Again, a lot of posts, so I'll reply to some of the main ones that have been critical of my post, but thanks to everyone for their input. This post is again too long, so I apologise in advance for double posting to get to some posts. Part 1 of 2.
actually prae, that wasnt from me. i think i jacked it from Sinful. (the moderator)
Really, one of us should change our names.. *hint hint*
anyways:
As a rebuttal- If you would want to present an organised and valid debate, kindly explain yourself FULLY and CLEARLY before pressing that 'post' button. Not only does it make you an ass correcting yourself later on, but you're also wasting everyone's time.
By doing that, you're like that bastard tour guide whom we ask: "where is the nearest cafe?" and you'd opt to say "Its just around the corner."
Later on, We'll come back to you and ask the same question. You'd say "Oh sorry, its actually the other way around."
Notice the difference? If you Stopped and thought for a second about where is the precise location of the goddamn cafe in the first place, you wouldnt have us 'idiots' coming back to you asking for directions.
I'd relate it onto the topic at hand, but i feel that you are civilized and intelligent enough to comprehend my presented analogy. It was either that or a talking monkey and a donkey. Dont ask, its the first thing that came to my mind. Penguins.
Anywho as a last note, there is a difference between a discussion about a topic and discussing it. Whilst criticism is directly aimed towards the CRITICAL points of a certain topic, a discussion can merely be the discussion of a product.
If you'd want to Criticize a droplet of blood you'd say:
"That Drop of blood contains X amount of plasma, Y amount of WBC and Z RBC. it weighs approximately X amount."
If you wanted to discuss it, you'd just say:
"****, someone on their period?"
wait wait, bad example. Sorry, couldnt resist.
"Blood is coloured red. =D
Notice the difference between critically analyzing blood by tearing down its components and presenting it rather than just discussing blood? ah, Good. And im steering wayyy off topic.
Haha, yes you should change your name. *cough*
First half: I'm sure that'd be true except that: Half of you have understood the topic perfectly as I wrote it. Half haven't. Why is this? If the implication is I should've written it clearer, how come lots of people have posted intelligent rebuttals to my post? I'm happy to engage in argument. I understand what you're saying, but I find it confusing in the sense that many people have actually understood the topic at hand. It's the ones who've said 'zomg yeh lyk ur wrong jus dun buy it. cheese iz yellow not green' who've completely missed the point. Most people who've attented a well structured argument such as jonraiker have understood the topic perfectly and have put up great arguments.
Second half: Might I ask where this is directed? I want to be sure before I comment on that ^^
Whilst there may have been some who have skimmed through the pages "in favour of simply criticising my post with replies which completely miss the point", I believe the majority of the people who have viewed this thread have read through every post thoroughly.
I'd like to point out that this is a forum, and the people who have disagreed with you were merely expressing their opinion. There are two sides of a coin. Some have welcomed Theory11's move to put TOoC on DVD, whilst others like you are dismayed by it. I cannot help you if you are holding out for world popularity. You should not be so quick to pass judgment and label one as "making an absolute fool of yourselves" should they decide to criticise your opinion.
I see both your point, and that of those who have disagreed with you. I myself am one who has a preference for non-mainstream sources, but you're making a terribly huge mountain out of a tiny ant-hill. You've made your feelings known, and the others respect that. I see that you've painstakingly made efforts to respond to most of the replies you've received, judging from the many lengthy posts you have made. You are concerned about being different, yet so much practice could have gone into the time you used making such lengthy posts.
I, just like most others here, am contributing my opinion. I come onto the forums from time to time, and I have seen some of the better posts you have made. I like the way you think as a magician, and you have earned my respect as one. However, you seem to carry yourself in an arrogant way, and the lack of humility is something everyone finds extremely distasteful.
I have no problem with being disliked, or having people dislike my opinion. What I will not tolerate is people criticising me for opinions that I do not have. The only people I have called idiots are people who have tried to argue a nonsensical point. I'd say that's fairly silly, wouldn't you?
There's one thing to disagree with someone's opinion.
It's quite another to have no idea what the person is saying, but attempt to disagree with them anyway. I've had posts calling this thread useless amongst other things, without a single clue what the topic was actually about. I'm sorry, but if someone calls something they don't understand useless, I will call them an idiot and I stand by that remark.
It's funny, because I've made threads like this before. What has happened? All the knowledgeable members have agreed with me. Then, I make a thread like this about a Theory11 product. And what happens? Well, firstly, all the knowledgeable members hold a great and proper debate with me. But secondly, lots of really unconsidered posts have been made by people trying to appear to have intelligence. Maybe they felt offended when I criticised a lot of people for unoriginality. Maybe they realised they were unoriginal and felt offended. Who knows. But in the former, they would ignore the topic and move on. In this latter case, they post something silly.
There are some posters on the other hand who have disagreed with me and made some great points. I have tried to address them, which may or may not have been successful, but certainly some posters have made great counterarguments against me, which I accept.
I do appreciate your comments about me and my posts greatly.
And lastly for your post, I'd like to apologise unconditionally if I appeared to be arrogant to guys such as yourself. As I said earlier I stand by the comment that an idiot is one who argues something they do not understand but pretends to have that knowledge; to everyone else, if I have appeared arrogant, I apologise.