LaxPower Back-Up Stick

MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 6:27 pm

get it to x wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 4:13 pm

MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 2:41 pm

get it to x wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 1:44 pm

seacoaster wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 11:23 am

get it to x wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 9:33 am Thinking of changing my handle to "Get it to XX" so I can identify with my female side. After all, I've lied to myself about my good looks and intelligence forever. What's one more lie?

No offense, but this would be a good joke, if it was funny.

I assume you don't know and love a family whose lives -- you know, learning to read and write and think, learning the basic courtesies of life, carting the kids to youth sports, going to the beach, visiting friends and grandparents, etc., etc., etc. -- have been upended by a kid who determines, usually after years of uncertainty, brutalizing anxiety, and alienation from everyone they love, that s/he isn't a girl or a boy, as the case may be. It's a journey no one expects, probably no one wants, but it is thrust on regular people who either make the call to honor the path or break the bonds. It's not the fulcrum for a joke, "woke" or not, right or left.

On the sports issue that folks here have been talking about, I share every misgiving and doubt associated with trans athletes, who were born and grew up male, competing in women's sports. I get the associated unfairness. But the overall issue is too complicated to paint in black and white. Erica Sullivan apparently understands this, probably because she had the same sorts of worries and uncertainties before she came out. Criticism of the concept? OK? Mocking the people forced by something none or few of us understand to make the most dramatic decision and change conceivable? Just bullsh*t.

And maybe you don't know any girls who have trained for a sport they love, achieved a high level of success only to be told women have to take a back seat to someone who thinks they are a woman when they are not, and never will be. Not trying to be cruel. Affirming that their disphoria, which is what it is, is reality, is actually more cruel. And yes, one of my best friends sons identifies as a woman, as does on of my wife's friends ex husband. I call them what they want to be called, but I don't affirm their gender identity, because it is a lie. Would never mock or bully them. Nor love them any less.

How do you not "affirm their identity, because it is a lie"???

And yet, you "call them what they want to be called"?

Do they know you consider their identity, "a lie" ?

If so, ever asked them how that makes them feel?

Or do you avoid each other?

If your wife's name was Mary Smith and she told me she wanted to be called "Mrs. MDlaxfan76", that's what I would call her.

And to tell them I think they are living a lie would be cruel. Why would I do that?

You do know that the vast majority are no more happy after transition than before, and in some cases, regret they have had irreversible surgical procedures.

vast majority???
Nope. But society does make it really, really hard.

Okay, so how do you avoid not telling her what you think is a lie, without affirming her gender identity using whatever pronoun she wants?

seacoaster wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 6:01 pm

get it to x wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 5:54 pm

seacoaster wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 5:21 pm

get it to x wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 1:44 pm

seacoaster wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 11:23 am

get it to x wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 9:33 am Thinking of changing my handle to "Get it to XX" so I can identify with my female side. After all, I've lied to myself about my good looks and intelligence forever. What's one more lie?

No offense, but this would be a good joke, if it was funny.

I assume you don't know and love a family whose lives -- you know, learning to read and write and think, learning the basic courtesies of life, carting the kids to youth sports, going to the beach, visiting friends and grandparents, etc., etc., etc. -- have been upended by a kid who determines, usually after years of uncertainty, brutalizing anxiety, and alienation from everyone they love, that s/he isn't a girl or a boy, as the case may be. It's a journey no one expects, probably no one wants, but it is thrust on regular people who either make the call to honor the path or break the bonds. It's not the fulcrum for a joke, "woke" or not, right or left.

On the sports issue that folks here have been talking about, I share every misgiving and doubt associated with trans athletes, who were born and grew up male, competing in women's sports. I get the associated unfairness. But the overall issue is too complicated to paint in black and white. Erica Sullivan apparently understands this, probably because she had the same sorts of worries and uncertainties before she came out. Criticism of the concept? OK? Mocking the people forced by something none or few of us understand to make the most dramatic decision and change conceivable? Just bullsh*t.

And maybe you don't know any girls who have trained for a sport they love, achieved a high level of success only to be told women have to take a back seat to someone who thinks they are a woman when they are not, and never will be. Not trying to be cruel. Affirming that their disphoria, which is what it is, is reality, is actually more cruel. And yes, one of my best friends sons identifies as a woman, as does on of my wife's friends ex husband. I call them what they want to be called, but I don't affirm their gender identity, because it is a lie. Would never mock or bully them. Nor love them any less.

Seems you missed the point. As I said above, I can understand and maybe even agree that it is "unfair" for a women who trained for a sport all her life to reach the pinnacle, only to lose to a trans-woman. As I said above, I completely get that. I coached women's lacrosse for a decade and know plenty of kids whose hard work I wouldn't want to see derailed or defeated this way.

