Re: Zeitgeist and "Warning signs" of a potentially unsafe group
Date: March 09, 2011 02:41AM
David Wish in this post will be in italics. My replies will be in normal text.
Here are some quick notes to the readers of this thread.
1. I am, and have been, emotionally involved with the issue of TZM.
OK, so are basically admitting that your motives are not exactly pure. Or at least clear, even to you.
2. I have taken note of the moderation of this thread and other threads concerning TZM/TVP, especially concerning personal attacks, etc.
I hope you learned something about that.
3. I have personally witnessed the destructiveness of mentally abusive cults.
Do you feel it is possible that this may of lead you to be somewhat biased or paranoid about the concept? I don't mean this as an attack but it is something you need to seriously consider before you go around saying someone should have their children taken away from them because of a few exchanges on a message board.
4. In the context of the word abuse, it has been made clear here by Rick, that some form of physical damage, and proof thereof, must be presented. Such as black eyes, broken arms, deaths, etc.
5. I am a bit confused of whether or not Rick believes the words, “mental abuse”, constitute's real abuse. He does make it clear he wants to see something physical for the purposes of proof. If better words and understanding can be developed, I believe we can meet Rick’s requirements, whatever the criteria.
The bolded part of this essentially proves that you are coming from a biased perspective. And you are not leaving any possibility that you could just be wrong. You repeated over and over again that the fact that you were banned from a forum that not even a fraction of our movement uses that you were therefore abused, and that it was proof of abuse. When you say things like "I believe we can meet Rick's requirements, whatever the criteria despite the fact that you have failed to prove any of that criteria kind of feels to me that like Mr. Kush you feel you can present an argument with twists and spins in it to make your point. There is no abuse in TZM. The reason your having trouble proving that there is, is because there is none. Period. I want you to consider for a moment that your personal grudge has become your "white whale" to chase. Don't drag yourself down like Captain Ahab because you are emotionally invested in trying to get internet revenge against a group that banned you from a forum. You are actually in a position that would hurt the reputations of a lot of innocent people needlessly. Employers google people's names when they are deciding to hire someone. False accusations such as saying someone is a member of a cult could seriously harm someone's future. And I think you should seriously weigh whether or not your emotional grudge that you just admitted to is worth destroying people's lives for real.
6. Rick is an established professional and has responsibilities. We always must be mindful of the realities of this world, in which others have their realities, and they are real.
And if you cannot convince Rick, at what point to abandon this notion that TZM is a cult? Or this crusade to make people believe it is no matter the cost?
7. For everyone to meet on common ground is clearly in the best interest of everyone involved.
Well sure. Lets start by leaving comments about someone's fitness to see their children off the table, shall we?
8. My core problem with TZM/TVP is that they claim to have the “answer” and proper “direction”, by stating that some of their ideas are valid solutions, yet, they freely admit they do not have all the “answers”. Without the “answers”, they cannot validate their claim of having any sort of possible and workable answer. We can call this deception, lying, misrepresentation, etc.
You could just as easily call it a difference of opinion, or a misunderstanding. The language you put above is not that different to what Republicans and Democrats say about each other all the time. That does not make either group a cult.
9. I think what they are doing in the computing field is possibly, and eventually, more dangerous than creating actual weapons to control others.
Umm.. what?
10. I am taking a time out to calm down and will participate again when I believe my participation is more inline with the guidelines and goals here.
Good idea.
I was not trying to personally attack you Neil, although I did. I did not use the correct words to convey my concern for everyone involved. I apologize and I am taking the time to get things in calmer and in clearer order for the mutual benefit of all involved. Please refrain from calling people names like, “troll”, and possibly invoking their unreasonable side.
"Troll" is a term for someone engaged in cyber-bullying/harassment. I do not and will not apologize for pointing out that behavior because it is in fact, abusive. Thank you for apology but actions speak louder then words. I look forward to seeing engagements with you that prove you are sincere and not just trying to clear your reputation for past aggressions.
It seems to me that you have a philosophical difference. And in your frustration about it you are resorting to the ad hominem of "cult". This is truly not fair to the hundreds of people in TZM who have never hurt anyone. Have never abused anyone. And do not deserve to have their reputations smeared. I hope that in your break you take some time to reflect on the weight of the accusations you are throwing around and the very real abusive nature of what you could of accomplished with them. I have already had people angry at me over garbage on the internet threaten to make false reports to child protective services to have my children take away, which is why I felt your comment was way over the line. I don't know you, and we obviously don't agree on many things but that is over the line. And it is not the first time I have seen people sink that low over internet bickering. You have never been to my home, or seen me around my children. And your interaction with me has been extremely limited. To make such a bold claim that now can show up on google search engines and then get repeated by trolls everywhere is a lot more dangerous then me banning you from a message board.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/09/2011 03:09AM by VTV.