matt hollingsworth

I don't do that unless people get overbearing about their beliefs. I'm atheist & I have bumped heads a few times, but it would have to be severe for me to unsubscribe - Kamilah Gill

If I were to be that way, I wouldn't be subscribed to anybody. I disagree with key issues on all sides. I'm more interested in what we have in common. - Shey

@Kamilah Everyone has a breaking point. But some people don't even try to get along. - Shey

Thank you Shey! - JMakesAwesomeSauce

nothing wrong with disagreement, but when you come off as a bitter belligerent a-hole, it's usually tapping into a greater part of one's personality. - Cee Bee

+100 Shey - variety is the spice of life!! agreeing to disagree is sublime. - Morgan

I enjoy the discourse generally. And you have a point Cee Bee. Boy, I hope I don't come off that way ever. It's certainly not part of my personality. - JMakesAwesomeSauce

I believe there is an adage about not discussing religion and politics in polite company. I think that most of us would be better served following that adage in our public feeds and reserve our thoughts, primarily about politics, for rooms dedicated for them. It seems to me that the sort of compartmentalization is a perfect use for rooms. - RAPatton

Thank you for pointing that out RAP. :-) - JMakesAwesomeSauce

right on Shey - i actually subscribe to someone who disagrees with me if they have something interesting to say - Marco (aureliusmaximus)

+1 RAP - Kyle Lacy

not at all JMS. i respect your points of view - Cee Bee

Thanks Cee Bee. Was just hoping I wasn't one of those. :-) I try to be logical. Doesn't work all the time. :-P - JMakesAwesomeSauce

I wouldn't unsubscribe from someone b/c I disagree. But if I had followed them for, say, their expertise in technology and suddenly they're all about politics, well then, buh-bye I don't really care to hear your politics if you're not an expert in the field. - Craig Eddy

RAP I try not to start stuff about religion or politics, but I do like to respond sometimes - Kamilah Gill

@JA because "agreeing to disagree" doesn't move the conversation forward. it's a dead end. i prefer conversational intolerance - http://bit.ly/3eWjj0 - ~C4Chaos

RAPatton, apprecaite your point. but I think we learn when we respectfullly engage those who do not share our beliefs. When I see another person's perspective I don't react knee jerk [at least most of the time] and it helps me to consider my own position. Am I just drinking the kool aid or does this represent what I believe is right? So I mine will remain on my public feed. - Ruth Ferguson

when everyone surrounds themselves with only those that think like them, they do themselves and their causes a disservice. - Ruth Ferguson

Kamilah, all we can do is our best. Some conversations need to be had, but most of the political discussion I see on FF isn't really conversation. It is cheerleading or denigration that is more like 12 years old insulting each other mothers. - RAPatton

very true. - Thomas Hawk

Ruth, I agree completely. An old axiom I love is, "if everyone is thinking the same thing, then no one is thinking," - RAPatton

ppl are charged up - they are engaged the last 18 hours have included two important moments in US political history. - Ruth Ferguson

Actually RAP- rooms for debate & discussion of politics and/or religion are a good idea. (And I apologize if I have offended anyone.) And +100 Shey. - Abby Martin

picking an unknown is like dividing by zero ... or covering your ears while screaming "not listening" - Scott Moskowitz

I'm going to vigourously disagree that politics and religion should be relegated to specific rooms. They should be kept out of rooms with non-political and non-religious subjects, but in more general areas they should not be avoided. I'm thinking especially about politics, where if we don't talk about it publicly, then mass media will continue to have control over what the issues are and how they are framed. - Bruce Lewis via fftogo

Listen to others to "understand the enemy" and, better still, to solidify your own thoughts. - Ontario Emperor via fftogo

I disgree w/all the above , including shey !! Why ? Who cares, whatever attitude of mine .heheheh - Peter Dawson

I'm somewhat with Bruce. folks just need to keep it civil. folks who don't want to participate can ignore or hide a particular thread. I tend to avoid subscribing to people who *always* talk politics, but when my regular people discuss it occasionally I'm usually alright with that. - Kamilah Gill

Vital to hear what people who do not agree with you are saying. NOT advocating separate rooms for dems & republicans (like MSNBC & Fox) - Advocating a room for political debate- kind of like a designated sparring ring- you want to debate, have at it! (Or maybe I've been handling groups of preschoolers too long?) - Abby Martin