It is the clumsy, cruel and stupid joke with which I took issue. You could try it out on, say, "one of [your] best friend's sons," or maybe even your best friend, and see what they see and how they feel. Or you could just admit that you tried to make a joke out of something not suitable for humor -- among adults anyway -- and it fell more than flat.

Progressives have killed comedy. You see, if no offense was intended, no offense should be taken.

Tells the reader all they need to know. Comedy at the expense of the vulnerable, the "other." But you're not cruel. You know a guy who has a kid... Sure sport.

Typical Lax Dad wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 9:18 pm

seacoaster wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 6:01 pm

get it to x wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 5:54 pm

seacoaster wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 5:21 pm

get it to x wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 1:44 pm

seacoaster wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 11:23 am

get it to x wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 9:33 am Thinking of changing my handle to "Get it to XX" so I can identify with my female side. After all, I've lied to myself about my good looks and intelligence forever. What's one more lie?

No offense, but this would be a good joke, if it was funny.

I assume you don't know and love a family whose lives -- you know, learning to read and write and think, learning the basic courtesies of life, carting the kids to youth sports, going to the beach, visiting friends and grandparents, etc., etc., etc. -- have been upended by a kid who determines, usually after years of uncertainty, brutalizing anxiety, and alienation from everyone they love, that s/he isn't a girl or a boy, as the case may be. It's a journey no one expects, probably no one wants, but it is thrust on regular people who either make the call to honor the path or break the bonds. It's not the fulcrum for a joke, "woke" or not, right or left.

On the sports issue that folks here have been talking about, I share every misgiving and doubt associated with trans athletes, who were born and grew up male, competing in women's sports. I get the associated unfairness. But the overall issue is too complicated to paint in black and white. Erica Sullivan apparently understands this, probably because she had the same sorts of worries and uncertainties before she came out. Criticism of the concept? OK? Mocking the people forced by something none or few of us understand to make the most dramatic decision and change conceivable? Just bullsh*t.

And maybe you don't know any girls who have trained for a sport they love, achieved a high level of success only to be told women have to take a back seat to someone who thinks they are a woman when they are not, and never will be. Not trying to be cruel. Affirming that their disphoria, which is what it is, is reality, is actually more cruel. And yes, one of my best friends sons identifies as a woman, as does on of my wife's friends ex husband. I call them what they want to be called, but I don't affirm their gender identity, because it is a lie. Would never mock or bully them. Nor love them any less.

Seems you missed the point. As I said above, I can understand and maybe even agree that it is "unfair" for a women who trained for a sport all her life to reach the pinnacle, only to lose to a trans-woman. As I said above, I completely get that. I coached women's lacrosse for a decade and know plenty of kids whose hard work I wouldn't want to see derailed or defeated this way.

It is the clumsy, cruel and stupid joke with which I took issue. You could try it out on, say, "one of [your] best friend's sons," or maybe even your best friend, and see what they see and how they feel. Or you could just admit that you tried to make a joke out of something not suitable for humor -- among adults anyway -- and it fell more than flat.

Progressives have killed comedy. You see, if no offense was intended, no offense should be taken.

Tells the reader all they need to know. Comedy at the expense of the vulnerable, the "other." But you're not cruel. You know a guy who has a kid... Sure sport.

Friends of ours that I have known for 25 years had a daughter that now identifies as male. She came out as a senior in HS. They had no idea. They also have a son. The daughter goes by Jay and told them he has felt this way as long as he can remember…..YA was trying to blame it on the parents. My friends said a very hard part has been long time “friends” of theirs no longer communicate with them. We have maintained our friendship because its very hard on the family. It’s not a joke. My wife has taught a course on intersex (Old Salt makes fun of it)….physiology is something we still don’t quite understand…..but Get It Through X finds it funny.

Typical Lax Dad wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 9:18 pm

seacoaster wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 6:01 pm

get it to x wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 5:54 pm

seacoaster wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 5:21 pm

get it to x wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 1:44 pm

seacoaster wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 11:23 am

get it to x wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 9:33 am Thinking of changing my handle to "Get it to XX" so I can identify with my female side. After all, I've lied to myself about my good looks and intelligence forever. What's one more lie?

No offense, but this would be a good joke, if it was funny.

