Sign of the times we live in?

[magiccarpetride]

I created a discussion thread on one of the music discussion forums, and after a few interesting posts and comments, my thread was deleted by the admins. When I asked them why was the thread deleted, they replied that the thread got deleted because thread title contained the word 'worst', and that word is not allowed on their forum (sic!)

I then asked if the word 'best' is allowed, to which they replied 'of course, by all means'.

So we seem to be living in the age that I could label 'Terror of Positivism'. Only positive words and expressions are now allowed.

So my question is: what's next?

[Macca]

What's next? Newspeak. In twenty years time it will be impossible for us to even have this conversation.

How was your trip to London btw?

[magiccarpetride]

What's next? Newspeak. In twenty years time it will be impossible for us to even have this conversation.

How was your trip to London btw?

Sadly, I think you're right, Martin.

London blew my mind. Loved every minute while being there! What a marvellous cosmopolitan city.

Was very saddened by the tragedy and the suffering of many Londoners. I was there when the council flat highrise caught fire and burned many people alive who got trapped inside. I watched the building go up in flames from the balcony of the apartment we rented. Terrible, heartbreaking tragedy.

Also, my apartment was right across from the Burroughs Market, where the terrorist attack happened. The place had an amazing, resilient defiant vibe. Met with a local friend for a beer there, the place is bustling. The spirit is strong, and people will prevail, that much is obvious.

Other than that, the city is absolutely beautiful to my eyes. I love visual art, so I spent a lot of time at Tate Modern, which is the next level for me.

Bottom line, I'm now considering relocating to that city (if only I manage to get a job there).

Again, many thanks to all of you who offered guidance...

[Haselsh1]

Having every single text message and e-mail scanned by those buggers at RAF Menwith Hill looking for 'words' that are not allowed like 'bomb' 'dirty' and 'thorium' LOL, that will give them something to shout about. And then constantly be accused of being a racist. I feel for the newborns of today I really do what the hell does the future hold for them...?

Come the revolution

;)

[Macca]

Sadly, I think you're right, Martin.

London blew my mind. Loved every minute while being there! What a marvellous cosmopolitan city.

Was very saddened by the tragedy and the suffering of many Londoners. I was there when the council flat highrise caught fire and burned many people alive who got trapped inside. I watched the building go up in flames from the balcony of the apartment we rented. Terrible, heartbreaking tragedy.

Also, my apartment was right across from the Burroughs Market, where the terrorist attack happened. The place had an amazing, resilient defiant vibe. Met with a local friend for a beer there, the place is bustling. The spirit is strong, and people will prevail, that much is obvious.

Other than that, the city is absolutely beautiful to my eyes. I love visual art, so I spent a lot of time at Tate Modern, which is the next level for me.

Bottom line, I'm now considering relocating to that city (if only I manage to get a job there).

Again, many thanks to all of you who offered guidance...

You must have loved it if you are thinking of going to live there. I used to get down quite lot when I had a mate living there. So much to see and do but I was always glad to get back to my sleepy little town out in the provinces. Having said that there are some beautiful spots to live in London where it is quiet. A bit spendy, though.

[walpurgis]

There again, there are those of us who live here in London and regard it as a stinking shithole, where standards have disappeared and crime and disorder are rife.

Glad you enjoyed it Alex.

[magiccarpetride]

There again, there are those of us who live here in London and regard it as a stinking shithole, where standards have disappeared and crime and disorder are rife.

Glad you enjoyed it Alex.

Haha, that goes without saying, Geoff. Every big city is a stinking shithole rife with crime and disorder. It's what's on the upside that counts.

I found Londoners that I've interacted with to be much more pleasant and down to earth that I would've expected. That's a bonus in my book.

[magiccarpetride]

You must have loved it if you are thinking of going to live there. I used to get down quite lot when I had a mate living there. So much to see and do but I was always glad to get back to my sleepy little town out in the provinces. Having said that there are some beautiful spots to live in London where it is quiet. A bit spendy, though.

Yeah, it's a big mistake expecting big cities to have quiet spots etc. (unless you are loaded and can afford such lifestyle). I explicitly love the bustle and the anonymity big cities offer. Of course, it comes with a huge price tag. But one has to pick one's poison, one way or another.

