount of them also have some intelligence and skill, making them more potent douches. It also houses catholic extremists that could be as bad as, or worse than Muslim extremists, had the christian code not been so hard to turn into a pretext for violence. It houses leaders that openly lie to their own people, with a straight face, no less. It houses people who think America is a God-given land (which the Spanish and later British almost wiped clean for their conquest or colonization goals. God (or any other benevolent divine entity/entities) must have been so proud of them). And the list can go on.
I can't say I know much about the states, looking at them from across the ocean, with only little inside information.
Also, whilst dictatorship has always been used in malevolent purposes, it is a far more effective method of governing large populations.
Might be a good idea to not mix dictatorship with monarchism. Especially since all they had in the dark ages were monarchies.
Uh, these are the most prosperous times? To me, it looks like the world is in economical agony, because some get-rich-quick thinkers in the states popped an economic bubble, triggering yet another economical depression. The other famous one also came from the states. Coincidence? No, more like a great big lack of restraint where restraint was needed.
Lack of restraint, the other edge to freedom vs. oppression.
And here I am, a person who would attend one of America's better universities. Too bad the tuition in some places is almost equal to my family's income.
To sum up the main point I had in mind: Extrapolating from "Just because you think/believe it's right, it doesn't make it right", we can get to "Just because the majority thinks it's right, it doesn't make it right".
The above point can come from the following consideration: Right and wrong, good and bad are abstracts. They can only be discussed using principles, other abstracts and the like. These are largely independent to the people using them, or their numbers.
Might need to repeat this in the name of most of us: It's not just the admins who think that punishment was just. Maybe not just to the letter, but the application of punishment itself is quite just. You can start improving by thinking up of a better signature. It really is bad, too large and too colorful. Not to mention potentially annoying to some parties, should they choose to be annoyed by it.
Lastly, I hope the amount of thought you put into understanding what everyone is trying to say is not conditioned by how well their speech looks. A definite plus, but not sufficient.
EDIT of more post-length! (In response to your edit)
It's clear that you aren't taking the time to read some essential points put forth, or that you aren't understanding them.
Again let me present you with with the question: Why is Sirbomber not calling everyone names? Agreed that he is quite loose with them, but the point remains that either side can adapt to the other. In this case, I'm begging you to make some small changes in the way you act/talk. Hey, maybe when you've gained some skills, or simply a length of time as a member in good standing, you will gain the kind of respect most of us share with each other around here, the kind of respect that keeps Sirbomber from calling everyone names in any context (cases of just-for-fun, should they ever exist, excluded).
More noticing of info and more post length of DOOM!
spam is not fully painted black. A tiny touch of it can also serve to bring an air of lightheartedness. If people around here were very stiff, I doubt the community would have survived to this day. There are those of us who are stiff, but you can choose to live with it, taking the useful info out of nudges and hammers.
Lighten up, take it in, get back on track, and then you'll be beating yourself about this whole story in later years. Trust me, it's another one of the things I know
