I should've known better...

I have never in my life been so completely surrounded by a bunch of pseudo-intellectuals patting themselves on the back while engaging in what seemed like the largest circle-jerk ever (and I used to attend Berkeley). Mind you, I have nothing against liberalists or liberalism. But there are those out there that adopt that stance as some sort of weird religion, channeling out any sort of conflicting viewpoint, that they become nothing more than fanatical, mindless twits that write nothing but point-by-point rebuttals and recite bits and pieces of various books with no real understanding of the original meaning or context. These people flood Kuro5hin. There were no controversial opinions, no dissenting thought, no random grammar corrections- just a bunch of coffee shop goons congratulating themselves on being able to think exactly alike. When certain intrepid souls did offer up an intelligent and controversial opinion, they were deluged with so much idiotic tripe that either the original signal was drowned out by senseless noise, or they were (presumably) "rated" out of oblivion.

And here is the major crux of the problem- DEMOCRACY. Letting the membership (which is open to anyone) of the site edit and moderate the articles and forum is restricting the opinions to nothing more than the same rah-rah ultra-liberalist crap. I saw no evidence of any sort of controversy that might have sparked new avenues of thought. Just a bunch of ass-backward clowns reveling in their feces, never once realizing that they have reached an intellectual dead-end. It was reverse fascism in action- the voices of the many completely silencing the voices of the few.

However, what's really frightening is the fact that these ass-clowns completely outnumber the Adequate. Let's assume for a minute that Kuro5hin and Adequacy are microcosmic internet entities mirroring our own current society (which, if you think about it, isn't really that far-fetched). Logically, we can then conclude that these close-minded idiotic fuckers completely outnumber the more open-minded intelligent fuckers, and will go on to create (one way or another) more close-minded idiotic fuckers. Statistically, more of these Kuro5hin-type fools will achieve positions of power, as intelligence and open-mindedness rarely play a role in such matters. Probably old news to most of you reading this, but it's just fucking disturbing when you're presented with a physical manifestation of the grim times that are to come.

That is why I welcome the elitist atmosphere of Adequacy and its sage (and occasionally crackpot) staff of iron-handed editors. They channel out the noise (Aryan King comes to mind), but all opinions are welcome, as long as they are intelligent and well-argued (or good for a chuckle or two).

But the problem remains. What shall we do about Kuro5hin? I leave it to the readership to hopefully arrive at an adequate answer.

	I agree. (5.00 / 2) (#1)
	by tkatchev on Sun Apr 28th, 2002 at 04:46:10 AM PST

	But there is one small point I'd like to raise -- it could be simply that the medium of Internet forums attracts a certain specific type of pesonality; I have a hunch that normal, balanced people do not waste time posting to weblogs. I cannot prove or disprove this idea, though. So what do you think? -- Peace and much love...

	You might be onto something there. (none / 0) (#5)
	by dmg on Sun Apr 28th, 2002 at 02:12:11 PM PST

	You could probably diagnose a wide range of mental illnesses simply by examining the web-browsing habits of an individual... time to give a Newtonian demonstration - of a bullet, its mass and its acceleration. -- MC Hawking

	So dmg... (none / 0) (#12)
	by Illiterate Bum on Mon Apr 29th, 2002 at 11:35:00 PM PST

	Care to put that theory to the test? If you'll oblige, it would be interesting if you shared with us your web-browsing habits, so that we can try and put together a little profile... it's bound to be interesting, and you can tell us if it's anywhere near being correct. In the name of science, and whatnot. ----- "...normal, balanced people do not waste time posting to weblogs." --tkatchev

	Look on the bright side... (none / 0) (#6)
	by Anonymous Reader on Sun Apr 28th, 2002 at 04:24:12 PM PST

	...at least weblogs keep us abnormal, ubalanced types off the streets

	A good point. (none / 0) (#11)
	by Anonymous Reader on Mon Apr 29th, 2002 at 11:31:51 PM PST

	I'm not sure if I could classify many of the people on Adequacy as either normal or balanced... God knows that I'm not...

	Speak for yourself. (none / 0) (#14)
	by hauntedattics on Tue Apr 30th, 2002 at 07:47:00 AM PST

	There is very little about me that is abnormal or unbalanced. (This is a good thing, by the way.)

	Don't worry. (none / 0) (#2)
	by Poster on Sun Apr 28th, 2002 at 09:18:00 AM PST

	Our brave editor bc just trol^H^H^H^H posted a very controvertial article in Kuro5hit^Hn. It's good to see our leaders working hard for the betterment of the internet.

	copyright infringement (none / 0) (#7)
	by richie roo on Mon Apr 29th, 2002 at 04:04:56 AM PST

	I particularly liked the comment: "Kuro5hin is not Adequacy. Take your news for grown-ups elsewhere." Now, take a look at the footnote on any of the adequacy.org pages: "All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective companies. Comments are owned by the Poster. The Rest © 2001, 2002 Adequacy.org. The Adequacy.org name, logo, symbol, and taglines "News for Grown-Ups" and "Most Controversial Site on the Internet" are trademarks of Adequacy.org. No part of this site may be republished or reproduced in whatever form without prior written permission by Adequacy.org and, if and when applicable, prior written permission by the contributing author(s), artist(s), or user(s)." I personally think Adequacy should make an example of this n'er do well... I'm pretty sure prior written permission wasn't obtained before the posting was made...