[Arkless Electronics]

There again, there are those of us who live here in London and regard it as a stinking shithole, where standards have disappeared and crime and disorder are rife.

Glad you enjoyed it Alex.

Even those of us who used to live there think the same I assure you! It's an interesting place to visit... provided you've plenty of money... but you would have to pay me a lot of money to live there!!

[walpurgis]

I dare say I've been around quite a while, but I really do remember when many folk did not bother too much about locking their doors. Then a burglary made the front page in local papers and a murder was so rare it hit the front page of the national papers. All everyday occurrences now and homes are well locked with CCTV installed and still get robbed.

[Arkless Electronics]

I created a discussion thread on one of the music discussion forums, and after a few interesting posts and comments, my thread was deleted by the admins. When I asked them why was the thread deleted, they replied that the thread got deleted because thread title contained the word 'worst', and that word is not allowed on their forum (sic!)

I then asked if the word 'best' is allowed, to which they replied 'of course, by all means'.

So we seem to be living in the age that I could label 'Terror of Positivism'. Only positive words and expressions are now allowed.

So my question is: what's next?

This does seem to be a major issue these days yes and it has become something of a bete noire for me. If one is REALLY critical of something, many forums really don't like it... the implication being that someone else who really likes the thing you are being critical of may be offended I guess. I am completely opposed to this personally but it seems the rot is set in and spreading.... On this very forum I have been forced to agree not to tell the truth about mains cables and "hi fi fuses" etc ie I'm not to join threads on the subject and pour cold water on the idea that they can even possibly have any effect.... On The Guardian site the other day I've been pretty much kicked off for suggesting (in a feminism thread) that women by and large have already achieved equality with men, that the jobs done, and much "beating of dead horses" is now going on. The no doubt "dungaree positive" moderators didn't like this! I wasn't allowed to make that argument, every such post was deleted. I would not shut up as I had a valid point which I was presenting in a polite manner and I refused to be censored.. so they kicked me off!

[magiccarpetride]

Even those of us who used to live there think the same I assure you! It's an interesting place to visit... provided you've plenty of money... but you would have to pay me a lot of money to live there!!

My friend, who is just a regular bloke, loves it there. I think he was born and raised there, so that may explain it.

[magiccarpetride]

This does seem to be a major issue these days yes and it has become something of a bete noire for me. If one is REALLY critical of something, many forums really don't like it... the implication being that someone else who really likes the thing you are being critical of may be offended I guess. I am completely opposed to this personally but it seems the rot is set in and spreading.... On this very forum I have been forced to agree not to tell the truth about mains cables and "hi fi fuses" etc ie I'm not to join threads on the subject and pour cold water on the idea that they can even possibly have any effect.... On The Guardian site the other day I've been pretty much kicked off for suggesting (in a feminism thread) that women by and large have already achieved equality with men, that the jobs done, and much "beating of dead horses" is now going on. The no doubt "dungaree positive" moderators didn't like this! I wasn't allowed to make that argument, every such post was deleted. I would not shut up as I had a valid point which I was presenting in a polite manner and I refused to be censored.. so they kicked me off!

That I find quite concerning. While I'm all for moderating rude, uncivilized behaviour and controlling the ad hominem patterns, banning someone for politely providing counter arguments is where we enter the slippery slope. The next thing on the horizon is totalitarianism where the biggest original sin is pointing out that the Emperor hasn't got any clothes on.

And we all know how that thing ends...

[Arkless Electronics]

I dare say I've been around quite a while, but I really do remember when many folk did not bother too much about locking their doors. Then a burglary made the front page in local papers and a murder was so rare it hit the front page of the national papers. All everyday occurrences now and homes are well locked with CCTV installed and still get robbed.

It's the inflated prices and casual rudeness and lack of concern for others that get to me.... The no speaking on the tube, the having to learn not to make eye contact with anyone, learning that if you ask someone for directions they will probably ignore you and speed up whilst checking their pockets or handbag are still intact!
Many a time when crossing London bridge I thought "I wonder how many people would step over me and do nothing if I had a heart attack right now?"

I know also from experience that most Londoners are as nice as any one else... but only once they are at home, relaxed in their local pub etc.. on the street it's a totally different matter.

