[Autumnleaf]

	Originally Posted by JC22 To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Because 'those' people have weak comebacks or no one will support them.

What if their delivery sucks. Nobody likes them. They aren't very good at arguing... and they are 100% right?

Mob mentality can be fun to be a part of but its not always, or even often, accurate in its perceptions and which actions it takes based on those perceptions. Its like the old saw about the rioters who decided to burn down their neighborhood grocery store because they were tired of being poor.

[sunitaishot]

Originally Posted by Zsych To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Whatever society supports is acceptable behavior - although within your own group, you may have a somewhat different definition of such. Some people are less developed. Some people's ideas seem inferior to your own. Humor at their expense, invalidates them in your mind and in the minds of your group. So among other things, you never have to take them and their views seriously. That also makes it a tactic for dealing with things that you disagree with or can't handle. Turn it into a joke and you can convince yourself that you don't take it seriously. And if other people can relate to your jokes, it helps them to also start not taking those people seriously.

Exactly so. It's normal for people to bully.

---------- Post added 07-04-2012 at 10:52 AM ----------

	Originally Posted by PRBori To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Personally I do not like individuals who make fun of others at all, that is an instant turn-off. My motto is simple, "do not treat others the way you don't want to be treated".

Isn't this phrase simply said due to societal Christian influence? I find most don't adhere to it.

	Like you I've never understood it and unfortunately I don't have the answer either, but I'm pretty sure is because they lack personal self-esteem and therefore feel like belitting others ones makes them more likable.

lol... People often use this argument against bullying, but the fact is people can and will be cruel. it's how human beings function and are built.

I think personally some groups of people warrant mocking.

[sunitaishot]

	Originally Posted by Jill Hives To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I was under the impression that it was okay to make fun of all people.

In principle, yes. is there a reason why it shouldn't be?

[Monte314]

	Originally Posted by iso To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I really don't agree with the thrust of this topic. It's almost like discussing set theory without mentioning the axioms upon which we are operating...

Better get used to it. No one defines their terms here, largely because:

1.) They don't understand that no progress can be made without doing so
2.) They have no idea how to do it

I don't bother anymore myself, because such grounding of the topic is ignored anyway.

If you check back through the history of the Forum, you will see that we recycle the same pseudo-ideas about every 12 months... and nothing ever changes. You, iso, will probably be long gone by the next occurrence of this same discussion... but some of us will still be here.

[Bevan]

I wouldn't mind getting a spanking if I try to discuss a topic I know nothing about, but purely ad hominem attacks serve no purpose but to insult or humiliate--if you can't prove your point in a thoughtful way just call the other party an idiot. I don't mind conceding a point either. It is honourable to admit you are incorrect, and you can't learn anything by being right all the time.

The folks pictured in eagleseven's post are far below any level of intelligent discussion. You can't argue with people who declare themselves clowns and refuse to budge from that position.

[Espadrille]

	Originally Posted by sunitaishot To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Why should it matter if people are "unkind"? It's normal for people to bully.

Define "normal". Are you implying that we have "mean" genes that enhance our ability to survive?

[Imperator]

I try not to make fun of people.

It takes all the joy out of watching them hang themselves. I have no problem providing the rope though....

[sunitaishot]

	Originally Posted by Espadrille To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Define "normal". Are you implying that we have "mean" genes that enhance our ability to survive?

Normal as in malevolence is a normal part of our actions.

[babsa]

Originally Posted by Autumnleaf To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

These people are saying the US is tolerating what God has defined as sin so God is condemning America. American has been fighting the war on terror for 10 years and has had trouble winning against 3rd world countries, and America is economically in deep trouble. If the economy was running well and we were easily winning these wars against backwards countries I'd say these people are nutters. Since that isn't the case I reserve judgement of them.

How exactly is a war winnable when the enemy are among civilians? This just seems to be a ridiculous thing to say...

Anyways, back on topic, some people seem to bring it upon themselves. There are often people that are easily offended, there are some people that are abrasive, and there are some people that welcome it. There are two people that i work with who are easily offended and often enter in altercations with other people because they choose to. I am a firm believer in that the only thing you can completely control is how you react to something, and i am most often the person to turn the other cheek instead of escalating a situation. There are many people who are abrasive, and my response to people who negatively impact my mood is to return in kind. These seems contradictory to my previous point, but i often do not let on that they had any affect on my mood, and my method of response is not conspicuous.

[Bevan]

God hates fags? That's a personal threat, an incitement to violence and other impolite behaviour. Maybe that's why I'm a nontheist.

[CyborgKitten]

Honestly, I don't think it's really "okay" to make fun of some people, but people will always do it anyways, and some people set themselves up for being made fun of. It may not be okay to make fun of them, and of course no one wants to be made fun of themselves, but It's just human nature. At least, in my opinion, It is.

[24601]

Making fun of people is okay. It doesn't bother me to get teased by people; friends and family tease, and I tease back. It's also acceptable to tell someone to quit dogging you when they've crossed the line. My mom is notorious for getting vicious with her "teasing." I think when there's an intent to make someone feel bad and make yourself feel better, it's a line crossed.

