Is this a game or an interview?

I met someone in the WA last night and we chatted for a while. He asked if I would be on tonight and if I'd hang around with him for a while. I agreed. Tonight I waited for him to log on. Once he finally did we began exploring and chatting some more. He asked who I voted for in the last presidentail election. Rather than telling him it was none of his bussiness, as I should have done, I told him who I voted for. He then proceeded to talk to me like I was a stupid kid, then told me to leave and removed me from his friends list.

Maybe it's just me, but I thought this was one of the oddest encounters. Are things really to the point that we're condemning people.... WHOLE people... based on their political beliefs? Should I wear a sign stating who I voted for last year so that no one's time is wasted? Is this place as full of weirdos as it seems to me right now?

I like not knowing people's political stances. (In addition to, in general, their religions or lack of them, their ethnic origins, etc.) I like being in the dark about political stances so much I rarely visit the off-topic forums of any game, particularly not during election time.

coco

That is an odd encounter. I don't think everyone here is anal like that. But yeah, we are mostly a quirky bunch. But quirky good. Well, I shouldn't speak for everyone. I'm okay. Everyone else ... not so much. Or is it the other way around.

I personally have no right to be snotty to anyone for their political views. I voted for Ahhnold.

You can wear a sign. Say you like Pie, that's a good ice-breaker. I like okra. Not so good an icebreaker. I'd condemn you for not liking bananas and cheese.

People are good. Most of the time. Sometimes not really, but eh what can you do. Oooh, beans ...

I am usually that way too. I hate debate. Politics and religion are such touchy subjects, because we are all products of our own experiences. Our beliefs aren't just formed. They come partly from how we are raised. They're instilled in us. There is no need to completely condemn someone because of that. We all have our say on election day. That's what democracy is about. I think, tonight, I learned about a new kind of prejudice.

I really love cheese.

I think that can be the case for some. Others transcend their parental indoctrination after enough trips to their high school library. Example: My mother loves Castro. I, uh, don't.

Anyway, I leave politics outside of SL. It doesn't matter within this space. It's a happy thing when I discover that someone else happens to love a leader who I also respect, but I don't seek out that sort of discussion.

Yours is a bizarre experience in any case. Fun story at least.

What I said was "blah blah blah blah"

I like fried okra too, Lash.

Sounds like you got off easy. At least you found out early what an asshat this person is, instead of hanging out with him for weeks before finding out. You're better off without him.

I prefer not to know about the politics of the avatars I'm with. That way, I can delude myself into thinking that they all agree with everything I believe in.

Yes, things really are to that point. If you said you voted for Bush, especially. The rabid, hysterical hatred about this matter is at an all-time high. You'll find that a significant core of people here are on the left, and the most vocal on the forums from the U.S. and Europe have this worldview and spend a lot of time preoccupied with "Bush". No, you cannot transcend this here because their politics riddle everything they do -- their attitude towards, land, commerce, decisions to be made about the game features by the Lindens and how to influence them -- everything.

It's disconcerting. And I speak as someone who didn't vote for Bush.

If you thought this was a world where you can transcend RL categories -- you'd be wrong.

ya know whats really good Lash? Pancakes and cheese really gooooood and of course syrup of the real mapley stuff.

Tell Phil I say "Hi" roflmao

Definitely an off encounter. Though I broke the rule a bit around election time last year, I do tend to think of SL as entertainment, and a world AWAY from the problems of the world... I try to keep religion, politics, and other touchy topics FAR, FAR away. This is just my choice however... I can see how people enjoy debate and political discussions (I do enjoy them both, in RL) and how people would want to bring them into SL.

I just hope we never get to the point of having RL protests at the Welcome Area! The SL ones are always pretty good, however.

-Flip

Your mother loves Castro? Fidel Castro? Now that's quite a unique perspective! Does she play SL? I'd love to meet her

I'm sorry Prok, I just don't see it.

I'm rather open about the fact I'm a republican (Albiet a moderate one on some issues... I'm gay for crying out loud, I couldn't be ultra-conservative about a few things) who voted for Bush, and while it's lead to a few rather pointed discussions from time to time, I can honestly only think of one person who I can't get along with now as opposed to prior to the last election. A whopping one. And of my entire friends list, a whopping two other people are of the conservative bent.

Just because people have differing opinions doesn't mean they can't get along... even in SL. I have friends I love like brothers, who I would go far out of my way to help (Ya know, lend money, donate a kidney, whatnot) if I could, who are very, very far left.