[jollyfix]

It's the inflated prices and casual rudeness and lack of concern for others that get to me.... The no speaking on the tube, the having to learn not to make eye contact with anyone, learning that if you ask someone for directions they will probably ignore you and speed up whilst checking their pockets or handbag are still intact!
Many a time when crossing London bridge I thought "I wonder how many people would step over me and do nothing if I had a heart attack right now?"

I know also from experience that most Londoners are as nice as any one else... but only once they are at home, relaxed in their local pub etc.. on the street it's a totally different matter.
Seems to be the same most places these days Jez... one thing i found years ago is apart from rush hour ( no one would want to travel on the tube at that time), most people on the tube around central London are tourists. Prices , yes central expensive, go out a wee bit can be very cheap. Rudeness, unfortunately most places have rude people North and South UK, same with concern for others. A short while back in Taunton Somerset, there was a tramp/wino semi conscious bleeding head lying half on pavement half on road, with people not helping him , but filming him on their phones. I asked if an ambulance was called no said a thing, but when i lent down to help him, the vibe and insults i had was outrageous.
Years ago an American friend said to me how dirty London was , rubbish all over. I pointed out there were no bins, due to IRA bombs etc, but still no excuse to litter.

[Macca]

London was a dump 30 years ago but it isn't like that now.

[Barry]

My experience of London, as a frequent visitor, is that the people themselves ARE friendly and helpful. My girlfriend who lives there has no trouble getting someone to help her carry heavy bags up or down the stairs at her local overground railway station (which doesn't have a lift or ramp). And when it comes to asking directions, I have even had people stop and use an app on their mobile phone to help me; one even phoned up a local taxi company to ask for directions!

London is no different from any other capital city: they all have grafitii, litter, noisy traffic and (sadly) beggars and homeless people sleeping rough. They also have helpful and friendly people living there, who if you approach them properly, will readily help a visitor.

[walpurgis]

London was a dump 30 years ago but it isn't like that now.

You are kidding Martin. The 'touristy' bits may look reasonable, but look elsewhere and it's disgusting. Dave mentioned rubbish, it's totally out of control, filth everywhere. General littering is a way of life for most it seems and fly tipping is all over the place.

[struth]

THATS THE WAY I REMEMBER IT ALAS. doh caps again.. keyboard is goosed.

[Macca]

You are kidding Martin. The 'touristy' bits may look reasonable, but look elsewhere and it's disgusting. Dave mentioned rubbish, it's totally out of control, filth everywhere. General littering is a way of life for most it seems and fly tipping is all over the place.

In modern times I'm only familiar with the centre and Tulse Hill/Brixton. But it didn't strike me as particularly bad in any of those places. Where I live is much worse for litter, for example. Much fewer serious crimes per capita than London, though.

[Arkless Electronics]

That I find quite concerning. While I'm all for moderating rude, uncivilized behaviour and controlling the ad hominem patterns, banning someone for politely providing counter arguments is where we enter the slippery slope. The next thing on the horizon is totalitarianism where the biggest original sin is pointing out that the Emperor hasn't got any clothes on.

And we all know how that thing ends...

Believe me I nearly wore out the emperors new clothes analogy! No doubt a mod will be along shortly to point out that in the heat of the argument I did, in their opinion, become rude etc, and there is some truth to this... try staying calm when people with no knowledge of a technical subject in which you yourself have over 40 years professional experience start saying that what they believe they heard over rules all your professional experience, every text book on the subject of electronic engineering and even the actual laws of physics! Oh yes we've been there.... I believe the argument goes something like this: Fred says he put a magic fuse in his amp and it made a real improvement to the sound. I point out that it is literally impossible and therefore he must have imagined it due to placebo effect or expectation bias. Fred says he's certain he heard it. I repeat that it is impossible and would contravene the laws of physics and therefore the only explanation is placebo effect etc. Fred repeats that he heard it. I say even more forcefully that it is impossible. Mod comes along and accuses me of being out of order for calling Fred either "a liar or someone easily fooled/taken in" and says that if Fred says he heard it then he heard it.... even if it breaks the laws of physics(!!:eek:) and I get told to shut up or I'll be banned for a week.... Result? Fred's opinion that he heard the impossible is very much allowed to win, even against the laws of physics, rather than have Fred take any possible offence from being told by a professional in the subject that he is wrong....

