Back on the ranch in the saloon...

Saffy Pants posted this in the "London's burning: Rioters trash police station" thread on gV:

"Oh dear nina. This sounds very like a report from the Iranian News Service and is quite, quite wrong. If it was some kind of revolt against poverty and injustice i might have had some sympathy and even cheered them on.
But this was simply the black drug gangs who run large parts of London suddenly realising that if enough of them went on the rampage in enough different locations they could not be stopped and their sheer audacity caught like a bush fire.
In many cases they went for poor Asian shopkeepers, they ransacked their own neighbours' houses and corner stores, they terrorised and robbed old people and torched their homes. In one terrible incident, when a group of Asian shopkeepers stood guard over their street, they simply drove a car into them, killing three of them. It was a mindless, causeless, drink-and-drug-fuelled rampage of insane greed. Incidentally the guy whose shooting started it all was a known gangster who was armed."

Lias responded in "The Saloon" thread:

"What clever black gang members, to start a riot for no reason so they could steal candy from poor Asian shopkeepers. At least no Caucasians were killed. You can thank your White God for that at least."

Saffy Pants replied:

"Think this is in the wrong thread Lias, but never mind. It is quite true that the trouble started when members of the black community gathered to protest at the death of Mark Duggan. Anger boiled, a window was smashed, chaos ensued, the police stood off, more windows were smashed, a shop was looted and suddenly it was all over the Blackberry group messaging net and the orgy started all over the country.
I can't believe you are trying to justify what happened."

On-topic discussion for no more than about a page and a half, including me mentioning what appears to me to be a personal policy change for Lias (I was later corrected, natch) and then Lias called out Tarzan:

"Pathetic is YOU Tarzan. Your sad and desperate 'backchannel' thread only had 77 responses and 656 views in 6 days.

My thread has 112 replies and 732 views overnight.

Do better. Don't lash out at me because of your 'shortcomings'"

Bunnie said:

"I have you all beat! The Naughty Thread(Pics, vids, etc. There will be nudity!)
And yah! Take that! I don't know how to tell views and all that, but I bet it kicks your threads asses! Plus you get nakedy goodness!
I rule!  

  "

LeeHere said:

"Forum Feedback, while not naughty per se, and certainly not as popular as Bunnie's fabulously successful thread (128,391 views), has over 22,000 views. Just sayin'. 

p.s.Lain (is Bams)' Standing invitation for SCMK-II and SLU People who have an axe to grind..... thread has over 50,000 views."

And from there, can you guess, yes, more talk about jealousy, mental health, necro-stalking, net nannying, obsession, passive-aggressiveness, post counts, reading comprehension, rude snark, trolling and emoticons...not so much about riots.

A forum stats thread was suggested.

Lain (is Bams) said:

"Only is we get kill points and the ability to collect the avatars of our victims on a trophy page.  
  "

Bunnie said:

"   Kinky banana says let's do it! (The thread idea, pervs.)"

Lias said:

"Post counts are important."

"I was here first."

Lias kept score, suggested badges and made a banner.

"I would like some nice shiny badges under my avatar picture to show off my accomplishments Nina."

And gave Jolene a time-out.

Lias said:

"Your time-out ends on August 20th.

Use that time to figure out how you can converse without name calling and trying to incite fights on a discussion forum."

Joshua was invoked.  Again.  Cristiano too.  Again.

Lias said:

"Colleen, CaTo and Lee were fun tonight.

Jolene is on a time-out until she can pull her head out of Joshua's ass over at SLU."

Jolene carried the message to Joshua over on SLU.

And then the muppet thread was maligned.

Lias said:

"I won't even click the 'Sesame Street Gay Marriage Petition' thread because it is stupid. Colleen should lose 500 post points just for starting the thread."

I'm not making this up.

Kick defended the muppets and talked about his name-watching hobby.

I took one for the team.

Kick relived his angst over the Snowman competition.

And Mitch said this:

"I'm a fly in your ointment.... the sand in the crack of your ass at the beach... the ants at the picnic.... but go on.... keep pretending that I'm not here....."

Bunnie enjoyed the activities.



