opnet [OpNet] Where are you from?

[Tarot]

This is from a conversation Doctor Jones and I were having about the nature of the forums. The question is how many of you were raised in American and how many from somewhere else. Along with that, if you were raised somewhere else is there a reason why you don't post more than you do in the forums (making it American by default). I was going to start a poll but that function is disabled here so I guess we're stuck with the usual way.

I'm an American Jew that moved to Ibiza shortly after erupting so if you talk to me about corner convenience stores, the Bill of Rights or stupid politics I generally know what you mean.

Anyone else?

[Juri 'Salamander' McClendon]

Born in Japan, lived there for a while before my parents relocated to New York City. Been living in Alabama of recent (I miss both Japan and New York, even if the University of Alabama Huntsville is a little bit of civilization in the redneckness of this corner of the world).

I don't post more often because I have a life, crappy as it sometimes is, off the OpNet. I've also been learning that getting into fights at this place is like the old cliché from the Internet days about winning a medal in the Special Olympics: even if you win, you're still fucking retarded.

As most of the discussions become verbal fights, and I'm certainly guilty as hell of stirring the pot as the next nova, I'm been keeping mostly to myself.

[Preston]

Boston, Mass. born and raised.

I used to be more concerned about American politics until I saw the UN in action. Liberal Parlimentarianism is a messed up craft, to be sure, but it is still the best game in town.

While I can't say I appreciate what the Republicans or Libertarians do for our social needs, I am pleased that our government allows groups of citizens the freedom to do on our own what other countries attempt to do through government agencies.

Every system has its problems and benefits.

While I do worry about Christian Extremists in this country, it took one conferance with some collegues from South-East Asia to remind me that our problem is neither unique nor as violent as it is elsewhere.

[Miss Baby]

DeeCee. Some people may call it Washington D.C. Some people may even change the "D.C." to the district of Columbia. But I grew up in DeeCee,and if you haven't been here,and seen the power brokers at work.

I could tell you the great wonders,and the hidden places,but that is not what this thread is about. It is about where we are from and for me, that is DeeCee. Or is this thread about our ansetors?As I can trace my blood line back to a few nations.

[billy Horrorshow]

Quote:

Originally posted by Tarot:
is there a reason why you don't post more than you in the forums?

Being an American raised in Southern California (and thus a subdivision of Mexico) I try my best to not post more than...um..myself. I mean, do you "post more than you"?

[Wakinyan]

Oglala, South Dakota.

I am Oglala Sioux born, bred and erupted.

I started here just looking for a damn keyboard but since then I have found lot's of reasons to stay.

[Rose 'Moonshadow' O'Meara]

Indian-born, Irish-raised an' erupted.

[Xeno]

I was initiated in Maine, but resided there only very briefly and claim no official citizenship or residency anywhere as of yet.

The others are exclusively from the United states. So far.

[Tarot]

Billy H., I corrected my butchered post so its legible. I was asking if there was a reason why those that are non-Americans don't post more than they do. Doctor Jones was right about lots of the active posters being American and I just wondered if there were reasons why the non-Americans don't post more.

Come on people, I know there's more of you that come here even if you don't post. I see you show up on the recent visitor lists. Where's Eris, Bandwidth, Caitlin Kieran, Jager or Alex Craft from? Jeez, if you look at the site list of registered posters it looks like a who's who of the nova population!

[Alex Craft]

If you insist. (c;

American (Georgian) by birth, though that's relatively irrelevant to me these days. The only real time I've spent in the states since erupting (getting on toward thirteen years) was nine months in St. Louis, debugging factories. Not the brightest point in my career, that.

[Access]

Buller, Louisiana. Little tiny town most maps don't like to bother with. Named after my great great grandfather on my mom's side. Apparently when you're mayor and librarian and shopkeeper, that means something.

[Lemmy Chillmeister]

Born and Raised: Detroit Rock City

But now that I am one of the chosen frozen few I am above all that silly "nation" shit.

Baby, I'm Nova. Ain't nothing else matters.

[Conduit]

Tucson, Az. Born and bred. I grew up like an inch from the San Xavier Indian Reservation. That would have been cool. Still in America, but a nice little sovereign nation.

[Master Wu Tang]

Clever child. Most excellent cunning in thought. Chi is so-so but maybe better when old more.

Master Wu Tang first look on world from village Xien-Miao in most wonderous land given name "China" in tongue of dog. Now Wu Tang Immortal and live Taiwan. Not so wonderous but have more time for work.

Children like bamboo. Now green and small but some day stand tall and strong. Master Wu Tang wait for children grow strong and tall. Long wait. Stupid machine forget password many times while Master Wu Tang wait.

[Lemmy Chillmeister]

Oh fucking goody. Wang Chung of the Wrinkled Sack is back.