All this is before you even joined the site Alex so I have to hope that I'm not in the "naughty boys seat" for merely explaining in such detail what went on and why I'll never be happy about the situation..... So these days I see the impossible claimed on a nearly daily basis and I just let them get on with it.... To return to the original post, it is considered preferable on this very site that the impossible be offered as the truth than that any perceived offence may be caused by challenging this...

[walpurgis]

40 yards from my front door!! Cars blocking the footway and piles of dumped crap, courtesy of nearby residents. Lovely. :steam:

http://i63.tinypic.com/295srb8.jpg

[Arkless Electronics]

Seems to be the same most places these days Jez... one thing i found years ago is apart from rush hour ( no one would want to travel on the tube at that time), most people on the tube around central London are tourists. Prices , yes central expensive, go out a wee bit can be very cheap. Rudeness, unfortunately most places have rude people North and South UK, same with concern for others. A short while back in Taunton Somerset, there was a tramp/wino semi conscious bleeding head lying half on pavement half on road, with people not helping him , but filming him on their phones. I asked if an ambulance was called no said a thing, but when i lent down to help him, the vibe and insults i had was outrageous.
Years ago an American friend said to me how dirty London was , rubbish all over. I pointed out there were no bins, due to IRA bombs etc, but still no excuse to litter.

It may well be a capital city thing... I've experienced a much diluted version of it in Manchester and Birmingham but nowhere near as bad as London and in Newcastle it's completely different.

[struth]

possible truth. ;)

[magiccarpetride]

Seems to be the same most places these days Jez... one thing i found years ago is apart from rush hour ( no one would want to travel on the tube at that time), most people on the tube around central London are tourists. Prices , yes central expensive, go out a wee bit can be very cheap. Rudeness, unfortunately most places have rude people North and South UK, same with concern for others. A short while back in Taunton Somerset, there was a tramp/wino semi conscious bleeding head lying half on pavement half on road, with people not helping him , but filming him on their phones. I asked if an ambulance was called no said a thing, but when i lent down to help him, the vibe and insults i had was outrageous.
Years ago an American friend said to me how dirty London was , rubbish all over. I pointed out there were no bins, due to IRA bombs etc, but still no excuse to litter.

You want to experience filth and homelessness and lack of concern for fellow citizens, come to Vancouver. London felt squeaky clean to me after I landed directly from Vancouver. London has probably 10 times more inhabitants than Vancouver, yet it has at least hundred times less homeless and junkies lying unconscious on the sidewalks and shitting and pissing all over the city.

I did not see any disrepair while buzzing around London. In Vancouver, once something stops working (for example, an escalator in a busy subway station), it remains in disrepair for months on end.

Huge difference, at least to me.

[magiccarpetride]

Believe me I nearly wore out the emperors new clothes analogy! No doubt a mod will be along shortly to point out that in the heat of the argument I did, in their opinion, become rude etc, and there is some truth to this... try staying calm when people with no knowledge of a technical subject in which you yourself have over 40 years professional experience start saying that what they believe they heard over rules all your professional experience, every text book on the subject of electronic engineering and even the actual laws of physics! Oh yes we've been there.... I believe the argument goes something like this: Fred says he put a magic fuse in his amp and it made a real improvement to the sound. I point out that it is literally impossible and therefore he must have imagined it due to placebo effect or expectation bias. Fred says he's certain he heard it. I repeat that it is impossible and would contravene the laws of physics and therefore the only explanation is placebo effect etc. Fred repeats that he heard it. I say even more forcefully that it is impossible. Mod comes along and accuses me of being out of order for calling Fred either "a liar or someone easily fooled/taken in" and says that if Fred says he heard it then he heard it.... even if it breaks the laws of physics(!!:eek:) and I get told to shut up or I'll be banned for a week.... Result? Fred's opinion that he heard the impossible is very much allowed to win, even against the laws of physics, rather than have Fred take any possible offence from being told by a professional in the subject that he is wrong....

All this is before you even joined the site Alex so I have to hope that I'm not in the "naughty boys seat" for merely explaining in such detail what went on and why I'll never be happy about the situation..... So these days I see the impossible claimed on a nearly daily basis and I just let them get on with it.... To return to the original post, it is considered preferable on this very site that the impossible be offered as the truth than that any perceived offence may be caused by challenging this...