I assume you don't know and love a family whose lives -- you know, learning to read and write and think, learning the basic courtesies of life, carting the kids to youth sports, going to the beach, visiting friends and grandparents, etc., etc., etc. -- have been upended by a kid who determines, usually after years of uncertainty, brutalizing anxiety, and alienation from everyone they love, that s/he isn't a girl or a boy, as the case may be. It's a journey no one expects, probably no one wants, but it is thrust on regular people who either make the call to honor the path or break the bonds. It's not the fulcrum for a joke, "woke" or not, right or left.

On the sports issue that folks here have been talking about, I share every misgiving and doubt associated with trans athletes, who were born and grew up male, competing in women's sports. I get the associated unfairness. But the overall issue is too complicated to paint in black and white. Erica Sullivan apparently understands this, probably because she had the same sorts of worries and uncertainties before she came out. Criticism of the concept? OK? Mocking the people forced by something none or few of us understand to make the most dramatic decision and change conceivable? Just bullsh*t.

And maybe you don't know any girls who have trained for a sport they love, achieved a high level of success only to be told women have to take a back seat to someone who thinks they are a woman when they are not, and never will be. Not trying to be cruel. Affirming that their disphoria, which is what it is, is reality, is actually more cruel. And yes, one of my best friends sons identifies as a woman, as does on of my wife's friends ex husband. I call them what they want to be called, but I don't affirm their gender identity, because it is a lie. Would never mock or bully them. Nor love them any less.

Seems you missed the point. As I said above, I can understand and maybe even agree that it is "unfair" for a women who trained for a sport all her life to reach the pinnacle, only to lose to a trans-woman. As I said above, I completely get that. I coached women's lacrosse for a decade and know plenty of kids whose hard work I wouldn't want to see derailed or defeated this way.

It is the clumsy, cruel and stupid joke with which I took issue. You could try it out on, say, "one of [your] best friend's sons," or maybe even your best friend, and see what they see and how they feel. Or you could just admit that you tried to make a joke out of something not suitable for humor -- among adults anyway -- and it fell more than flat.

Progressives have killed comedy. You see, if no offense was intended, no offense should be taken.

Tells the reader all they need to know. Comedy at the expense of the vulnerable, the "other." But you're not cruel. You know a guy who has a kid... Sure sport.

Friends of ours that I have known for 25 years had a daughter that now identifies as male. She came out as a senior in HS. They had no idea. They also have a son. The daughter goes by Jay and told them he has felt this way as long as he can remember…..YA was trying to blame it on the parents. My friends said a very hard part has been long time “friends” of theirs no longer communicate with them. We have maintained our friendship because its very hard on the family. It’s not a joke. My wife has taught a course on intersex (Old Salt makes fun of it)….physiology is something we still don’t quite understand…..but Get It Through X finds it funny.

Peter Brown wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 9:44 pm

Typical Lax Dad wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 9:18 pm

seacoaster wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 6:01 pm

get it to x wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 5:54 pm

seacoaster wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 5:21 pm

get it to x wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 1:44 pm

seacoaster wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 11:23 am

get it to x wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 9:33 am Thinking of changing my handle to "Get it to XX" so I can identify with my female side. After all, I've lied to myself about my good looks and intelligence forever. What's one more lie?

No offense, but this would be a good joke, if it was funny.

I assume you don't know and love a family whose lives -- you know, learning to read and write and think, learning the basic courtesies of life, carting the kids to youth sports, going to the beach, visiting friends and grandparents, etc., etc., etc. -- have been upended by a kid who determines, usually after years of uncertainty, brutalizing anxiety, and alienation from everyone they love, that s/he isn't a girl or a boy, as the case may be. It's a journey no one expects, probably no one wants, but it is thrust on regular people who either make the call to honor the path or break the bonds. It's not the fulcrum for a joke, "woke" or not, right or left.

On the sports issue that folks here have been talking about, I share every misgiving and doubt associated with trans athletes, who were born and grew up male, competing in women's sports. I get the associated unfairness. But the overall issue is too complicated to paint in black and white. Erica Sullivan apparently understands this, probably because she had the same sorts of worries and uncertainties before she came out. Criticism of the concept? OK? Mocking the people forced by something none or few of us understand to make the most dramatic decision and change conceivable? Just bullsh*t.

And maybe you don't know any girls who have trained for a sport they love, achieved a high level of success only to be told women have to take a back seat to someone who thinks they are a woman when they are not, and never will be. Not trying to be cruel. Affirming that their disphoria, which is what it is, is reality, is actually more cruel. And yes, one of my best friends sons identifies as a woman, as does on of my wife's friends ex husband. I call them what they want to be called, but I don't affirm their gender identity, because it is a lie. Would never mock or bully them. Nor love them any less.

