Wise words, Pap.
I’ve been considering a substantive response to this post for some time. There are loads of very good individual moments, both on the forum and in real life to refer to. The huge change for me, apart from starting Sotonians, was really the real life stuff.
Forum life and written communication can be a tricky beast. Before I had met most of you, the narrative doing the rounds about me on TSW was fucking disgusting. I can see how, sight unseen, some arrived at the genuine positions they did. With a bit of distance, it’s also pretty plain that a fair deal of character assassination was going on.
I’ve just re-read my “tribute” thread over on TSW.
Fuck me. I know I was a divisive character on TSW, but there are some fairly acid send-offs in that thread from the usual suspects.
Outright lies, too. I think my favourite part might be “Scared CB Fry”, citing fears over his identity and stating he wished he’d never signed up here.
While I always knew it was bollocks, I never knew how other people really felt about it; how they’d react and whether they believed it. Clearly, some on the forum did.
So cheers to everybody that has made it out and had the realisation that I am not fucking mad*. Not going to be on anyone else’s list of fave events, but after some of the shite that was written over the last few years, it really did mean a lot.
* In the precise ways attributed to me 
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Thought you weren’t going to mention TSW? 
I think that thread was a brilliant send off - we all got into an all mighty ding dong on your behalf - what more could you want?! A bad send off would have been three responses then tumbleweed…
You post some pretty controversial stuff at times Pap - I don’t think you can be surprised by people’s responses. I’ve been on the edge on more than one occasion! But you’re also a pretty interesting and entertaining character, and a decent bloke - and to me that’s more important.
Rereading that thread is funny though! People are so wired on there! So ready to read something wrong or take offence, or assume the person you’re replying to is a complete idiot. It’s like you have to prove you’re not an idiot first before being treating normally. I think there are really interesting people on there, but that’s the complete opposite take to my view of the world. I like people first, then get disappointed when they turn out to be a dick. 
Maybe that’s more fool me. 
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Originally posted by @Coxford_lou
Rereading that thread is funny though! People are so wired on there! So ready to read something wrong or take offence, or assume the person you’re replying to is a complete idiot. It’s like you have to prove you’re not an idiot first before being treating normally. I think there are really interesting people on there, but that’s the complete opposite take to my view of the world. I like people first, then get disappointed when they turn out to be a dick.
That’d be Hypo then. Bellend extraordinaire (esp. on that thread)
Fatso frequently gives me favourite moments on here. He’s funny.
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The staunch defence launched by people here was both moving and appreciated.
I think I’ve genuinely become acclimated to the atmosphere on here; I’d actually forgotten how bloody venomous it all once was.
The phenomenon over there that I found most difficult to deal with was the level of offence that people take for thoughts and opinions expressed by others. I’ve always felt a measure of that, but doubly so after my free speech epiphany. If freedom of speech is defined as freedom for the thought you hate, then there ain’t a great deal of freedom over there.
Ultimately, if people believe different stuff to me, I’ll attempt to explain my position, hell, even convince them. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. I know for a fact that my mates South African girlfriend and I are always going to have different opinions on race, but she’s entitled to her opinions and my life is more interesting for not having a constant echo chamber around me.
This site would undoubtedly benefit from the sort of intellects we’re discussing, but I do wonder whether some of the attitudes would be welcomed. Though I’ve poked plenty of sockets in eye for an eye contests, I personally don’t think it’s necessary to destroy someone else to construct your own argument. I don’t like speaking for everyone, but it’s my impression that most people that post here are similarly wired.
You is mothafuckin’ dope Rabbit.
Originally posted by @pap
This site would undoubtedly benefit from the sort of intellects we’re discussing, but I do wonder whether some of the attitudes would be welcomed. Though I’ve poked plenty of sockets in eye for an eye contests, ** I personally don’t think it’s necessary to destroy someone else to construct your own argument.** I don’t like speaking for everyone, but it’s my impression that most people that post here are similarly wired.
Yes, that does seem to be a trait over there; and one I’m more than happy not to have over here.
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Just re-read the pap tribute thread. 
I like this little gem from Jonnyboy to Hypo:
“Lol, you’d love it if you were the only one on here. I wonder if it’s actually possible to die from being bored by your own posts?”
And nicely finished by Percy Wyndham with:
“I have reported hypochondriac for being dull.”
He truly is a bellend and Batman does himself no favours on that thread either.
Still, all for the best.
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We need more JBoy on this site. Problem is, for JBoy to be most effective, he needs nasty right wing fuckers. We’ve got right wing, but tbh they’re all mellowing out. The Sotonians effect on Cherts is so profound that next year, he’ll be boasting about his carbon-neutral weaving commune and debating the finer points of collectivisation
Agree with the first paragraph 100%. As for loving them for what they are, I do understand where you are coming from but as with playground bullies, I think the world would be a much better place without them.
At last, I’m famous!
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I would love to add a comment to this but will only be accused of “squinnying” again elsewhere!
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By definition, your post is a comment on this and as a result is genuine squinnying. You are now accused of squinnying on two sites.
I struggled on SWF… because when first joining its various incarnations 2003/4 or whatever, I was under the naive impression it was for discussing all things Saints and that difference of opinion would be welcomed and encouraged - the exchange of views being something that usually creates a positive experience. Not being on any other forums, the evolution of the ‘troll’ in both its good and bad incarnations was a new thing for me.
I posted opinion, at times a little long winded maybe, that was mostly serious in nature to try and get discussion going. But as time went on, there was little discussion and much more SHOUTING , with little respect for others POVs often becoming rather personal, unfunny etc. For me the line was crossed when offensive references were made about my daughter and wife that were at best unsavoury. In addition, the playground bullying culture, just made the place rather dull, with any news or decent football debate relegated to lost threads…
Most who have seen me post here will know that I am not as serious or pompous as some have suggested in the past, yet I also have enough self awareness to know I can be… Humour and banter and good spirit is what it is all about, but unlike some on the SWF, if I actually did offend anyone, I would hope I would get the chance to apologise…for it is never the intension.
At the very least, I am not Hypo.
…and I love you all… in a very manly way obviously.
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God, doesn’t she go on.
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And I bet there won’t be a storm named after Hypo either…
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eh? what could you possibly mean? 
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See I love everyone on here even the twats
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I only just saw this from Hypo on that thread: “Don’t mind lou.”
Now I feel bad! We coulda been friends!