I have to admit a guilty pleasure that I’m sure some readers – especially those who read my “Pavlov’s Troll” article that was posted a couple of years ago – are already familiar with.
The pleasure I speak of is the manipulation of small minds. I haven’t indulged in quite some time, but recently I’ve gotten back into it. There’s been a discussion going on at Wetcanvas here (My first entry is about midway down the page. My username is “Gatordawg” on the site.) One of the members (Midwest Painter) engaged, and before long, I was back into “Pavlov’s Troll” mode with this guy.
This guy is easily manipulated. If you’re familiar with the Pavlov article, spend some time reading our Wetcanvas exchange, and you’ll see how I was able to manœuvre him into saying just about anything I wanted. I find it a little weird that I find it amusing doing this sort of thing. Is it some sort of an ego/power-trip thing? I don’t know.
It took almost no time at all for me to expose him, and get him to come right out and completely contradict the very foundation of his initial argument. Now it seems he’s reeling and grasping at every turn. Desperately mis-quoting, and engaging in a string of attempts at diversion. He wont let it go, and keeps digging himself deeper and deeper.
He wants me to engage him on another topic now regarding oil prices. I haven’t decided yet if I’m willing to invest the time. I’ll see what his response is first. If I find myself bored, I might just be suckered into some cheap entertainment.
Your thoughts? Is playing with people in such a way wrong? Does this sort of thing mean I’m somewhat of an asshole? Does it matter if I am?
12 Comments
ya big friggin woop. So you acted like a dink porposfuly trying to piss him off and he got pissed off. Wow!!! you’re some kinf of genius or something!!! Give me a break. How did you expect people to react? They don’t know what your doing. Youd do the same thing.
It’s obvious that this dongle has never heard of the term “gadfly” before. I’d like to think it would have seemed pretty obvious to me what was up after a few posts in. It would seem that some people are so clued in to themselves that they are completely clued out of everything else around them. That looks to be the case with this fool.
There are “contact” links on my website. But, never mind, I’ve just e-mailed you my number. I trust you get your e-mail on that laptop? (The e-mail you use to sign the comments on this blog.)
Ah cool! But I don’t think I have your number anymore and I’m currently on the road. All I have here is my laptop and I don’t have your e-mail on it. I’ll be gone till Friday. Is time a factor?
It’s nuts around here bro. I’ve got a score that’s coming up on deadline – FAST, I’m bearing down on working on the next book (I’d like to have it done by X-mas), the stock thing is eating some time. Lots of stuff.
If you’ve still got my number, give me a ring. I might be able to throw a little work your way, if you’re interested. It’s something that would be better discussed over the phone, rather than e-mail. Remember the “Boney” gig? He’s got a new project starting up, and he’s looking for help with it.
i c
Anyhoooo… watcha so busy on. eh?
Your avatar is tied to the e-mail you enter, not your username. You had a typo in the e-mail you entered in the last comment, so the system assigned you a generic avatar.
Hey! What happened to my avatar?
Boo! See! I knew you were an asshole!
I think I’m going to let the oil prices thing slide for now. I’m just too busy these days.
That’s too funny. He even pulled out the old “abooot” reference. You should have started spelling all of your abouts “hubow.”
Yeah you’re an asshole. But that guy is an incredible idiot. Good stuff Birdy. I was laughing my ass off reading that convo. You can really get a visual image of the guy at his keyboard just foaming.
Do more! Do more! I want to the oil prices thing.