Links:
http://gotvirtual.net/community/threads/londons-burning-rioters-trash-police-station.2340/
http://gotvirtual.net/community/threads/the-saloon-a-mature-area17-nsfw-red-thread.1200/page-34#post-106080
http://gotvirtual.net/community/threads/the-naughty-thread-pics-vids-etc-there-will-be-nudity.410/
http://gotvirtual.net/community/threads/new-petition-seeks-to-out-sesame-streets-bert-and-ernie-as-gay.2361/
http://gotvirtual.net/community/threads/the-saloon-a-mature-area17-nsfw-red-thread.1200/
http://gotvirtual.net/community/threads/necro-stalk-a-mature-area17-nsfw-red-thread.2368/
http://gotvirtual.net/community/threads/take-it-outside-ii-area17-nsfw-red.1162/
http://gotvirtual.net/community/threads/take-it-outside.806/
http://gotvirtual.net/community/threads/take-it-outside.806/page-25#post-41838
http://gotvirtual.net/community/threads/take-it-outside.806/page-21#post-41456
http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/zomgwtfbbqgtfololcats/62816-i-hate.html

gV Drama...It started with a little thread about desktop images.

This is the OP.

Lias said:

"I like a dark screen image that's not too busy."

And she included this picture.



So far, so good.

Kita posted links to hers.

Tarzan posted this.

"I have had this one since even before she was famous."

Post #4, Immy posts this.

"Can't. It'll probably get me banned. =^-^="

This is where I imagine veterans of SC MKII, SLU and the SL blogorums roll their eyes, groan and push flashbacks of old threads out of their heads. Non-veterans or the unfamiliar might be doing a combination of "uh oh" and "what?" Regardless, anyone reading that one line knows it's the beginning.

Couple more posts about desktop images. People ignoring the bait.  Here comes more chum.

Immy wades back in and on post #9 contributes a post that has since been edited, debated, defended and derided multiple times with no end currently in sight.  [Warning:  Think twice about clicking the links (here and below).  Immy likes controversial lolicon images and tends to post from the full continuum with the qualifier that one end of the continuum is her wheelhouse and the other end of the continuum is what a minority of other people enjoy, but, ya know, check it out or something.]

"I'll do it this way: #ECCHI# http://darkly-cute.com/images/Desktop 110807.jpg #ECCHI# open at your own risk. =^-^=

It's a dual-screen set up and I make a big enough image to span both, each with its own scene. Set to tile and it fits perfectly. (^_^)y

Oh, I can show off my workplace desktop..."

"Ain't I the narcissist? =^-^="

"WARNING** This site goes even beyond ~MY~ boundaries -- Lolibooru <link broken by me - see explanation below>

But, anyway. (^_^)y"

"#1 rule of online safety: Unless you're clearly aware that you're directly seeking that which is behind the link, DON'T CLICK THE LINK!"

"Blind rage is entertaining."

More postings of desktop images and then post # 19.

Lain (is Bams) said:

"Linking to pornographic images of children isn't exactly above board with the rules, now is it?

It's clearly material we have outlined as inappropriate for posting, I don't see a link to the material as much different, and I'm pretty sure the laws will fall in that direction as well.

I, for one, would appreciate you having more tact and respect and keeping this filth to yourself in the future.

Thanks in advance."

Aaaand we're off to the races.

Here's a quick bullet summary:

