╌>
Robert in Ohio

Discussion vs Pontification

  
By:  Robert in Ohio  •  life choices  •  10 months ago  •  68 comments

Discussion vs Pontification

The key difference between discussion and pontification is that the former is a dynamic process that involves both the audience and the messenger, while the latter is a static delivery mechanism for information that the messenger has deemed valuable Communication centers the audience, while pontification expresses opinions or judgments Effective communication depends as much on the receiver’s understanding as it does on the messenger’s message.

In other words, discussion is a two-way dialogue that prioritizes conveying meaning to the audience, while pontification is a one-way monologue that prioritizes the speaker’s opinions Communication feels satisfying and centers the audience, while pontification is often dogmatic and centers the speaker.

As for me I choose debate and discussion of the topic at hand - not extraneous or oft-belabored issues only barely tangentially applicable. 

I recently published a blog and it kicked up quite a fuss with a couple of members who wanted to pontificate rather than discuss the topic at hand.  I offered a quote from Mark Twain concerning the folly of arguing with an idiot as context, but alas it was perceived as slanderous and deleted (rightfully so under the rules).

The person who felt slighted then private messaged me with a list of members that I should avoid and take no part in discussion with since they did not contribute as significantly to the site as did he.  I was going to include the text of those messages in this article (I saved it), but do not think that would be productive.

I will continue to contribute articles and blogs; I hope people who agree with me and those who disagree with me respond and contribute in a civil and respectful tone; I will agree with those I choose to and disagree with those I fell the need to. 

I did not seek out a nemesis but if I have found one (or he has found me), I would say "hang on it is going to be a bumpy ride".

I like NT and enjoy the discussion, the sarcasm, the quips and the humor and I am not going anywhere

Red Box Rules

Communicate and discuss civilly and with a little class and not other rules are needed


 

Tags

jrBlog - desc
[]
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
1  JohnRussell    10 months ago
I did not seek out a nemesis but if I have found one (or he has found me), I would say "hang on it is going to be a bumpy ride".

Be careful of what you wish for. 

 
 
 
Robert in Ohio
Professor Guide
2  author  Robert in Ohio    10 months ago

Just wanted to clear the air a bit - not looking for support or an argument.

 
 
 
Igknorantzruls
Sophomore Quiet
2.1  Igknorantzruls  replied to  Robert in Ohio @2    10 months ago
not looking for support or an argument

well then, id have to disagree with you not supporting an argumeant for and against me 

 
 
 
Robert in Ohio
Professor Guide
3  author  Robert in Ohio    10 months ago

"Communicate and discuss civilly and with a little class and not other rules are needed"

I did not realize that either this simple rule or the possible existence of a nemesis would preclude all members from commenting.

 
 
 
Trout Giggles
Professor Principal
3.1  Trout Giggles  replied to  Robert in Ohio @3    10 months ago

That's because some of us don't have any class...

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
3.2  Vic Eldred  replied to  Robert in Ohio @3    10 months ago

It is easy to distinguish those who wish to discuss issues and those who wish to demonize those who speak the truth.

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Masters Guide
4  Right Down the Center    10 months ago

"The person who felt slighted then private messaged me with a list of members that I should avoid and take no part in discussion with since they did not contribute as significantly to the site as did he.  I was going to include the text of those messages in this article (I saved it), but do not think that would be productive."

IMO good choice not to include the message as hilarious as I believe it would be.  I can only hope I am on the list, I will wear it as a badge of honor.

I  can assure you I avoid pontification because it gives me headaches but I will discuss and give a healthy dose of sarcasm.

Keep posting as you see fit and don't bow to any pressure to do otherwise.

 
 
 
Robert in Ohio
Professor Guide
4.1  author  Robert in Ohio  replied to  Right Down the Center @4    10 months ago

Oh there will be more 

I cannot confirm or deny the presence of any names on "the list"  jrSmiley_2_smiley_image.png

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Masters Guide
4.1.1  Right Down the Center  replied to  Robert in Ohio @4.1    10 months ago

I will do my part on your posts and try not to respond to anyone trying to derail them.  Feel free to remind me of this pledge as you see fit, it will  not be easy.

 
 
 
Robert in Ohio
Professor Guide
4.1.2  author  Robert in Ohio  replied to  Right Down the Center @4.1.1    10 months ago

I appreciate that and I will try as well to ignore that which should be ignored in all future postings

 
 
 
Mark in Wyoming
Professor Silent
4.2  Mark in Wyoming   replied to  Right Down the Center @4    10 months ago

It is my understanding that posting anything from a pm or chat is against the COC, so it is best it wasn't shared.

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Masters Guide
4.2.1  Right Down the Center  replied to  Mark in Wyoming @4.2    10 months ago

Thanks for the info.  I will make sure I count my point total and only do it at the end of the month if I have points to spare.