Emotions get the best of everyone... - Rich Harris

then we end up with only those who agree being in a room together - where is the growth in that? that is just creating a designated spot for groupthink. Sorry but I am uncomfortable with the suggestion that in this important time in American political history I should confine myself somewhere. I have lost subbers, OK I can accept that. I do not intend to offend, but I will exercise freedom of speech on FF - Ruth Ferguson

i got a bit uncivil today, but it was kinda necessary. i'm all for discourse & exchange though - Cee Bee

Agreed. This is supposed to be cathartic in nature. - Peter "that one" Ghosh

Ruth -Fair enough. I could be wrong. Happens a lot. I obviously like a good political discussion. I just worry about how hot things get how quickly. I've lost subbers too and I'm cool with that. And I'm not against freedom of expression or speech- just don't like some of the vehemence. That's why I thought maybe a room for debate was good. hadn't thought about the groupthink aspect-- had hoped it would be a legit forum for debate where people could really go at it. Oh well- I am wrong- and I accept that. :) - Abby Martin

it's like the old saying "dont mix alcohol and politics/religion" same goes for social media - andy brudtkuhl

"Some conversations need to be had, but most of the political discussion I see on FF isn't really conversation. It is cheerleading or denigration that is more like 12 years old insulting each other mothers" So true RAP - Shey

Right now, this entry is the "best of Friendfeed" for me. Is Friendfeed's algorithm this bad, or is this really the best of what is here? (I don't mean to pick on you, Shey. - bill giltner

I've actually gained some followers, yes! - orionstarr

@Shey - you are exactly right... that's why i need a politics filter for Twitter, FF, and my Google Reader... People bitching back and forth is not discussion and does not move anything forward. And with that I am going offline until December (i wish) - andy brudtkuhl

Abby you were not wrong before, but now you just considered a different pespective. that is what dialogue can do for all of us. - Ruth Ferguson

BTW my Obama badge is deliberate politics has been a big part of my online experience in 2008 so i wanted potential subbers to know - Ruth Ferguson

when i mention obama i get a few unsubs. same with race.did you think i was going to talk about social media all day? - Lynne d Johnson

i didn't mean you. i meant the people unsubbing. - Lynne d Johnson

@Lynne, figured :) - Shey

I only said it once . . . in jest ;) - Lindsey Smith

I can't agree more, Shey. If I unsubbed from people based on the fact I disagree their political and religious views, I would lose a lot of cool people I've been chatting with. Especially considering I seem to be the minority on my corner of FF being a Christian and a Republican. "Some conversations need to be had, but most of the political discussion I see on FF isn't really conversation. It is cheerleading or denigration that is more like 12 years old insulting each other mothers"I agree 100% with that statement. - Candace Holly

Really Lynne? I don't think I've personally ever unsubbed because of something like that. In fact, I'm likely to subscribe to people with different points of view because I like learning and hearing what others have to say. Just like with Ruth; she put it out there and I really enjoy hearing what she has to say. - JMakesAwesomeSauce

I will say though that civility goes a long way. There is one person I'm considering unsubbing from because several posts have implied that anyone who is a moderate, conservative, Republican, or not voting for Obama is a raving lunatic, uneducated, or ignorant. That kind of talk annoys me because it shows a lack of respect for diversity and other opinions. On FF it's hard to determine sarcasm or irony sometimes, but I don't get the impression that this person means the comments that way. Disappointing. - JMakesAwesomeSauce

(belatedly) Ruth- Good point! But I'm always happy to consider another perspective- always hope others are too. :) - Abby Martin

omg, what did I miss?! - Mona N.

I've never done that. Life's too short to bear a grudge. - Mo Kargas

I'm on here specifically to hear, and respect, other viewpoints. Who cares if we don't all think alike, last I checked that was part of what America was supposed to stand for. - Matt Hamilton

I agree with JMS. Respect for others' beliefs is a must. - Lindsey Smith

hey to all the above once again.. my 2 cents !! I was once a beta in the Omidyar Network . we factored in many variables. Having said that, all I can and will say, is that, personal ranking, reputation analysis, dichotomy of thought and presences, is not easy to quantify and capture. Its not about politics and relgion. Its about apples and oranges !! :)- - Peter Dawson

