Calling All Cyber Stalkers

You know, I'm a newbie on this site. I find it funny and intriguing and most of all, informative. Although I know people who are addicted bloggers, I have always told my husband that I will not obsessively blog, or follow sports, until I read all of Shakespeare and conquer the nuances of a foreign language. Btw, I'm not even close. So, as much as I love this new community, and depend upon it for... [more]

You know, I'm a newbie on this site. I find it funny and intriguing and most of all, informative. Although I know people who are addicted bloggers, I have always told my husband that I will not obsessively blog, or follow sports, until I read all of Shakespeare and conquer the nuances of a foreign language. Btw, I'm not even close. So, as much as I love this new community, and depend upon it for all my upcoming RE decisions, I would like to weigh in on the a few generalities as an outsider. First of all, since essential aspects of life are usually described as food and shelter, I think this site could be categorized as essential for new yorkers concerned about the state of the real estate/life in their home town. And, this site delivers. Except for one disturbing fact -- the cyber stalkers on this site whom I would like to address for a moment as an outside voice. First and foremost, in public discourse it is extremely important not to be boring. And by all accounts - meaning all the bloggers who bring it to your immediate attention,--every stalker on this site is horrendously boring and are often guilty of hijacking some of the most interesting, informative threads. Stalkers, may I kindly point out -- stalking women is unconscionable. C'mon guys. Take a minute to review your most degenerate, sexual, thoughts. Then realize that though most of you are socialized and your horrendous, bizarre thoughts will never see the light of day, please realize that 10% of your gender unleash those very same thoughts on women on a regular basis. Generally it is younger women, but even as we grow older, the imprint - and the fear-- never leaves the stem cells of our most primal psyche. If you ever have an intimate discussion with a group of women, you wouldn't believe the experiences --awful, life-changing moments that you wouldn't want any human to know, let alone expose to your daughters and mothers. . Not to mention the women that can't participate in any group discussion because they are buried under some weird guy's front stoop. So, to perpetuate that construct in any genteel form of society - and blogging may be at the extreme end, but it still qualifies -- is simply unacceptable. Particularly when it is generally scatological in nature. Really, please stop. And to nopig/shrimp, may I please respectfully say: I know that you might find the language and point of view of W67 offensive. However you seem to be focussed on his self-absorption rather than some of the valid points he may make on the economy. I work with many writers - though you wouldn't know it from this rushed post-- and an important goal is to consistently break through the barriers of the ordinary. Otherwise, you will not be heard. W67 does that. He has a technical/financial point of view and he expresses it in a singular way. He may be proved wrong (I personally doubt it) in the coming years, but as far as SE is concerned, lemmings and unicorns will continue to be part of the lexicon of this site no matter what happens to the economy. So, while it is fine to challenge his position, the endless ripostes about his braggadocio is tiresome. It is a winning style and you are losing the battle. Yes, he could use a good editor and maybe a censor-- but the same is true for many great writers. I am not equating W 67 with a great writer but his style enlivens this site IMHO. We all need a good laugh, and if you relax, you might join in. In the battle of overkill, you are far more guilty than he. So, challenge him on his politics, his economic viewpoint, his worldview, but realize your endless repetitions of his lively hubris seem tiresome and pointless. All that said, I enjoy all the bizarre characters on this site. Some are insightful, some incredibly clever, some just downright sweet. We all need a generous dose of tolerance and some serious self-editing, including me. So. please let others express themselves without the endless challenges. We are all smart enough to know whom to ignore. And now I will confess that I have been on this site for far too many hours. Recently, I had a dream that columbiacounty was on the cover of a glossy magazine. He looked like William Holden with a Ryan Seacrest haircut. It was enough to convince me that I have to leave this website except for RE info. So thank you all. I have had a great time. Please be kind to each other and I will check in as long as it continues to be healthy, informative and bloggers don't make appearances in my dreams. [less]