Nice to see the stories that you fell down and broke your ancient hip weren't true.

[Master Wu Tang]

Master Wu Tang offer greetings to insolent Howling Dog with brain of frozen shit.

Hear story from Number Three Grandson that Howling Dog too busy licking bottom to howl for other dogs. Can see now story only so-so true.

Will tell Grandson.

[Jager]

I generally consider myself a citizen of the world. The places I've spent the most time in are South Africa and the Phillipines, but I've lived in at least 50 countries.

Admittedly, I have an affection for American culture and society, but I'm partial to governments that only change on a regular basis, strong and stable economies, and not having to worry about angry mobs rioting in the streets.

Last time I was in Paris, both the Sanitation workers and Dairy Farmers went on strike ... and it was early summer, right before vacation. God, the stench.

Last time I was in Genoa, the government changed twice ... going from a Neo-Communist/Social Christian Democrat Coalition to a Ultra-Nationalist/Catholic Farmers Union.

Last time I was in Kinshasa ... well, I just wish the police would not start a confrontation by opening up with heavy machineguns and grenades. I mean, all the people wanted was a little social justice, served up with machettes, of course.

[Ashnod]

The question is how many of you were raised in America and how many from somewhere else.

re: Jager's last post

Quote:

I generally consider myself a citizen of the world. The places I've spent the most time in are South Africa and the Phillipines, but I've lived in at least 50 countries.

Admittedly, I have an affection for American culture and society, but I'm partial to governments that only change on a regular basis, strong and stable economies, and not having to worry about angry mobs rioting in the streets.

Last time I was in Paris, both the Sanitation workers and Dairy Farmers went on strike ... and it was early summer, right before vacation. God, the stench.

Last time I was in Genoa, the government changed twice ... going from a Neo-Communist/Social Christian Democrat Coalition to a Ultra-Nationalist/Catholic Farmers Union.

Last time I was in Kinshasa ... well, I just wish the police would not start a confrontation by opening up with heavy machineguns and grenades. I mean, all the people wanted was a little social justice, served up with machettes, of course.

So...let us examine:

Quote:

Originally quoted by Tarot:

Anyway, that's what I was pointing out. If people don't want to answer then they don't have to. They can just stay off the thread and pretend they didn't see instead of fluffing everyone around them....What struck me as odd was how many chose to dodge the question instead of ignoring or answering it.

Playing evasive again, dear? A simple question necessitating a simple answer, yet you neither answered it and instead told us something that sounds like an answer but yet is not.

[Long]

I'm from Tokyo, Japan.

[Jager]

Quote:

Originally posted by Ashnod:
Playing evasive again, dear?

Yes, of course I am. Duh!

Quote:

Originally posted by Ashnod:
A simple question necessitating a simple answer, yet you neither answered it and instead told us something that sounds like an answer but yet is not.

Care to answer the question yourself, or have you merely come to throw a few more stones at me?

[Ashnod]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jager:

Quote:

Originally posted by Ashnod:
Playing evasive again, dear?

Yes, of course I am. Duh!

Quote:

Originally posted by Ashnod:
A simple question necessitating a simple answer, yet you neither answered it and instead told us something that sounds like an answer but yet is not.

Care to answer the question yourself, or have you merely come to throw a few more stones at me?

Shall we return to the original point of my post?

Tarot - Anyway, that's what I was pointing out. If people don't want to answer then they don't have to. They can just stay off the thread and pretend they didn't see instead of fluffing everyone around them....What struck me as odd was how many chose to dodge the question instead of ignoring or answering it.

Would not have spoken up or posted on the thread at all, had I not seen you give an answer that was not an answer yet again.

Consider it a stone if you wish it to be one.

[Apep]

The majority of my upbringing I believe was not in the United States.

I do not post often because I do not easily relate to most who post in this forum. I honestly do not even like most of you, nor do you like me. I accept the fact that my opinion on many things is well in the minority and I do not wish to pointlessly argue it or try to make anyone understand my perspective.

[Eris]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jager:

Last time I was in Paris, both the Sanitation workers and Dairy Farmers went on strike ... and it was early summer, right before vacation. God, the stench.
Last time I was in Genoa, the government changed twice ... going from a Neo-Communist/Social Christian Democrat Coalition to a Ultra-Nationalist/Catholic Farmers Union.
Last time I was in Kinshasa ... well, I just wish the police would not start a confrontation by opening up with heavy machineguns and grenades. I mean, all the people wanted was a little social justice, served up with machettes, of course.

And you say I do bad things! OMG you are such a hypocrite Jerker! Maybe you should stop those things from happening! Your a Nova that makes you obligated right!

*Joins Ashnod in the stone throwing.*

Jerk.

[Jager]

Quote:

Originally posted by Eris:

And you say I do bad things! OMG you are such a hypocrite Jerker! Maybe you should stop those things from happening! Your a Nova that makes you obligated right!