Moral of the story: let people be ;)

[Firebottle]

.... Result? Fred's opinion that he heard the impossible is very much allowed to win, even against the laws of physics, ...

The problem as I see it with scenarios like this, with items that the general listening public can change themselves like fuses, interconnects or mains leads, is that a physical contact is always involved.

Who can say what change in contact resistance or cleaning effect is encountered just through the change of said item?

:scratch:

[Marco]

On this very forum I have been forced to agree not to tell the truth about mains cables and "hi fi fuses" etc ie I'm not to join threads on the subject and pour cold water on the idea that they can even possibly have any effect....

Erm, Jez, that's not quite true. You're perfectly free to "tell the truth" about mains cables and fuses, and outline the facts as you see them, for others to *consider*. What you're not allowed to do (as indeed no-one is) is to dismiss someone else's 'truth' as bollocks, simply because it doesn't fit with yours.

There is a difference! :ner:

On AoS, it's all about showing tolerance and respect for other people's opinions and experiences, even if they're contrary to what you consider as 'correct' - and if you can't do that and become frustrated and angry, then you simply ignore the person expressing the 'offending' opinions, in order not to become embroiled in a pointless circular argument. It's that simple.

What you don't do is browbeat them into believing what you believe, no matter how right you think you are. That's what you were doing before and have been asked to stop, which is why you were also asked not to contribute to certain subjective discussions, as you weren't able to control yourself from sometimes being downright rude.

Quite simply, you say what you have to say, but *ultimately* let people believe what they want to believe.

For us to allow otherwise, as you know full well, simply causes all sorts of aggro, because again as you also know, you'll *never* change someone's ingrained opinions on a forum, and it's not you who has to manage the fallouts and all the pish caused by these sorts of arguments! ;)

Marco.

[Marco]

Alex, glad you enjoyed London - thought you would! :)

Like most of the world's leading cities, it's a great place to visit for a tourist, but not such a great place to live, unless you're loaded, or can handle the crowds and stress of the type of lifestyle that exists...

Marco.

[magiccarpetride]

Alex, glad you enjoyed London - thought you would! :)

Like most of the world's leading cities, it's a great place to visit for a tourist, but not such a great place to live, unless you're loaded, or can handle the crowds and stress of the type of lifestyle that exists...

Marco.

Yes, it's like with any other environment, Marco. It's not only what the place offers to you, it's also what you expect from the place. For example, Americans visiting Paris expect free refills, and leave disenchanted upon learning that such commodity is unheard of in France. Meanwhile, they often fail to appreciate other marvellous commodities that the city offers.

I feel London is the same -- certain people bring certain expectations when visiting/living there, and then get disenchanted when the expectations are not met.

There is another factor at play -- the well documented ingrained animosity between the big city and the countryside. Big cities attract all attention, and young people from the countryside gravitate toward biggest cities in their country. They go there to gain education, and then stay for the career choices. That leaves countryside towns and villages gutted. No wonder there is a huge resentment toward big cities. The same pattern exists in other countries and other continents (the same situation exists here in Canada too).

Add to that the lavish attention the establishment is bestowing toward migrants and refugees, and the cauldron of dissent and unrest gets sealed. It's a big problem everywhere now that we became a global village.

[/end-of-rant]

[Arkless Electronics]

Erm, Jez, that's not quite true. You're perfectly free to "tell the truth" about mains cables and fuses, and outline the facts as you see them, for others to *consider*. What you're not allowed to do (as indeed no-one is) is to dismiss someone else's 'truth' as bollocks, simply because it doesn't fit with yours.

There is a difference! :ner:

On AoS, it's all about showing tolerance and respect for other people's opinions and experiences, even if they're contrary to what you consider as 'correct' - and if you can't do that and become frustrated and angry, then you simply ignore the person expressing the 'offending' opinions, in order not to become embroiled in a pointless circular argument. It's that simple.

What you don't do is browbeat them into believing what you believe, no matter how right you think you are. That's what you were doing before and have been asked to stop, which is why you were also asked not to contribute to certain subjective discussions, as you weren't able to control yourself from sometimes being downright rude.

Quite simply, you say what you have to say, but *ultimately* let people believe what they want to believe.

