How has CFC changed you?

[Phrossack]

A lot of us spend a lot of time here, and we've all probably been changed a bit for it.

It's made me a bit better at arguing, I think. And it's expanded my knowledge of history and other things I find interesting.

However, it's also helped make me an embittered jerk who is constantly expecting to be contradicted. It's also convinced me that all social structures that have ever existed, and all which will ever exist, even the lack of social structures, are failures.

Spoiler ramble :

Nothing works, has worked, or ever will work. I think this in part because people love to point out the flaws of existing systems, but are totally incapable of actually devising anything good themselves. Communism, capitalism, socialism, anarchism, libertarianism, democracy, dictatorship, theocracy, feminism, antifeminism, racism, antiracism, monarchy, egalitarianism, hierarchy, all have failed. Success (i.e., a total lack of downsides) is impossible. There are no good societies or non-societies in the world, only failures. But that's another thread.

But anyway, how has CFC changed you?

 

[cybrxkhan]

I learned to not bother arguing if it's not worth it. Hmm. Rather, actually, CFC helped reinforce that for me, that's something I've always held dear.

CFC has certainly helped me learn to not lash out - even if justified and/or in the "right" - on the internet, 'cuz it ain't worth it. There have been countless times I've been tempted to just type up a ranty reply to some thread or post (including very recently, anyways) but nowadays I tend to be much better at restraining myself. Not worth the stress.

I shudder thinking about my young, adolescent self back on my early days in CFC.

And it's expanded my knowledge of history and other things I find interesting.

CFC is a nice change from the typical internet - more reasonable and intellectual (but not overly so), which makes it a good place to learn and think about things. The other regions of the internet, I am sad to report, are highly toxic, nebulous blobs of unrestrained emotion, unreasonable idiocy, and unforgivable sin.

 

[Kaitzilla]

Made me slightly more Liberal.

 

[squadbroken]

It helped me get better at Civ IV/V.
That's about it, really.

 

[Narz]

Probably contributed to my lower back pain from all the time on the computer.

 

[dusters]

Probably made my own personal statement that smart, witty men holding conversations about politics can be interesting to read/hear for years even more true. I have been into USA politics since teens.

 

[Tahuti]

However, it's also helped make me an embittered jerk who is constantly expecting to be contradicted. It's also convinced me that all social structures that have ever existed, and all which will ever exist, even the lack of social structures, are failures.

Well, the reason why I am a supporter of aristocracy and monarchy is because I think both tacitly acknowledge anything will go wrong. It views the world as a heroic, chilvalric quasi-utopia which paradoxically sheds all pretenses of utopia.

 

[SoupJuice]

Long story short: forums were a huge part of my life in the 90's, early 2000's, but with highschool and university I found it difficult to manage time between real life and online communities, meaning the online stuff went on the back-burner. The sites I frequented before do not exist anymore, and the communities are long gone.

Seeing THIS place thriving for so long makes me realize the online world kept turning while I was trying to focus on school. The net is still a place full of worthwhile conversations, and while the internet is a completely different situation than it was 10-15 years ago, there are so many more people on it.

I know you guys got influxes of new memberships with each expansion, and will continue to grow with Beyond Earth and so on. It's nice to see the community evolve but still exist and welcome the new people.

So good job guys? I know I'm still a newb when it comes to this place but I am not a stranger to the online ways.

 

[Kyriakos]

Well... OT used to be a pretty messed-up place in the past, but now it is quasi-civilized i think
Maybe i helped with that too, by trollhunting

Anyway, it is strange to be in a forum for a decade..

 

[salty mud]

I've probably learnt to become more restrained and listen to what people have to say more than anything. That, and turn me from a bad Civ IV player to a not-so-bad Civ IV player. I've been here a while and seen a lot: people posting naughty pictures, massive arguments erupt, the welcoming of the 100,000th member and so on. It's all been good though. I've partly grown up with CFC.

 

[Tee Kay]

Gave me delusions of grandeur, and made me hate Polish people.

 

[trader/warrior]

I just realized that with my 25 years of age, I have now been a member of CFC for half my life... It has probably influenced me in more ways than I can think of.

 

[Mechanicalsalvation]

However, it's also helped make me an embittered jerk who is constantly expecting to be contradicted. It's also convinced me that all social structures that have ever existed, and all which will ever exist, even the lack of social structures, are failures.

Failure is not to see that these social structures arent goal of themselves but temporary means which has to be constantly renewed or cast away for some better variations. What one sees as success maybe quite destructive for some other part of society but its the constant movement and struggle of these different interest which helps to preserve possibility of something more perfect beyond...

But anyway, how has CFC changed you?

I like discussions and it helped me to realise that insightfull discussion and winning an argument at all cost arent compatible. I may win an argument at times (or so it may seem) but in cost of not being receptive to some truth the other side is saying thus not learning and becoming the actual looser...

 

[Borachio]

Don't know. Maybe I was going to change anyway?

Perhaps CFC has helped to tip me over the edge into final insanity?

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all.

 

[Hygro]

Well, the reason why I am a supporter of aristocracy and monarchy is because I think both tacitly acknowledge anything will go wrong. It views the world as a heroic, chilvalric quasi-utopia which paradoxically sheds all pretenses of utopia.

Or you could just become a DJ.

 

[downtown]

I'm not sure that CFC has actually changed the way that I think about things THAT MUCH. Certainly not more than life experiences, my university studies, or other life factors.

My life did change because of the people I've met here though. Godwynn was a groomsman at my wedding, after all. I've made some real friends, some mentors, and learned a lot about things that have nothing to do with politics.

 

[Tee Kay]

Don't know. Maybe I was going to change anyway?

Perhaps CFC has helped to tip me over the edge into final insanity?

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all.

I know when you first joined you were one of the most infuriatingly annoying posters with a spot on my ignore list next to Millman.

And now you're a venerable elder of OT.

 

[salty mud]

I know when you first joined you were one of the most infuriatingly annoying posters with a spot on my ignore list next to Millman.

And now you're a venerable elder of OT.

Hey, that's not nice.

I look up to Borachio as some kind of wiseman. Like a village elder kind of thing.

Or maybe more like a witch doctor.

 

[Chukchi Husky]

It's made me aware that I'm far more stupid than I ever thought.

 

[azzaman333]

CFC taught me how to enjoy trolling

and made me hate Polish people.

Also this.