Shey +1 - Duncan Riley

I unfollow/unsub/block when people are inflammatory, disrespectful, or spammers - and for no other reasons. - Michael J. Cohen (mjc)

Chase never ceases to amaze. With a little luck I'll be meeting him this weekend. Great to meet photographers who inspire. - Jim Goldstein

I had been hearing video rumblings for some time. I would expect Canon to incorporate this as well. Nikon certainly has leapfrogged Canon. It's great to have competition finally. Its good for technology. Its good for consumers. Its good for photography. - Jim Goldstein

Yeah, Nikon is having a great run these days. They are releasing attractive products and I think their marketing is much more effective than Canon’s. Instead of just listing spec sheets, they produce websites and videos like this that get people excited not just about a camera, but about photography. That video made me want to pick up my 20D and head outside…and find out more about the D90.If I was a consumer/advanced amateur considering my first DLSR, Nikon would be at the top of the list. Definitely a big change from just a few years ago when the Canon Rebel and 20D were the heavy hitters in that category. No matter what kind of camera you use, you have to appreciate how well Nikon is doing, because like Jim said, the consumers are the real benefactors. - Ben Bailey

I never cared much about Nikon vs. Canon (though I'm locked into Nikon lenses), but I love the competition - I think it's a net win for everyone, no matter which brand you use. - Eric

Ben, I couldn't have said it better myself. I own a lot of Nikon glass, a couple bodies, and have shot Nikon for ages. Back when the 5D came out, and Nikon seemed stunned silent, I seriously considered switching platforms. The glass and learning curve was daunting, though, and I held out. That feeling has passed. - Anthony Citrano

I sometimes say, 'How high are you?' with the same intonation as 'Hi, how are you?' and see if they notice. They rarely do. - Akiva Moskovitz

I wink at them. - Jordan Hofker

I like the, "How are you?" where I reply "Good, and you?" and THAT goes ignored. Fine, I don't care how you're doing. - Shawn Farner

Akiva, I bet they don't notice, because I had to read it twice here to get it. And I usually just say "hey" when I see people. - Trish R

I always say "Do you want the truth, or do you want a lie?" - Stupid Blogger (aka Tina)

the correct response is "do you care?" - Morgan

Another good reply is to ask, 'What do you mean?' Occasionally say it in a slightly alarmed tone for fun variety. - Akiva Moskovitz

If you have time, simply start talking to them in detail about how you are. - ·[▪_▪]·

If you take the question literally from a linguistic standpoint, you should begin by explaining how biology works and then describing how your parents met followed by a philosophical jaunt into existentialism. End it with a Nietzche-esque foray into nihilism and then point accusingly and shout, 'Thanks for ruining my day!', and finally run away sobbing. - Akiva Moskovitz

How are ya? - Louis Gray

this was so new to me when I came to live in North America... I felt that I wanted to give them my full health condition in response :) - Rebkin

Like Rebkin...this was new to me when I came to the US for grad school. This was a big culture shocker ...I still have not gotten over it :-) - kamla bhatt

I've been in Canada for 17 years -- still not used to it - Shey

How are ya? - Mike Fruchter

Shey, I've been here for 5 years... - Rebkin

lol LG and Mike! beat me to it - Josh Haley

The best greeting for me: Hey - a nod - and keep walking. - Brenda McLaren

@Josh I refuse to dignify them with responses! - Shey

Louis, I'm doing excellent today - lots to do though. How are you? ;) - Jesse Stay

Trying to place it ... —was it Seinfeld or another standup with the walk down the office hallway (again) greeting-replacement: "Acknowledge." - Micah Wittman via twhirl

'How are ya!' is like saying hello for Northerners here in the UK! - Joe Dawson

hey shey ... Im fine how are you ! - johnpiercy via twhirl

I'm good foto, thanks for asking! - Shey

well since you are a friend of corvida's :-) - Chris

that irritates me, too. very common for people to do that in Indiana, probably in lots of other places, too. - Kamilah Gill

@Chris Well, since you do a podcast with Corvida... :) - Shey

It does happen on IRC sometimes. I say hi, how are ya? to someone I know, and by the time they reply, I've gone off to do something else. - Ian "non-partisan" May

even worse if people who you know "slightly" calling you 'Bro' - Steven Hodson

Whoa, bro! Where's the love, bro? ;) - Josh Haley

@Steven I can't stand that - Shey