For us to allow otherwise, as you know full well, simply causes all sorts of aggro, because again as you also know, you'll *never* change someone's ingrained opinions on a forum, and it's not you who has to manage the fallouts and all the pish caused by these sorts of arguments! ;)

Marco.

LOL... All of which you know well I couldn't disagree with more strongly!! There is no such thing to me as "someone's truth"!!! It's either true or not true no matter how strongly someone "believes" in it!! Someone may believe the earth is flat so strongly that they would kill to defend "their truth" but the earth would remain round and they would remain 100% wrong.

Don't worry..... I'm not about to start joining subjectivist fuse threads and with religious zeal begin knocking down their arguments by any means possible as I once did;) Anything for a quiet life :cool:

[Arkless Electronics]

The problem as I see it with scenarios like this, with items that the general listening public can change themselves like fuses, interconnects or mains leads, is that a physical contact is always involved.

Who can say what change in contact resistance or cleaning effect is encountered just through the change of said item?

:scratch:

After making and re-making the contact a few times such issues are gone... anyway it's probably best to avoid taking this discussion on the nature of the debate into the territory of the debate itself....:)

[Macca]

It is a question of epistemology.

You might think there is a police car outside your house because you can see the blue flashing light through your window. But the light is not actually on a police car but a breakdown truck. However there actually is a police car outside your house, but it doesn't have its light on. So are you right to believe there is a police car outside or not?

Likewise if you hear that your system sounds better through making a tweak that has no basis in physics, are you right or wrong to believe it is better? No matter, it still sounds better just like there is actually a police car outside even though your entire evidential basis for believing that it is there is false.

[Stratmangler]

It is a question of epistemology.

You might think there is a police car outside your house because you can see the blue flashing light through your window. But the light is not actually on a police car but a breakdown truck. However there actually is a police car outside your house, but it doesn't have its light on. So are you right to believe there is a police car outside or not?

Likewise if you hear that your system sounds better through making a tweak that has no basis in physics, are you right or wrong to believe it is better? No matter, it still sounds better just like there is actually a police car outside even though your entire evidential basis for believing that it is there is false.

Blues are for emergency services only, so a breakdown truck will not be using them. Ambers yes, blues no.

[Arkless Electronics]

It is a question of epistemology.

You might think there is a police car outside your house because you can see the blue flashing light through your window. But the light is not actually on a police car but a breakdown truck. However there actually is a police car outside your house, but it doesn't have its light on. So are you right to believe there is a police car outside or not?

Likewise if you hear that your system sounds better through making a tweak that has no basis in physics, are you right or wrong to believe it is better? No matter, it still sounds better just like there is actually a police car outside even though your entire evidential basis for believing that it is there is false.

An interesting take on it but your epistemological view point is rather sesquipedalian and ultimately verging on floccinaucinihilipilification :eyebrows:

[walpurgis]

I see somebody has been raking through the agglutinatives. :)

[Macca]

Bastards.

[Marco]

LOL... All of which you know well I couldn't disagree with more strongly!!


Well that's fine, disagree as strongly as you like, as long as you ultimately comply with the rules ;)

The point is, when you sign up to the view that science/physics can't currently prove all that we can *genuinely* hear in audio [count me in], then the 'truth' that you claim is definitive, to others and me isn't, and so therefore acts only as your 'truth', not ours! :ner:

And you can disagree with that too, as strongly as you like, but it will not change my mind one iota, and of course neither will you change yours, so it's a stalemate and simply not worth getting into a pointless circular argument about, which is why it's best not to go there in the first place!! :D

Marco.

[RichB]

LOL... All of which you know well I couldn't disagree with more strongly!! There is no such thing to me as "someone's truth"!!! It's either true or not true no matter how strongly someone "believes" in it!! Someone may believe the earth is flat so strongly that they would kill to defend "their truth" but the earth would remain round and they would remain 100% wrong.

Don't worry..... I'm not about to start joining subjectivist fuse threads and with religious zeal begin knocking down their arguments by any means possible as I once did;) Anything for a quiet life :cool:

Jez, at the risk of having you repeat yourself and your contributions to other threads, I'd personally love to see a dedicated 'world according to Jez' thread here where you can properly set out your stall on these things and then people can either take it or leave it. If you've already tried that and I've missed it then I'll happily be directed to that thread.