 
 
 
Robert in Ohio
Professor Guide
4.2.2  author  Robert in Ohio  replied to  Mark in Wyoming @4.2    10 months ago

Mark

Thanks for the info, I read the CofC and did not find that point, can you tell the paragraph/sec tion that prohibition is located in.

I would appreciate it

 
 
 
Mark in Wyoming
Professor Silent
4.2.3  Mark in Wyoming   replied to  Robert in Ohio @4.2.2    10 months ago

I doubt I can, my info came from perrie, and this was a couple years ago, I trust her word.

 
 
 
Robert in Ohio
Professor Guide
4.2.4  author  Robert in Ohio  replied to  Mark in Wyoming @4.2.3    10 months ago

so you are saying it is in fact not in the CofC

ok appreciate the update

 
 
 
Mark in Wyoming
Professor Silent
4.2.5  Mark in Wyoming   replied to  Robert in Ohio @4.2.4    10 months ago

Perrie being the RA it would likely best to discuss it with her, her wish is my command

( Yes, shameless brown nosing there)

 
 
 
Perrie Halpern R.A.
Professor Expert
4.2.7  Perrie Halpern R.A.  replied to  Mark in Wyoming @4.2    10 months ago
It is my understanding that posting anything from a pm or chat is against the COC, so it is best it wasn't shared.

You are 100% correct. You are not allowed to discuss a chat. If you are having an issue with a member you can either block their chat *(that is why we provide for that) and or bring it to my attention.

 
 
 
Buzz of the Orient
Professor Expert
4.2.8  Buzz of the Orient  replied to  Perrie Halpern R.A. @4.2.7    10 months ago

As you may recall, some time ago I posted something personal in an article comment that another had sent me in a PN and you ticketed me for it.  You now see that I have not been the only one who did not know it was an offence, not having seen it in the CoC or ToS.  Perhaps it is time to have a review and revamp of the CoC to include such circumstances - how many years has it been?   Since this is a reasonable reply to your comment, and one to bring my suggestion out in public, I hope you won't delete it as META so that others can opine on it. 

 
 
 
Robert in Ohio
Professor Guide
4.2.9  author  Robert in Ohio  replied to  Perrie Halpern R.A. @4.2.7    10 months ago

So if you were provided a copy of the chat (as a duly elected official of NewsTalkers would you take action if something inappropriate had been conveyed in said chat.

Or can one just say whatever they want to others in these private chats

Asking for a friend jrSmiley_82_smiley_image.gif

 
 
 
Robert in Ohio
Professor Guide
4.2.10  author  Robert in Ohio  replied to  Buzz of the Orient @4.2.8    10 months ago

I honestly read through the CofC and did not find such a prohibition, but I am getting older and could easily have missed it

 
 
 
Perrie Halpern R.A.
Professor Expert
4.2.11  Perrie Halpern R.A.  replied to  Robert in Ohio @4.2.9    10 months ago

If private chats are rude, nasty or harassing, I do take action on it, depending on what was said.

Now I have to say, again this is bordering on Meta, since it is about a member, so I think that it is best to end it here.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
4.2.12  JohnRussell  replied to  Robert in Ohio @4.2.9    10 months ago
So if you were provided a copy of the chat (as a duly elected official of NewsTalkers would you take action if something inappropriate had been conveyed in said chat.

send it to her

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
4.2.13  JohnRussell  replied to  Robert in Ohio @4.2.9    10 months ago

i dont chat that much with anyone other than one person here, other than from time to time briefly, but I have gotten a few unsolicited chats where people have actually called me names, which i did not do to you, and i even had one guy years ago come and chat and tell me he was going to come to chicago, find me , and kill me. (he was banned for it) so there is worse than what you had to "endure" out there. 

 
 
 
Trout Giggles
Professor Principal
4.2.14  Trout Giggles  replied to  Robert in Ohio @4.2.9    10 months ago

Perrie wasn't elected. She's been appointed Benevolent Dictator for Life.

AKA she owns NewsTalkers

 
 
 
Buzz of the Orient
Professor Expert
4.3  Buzz of the Orient  replied to  Right Down the Center @4    10 months ago

That kind of list would have named those whom in the opinion of the person who made it were deserving of being ignored as they contributed little to the site.  That made me think of movie mavens and critics who make lists of movies that they think are the best, and as many lists as there are, every one is different, because every one was drawn up by a person with different tastes, comprehension and knowledge.  I'm sure that if someone else were to draw up such a list of non-contributors as was PNed to Robert it would differ, and I'll bet if more members created such a list, no two would be alike.  I would be surprised if I were not on someone's similar list.

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Masters Guide
4.3.1  Right Down the Center  replied to  Buzz of the Orient @4.3    10 months ago

Agree, everyone has a different perception of what is valuable and who is worth reading.  It should be up to each reader to make that determination.