As far as making fun of strangers, it's just rude to laugh at someone to their face unless they've been obnoxious. The "God Hates Fags" folks deserve what they get. When you hate monger publicly, you're going to get some shade thrown your way. I don't think calling someone a jealous wannabe cocksucker reject is nearly as bad as harassing people at funerals of their children, and if a parent says that to them and they get their panties in a wad, they should have thought about it before they showed up.

Have I kiki'd with friends about how other people look or act when they're just minding their own business? Absolutely. However, I'd NEVER do it to someone's face in that situation.

[Straylight]

	Originally Posted by Autumnleaf To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	It seems like some people revel in the ridicule of others. I've never understood that. I don't like being made fun of. You probably don't either. What makes some people more acceptable to make fun of than others?

If you're going to dish it out, expect to get it back.

It's acceptable to ridicule those people who have first made fun of other people.

[AnaK]

Making fun of people is a very low form of humor, and a way to disguise or deny cruelty, and blame the victim for "being stupid", "bringing it on themselves", or "not being able to take a joke". I find people who do this are usually from the wrong side of the tracks.

[discontinuous]

Because there is only one right way to do things.
Because if you don't seem to be trying to be like them, and enough of their friends you must be annihilated, for shame.
Because sometimes some people make it hard for me to connect the dots.
Because my self-esteem exists only in the mouth of others.
Because I'm better than this person, but it wasn't immediately apparent, so I had to point it out.

Because some facial expressions aren't what you see on TV, or expect on a certain person, there is a mismatch and my feeble mind would expect different behavior from this person who should be more like X because he kind of looks like X, because X is one of all that's ever been broadcast into my slimy consumer brain and is therefore one of the few possible paths that makes logical sensor.

Because mass murderers, like all great leaders, are nominated, not self-appointed. An honor.

[Sunshine]

	Originally Posted by AnaK To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Making fun of people is a very low form of humor, and a way to disguise or deny cruelty, and blame the victim for "being stupid", "bringing it on themselves", or "not being able to take a joke". I find people who do this are usually from the wrong side of the tracks.

OR perhaps the goal is for people to not take everything so seriously and to stop caring so much about other people judging them. But humans will be humans and many will blame the people making the jokes for doing something wrong, like you're doing, rather than realizing that it comes down to one's decision to let jokes at their expense affect them in a negative manner.

[discontinuous]

Oh, and also, everything is everybody's fault, always. I like my pizza thrown through my window if it's open, screw walking over to the door.

[AnaK]

	Originally Posted by Sunshine To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	OR perhaps the goal is for people to not take everything so seriously and to stop caring so much about other people judging them. But humans will be humans and many will blame the people making the jokes for doing something wrong, like you're doing, rather than realizing that it comes down to one's decision to let jokes at their expense affect them in a negative manner.

Actually, as far as I know, this doesn't happen to me much in real life. But I've seen people do it to others, and I almost always call them out on it.

[Bevan]

It's a mistake to take offense when you've been invited to play ball. You squander the respect you've been given and miss the opportunity to get in the game. Exchanging ideas and information deteriorates into name-calling and pointless indignation.

[TheStranger]

Through the lens of the common perception, it may seem acceptable, even encouraged. Many seem to seek out acceptance of what should be considered unacceptable.

Do the many eyes judge this person negatively? If yes, green light.

[Apex]

I usually say live and let live. A lot of times what other people do or say, never concern me of cross my mind, I simply don't care. I feel only close minded people make fun of others, usually when you way of thinking or your way of how things should look is challenged you are inclined to defend it; therefore if you see someone dressed weird you will mock them because in your mind they don't and shouldn't exist, because it goes against what you think and feel. If you are open minded everything is fair game and everything is a possibility.

[JC22]

Originally Posted by Autumnleaf To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

What if their delivery sucks. Nobody likes them. They aren't very good at arguing... and they are 100% right? Mob mentality can be fun to be a part of but its not always, or even often, accurate in its perceptions and which actions it takes based on those perceptions. Its like the old saw about the rioters who decided to burn down their neighborhood grocery store because they were tired of being poor.

No, no, no. They are still wrong.


Only if they have good delivery can their arguments even begin to be considered by others.



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[InfiniteLoop]

I only make fun of people if they pick a fight with me first. And then, I usually use my sarcasm. I have reduced would-be attackers to tears with my sarcasm. Hey, you wanna poke the dragon, don't be surprised when you're burned to a crisp.

[Antares]

	Originally Posted by InfiniteLoop To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I only make fun of people if they pick a fight with me first. And then, I usually use my sarcasm. I have reduced would-be attackers to tears with my sarcasm. Hey, you wanna poke the dragon, don't be surprised when you're burned to a crisp.

This. Pick a fight, expect to get it right back at you. Otherwise I can't be bothered to interact with stupid people when my iPod is beckoning with deliriously good music.

[ModernLit]

	Originally Posted by Seablue To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	There is no "some people" and "more than others". It's acceptable to make fun of anyone. I like making fun of people (including myself). I often don't like it when others make fun of me but I can take it.

lol, what seablue says. i am sort of notorious for making fun of people that i just meet. i have no shame.