[Arkless Electronics]

Jez, at the risk of having you repeat yourself and your contributions to other threads, I'd personally love to see a dedicated 'world according to Jez' thread here where you can properly set out your stall on these things and then people can either take it or leave it. If you've already tried that and I've missed it then I'll happily be directed to that thread.

The "world according to Jez" is the world both found in and bounded by almost all electronic text books and the laws of physics. The same world which would be instantly recognisably true to Peter Walker, Harold Leak, Peter Baxandall, Arthur Radford et al.... It is one where the impossible never happens and the improbable is investigated...

I will say that if we could personify the "generic average keen audiophile" then at least 80% of what they believe to be technically true is completely wrong... People read articles in hi fi mags by non technical journalists etc which are incorrect or only partially correct, these spread like Chinese whispers on forums such as this and then from forum to forum, becoming more and more bizarre and incorrect with time, until something very definitely 100% wrong is believed to be "the accepted truth" by yer generic audiophile.... I'd love to debunk all such myths but I won't bother as I won't be able to contain my anger when some knob who doesn't know a capacitor from a screwdriver starts telling me I'm wrong cos he read it on "The Wam" or wherever.... I then start telling em they don't know their arse from their elbow and Marco gets all baity about it cos whilst I'm not saying he wants untruths to be propagated, he'd prefer falsehood to go unchallenged rather than risk anyone being offended by having their incorrect ideas publicly shot down in flames.... and as he says he ends up dealing with the fall out.... So I won't:)

I will say (if I may be indulged for a moment Marco) that electronics is not particularly intuitive and so whilst the idea of square wheels is obviously ridiculous it is not so obvious why the idea of fuses effecting the sound is equally ridiculous unless one has fairly extensive knowledge of electronics... To me, with a life time of electronic engineering experience and knowledge, it is as laughable to suggest that a fuse could effect sound as it is both to me and anyone reading this to suggest that square wheels are a good idea... BUT, yes I can see why non technical types may question whether a fuse could indeed effect the sound.. after all the electrickery has to pass through it.. and aren't fuses a deliberate "weak link"? etc etc

I hope the above is taken as inoffensively as intended but Marco, if you perceive it as "Jez doing it again" then feel free to delete it!

[Edward]

Well I have yet to interrogate myself as to what I believe regarding fuses, linear vs switched power supplies etc. :)

But what I do believe is that London is one of the greatest cities on this planet. But really London is a series of quite different 'villages' with many different flavours and positives. Some areas are simply awful (and to be avoided) but generally speaking once out of the inner areas (too busy, too much traffic) London can be a great place to live in with lots of open spaces, nice people and a settled feel. But yeah, far too expensive - particularly housing.

[jollyfix]

Well I have yet to interrogate myself as to what I believe regarding fuses, linear vs switched power supplies etc. :)

But what I do believe is that London is one of the greatest cities on this planet. But really London is a series of quite different 'villages' with many different flavours and positives. Some areas are simply awful (and to be avoided) but generally speaking once out of the inner areas (too busy, too much traffic) London can be a great place to live in with lots of open spaces, nice people and a settled feel. But yeah, far too expensive - particularly housing.
Yep, agree there Edward

[magiccarpetride]

Well I have yet to interrogate myself as to what I believe regarding fuses, linear vs switched power supplies etc. :)

But what I do believe is that London is one of the greatest cities on this planet. But really London is a series of quite different 'villages' with many different flavours and positives. Some areas are simply awful (and to be avoided) but generally speaking once out of the inner areas (too busy, too much traffic) London can be a great place to live in with lots of open spaces, nice people and a settled feel. But yeah, far too expensive - particularly housing.

Seems like exorbitant housing prices are the malaise of the modern world. Show me a big city where housing is affordable...

I hope London can offer me commensurably higher potential for earning, so that I could match the high price of housing there. But I may be daydreaming...

[Edward]

Seems like exorbitant housing prices are the malaise of the modern world. Show me a big city where housing is affordable...

I hope London can offer me commensurably higher potential for earning, so that I could match the high price of housing there. But I may be daydreaming...

Very much depends on what line of work you are in. Salaries can range quite wide.

When are thinking of moving to London Alex?

