Why do people expect that there are answers to questions?

 

Why do you hate me?

 

Andy Rooney. Not you.

 

How should I rid my self from this STD?

 

Most questions come about because people either want to verify they are right, or remove doubt. Expecting either rightness or removal of doubt are pretty heady, but persistent, human wants.

 

I don't hate you Raj. Sometimes I'm disappointed at your readiness to project your frustrations, but otherwise, I think you're alright.

 

Start with a consultation with your GP. Describe your symptoms to him/her. If you don't feel comfortable with that, post it up in this thread, and then we can really play armchair physician.

 

Dear Unkie Trunkie:

Is INTJ as big a prick as he seems or is it just an online personna? This would fall under the "removal of doubt" axiom.

 

Gary (ahem! RAYMO!! ahem. . ), I'm glad you asked. This question actually may be under both categories. However, here's the answer to a question for which I'm sure much of The Corner has been waiting:

As best as I can tell, INTJ is actually an alright guy. Really. I know, I know. . . I'm sounding optimistic, and perhaps I am. However, he seems to me to be a guy who's made a few glaring errors.

Simply being witty for the sake of being witty will, after a while, just make you sound condescending. It's become apparent to many, not just me, that INTJ's tone is of a level of condescension that hasn't been seen since the late great William F. Buckley. Dare I say it, the anecdotes I've read and heard about Buckley's personal demeanor put Mr. Buckley as less condescending than INTJ.

Inside jokes only function if there's at least two people in on it. Indeed, INTJ has cracked a few which I can safely tell he and I were the only two geeks to get it (or at least, to find amusing). Once again, having to sit and explain a joke just makes you sound like a jackass; it's just better to take your lumps (from your own misses) and keep rolling. INTJ's pride seems to be a bit excessive to allow him to just let a FAIL fly by.

Insult comedy only works when either the audience pays (that is to say, remits money) for it, and/or the insult is based on a germain truth. INTJ hasn't actually inquired to any of the germain truths of the other s to such extent as to truly allow him a proper and well-earned right to a zinger. INTJ simply rolled in guns ablaze, but only based on the tenor set by others. Simply insulting the way somebody else does just makes you seem like a complete schmuck. Trying to justify the behavior makes you seem like an even bigger dick. It is only after taking one's lumps as a n00b, then interacting with the other participants in an affectively meaningful way, does one's counter-insults come across with a balance of rapier-wit and good-natured joviality.

Print rarely conveys tone. One has to write carefully to create the tone of each statement. It is in no small part why The Corner is a magnificent place of rhetoric, but of little substance. INTJ's tone has been persistently condescending and indignant, yet, he keeps posting. This is no place that crowns a God-King, but INTJ is well determined to try to assume that position; or at least his tone indicates that. To this end, the otherwise-mild gaffe of asking Les to remove her shirt came across as INTJ dispensing unwelcomed fashion advice to a hot chick. He later explained himself, but a prior history of condescension and indignant attitude framed the remark (and the explanation).

INTJ is a smart guy; no doubt. However, it would seem to me that he's made an error that many an intelligent person have made time and time again (including and especially your Unkie Trunkie); nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care. Yes, it's a horrible cliche, but it's true. Paired with a tone that is contemptuous, condescending, and without affective interaction over time with other s, INTJ comes off as a complete and utter asshole.

I'd like to believe these are merely gaffes, but I could be wrong.

 

Dear Unkie Trunkie,

Where is the PWA/ missive you wrote a few months ago?