(January 4, 2018 at 10:38 am)polymath257 Wrote:(January 4, 2018 at 9:44 am)Abaddon_ire Wrote: Welcome. There are a number of sock puppet creators that wander these here parts such that there is a certain cynicism about new members (I got a bit of that too), don't much worry about that. Proof of the pudding shall be in the eating thereof. I joined here on foot of chasing one such lying sock puppet around the internet (PGJ anyone?). PGJ, is a prolific internet crank. I have lost track of how many socks he has created here and on other sites.
A close friend of mine is a PhD in math also. The stereotype annoys him as much as I suspect it does you. Take it in good nature. My friends nickname is "traitor" because, while he worked at various interesting things such as weather/climate modeling, he now works for a seriously important financial institution. But no worries, another friend has a PhD in Biotechnology. His thesis was in the action of bacteria in the production of cheese of all things. Inevitably, he is known as "Dr. Cheese" for the last several decades.
It doesn't bother me excessively. It just sucks that a few idiots ruin things for everyone else. I was a bit surprised at the third degree I initially got from here, but I understand the reasons now.
Ah, you underestimate the power of the crank. Often, people here and elsewhere find themselves thinking "Is this yet another iteration of the same twit?" That happens. How could it not, given those willing to create any amount of sock-puppet accounts?
You are the captain of your soul. Just be yourself and be honest. Most here will accept that and give you honest argument in response. If you are a sock of some former member, then you will be found out in short order. If you are not, simply post whatever it is you wish to post and worry not a whit about it. Start a new thread about whatever it is that bakes your noodle about theism/atheism. Or whatever topic takes your fancy. See what happens.
You are learning the ropes for this site and we are learning your ropes as well. It is the tapestry of human interaction like it or not.
Gird your loins for robust responses from both sides. Such is the cut and thrust of online debate.