• Immy posted links to potentially illegal pornographic images thereby endangering both the site and the members who might have clicked on the second link.
• Immy posted links and not images and members were not compelled to click the links.
• Members weren't warned either.
• The pictures are of drawings, not actual people.  No one was harmed in the making of them.
• The pictures are illegal in some countries and offensive to many people.
• The gV community standards say "child pornography or the sexualisation of a child, real or not, is explicitly forbidden" and no shock gore either and we agreed not to put the site in legal jeopardy.
• Immy is trolling.  Again.
• Immy is a hero for being open, honest and vulnerable and exercising such great restraint.
• Immy is just posting.
• Immy thinks the pics are cute and on-topic.  She also thinks they express joy, freedom and liberation.
• Immy objects to her favorite form of art being characterized as filth.
• Immy hates being an adult, but is forced into it in real and virtual lives.
• Immy is a married middle-aged man with a compulsion to post lolicon pics, seek attention and cause drama.
• Immy is like a flasher on a subway.
• Lias is old enough to be Immy's mother.
• Lias sounds like colleen's mother.
• Lias is accused of harping.
• Tarzan tells Lias to "shut up."
• Immy wants a cat.
• Someone shoots a confidential email to PETA.
• People state and quote laws and rules and so forth.  Jurisdictions are discussed.
• People tell each other they are wrong.
• People accuse each other of net nannying.
• Everyone is just expressing opinions as they have a right to do.
• Immy wants to know why, if these images are illegal as so many people are telling her, are they still up and why have they been up for years?
• What Immy actually knows or doesn't know is debated.
• People are clutching pearls and being provincial and fussy.
• People are just asking Immy to respect the wishes of the community members.
• Lain (is Bams) does a pseudo-flounce.
• Lain (is Bams) returns for a quick summary and chastisement.
• Lain (is Bams) CoCos the thread.
• Lain (is Bams) Godwins the thread.
• Tarzan Godwins the thread with more Freud.
• Mary invokes the Archivist.
• Everybody else invokes Wasted.
• Another image is posted for comparison and discussion purposes.
• Storm tells everyone he has a picture of Lias on his desktop (clearly baiting Orfeu who posted a pic early on and buggered off before the drama fired up.)
• Bunnie supplies the thread memes:  pilgrims and reruns.
• Jolene provides an updated summary on page 14.
• Lias provides the first list of the thread.
• Kick interprets and mediates.
• I get slaphappy.
• A planet gives out infraction points.
• Lurkers either mentally slit their wrists or eagerly refresh for more.

Oh, and CaTo posted this:  

And Lias made a banner.

Here's Immy's post about her room. Post #32.  Brace yourself.

"No. That is actually my Windows desktop. (^_^)


And, this is my room. (^_^)"

Links:
http://gotvirtual.net/community/threads/what-computer-desktop-image-do-you-use.2342/
http://www.secondcitizen.net/Forum/showthread.php?t=1745
http://www.secondcitizen.net/Forum/showthread.php?t=3531
http://www.darkly-cute.com/blog/
http://imnotgoingsideways.blogspot.com/

I'll link you to a post that has the second link, the more inflammatory pic site, rather than repost that link on my own site.  You really want to see it, you can click through to gV, click the link there and head on over to Lolibooru. Yes, I did click. I know what you'll see if and when you get there. Don't say you weren't warned.

Here's the link to the post with the link:  http://gotvirtual.net/community/threads/what-computer-desktop-image-do-you-use.2342/page-4#post-105421

ETA p.s.
My comments on FC explaining the differences in what people might have been seeing with regard to the second link could possibly clarify things a bit.  http://slconfidential.blogspot.com/2011/08/gv-in-uproar-over-immy-images.html

From the rabbit:

Blog & Forum Snapshot (August 8, 2011)

Real Travels in a Virtual World has a post by S0phia Inkpen about golf courses in Second Life called "Golf Aruba." I'm a golfer, so that particular post caught my eye.

S0phia Inkpen said:

"Golf courses in sl! Virtual worlds are the only place where I have no objections to the game (actually I have no objections to the game per se, I have objections to the golf courses themselves)."

She doesn't explain why she has objections to the golf courses in real life, possibly because she wanted to keep the post short, light and mostly about the pictures and Second Life, but left to my own assumptions, I'm guessing her objections are based on environmental grounds, a not uncommon objection to golf courses.

From a Wikipedia article:

"Environmental concerns over the use of land for golf courses have grown over the past fifty years. Specific issues include the amount of water and chemical pesticides and fertilizers used for maintenance, as well as the destruction of wetlands and other environmentally important areas during construction."

Pep has entitled his latest provocative and pithy post "Official: The Global Recession is all the fault of the LWLs."  Is there anyone here among us who does not yet know what he means by "LWL"?  No?  Good.