*Joins Ashnod in the stone throwing.*

Jerk.

Bwahahaaa.... ya, right.
Eris, keep trying.

Maybe I should stop these things from happening?
Maybe if I had something to do with it, I would. Unlike you, I don't create a disaster field were I go. The French have labor disputes all the time in Paris. Italian governments fall all the time, as well. The police kill/maim/assualt protesters all over the globe whether I'm there or not.

Exactly how many planes/trains/bikes/trikes have experienced terminal failure around you?

[Jager]

Quote:

Originally posted by Ashnod:
Would not have spoken up or posted on the thread at all, had I not seen you give an answer that was not an answer yet again.

Consider it a stone if you wish it to be one.

So you aren't going to contribute anything more than busting on my response ... okay.
It's still good to hear from you now and again.

[Ashnod]

If you would have given a straight answer instead of trying to have others bask in the glow of your worldliness and experience in diversity, I would have remained blissfully silent and you would have not heard from me.

So we reciprocate one another.

[kestrel404]

Ashnod: As far as I've seen, Jager is the single most naturally evasive person I've ever met. It's who he is. I thought you of all people should be able to understand that. And while you do not claim that pointing out his nature to him is a thrown stone, I can see no other point to it (unless there is some hidden argument here, in which case it is a counter-argument, and amounts to the same thing when done in public).

And my history is a matter of public record to any who bother checking my posted resume. Born in New York, errupted in Connecticut, now working in Chicago. You can't get more American than that.

[Jager]

Quote:

Originally posted by Ashnod:
So we reciprocate one another.

Reciprocate, eh?

I respond to posters, though perhaps not always in the manner they intended.

You come here and point out that I'm not directly answer the question, which if anyone reads the posts they would also realize.

The obvious answer being that I don't want to tell people were I was born and raised.

Quote:

Originally posted by Ashnod:
If you would have given a straight answer ...

Nor are there any rules here that require me to. I contribute to the discussions and I hope that is enough.
You?

Quote:

Originally posted by Ashnod:
... instead of trying to have others bask in the glow of your worldliness and experience in diversity, ...

Not my intent and no one else has accused me of such.

Quote:

Originally posted by Ashnod:
... I would have remained blissfully silent and you would have not heard from me.

I would prefer you contribute to the conversation in some meaningful manner and not feel obligated to nitpick.

Is this all you have left to do?

[Walker]

I was originally from Hampshire in England. Nice countryside. Nowadays I'd probably consider the whole universe as my home.

Given that the principle language on this board is English it is not so surprising that there are lots of US Novas posting here and not so many Indonesian or Chinese Novas.

[Ashnod]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jager:
The obvious answer being that I don't want to tell people were I was born and raised.

So why respond at all, then? That's the point of this thread, and the point of the information that Tarot claims to be gathering. He cares not for where you have been, only where you were raised.

You are not required to answer. Yet, you did, and it had little or no relevance to the point of the thread.

Quote:

Nor are there any rules here that require me to. I contribute to the discussions and I hope that is enough. You?

Tarot stated earlier that he prefers it when people actually answer the question, or ignore it entirely. It is the deliberate non-answer that becomes the issue here. You chose to participate in this thread after being called out on this in an earlier one, and chose to participate in the exact manner you were called out on.

I can expound upon how this is not actually contributing to the discussion but instead hindering it, if you wish, but I believe you already see that.

Bottom line: if you do not wish to answer the question at hand, it would have been better to remain silent.

Quote:

Not my intent and no one else has accused me of such.

The original topic was where were you raised. You answer was to say you have lived in fifty nations and visited far more, thus making you a citizen of the world. In the context of the thread, there seems to be little point to your answer except to say

1) Look at me! I have experience and that makes my opinion important!
2) It does not matter where I was raised! I have deliberately made it so my upbringing does not affection my perceptions by making myself a citizen of the planet! So do not concern yourself with where I am from, just take my word that my upbringing does not apply!
3) I am not going to tell you were I am from, but I will tell you instead where I have lived and where I have been and some nifty facts about what was happening at the time to prove that I was there. This way, I appear more than just a country bumpkin who has never left his home county but yet retain my mysterious aura. In fact, I make that aura more potent by revealing something that seems important but at the same giving away nothing to take away from it.
4) I am actually an incredibly lonely, tortured soul. While I cannot reveal my past, and make a genuine connection, I must say something to remind people that I am relevant, to connect with them if nothing else on a surface level. Woe! Pity! Woooooooooe!

Hmmm. I like number four. Moving on.

Shall I go on? I must confess, dear, that the most logical reasons for you to have posted what you did seem only to draw the spotlight to yourself. I am fairly certain you will refute this, even if silently, and eagerly await what you claim as your motivation for posting a non-answer while still desiring to participate in the thread.

