I'm less than two minutes into the episode, and I already have to comment: Pat, I love you. Not as much as I love John, but ... you're getting there.

Fuck social networking, seriously. Facebook, twitter, myspace, and whatever else may exist ... ugh. I despise all of those things so damn much. Unconditionally.

Edit: Oh god, Tom Clancy. Hunt For Red October especially. That's such a terrible book. He should have just published a tech manual for his imaginary submarine, because that's what the book was really about. All the stuff that would be vaguely interesting is relegated to tiny bits in between the stupid technical stuff.

The movie is much better. In spite Because of the scottish russian.

Point the first, LOTR is outdated and terrible. It's only worth reading to know where most of today's fantasy comes from. Also, the movie is pretty bad too.

Point the second, I see twitter as having three useful values, a)short blasts to people about things that are happening right now, like #FridayNightBars, Ringo will be at the nuche, meet me there, or #PoliticalStatement Did you hear what Person in Power B said? "RPG's are worthless" b)Sharing with people you have no relationship. Like if I want to hear what some famous software developer thinks about the newest Android platform or other interesting things, I follow his tweets. I don't care about his life and we aren't friends, so facebook doesn't work. c)Jokes. There is a whole art to twitter jokes. Mainly one liners, but they have their own subtleties.

Point the third IMing and other internet communication > phone calls.

Point the fourth, LOTR is terrible.

Side (snide?) joke: Social Networking is better if you have friends.

Congratulations. Out of four points, you made one that isn't wrong to the point of ridiculousness.

... Not saying I like reading LOTR. I really, really don't. I tend to be miserable the entire time through, but that's because the writing style doesn't suit me at all. Reminds me of watching the original Mobile Suit Gundam. I hate watching it, but after I'm done, I look back at what an overall good show it was ... despite so much being terrible, it still works out to something great.

Twitter has precisely zero useful values. Zero. None of those things you listed is at all worthwhile except for jokes, and they can be found in far superior formats pretty much everywhere.

Third point is the one that isn't bullshit. Congratulations, you aren't completely stupid.

Fourth point is both redundant and wrong. Congratulations!

Wrong. If you don't have friends, you never actually have to put up with any of the shit that makes Social Networking terrible. That being the people. Thus, friends are actually what ruin social networking.

There is a logic at work here that is at the same time undeniably correct and undeniably flawed. Also, somehow (counterproductively) seductive. Like the Dark Side, only without any actual power gained from your anger and frustration.

I shall ruminate on this. Then I'll probably tweet about it and post on my FB wall. And text Pat a link to some really good (read: really bad) porn. And then have a donut.

There are no formats that are really comparable to twitter for Jokes. Superior? Sure, A stand up comedy act is far better, or at least will create a larger feeling of happiness and more laughter. But that doesn't take away the value of twitter comedy. It exists in a different area. Much like a bathroom reader. Those aren't the best books in the world. But they still have plenty of value, allowing for quick facts, jokes, and anecdotes that are momentarily distracting, take little time, and distract from an otherwise boring activity.

And the fact that you hate LOTR is exactly why it's terrible. Fiction is an escapist activity.. The point is that it should be enjoyable in the moment. It's unlike working out, where the point is the feeling of improvement you get after. My personal feeling is literature shouldn't be like that but I know some English Professors disagree, but even they think a boring work should provide some value, a greater truth. LOTR has no "greater" truth. Just shitty writing and story that has since been told better many many times.

You missed the part where it's just not my style. The story's great. I really like it, and that's why I like the movies. I can get the story without the writing style that doesn't suit my tastes. It's the perfect combination! As far as greater truths ... I don't know if it has one or not, and frankly I don't care. People's interest in that sort of thing baffles me. I really couldn't care less what deeper meaning someone may or may not have built into their work.

I will be holding you to this, Sir!



IMing and texting have their place I will give you that, but as a complete replacement for communication with other human beings I have to vehemently disagree with you. I actually enjoy the connection that you get from vocal and/or face to face contact with others. Written text is so sterile and unable to communicate the nuances that living beings convey in so many ways.

I'll probably have the donut first. Never eat donuts AFTER watching porn. My new personal motto.

No, you are WRONG sir. That is precisely the proper time to 'eat' a doughnut.