Not to be macabre but a list reminded me of the movie Dead Pool with Clint Eastwood.  Of course that list was not a list of people to be ignored. (And no, I am not death wishing anyone, I am just an Eastwood fan))

 
 
 
Krishna
Professor Expert
4.3.2  Krishna  replied to  Buzz of the Orient @4.3    10 months ago
That kind of list would have named those whom in the opinion of the person who made it were deserving of being ignored as they contributed little to the site.  That made me think of movie mavens and critics who make lists of movies that they think are the best, and as many lists as there are, every one is different, because every one was drawn up by a person with different tastes, comprehension and knowledge.

I have spent many years actively participating on social media-- and I've noticed one of the things that is popular is publishing advice--- including lists of "The Ten Best . . . ".

The Ten Best Movies of The Year

The Ten Best Stocks to Buy Now

The Ten Best Things To Do For Your Health 

Interestingly, most of these people don't know WTF they were talking about. jrSmiley_4_smiley_image.png

LOL!

Initially I would often argue with them, but that became boring.

Now there are maybe 3 people I follow re: the Stock market. (Although I don't blindly follow their every recommendation, occasionally I get some good insights. And on rare occasions I might actually do a trade based on their recommendations).

 
 
 
Buzz of the Orient
Professor Expert
4.3.3  Buzz of the Orient  replied to  Krishna @4.3.2    10 months ago

I have posted "best" lists about certain movie genres or subjects in the hopes that they would encourage discussion.  

 
 
 
Snuffy
Professor Participates
5  Snuffy    10 months ago

Good luck. Keep posting and some will join to actually have a discussion. You will get pressured by some to bow to their way but as they say in Vegas, you do you.

 
 
 
Robert in Ohio
Professor Guide
5.1  author  Robert in Ohio  replied to  Snuffy @5    10 months ago

Thanks

 
 
 
Snuffy
Professor Participates
6  Snuffy    10 months ago

Here's an aid for our brethren who MUST pontificate.....

256

 
 
 
Trout Giggles
Professor Principal
6.1  Trout Giggles  replied to  Snuffy @6    10 months ago

Hey! Give me my soap box back!

 
 
 
Snuffy
Professor Participates
6.1.1  Snuffy  replied to  Trout Giggles @6.1    10 months ago
Hey! Give me my soap box back!

256

 
 
 
Trout Giggles
Professor Principal
6.1.2  Trout Giggles  replied to  Snuffy @6.1.1    10 months ago

I'll take the cat, too

 
 
 
Snuffy
Professor Participates
6.1.3  Snuffy  replied to  Trout Giggles @6.1.2    10 months ago

jrSmiley_10_smiley_image.gif

 
 
 
Buzz of the Orient
Professor Expert
7  Buzz of the Orient    10 months ago

If there is going to be an award for NT's top pontificator, I'd like to enter the contest. 

 
 
 
Igknorantzruls
Sophomore Quiet
7.1  Igknorantzruls  replied to  Buzz of the Orient @7    10 months ago

ill vote you up Buzz, but you weren't among those that came to my feeble mind...

 
 
 
Robert in Ohio
Professor Guide
7.2  author  Robert in Ohio  replied to  Buzz of the Orient @7    10 months ago

Buzz

I would vote for you, but I fear you and others would have little chance of unseating the current holder of that distinctive title jrSmiley_4_smiley_image.png

 
 
 
Buzz of the Orient
Professor Expert
7.2.1  Buzz of the Orient  replied to  Robert in Ohio @7.2    10 months ago

LOL

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Masters Guide
7.3  Right Down the Center  replied to  Buzz of the Orient @7    10 months ago

It would be fun to make a list of awards for NT (without names of course)

I suggest "Using the Most Words to Say the Least" , "Twisted Logic" and "Subtly Sarcastic".

 
 
 
Buzz of the Orient
Professor Expert
7.3.9  Buzz of the Orient  replied to    10 months ago

I've posted photography challenges on the Creative Arts group and I guess my movie quiz games are contests, announcing winners.  I think you could identify a poll as a kind of contest, as it is supposed to come up with a projected winner.

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Expert
8  Drinker of the Wry    10 months ago

We could come up with buzz words on BINGO cards.  Words like fascist, traitor, absurd, deflect, project, etc..  First one to get a BINGO annoyances it here.

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Masters Guide
8.1  Right Down the Center  replied to  Drinker of the Wry @8    10 months ago

Sounds like a 2 minute game to me.  Might have to cut the number of words down.

 
 
 
Buzz of the Orient
Professor Expert
8.2  Buzz of the Orient  replied to  Drinker of the Wry @8    10 months ago
"We could come up with buzz words on BINGO cards.  Words like fascist, traitor, absurd, deflect, project, etc.."

Although I've used the word "deflect", I don't think I've EVER used those other words, at least not for describing another NT member or their comment or article.

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Expert
8.2.1  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  Buzz of the Orient @8.2    10 months ago

I don’t remember you ever using them either, Buzz.

 
 
 
sandy-2021492
Professor Expert
10  sandy-2021492    10 months ago

Meta cleaned up in threads @7.3. and @8.2

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Expert
10.1  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  sandy-2021492 @10    10 months ago

Thanks Sandy.