[magiccarpetride]

Very much depends on what line of work you are in. Salaries can range quite wide.

When are thinking of moving to London Alex?

I have extensive experience architecting, designing and building financial software (so called 'fintech'). If I manage to get a decent offer in London, I'd be quite happy to take the plunge and start a new chapter in my adventurous life. As my wife likes to say "what are we hanging on to?"

[Edward]

Well certainly London is a global hub for FinTech. Lots of opportunities either with the big investment banks (GS, MS, CS etc) or the many FinTech companies. Get yourself known by some of the dedicated FinTech head hunters and see how you go. Nothing to lose.

And London is also a global hub for Audio stuff. :cool:

[magiccarpetride]

Well certainly London is a global hub for FinTech. Lots of opportunities either with the big investment banks (GS, MS, CS etc) or the many FinTech companies. Get yourself known by some of the dedicated FinTech head hunters and see how you go. Nothing to lose.

And London is also a global hub for Audio stuff. :cool:

Sounds promising. I don't foresee any issues with the job hunt, however as a Canadian citizen I'm not sure if I qualify to work in the UK. Haven't looked into that yet.

[Edward]

https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-general

but more generally.

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration

[Marco]

I then start telling em they don't know their arse from their elbow and Marco gets all baity about it cos whilst I'm not saying he wants untruths to be propagated, he'd prefer falsehood to go unchallenged rather than risk anyone being offended by having their incorrect ideas publicly shot down in flames....


Yes, but the point is, which I've explained many times before (including in my last post), which you don't seem to grasp, is what exactly do you hope to achieve by telling people that they "don't know their arse from their elbow"? Think about that...

An immediate admission that they're deluded idiots, and that what they've repeatedly experienced for years, to the *complete contrary* of what you're stating as fact, often in many different situations, is wrong and/or has automatically been 'imagined'?? :doh:

If so, then you obviously have no concept of human nature, Jez, as when people are 'barked at' like that, in such a rude and confrontational way, their first reaction (even if they considered you had a point) is to say 'Fuck you, who do you think you're talking to?' Most people won't respond well to being treated like an idiot, and will go on the defensive. That's the reality.

The fact that you're expressing your professional opinion on the matter/stating electrical fact is completely lost amongst the (most important) fact that you've just totally pissed them off. So instead of educating them on the 'errors of their ways', all you've done is got their backs up - and with the inevitable consequences.

Surely you can appreciate that? :)

The way that most people become more informed on the subject of hi-fi, is by learning from the own mistakes and arriving at their own conclusions, based on their own experiences, not by being 'lectured at' by some arrogant, confrontational know-it-all [I'm not saying that's what you are, but that's how you'll be seen by others, by behaving the way you'd like to], as you've outlined: "having their incorrect ideas publicly shot down in flames".

I'm afraid that will achieve NOTHING, hee-haw, NADA, zip, other than giving the mods and I a headache managing a pointless circular argument, and the inevitable fights/fallouts that will occur, because neither they (those you're attempting to correct), nor you, will ever change their opinions/mindset, no matter how many words are typed on a forum.

That's the fact of the matter, Jez, which like it or not, you really do need to embrace and accept. It's why you've been asked to stay away from such discussions, not to censor you, as such, but simply to prevent the inevitable outcome, especially as you can't be trusted to control your temper.

Now let's leave it there please, as this thread has gone wildly off topic enough as it is.

Marco.

[Marco]

Jez, at the risk of having you repeat yourself and your contributions to other threads, I'd personally love to see a dedicated 'world according to Jez' thread here where you can properly set out your stall on these things and then people can either take it or leave it.

Now *that* I have no problem with whatsoever, and indeed would welcome, if others wish it, quite simply because it'd be a standalone thread where Jez, providing he was being polite and constructive (without insulting people who's mindset he disagrees with), could do precisely what you've suggested, and those who wish to participate could do so, and those who don't could ignore it.

That's a different thing entirely from him essentially 'thread-crapping' staunchly subjectivist discussions with unwelcome and ill-considered 'objectivist dogma', which to his credit recently, he's largely avoided. Therefore, if Jez would like start such a thread, I'll even make it into a sticky! :cool:

Marco.

[magiccarpetride]

https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-general

but more generally.

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration
Thanks :)