Quote:

I would prefer you contribute to the conversation in some meaningful manner and not feel obligated to nitpick.

You have not answered the topic's question. One can therefore debate whether or not your answer has any meaningful contribution except for that you have already denied. Perhaps it would have been more meaningful had you created a separate thread asking where we have lived and traveled to. However, you did not, and were instead volunteered yet another evasive non-answer when remaining silent would have been more appropriate.

Is this all you have left to do?

Redirection? Nice try. I expected better. I nitpick only because this behavior was dicussed recently. I had refrained from being such a severe critic of late, as I am certain you had noticed.

Shall I use this tactic on you?

Are half-truths, evasion, and the occasional history lecture all you have left to give us, all you have left in the way of meaninful contribution about yourself?

[Jager]

I'm going to move the Ashnod-Jager show to another thread.

[Eris]

Is it going to be called "Jager is a jackass overdramatic meany head!" thread?

[Jager]

Good one, Eris. Too bad I had already chosen a much drier title 'cause yours has a certain flare to it that shouldn't be ignored.

I also greatfully acknowledge the use of my actualy name. Please don't edit it.

[Eris]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jager:

Exactly how many planes/trains/bikes/trikes have experienced terminal failure around you?

Bad things and good things happen around me. Just because a car flips through the air in front of me in flames doesn't mean the guy who bent over to pick up a quarter wasn't saved as the car went just over his head.

Have you ever once thought that maybe I really do not cause these things to happen? Maybe I am compelled to be near these things by some quantum sense and subconscious reasons?

No, you would rather just assume there is another Nova bad guy for you to take down someday. I guess Ashnod will be the bad guy you need. I'll just play cheerleader for her.

[Vox Via]

Well, I am from Jan Jose. Well at least that is where I was born. I am Jewish. I can trace my family back to a few thousand years.

But I am really more at home in space these days. I just get sick when I get to close to the world. No I do not mean anything physical. I mean I see the hyporocy of people and I have a hard time feeling comfortable. I know that I am simply running away from the problems in the world, but sometimes not being in pain is as good as knowing pleasure.

[Tarot]

I've got a thought on the Ashnod/Jager conversation but I'll 'port that over to the thread they got just for that purpose. Other than that, a couple of thoughts to add to the mix...

Al, what are you? His mother?

To be serious for a second; let him be all evasive and shit. I don't really care. But it would have been nice if he could have found another place and subject to do it at. Where you were raised isn't that a big thing, not usually, and if for some reason it is in his particular case then he could have just zipped through the thread chuckling about his cunning plan of refusing to answer. Or he could have lied. Either way... Its not like its the secret of the universe.

Eris were you planning on dropping a little line about where you're from? I thought maybe you'd forgotten about that in the middle of the Jager/Ashnod thing.

Jager, I'll drop my thought on the whole evasive answers thing in the thread you started. I did want to point out that before you start picking fights with Eris, you might want to look at all the things happening in your wake. Just because you don't do it deliberately doesn't mean it doesn't happen because of you. How would you know if it did?

Ashnod, (my thoughts on the evasion discussion are still going in another thread) where you from, love? If you don't want to get specific I'll take country of origin for the purpose of this thread.

Now off to post some thoughts about evasion...

[Ashnod]

Tarot,

My country of birth is the United States. I lived the majority of my unerupted life within its borders.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

I grew up in Michigan and Illinois.

Now days I call New York home but I've toyed with the idea of moving to Chicago.

[Jager]

Quote:

Originally posted by Tarot:
But it would have been nice if he could have found another place and subject to do it at. Where you were raised isn't that a big thing, not usually, and if for some reason it is in his particular case then he could have just zipped through the thread chuckling about his cunning plan of refusing to answer. Or he could have lied. Either way... Its not like its the secret of the universe.

FYI, please think a moment about getting the call that the Teragen had killed twenty-five close friends of mine because of something I did.
Think about the mere possibility that there are people I love and that there are enemies I've made over the years who would want to hur them to hurt me.
Joking aside, the world is a damn dangerous and cruel place. Open your eyes a little.

Quote:

Originally posted by Tarot:
Jager, I'll drop my thought on the whole evasive answers thing in the thread you started. I did want to point out that before you start picking fights with Eris, you might want to look at all the things happening in your wake. Just because you don't do it deliberately doesn't mean it doesn't happen because of you. How would you know if it did?

Mainly because similar events happen before I arrived and continued to happen after I left. The French go on strike, the Italians like their dozens and dozens of political parties which leads to unstable governments, and the police in most unpopular dictatorships tend to trample civil rights liberally and often.

[Great Monster C]

I'm a Jew from New York.

Yeah, yeah I know. Here come the stereotype police.