Speaking of provocative (but not pithy), Ishtara never fails to deliver in that respect.  Consider this latest blog post title:  "Of Psychoactive Sperm, Gushing Women, and Men Who Picture Their Wives in Horseshoes."  Better yet, read, comment and let us know what you think.  Be forewarned, however...Ishtara sympathetically addresses a topic that is guaranteed to dramatically offend the vast majority of readers out there.  No, it's not pedophilia, but it is a very close second.  Proceed with caution or bypass completely.  Just don't say I didn't warn you.


My posting is often considered provocative too... wait... that makes it sound much better than what the actual commentary has been, the actual commentary being more along the lines of "instigating, shit-stirring, trouble-making troll."  My motives were recently questioned here and here.  This post may well be considered an act of instigation, so perhaps I should reflect on my motivation for it.  In the meantime, perhaps you will enjoy some of the responses I got when I put the question back out there to the rest of the forum.  I received some in PMs that were totally post-worthy, but probably inappropriate to post here given the medium (private channel) so you will just be left to wonder about those.  (Now what was my motivation for saying that?)

Lee said:

"Alright everybody. What's your forum posting motivation? "

Pig said:

"I just like watching the idiots rant and tossing in few rants back. Too busy for real threads so right now just come and watch some people trying to feel important is fun~"

Lain (is Bams) said:

"What motivates my posting is generally lack of better judgement."

Bunnie said:

"I am a glutton for punishment.  "

Mitch said:

"Me?..... I like to cause drama.....   "

Kick Frenzy said:

"Hmmm... *Scratches chin*


I'd say my main motivation is fun.
It's like hanging out with a bunch of people, many who I'd call friend, and just shootin the shit.
There's drama here and there and whatever and I get involved with that usually.
But for the most part, I'm here for the laughs and good times... and all the information on a huge variety of shit that I get to learn about.


So, basically... fun, fun, drama, fun, learning about shit... and more fun.
(Oh yeah, and getting my name known for that mythical day when Bang Rumpus actually gets finished.  )"

Mary said:

"I have this character flaw where I am compelled to argue with idiots. I know it's a waste of time and that it's like teaching a pig to sing. But I do it anyways.


I should probably seek counseling about that or something. I've been trying to break the habit for awhile now."

Orfeu, as you probably already know, said:

"My Motivation is simple.
I am a fuckwit, and dont know any better.


As for Lee...I should think it is obvious to any impartial observer.


She is Evil.
Pure Concentrated Evil.
She pulls our strings like an Evil Puppet-Master.


So if any of you have a beef with me...just remember, it wasnt my fault.
Lee made me do it."

Prokofy Neva covers an extremely popular topic with his post "Second Life Needs a Live Music Blog."  I would direct him to some SL live music sites, blogs, blog posts and even forums, but my observation is that Neva prefers to find such things on his own, if at all.  I don't mean to be dismissive of Neva or Neva's post.  I'm thrilled that Neva is again taking an interest in the rich live music scene in Second Life and I agree that most of the live music blog content out there is more of the "here is a live musician in SL and his genre is the blues and I really enjoyed his show" variety rather than actual musical criticism.  As much as people write about live music in SL, and there is a lot of writing about live music in SL  (right behind fashion, destinations and SL operations and politics), there really isn't a whole lot of informed critical analysis or Rolling Stone journalistic style review.  Maybe we could get Envoy or Orfeu on that.  I used to write a kind of basic SL live music blog myself, but I kept it in a social group on a forum and it, and all the content save the pictures, were deleted...and I don't have the musical background of an Envoy or Orfeu.  Seicher Rae got into SL Live Music blogging at one time, but her content has also been deleted.  At any rate, I'm glad Neva brought it up.  It's a ceaselessly interesting topic to me and many others and it also gives me a chance to tell you that Guitar Zane and Senjata Witt are two of my favorite live music artists in Second Life. (I gushed profusely and prolifically about Guitar Zane in forum threads and the social group blog and my SL pic albums over on RLetc.  I wear my Senjata Witt SL t-shirt a lot.  Good thing clothes don't wear out in SL.)


