The fact that everyone ignores everyone else really puts a damper on communication here. The following rant is not directed at anyone, just the idea of the ignore option...
I find it kinda sad when we can't all put differences aside and attempt to understand one another like human beings instead of just having (and taking) the option to stick our heads in the ground and pretend it isn't there.
I mean, to each his own and if it avoids pointless arguments, flamewars, teeth-gnashing, and ragequits, so be it. But it's going to be ugly for everyone involved when the time comes when there isn't an ignore button and you're forced to deal with something that doesn't jive with how you'd like to pretend the world is.
People will say "well I shouldn't have to be forced to listen to something I don't want to!" and I suppose that's true, but at the same time, if you make an effort to communicate and understand things... perhaps the problem wouldn't be as large.
God knows just about each and every one of you has annoyed me with something for some reason at some point, and yet my "ignored" list remains clean. For example, I find the fact that Anchorhead doesn't recognize The Empire Strikes Back in his own personal canon about the dumbest thing I've ever heard since I love ESB, but I'm not about to crucify him on my ignore list because he seems like a pretty sweet bro and his viewpoint, while different on a polar scale and contradictory to mine, is pretty damn interesting.
I find the fact that Ziggy is mature as he is just as interesting, because he reminds me of me when I was his age (only about eight years ago [though that seems like ages ago come to think of it]) and because that it just goes to show you that there's hope for the next generation. When I have a 13 year-old (that's right, isn't it?) I hope he's as adult as Ziggy.
Xhonzi's attempt to raise his child in a sheltered, PT-less world I see as strange, misguided, and ridiculous, but there are also quite a lot of good posts made by the man. Ideas I agree with fairly solidly, and humour I get a chuckle out of. I'm not about to ignore him because of the few disagreements I have.
Even Frink bothers me sometimes with his inability to let Twooffour (who also annoys me at times, but other times I agree with quite easily) off the hook. Same with the Great Adywan who has the same problem with Kenwhatever. Not even close to ignoring any of them.
Just because you may not agree with someone 100% of the time doesn't mean that they won't have a few good points now and then that you can use as common ground to build communication on. Hell, most times, being exposed to and dealing with differing opinions is what makes you grow and your own opinions evolve into stronger, more well-thought-out ones, or change into new ones completely. Personally, that concept excites me.
tl;dr: Let's give peace a chance. Why can't we be friends. Come on, people now, smile on your brother. People all over the world, join hands. If I could buy the world a Coke. Other touchy-feely bullshit.
Anyway, I don't really care who ignores who in the end (I'm sure I'll end up on a few people's lists because of this anyway). I'm just in a philosophical mood tonight. Refer to Frink's avatar.