Smaller Indiana is as Stuffy as Real Indiana...

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Permalink Reply by Mrs. Cara Dafforn 22 hours ago

Eric:

What is your vision? How do you want to evolve the controversy. Would you desire to have an anti-global warming viewpoint or a trash the neighborhood event? :)

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Permalink Reply by Eric Stallsmith 16 hours ago

Maybe a anti global warming debate, not because I have an answer, but I want to hear the opposing viewpoint.

Definitely not a trash the neighborhood discussion because that would be just be somebody being silly.

But like here in this recent wall comment... John has one method where you use reusable forms to build ICF's (he paid 70k or more for them) and the guy from Betz uses the syrofoam forms(used once). These two professionals should debate it so we can learn which is TRULY best.

Or about a light rail line from indy to chicago....it gets proposed a lot, but you already have amtrak and megabus and greyhound.

I am not sure if Mathew is genuine or is trying to bait people in with a controversial discussion :)

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Permalink Reply by matthew w. wilson on November 8, 2009 at 9:57pm

i agree Jon. i wasn't trying to irk people.

i was just speaking my mind.

thanks for the comment, dude.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Shoemaker on November 8, 2009 at 10:15pm

Matthew:

I find SI to be a reasonably accurate reflection of the modestly educated, tech-savvy portion of Central Indiana:

Mostly white.
Mostly male.
Mostly middle to upper-middle class.
Mostly conservative.
Mostly Christian.

Just like its founder.

If you dare to step outside of those norms, prepare yourself for a pile of criticism.

Some of it will be personal.
Some of it will be abusive.
Some of it will be hyperbolic.
Some of it will be just plain nasty.

Welcome to Smaller Indiana. I can assure you that if you align your expectations of this site with the religious, political and cultural reality that it evokes in most of its members, you'll do just fine.

Good luck.

joe

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Permalink Reply by Eric Stallsmith on November 9, 2009 at 9:52am

I must say that after sleeping on this discussion, I now realize that I often censor myself so that I will not offend somebody by simply differing in opinion.

If you disagree on politics or religion then you can expect to be thought less of by the people that know they are right because everybody else they know also agree with them.

The problem is that in many cases, the commonly held beliefs are wrong IMHO. This is the sort of discussion to be continued over coffee or beers...not online....cheers

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Permalink Reply by Mike Magan on November 9, 2009 at 10:40am

I digress. I welcome comments that are different than mine. Since we are not here in person you can't hear my voice or see my non-veral expressions, I am not trying to be nasty or say any one is wrong. I just disagree with this particular string Matthew started and am giving examples to support how I personally have found something of value here.

I say this in all sincereity - please provide us an example of the thing Smaller Indiana is lacking so I can experience it on your terms. Matthew whether you agree or disagree this thread in and of itself is among your first contributions. Your initiation of this string allowed me to converse with you - an experience I would not have had otherwise.

What about something you experienced other places that could inspire you to create something new here. Not just an Indiana version of something you experienced in another state, but something new we could experience here. Create here what you don't see and then Smaller Indiana is that much closer to being original.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Shoemaker on November 9, 2009 at 11:37am

Mike:

It is no surprise that you have found "something of value" here. This forum is mostly made up of people mostly like you.

That's not a good/bad, right/wrong thing. It's just an observation of the overall makeup of the forum.

I have made some great connections on SI, too. However many - if not most - of those connections have been made behind the scenes.

My personal, political and religious views and opinions are mostly NOT respected and welcomed on this forum, and I have learned to keep them out of the mix.

While Pat might permit me to post nearly anything, the hate, malice and personal attacks I have experienced when voicing my opinions has reminded me of the context in which SI exists. See my previous post for specifics.

Hmmm... sounds a lot like many parts of the rest of our society.

"Keep your _________ in the closet. Your kind isn't welcomed here."

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Permalink Reply by matthew w. wilson on November 9, 2009 at 11:49am

Yeah. I agree.

atheism, nihilism, homosexuality, gay rights, pro-choice-ist, liberalist, environmentalist and most all other views 'left of center' do not seemed to be welcomed in Indiana (or much of the mid-west for that matter) on a general basis.

And that is only reflected in Smaller Indiana.
I mean, what do you expect though?

I wouldn't say it's a bad thing, if I didn't feel like combating "leftist" view points was detrimental to solving critical problems in our society and world.

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Permalink Reply by Ben McCann on November 11, 2009 at 2:24am

Since you might be a nihilist... it doesn't really matter any way :o)

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Permalink Reply by Amy Stark 21 hours ago

I just sent you a friend request because that comment made me L right O L.

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Permalink Reply by Ben McCann 19 hours ago

LOL - yeah, I wonder how many people got that one :o)

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Permalink Reply by Mike Magan on November 9, 2009 at 2:24pm

Great points from both of you, I have seen the vitriol and the hate-speak coming from people who agree and disagree with me on other topics. At the same time isn't it OK for debate (point counter-point) to become HEATED and sometimes angry debate as long as the motives are trying to convince someone with facts that support an opposing view as opposed to sticking a complaint up on a wall.

Matthew is not the first to criticize SI or Hoosiers in general, but aren't I allowed to provide a counterpoint? That's what debate / conversation is to me. When you make statement like SI is "stuffy," I don't know you well enough to know what word means on its own - call me a slow Hoosier - but I need context.

Whether you wanted to "irk" people or not, this is a great conversation, let's keep it going here so people can engage instead of disconnecting the conversation.

I readily admit to "drinking to SI Kool aid" as it were and my viewpoint does fall in line more often with Hoosier sentiments. Despite the fact I disagree with what you have said here, Matthew, and what Joe has said in some forums, I still genuinely appreciate seeing Joe at lunatic or Burgerquest Lunch, or show up in forum conversation.

You seem to want ot change SI into something better than it is now. To move away from its current "stuffy, click-y and unoriginal" version. I'm listening? Where do we go from here?

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