Speaking of live music, though not in SL...

Kita said:

"It's that time again! Another Phish show, Mulch and I will be streaming LIVE intermittently throughout the day!

http://mulched.blogspot.com/2011/08/phish-8811-hollywood-bowl.html

Keep checking the stream today and stay tuned for awesome hippie action! "

You might need this.

Which leads me to this:  It would appear that not only is Mulch blogging again, but he has started a new forum or at least is participating in the development of a new forum.  It's called "Feted Inner Hangout" and it's on fetedinnerhorde.com.

Mulch said:

"also, this forum is now in beta testing. It would be a great honor to me if you sign up for this forum/site, use it, test it, post to it, upload photos, send messages, edit friend list, add buddies, and help me work out the bugs and help me beta test it (long term involvement beyond beta not discouraged). we should be going live within 2-4 weeks once all bugs, features, mods, and hacks are worked out"

"Are you

• a normal adult who likes to play WoW?
• someone with real life responsibilities like a job, significant other, hobby, social life?
• looking to play WoW with friendly, likeminded people who are adults who have real lives outside of WoW, and who like to PvP and sometimes PvE, without DKP, militant GMs or Raid Leaders or drama?
• on or considering Lightninghoof server in the US, horde faction?*

Then consider apllying to join us in Feted Inner Horde. We are all adults, majority female. We have a small active user base and a larger pool who comes through every now and then. We are casual, have a teamspeak 3 server, and prefer to...
Read more: http://fetedinnerhorde.com/forums/index.php/topic,6.0.html#ixzz1USqXqjyc"

Cristiano has posted a list of the top 25 laugh-getting posts on SLU.




Wasted wants to view my blog but is having a great deal of difficult because of the "mature content" warning. I suppose it's good to know the net nanny content-control software works.

"leehere, why don´t you remove that warning about the mature content? I never can read your blog, it doesn´t work on firefox for me."

"many views and still cant read the leehere´s blog because of the mature content warning   "

Lastly, check out this fun find Magnus Brody blogged about in his post "Spock Is Not Impressed."


p.s.
I think it would be fun if Neva got in on the forum and blog critiquing biz on a regular, formal, structured kind of basis (as opposed to the drive-by shooting basis).  We could even give him a head start.

Links:
http://realtravels.blogspot.com/2011/08/golf-aruba.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golf_course
http://geographyfieldwork.com/golf.htm
http://www.beyondpesticides.org/golf/index.htm
http://www.golfturf.rutgers.edu/golf-courses-and-the-environment.asp
http://slmc.myfastforum.org/
http://quickmusiclexxi.blogspot.com/
http://leeherevw.blogspot.com/2011/06/virtual-world-theme-sites-blogs-forums.html
http://www.wastedlife.com.ar/index.php/forum?func=view&catid=4&id=71
http://leeherevw.blogspot.com/2011/08/wasted-sees-me-too-or-wasted-channels.html
http://gotvirtual.net/community/threads/leehere-i-see-you.858/page-60
http://leeherevw.blogspot.com/2011/07/criteria-for-forum-ranking-ratings_29.html
http://leeherevw.blogspot.com/2011/07/criteria-for-forum-ranking-ratings.html
http://leeherevw.blogspot.com/2011/07/forum-ranking-ratings-reviews.html
http://mulched.blogspot.com/2011/08/phish-8811-hollywood-bowl.html
http://fetedinnerhorde.com/forums/index.php/topic,16.new.html
http://www.ustream.tv/user/mulchvideo
http://fetedinnerhorde.com/forums/
http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/slu-announcements/62941-top-25-most-laughs.html

Fine print:  LWL = Ladies Who Lunch (and is not gender specific)
Fine print 2:  The author of this blog does not necessarily support or condone the content of the blogs referenced here.
Fine print 3:  @ Seicher Rae:  If you still have that SL live music content and would like to pass it on to me for a blog post attributed to you (natch), then I would be delighted to post it.  Food for thought.  Thanks.
Fine print 4:  Yes, I do know that Prokofy Neva's operator is a female human and that most people refer to Prokofy Neva as Prok.