This Site = Big Disappointment

Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I have written short stories about life and death in Baghdad, both on the US side and the Iraqi side. It's not going to solve any great problem, but I guarantee you that you're not going to read things like "The Radio" or "Tears in Baghdad: I never knew war would be like this" in the Sunday paper.

My point is that I know what you're saying. I've thought of it a couple times, but you take the good with the bad and move on. My stuff is different, but my frame of reference is different as well. When I'm at work or in a college classroom, I'm always assessing people in my mind: "This person doesn't have a clue about the war he's supporting." "That guy has never been in a life and death situation; how badass would he act then?" It's easy to start criticizing everyone who you don't feel is "on your level." I can relate, but you have to just kind of except that not everyone has your life experience, your education, or your conviction.

Justin C. Clburn
Iraq Veterans Against the War
http://www.ivaw.org/user/326

I agree; I joined the site over a year ago, and at first I was pretty inspired, but soon I felt closed in on all sides by, frankly, lots of dummies. Real sharp criticism and insight are very rare here, and intellectual laziness reigns absolutely. I even used to vent about this, sometimes very loudly, but never in all caps--but what use is there in telling stupid people that they're stupid? none.

So I've long since accepted the nature of this place; it's good, but it's simply too bad that it's not better.

Not to brag, but my buddylist might be a decent source of good people---

Carmie05, Fanaile Essence, embryowassup, phranque, Rachel Setzer, truthinlogic, Seraphcaeli, duffmann808, spawnofsatan, ThatGayConservative, Kpartington, Oedipus, Reid, ForenameSurname, fantasticle, everProgressive, Evolegnarts Rd, Jessica Riley, Colleen, daniohs, picklespeach, beethovenswife, Ergosum.

Especially Fanaile and Embryo because they're pretty much the only ones on that list who still post (and Carmie05, sort of). But the best writers were ForenameSurname, EvolegnartsRd, Ergosum, and spawnofsatan/everProgressive/whatever else his or her name was before that.

I'm not familiar enough with the site these days, so I might be passing over some people. esuffern looks pretty cool, anyways.

Michael Allen Yarbrough (PBUH)

I know how you feel, and often I've been just as discouraged. But instead of feeling apathetic about it, maybe treating it like you're helping people progress would help. That's what this site is about, isn't it?

Okay, I can't take it much longer. There is some serious lack of thought going on this summer with the exception of one or two posts. Hopefully there will be some smarter people like you come fall who know what they're talking about. I definitely won't be taking the bad with the good and I feel no remorse in telling a whining user to shut the hell up and go to myspace.

Whisper on a scream doesn't change a thing. - Kenny Wayne Sheppard Band

because I joined this site specifically to rant and rebuke the really dumb people. You might have more fun posting snarky comments on their walls...

b-money
"A cactus is the opposite of a chair. In my house you can sit anywhere but there."

Unfortunately, stupidity is a fact of life. I've been forced to learn to deal with it. I think a lot of people on here forget that this site is supposed to be for something and so they just blog like they would normally. I don't have a lot of time to be writing on here, so I never really said I would go all out to win. But I have written two blogs so far which I put a lot of work into and which I feel could mean something to more people than just me. (Feel free to read them.)
Yes, the stupid people are out there. Ignore them. Speak your piece. As long as you are saying something worthwhile, someone will appreciate it.

I'm getting a bit petered by this year's dilemma, which seems to be identical to last year's. I try to be supportive of new people who come along to "win the scholarship", but their writing is atrocious.

One blogger went to great lengths to satirise their posts by writing a blog about what not to write about. I hope people don't view my writing in toe.

"I understand that this car is pretty expensive but it has more to it than any Ferrari can give to our earth and people." -- crystalcraze13, a ProU blogger

did you drop out of the competition? how did that go?