Seems you missed the point. As I said above, I can understand and maybe even agree that it is "unfair" for a women who trained for a sport all her life to reach the pinnacle, only to lose to a trans-woman. As I said above, I completely get that. I coached women's lacrosse for a decade and know plenty of kids whose hard work I wouldn't want to see derailed or defeated this way.

It is the clumsy, cruel and stupid joke with which I took issue. You could try it out on, say, "one of [your] best friend's sons," or maybe even your best friend, and see what they see and how they feel. Or you could just admit that you tried to make a joke out of something not suitable for humor -- among adults anyway -- and it fell more than flat.

Progressives have killed comedy. You see, if no offense was intended, no offense should be taken.

Tells the reader all they need to know. Comedy at the expense of the vulnerable, the "other." But you're not cruel. You know a guy who has a kid... Sure sport.

Friends of ours that I have known for 25 years had a daughter that now identifies as male. She came out as a senior in HS. They had no idea. They also have a son. The daughter goes by Jay and told them he has felt this way as long as he can remember…..YA was trying to blame it on the parents. My friends said a very hard part has been long time “friends” of theirs no longer communicate with them. We have maintained our friendship because its very hard on the family. It’s not a joke. My wife has taught a course on intersex (Old Salt makes fun of it)….physiology is something we still don’t quite understand…..but Get It Through X finds it funny.

There’s so much bizarre with this post.

First, do you even know what physiology means? It’s the condition of normal function of biology.

Second, what do you mean you ‘maintained your relationship because it’s very hard on the family’? What does that mean?

Third, you call out three posters in your post. I’m gonna go ahead and bet not one of them agrees with your gratuitous interpretations of their thoughts.

Finally, no one cares if anyone wants to live differently than how they’re born. No one. The only thing anyone cares about is keeping the playing field level so young girls don’t get disappointed with their standings. It’s really not even remarkable to point out that a person like Lia Thomas is wrecking the dreams of not simply the 15 girls she beat, but the thousands of others watching all this thinking they shouldn’t even try.

It’s fascinating to see the left defend such an indefensible position. Electoral suicide.

MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 8:32 am Finally, no one cares if anyone wants to live differently than how they’re born. No one.



How did the right becomes such whiners??

One athlete is "wrecking the dreams of not simply the 15 girls she beat, but the thousands of others watching all this thinking they shouldn’t even try."

tech37 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 9:09 am

MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 8:32 am Finally, no one cares if anyone wants to live differently than how they’re born. No one.



How did the right becomes such whiners??

One athlete is "wrecking the dreams of not simply the 15 girls she beat, but the thousands of others watching all this thinking they shouldn’t even try."

And how is this just the "right"? Unless you can show proof of that one, you're spreading mis and disinformation, speculating at best.

MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 9:15 am

tech37 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 9:09 am

MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 8:32 am Finally, no one cares if anyone wants to live differently than how they’re born. No one.



How did the right becomes such whiners??

One athlete is "wrecking the dreams of not simply the 15 girls she beat, but the thousands of others watching all this thinking they shouldn’t even try."

And how is this just the "right"? Unless you can show proof of that one, you're spreading mis and disinformation, speculating at best.

The poster making this specific claim is a hard right, partisan poster.

And yeah, IMO, the hard right has become amazingly whiny...on all sorts of issues. So much woe is me.

tech37 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 9:28 am

MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 9:15 am

tech37 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 9:09 am

MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 8:32 am Finally, no one cares if anyone wants to live differently than how they’re born. No one.



How did the right becomes such whiners??

One athlete is "wrecking the dreams of not simply the 15 girls she beat, but the thousands of others watching all this thinking they shouldn’t even try."

And how is this just the "right"? Unless you can show proof of that one, you're spreading mis and disinformation, speculating at best.

The poster making this specific claim is a hard right, partisan poster.

And yeah, IMO, the hard right has become amazingly whiny...on all sorts of issues. So much woe is me.

You made a general claim re "the right." That's not simply Pete.

I would guess that the vast majority of people in this country struggle with trans issues (and many couldn't care less), but either way, those who do care are probably fearful of expressing their concerns.

tech37 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 9:28 am

MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 9:15 am

tech37 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 9:09 am

MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 8:32 am Finally, no one cares if anyone wants to live differently than how they’re born. No one.



How did the right becomes such whiners??

One athlete is "wrecking the dreams of not simply the 15 girls she beat, but the thousands of others watching all this thinking they shouldn’t even try."

And how is this just the "right"? Unless you can show proof of that one, you're spreading mis and disinformation, speculating at best.

The poster making this specific claim is a hard right, partisan poster.

And yeah, IMO, the hard right has become amazingly whiny...on all sorts of issues. So much woe is me.

