Crime & Punishment

I'll have you know we are a completely normal, socially integrated, fully functional human being.

On-topic again, I notice that Internet Pseudo-Intellectual Tough Guy Brian Paone has been trying to peddle his nonsense elsewhere on EVE-O.

It highlights another characteristic of the type; the Internet Tough Guy is unable to engage with those who spark his fury. Unless he can dispense his vitriol in splendid isolation, from the soap-box of unassailable 'I'm speaking - don't interrupt!', he is utterly disarmed.

Perhaps even more interesting are the variety of possible responses to such a figure. Because his ranting is necessarily limited to verbal, written expression, he is helped in one way but hopelessly hobbled in another. Some people are able to take sufficient advantage of these conditions effectively to nullify him each time he 'opens his mouth'.

The thread I linked is a wonderful example of such nullification. There was no need for moderator intervention, for Brian abandoned his thread, and decamped, his reputation (such as it was) in tatters.

If you recall, I earlier offered him the chance to talk in real-time, using VOIP software - with the proviso that it should be similar to this thread, with a variety of people present and participating. He refused. That was for the same reason that the internet tough guy often ducks out of genuine confrontation; he is all bluster and hot air. He hates the Code for the same reason he hates everything else; it presents a view which doesn't accord with his own. For most of us that's a reason for enquiry or, perhaps, for dismissal, but never ever for hatred.

I only use words like 'toxic' to describe the effect of someone's proximity, when I'm being sincere but polite (thanks Kaely, I knew there was a word I missed out!).

He's poison, pure and simple. Avoid.