From: malcolm@wrs.com (Malcolm Humes)
Subject: Re: Ray Shea Goes Ballistic (was Re: Top 10 bands of all time)
Organization: Wind River Systems, Inc.
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 19:16:15 GMT

cubsfan@camelot.bradley.edu (Michael Silverman) writes:
>If people like Ray Shea ever take over this newsgroup, then we all
>might as well kill it, because people like him, who jump on
>everything they disagree with, and strike at people unprovoked
>are the kind of people who shouldn't post to news until they become
>civilized in their behavior. A constructive flame (or
>constructice criticism ) is fine, but Ray seems to just
>enjoy turning his little flamethrower on full blast and
>shooting randomly at those he disagrees with.

Actually, it struck me that Ray started off not by jumping all over 
people he disagrees with but by asking someone who posted a frivolous post
why he had such a limited perspective. Then it developed into asking a
Rush fan to defend ridiculous statements about the band. It's sort of fun
watching people fall flat on their face when they can't even back up a 
statement with anything but meaningless drivel and an attack on the person
who asked them to explain themselves. That Ray can so casually work up 
someone to a point where they make a total ass out of themselves in front of
thousands of people amazes me, and I can see why some folks in this group
and others take great pleasure in encouraging folks to humiliate themselves. 

That's the beauty of it, it doesn't take an elite cabal or the feeling that
one's musical tastes are superior - you can just look around you and pick
from dozens of posts of shallow drivel and just ask someone to explain what
they said or why they have a certain perspective, and watch, 99% of the
folks here can't even back up what they say with a logical and reasoned
explanation or arguement. They just dig the ditch deeper and quickly stoop
to name calling. Some people seem to think they can say anything and never
have to explain how they arrived at such a statement or conclusion. To me 
it's the cluelessness that extends these threads to the point of flames, 
and there's a high level of humor in watching folks flail aimlessless for 
what they believe in. Maybe it's a crude and rude level of humor but it's
funny as hell anyway, and the best part is that it only takes a small 
catalyst like Ray and then folks like Miachel Silverman take the bait and
start making a public spectacle out of themselves. If you ask me, if 
anyone should be ashamed it's Michael, the guy running around with his pants 
down around his knees...  

>As a last resort, try killing just the thread "Top Ten" if
>you are so enraged at these lists!

Go for it. Make my day. Stop whining and start talking about music if that's 
what you're here for... Or keep up the show, while while the rest of us 
sit back and enjoy Usenet as a spectator sport. If you think Ray is just
a jerk who enjoys provoking people you should go over to r.m.industrial
and meet Matt Sharp, a dedicated provocateur who has virtually turned that
newsgroup into a pub brawl.  

  - Malcolm 
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||||||||Malcolm Humes|||||||||||||||||||||||||malcolm@wrs.com|||||||||||||||
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Some people tell me, 'Isn't it wrong to take advantage of people when
the are experienceing serious problems in their lives?'.. and I say
'Excuse me, but I think you've mistaken me for someone who gives a damn!"
                      -from TV Hypster Mr. Tom Vu
Newsgroups: rec.music.misc