Are the rabid ones out there? Sure. I can think of one off the top of my head, and Radiant seems to have met another. But most people aren't like that.

Prok..but in my opinion, this is BS. I'm very left and despise Bush, but if I met a nice person in-world, and found out they had voted for Bush, I would discuss the matter with humor, if at all. I don't hate everyone that voted for Bush, and I'm sure alot of really good people did. And I think most of the vocal liberals in the forums are the same way. We would in no way shun anyone in-world just because they voted fror a particular candidate, and most of us would never even ask who someone voted for in the first place.

There is a time for political discussion, but just meeting and getting to know someone, sight-seeing and relaxing, usually isn't the time or place, and usually wouldn't even cross anyone's mind to ask, because frankly, it isn't anyone's business!

I'm sure there are a few fanatics on both sides, but most of us that are vocal in the forums, wouldn't ask anyone, or care overly much, who voted for who in-world. And hell, I think Bush and the corporate greed-mongers are not only constantly damaging our country, but also the world.

Well...I think it's an anomaly in my experience in SL. I do think though that SL is reflective of the world at large, yanno, we're diverse, everyone's got an opinion including political ones. I agree with David a few points. I enjoy a good debate, I don't have to agree with you. This is true of me in real life, too. As long as you can back up your argument with some kind of logic, I'll respect you whether we're on the same side of the fence or not. As in real life, I save the heavy conversation for when it's appropriate, which is when I know you well enough to be interested in what your views are. The rest of the time I'm content talking about nonsense and yattaing. I like talking about a variety of subjects in world if I know you well. We have such a variety of backgrounds and cultures here it's my personal view that I don't want to miss out on what you have to say. But again, that's me and I'm not in the business of shoving it down anyone's throat

Last election was a bit unusual, we got a little hectic running amok with the left wing signs, but at election time one expects activism. If this individual decided they didn't feel inclined to be your friend and felt the need to be pushy about it I think eh, well...there's a lot of people in world. I agree with the other posts, at least they showed how dogmatic they are early on

My mother always said 'never discuss politics or religion in front of polite company.'

So far, she's been 100% accurate.


- Newfie

Next time just tell them you voted for Philip Linden.

Your mother is a wise, wise woman.

No problem, no one is polite on this forum.

Very cool. I respect that a lot. Growing up with a gay parent, it always seemed "part of the package" that those within your community could also have only one political stripe -- if only because that's what my mom always thought. I keep trying to explain to her that beyond her interest in gay marriage, she's got mostly (fiscally/governmentally) conservative beliefs.

I guess this also means I'm outing myself (as a conservative), but your post is far too interesting. Anyway, I'm the only one in my office who thinks along a conservative agenda -- I get along just fine with folks there. Mostly.

As others have observed, you had an encounter with a nutjob.

It seems with any religion, political or philosophical view, there's invairably a handful of kooks who believe the other side is automatically 100% evil (or stupid, or "what's wrong with the world" and so on. I'm wondering if this goes back to our early human ancesters, where part of survival (you and your genes) meant percieving the other tribe as the enemy: evil and dangerous.

THis isn't to say one can't be critical of ideas. Any idea (including this pre-cafiene babble of a post) should stand up to a skeptical look (not a hysterical look) 1 +1 doesn't equil 3, but "1+1 doesn't equil 3, you stupid idiot. I hate you" isn't the best way to challenge the concept.

I voted for Bush, four times now. I love all peeps and pie. Look me up. This was definitely a nutjob asshat you encountered and as most have said before me there are plenty of those in SL. However, the majority of SL is full of really cool and creative folk. Just pass this encounter on as a lesson in the despair of humanity. (or at least America)

I think Prok hit it right on this one. Unfortunately, this is one of those times where Prok could say the Sun is hot and folks start to argue.

I am one of those lefties and I will use your voting for bush in my determination of how I am going to deal with you. When I see someone is leaning towards being an asshat and then find out they contributed to the evil that is running the US, it is usually the last straw for me. Do I ask it upfront? No. That is rude! But if you bring it up and expect me to congratulate you, that is not gonna happen. I am not going to lecture. I will just go away. I don't rush into exchanging cards for exactly that reason.

What happened to you was rude on that person's part. If someone feels so strongly about any issue and would let that affect a friendship, they shouldn't rush into it. Really sorry you had to get hit like that. But as long as politics, religion and favorite type of pie is avoided, your SL experience should be a good one.

Enjoy!