You made a general claim re "the right." That's not simply Pete.

I would guess that the vast majority of people in this country struggle with trans issues (and many couldn't care less), but either way, those who do care are probably fearful of expressing their concerns.

MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 9:40 am

tech37 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 9:28 am

MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 9:15 am

tech37 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 9:09 am

MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 8:32 am Finally, no one cares if anyone wants to live differently than how they’re born. No one.



How did the right becomes such whiners??

One athlete is "wrecking the dreams of not simply the 15 girls she beat, but the thousands of others watching all this thinking they shouldn’t even try."

And how is this just the "right"? Unless you can show proof of that one, you're spreading mis and disinformation, speculating at best.

The poster making this specific claim is a hard right, partisan poster.

And yeah, IMO, the hard right has become amazingly whiny...on all sorts of issues. So much woe is me.

You made a general claim re "the right." That's not simply Pete.

I would guess that the vast majority of people in this country struggle with trans issues (and many couldn't care less), but either way, those who do care are probably fearful of expressing their concerns.

"fearful"???
ohh, those poor "fearful" souls might get criticized?
woe is me, it's all so unfair!
I did say "either way"... that means people who are understanding/empathetic and those not. Guess you missed that in your rant to slam what you consider right-wing whiners

Seriously, you're making my point, that way, way too much of the supposedly "conservative" side is chock full of whiners..."I'm being canceled"...yet invited to Senate hearings, given a platform on the WSJ...

thousands of little girls are going to quit swimming... because they think they can't win an NCAA championship??? And we're going to tell them they can't win, they should quit???

Yes, I was speaking directly about Petey's posts, but so too are so many others whiny, "Deep State", Fake News "lame stream media", 'medical science is all a racket'...they're canceling me!
Believe me I'm just as frustrated with people like yourself who can't/won't accept that so many in the country disagree (with you) on any number of matters, only to be gaslighted, ridiculed, and yes, canceled, even though the concerns are valid. If you haven't noticed, our country is very F'd up.

That's my opinion, a bunch of whiners who don't want to be accountable, and want the world engineered solely to their benefit or whack job POV.

MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 10:09 am Am I canceling you? do you have a platform?

Schrier certainly has a huge platform.

so, do evangelical preachers...huge platforms.

It seems that your issue, most of the hard right's issue, is that they get called out for their lack of rigorous scientific methodology...on topic after topic they take the "contrary" angry expression instead of a more thoughtful, nuanced and yes, empathetic perspective...for drill.

Is this actually a lack of understanding of science and scientific methodology?
In some cases, sure...but what bothers me far more is those who really should know better, who probably do know better, yet prefer to use their talents, their brains, to sell snake oil or partisan ideology for fame and fortune and power.

I have the exact same critique when I see overwrought ideological positions on the left. I just see a heck of a lot of it these days from the right, especially the hard, populist right.

MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 10:09 am Am I canceling you? do you have a platform?

Schrier certainly has a huge platform.

so, do evangelical preachers...huge platforms.

It seems that your issue, most of the hard right's issue, is that they get called out for their lack of rigorous scientific methodology...on topic after topic they take the "contrary" angry expression instead of a more thoughtful, nuanced and yes, empathetic perspective...for drill.

Is this actually a lack of understanding of science and scientific methodology?
In some cases, sure...but what bothers me far more is those who really should know better, who probably do know better, yet prefer to use their talents, their brains, to sell snake oil or partisan ideology for fame and fortune and power.

I have the exact same critique when I see overwrought ideological positions on the left. I just see a heck of a lot of it these days from the right, especially the hard, populist right.

MDlaxfan76 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 10:00 am yup, all those thousands, millions of little girls should just quit according to you.

They should be told by their parents and coaches that they can't win an NCAA championship now...

What a bunch of whiners you hard right partisans are.

And yeah, you immediately go to your real motivation with this...partisan politics.

seacoaster wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 10:33 am I think we all know that we have to come to an understanding that there is no right, or First Amendment right, to share our opinions with a warranty against criticism, dispute, invective and opposition. The power of culture to "cancel" or suppress ideas, thoughts and opinions is just not new. What is new is the immediacy of the cycle -- opinion, opposition, coalescence -- given to us by social media.

seacoaster wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 10:33 am I think we all know that we have to come to an understanding that there is no right, or First Amendment right, to share our opinions with a warranty against criticism, dispute, invective and opposition. The power of culture to "cancel" or suppress ideas, thoughts and opinions is just not new. What is new is the immediacy of the cycle -- opinion, opposition, coalescence -- given to us by social media.