	Your Mr T. name is FOOL. (none / 0) (#8)
	by because it isnt on Mon Apr 29th, 2002 at 04:13:16 AM PST

	Trademark infringement is not copyright infringement. Furthermore, the trademark was used to refer to the trademark owner, albeit sarcastically, which is a permitted use. adequacy.org -- because it isn't

	Exactly. (none / 0) (#10)
	by RobotSlave on Mon Apr 29th, 2002 at 02:07:28 PM PST

	As Interim Secretary Minister of Innovation Integrity here at adequacy, I was quite concerned when I noticed the incautious use of trademarked material. However, the head of our legal department, Mr. Montoya, has regretfully informed me that there is nothing actionable in the hateful piece with regard to copyright. There is, however, an open question of libel or slander, depending on jusrisdiction. © 2002, RobotSlave. You may not reproduce this material, in whole or in part, without written permission of the owner.

	Libel or slander... (none / 0) (#13)
	by Anonymous Reader on Tue Apr 30th, 2002 at 05:42:22 AM PST

	...depends whether the defamation is oral or written. Brush up on your scandalum magnatum law.

	Go use the Mr. T Name Generator. (none / 0) (#17)
	by because it isnt on Tue Apr 30th, 2002 at 10:11:03 AM PST

	Learn to spell "jurisdiction". Look up "jurisdiction" in your liberalist dictionary. Let me know if the meaning has changed from "territorial range of authority or control" to "modus operandi". Give up on your "think about it" crap. When you're blatantly wrong, telling people to "think about it" does not help you. I recommend going back through your comments and using your editorial powers to correct your mistakes, so you stop looking like an idiot. adequacy.org -- because it isn't

	I told you to go hire yourself a Real Lawyer. (5.00 / 1) (#19)
	by RobotSlave on Tue Apr 30th, 2002 at 10:40:51 AM PST

	Really. Since you refuse to think, I'll have to point out the problem for you. The problem is that postings on a web-board might be subject to laws governing slander in one jurisdiction, but subject to laws governing libel in another. This is due not only to the different wording of the law from one locale or nation to the next, but also to the uncertain legal status of comments on an inter-worldly web-board. Whether they constitute speech or publication is a non-trivial question, open to debate. I'm growing fond of the sweet spelling flames from you, Mr. Isn't. They remind me of the manner in which a precocious child might behave when he wants attention from adults engaged in serious conversation. It's quite cute, really, and I think I'll keep the most fetching examples intact. Keep it up, lad! © 2002, RobotSlave. You may not reproduce this material, in whole or in part, without written permission of the owner.

	Oh alright then. (none / 0) (#20)
	by because it isnt on Tue Apr 30th, 2002 at 03:09:00 PM PST

	Well done, jsm. I bow to your superior legal knowledge. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a big bowl of mud to polish off. adequacy.org -- because it isn't

	Brush up yourself, punk. (none / 0) (#16)
	by RobotSlave on Tue Apr 30th, 2002 at 09:37:23 AM PST

	Go back to the bit where it says "depending on jurisdiction." Read that over a couple of times. Think about what it might mean. After you've failed to do this, and instead convinced yourself that you were right to begin with, go hire yourself a Real Lawyer. © 2002, RobotSlave. You may not reproduce this material, in whole or in part, without written permission of the owner.

	Control H (none / 0) (#15)
	by Fon2d2 on Tue Apr 30th, 2002 at 09:21:44 AM PST

	is about the stupidist thing to insert into a block of text. It makes you look like a retard. Go back to slashdot loser.

	Let's make a deal. (none / 0) (#18)
	by Poster on Tue Apr 30th, 2002 at 10:17:55 AM PST

	is about the stupidist* thing to insert into a block of text* I'll go back to slashdot and you go back to elementary school, ok?

	Watch it there (5.00 / 2) (#3)
	by First Incision on Sun Apr 28th, 2002 at 09:46:28 AM PST

	Don't get too carried away with your praise of the open-mindedness, intelligence, and sagacity of the editors and readers of Adequacy. You're liable to start a circle-jerk. Yes, a circle jerk performed by measurably more attractive people, but a circle-jerk nonetheless. _ _ Do you suffer from late-night hacking? Ask your doctor about Protonix.

	You're scaring me (none / 0) (#9)
	by Narcissus on Mon Apr 29th, 2002 at 08:20:09 AM PST

	your preoccupation with circle jerks between adequacy members is rather disconcerning to me. I am afraid you look forward to watching something like that. -------------------------------- Ok, who picked the flower???

	kuro5hin... (5.00 / 1) (#4)
	by nathan on Sun Apr 28th, 2002 at 12:17:38 PM PST

	Is for people who can't make friends in real life. And for people who like mocking them (which is rather like teasing retarded children.) Nathan -- Li'l Sis: Yo, that's a real grey area. Even by my lax standards.

	So, (4.00 / 1) (#21)
	by majubma on Thu May 2nd, 2002 at 01:50:30 PM PST

	Rhetorically speraking, if the noble readerhip of Adequacy expressed a dislike for heroin, would you go "shoot up" just to see why? I trust you've learned you lesson. Leave the junkies alone. -- All information wants to be free, especially information about what you do in the privacy of your own home.