Sadly, we seem to have become a society that can no longer communicate. We are stressed, angry, scared, and we are definitely polarized – about stupid stuff, too. It seems no one can have a conversation lasting longer than 3 minutes (or 4 response posts on any of the various social media platforms) before devolving into some sort of hatred or confrontation due to some sort of perceived attack on originally offered statements or ideas, no matter how benign in their intent or offering.
Example Posted to Facebook:
Person 1: Hey, anyone like apples out there? Which are the best?
Person 2: Yeah, love fresh Gala apples. They’re the best.
Person 3: No, Granny Smith are the best. Tart. Great in pies.
Person 4: Seriously? Green apples? No way. Red or dead, baby.
Person 3: Why you gotta bring color into it? You’re a fruit racist!
Person 4: Don’t call me a fruit racist. Fuck you! I hope you die. MAGA! TRUMP 2020!!!!
Person 3: FUCK YOU TOO, How you like them apples?
UNFRIENDED & BLOCKED
It seems we cannot offer any ideas, conversation, or debate without the possibility of others taking offense. Don’t believe it. Just do some searching. Go three or four comments down on just about any thread out there and that’s where the crazies hang out.
The art of conversation is gone. Friendly debate is a thing of the past.
Whether resulting in a claim of lack of perspective, one-upmanship, offensive language, bad tact, douchbag-like behavior, or simple disagreement over events, opinions, or topics simple or complex, the process of actually communicating with people today can resemble Indiana Jones narrowly escaping a tomb with long sought treasure. Was it worth it? Huh, Indy? Deep down, it doesn’t matter. Like the Indiana Jones movies, there’s always conflict with no real significance and definitely no real satisfaction. So, why even bother?
It is because of this that I have decided that I needed some sort of agreement in place before engaging in dialogue. A Personal IUser Agreement, designed to establish boundaries for accessing conversations or engagement. I want to be able to talk to people, share ideas, debate, without them getting angry, feeling attacked, or worse, not feeling listened to. I want people to know that I love all, take everything said with respect, and mean no offense with anything offered. And, if someone does take some kind of offense to what I say, I need them to know (or at least agree in writing) that it was not intentional or meant to harm. Sometimes, life gets a little messy. So, we work and clean it up.
I want us to be able to talk again, about easy stuff and hard stuff, without coming to blows. It’s the only way we move forward.
So, it is with this in mind that I created my new User Agreement. Please see below and be ready to click “I Agree” when prompted. Then, and only then, can we engage. I don’t actually have that button coded yet, but I’m working on it. And, if it’s too long, just click I Agree anyway. After all, it’s what we all do with Facebook and Apple.
G’s Social User Agreement
These Terms (“Terms”) govern your social and conversational access to and engagement with Greg (“Service”), including through direct communication in various locations, hopefully in bars, as well as via various electronic forms, websites, SMS, email, applications, etc, and any information, text, links, graphics, photos, stories, anecdotes, audio, videos, or other materials or arrangements of materials told, shared, uploaded, downloaded, or appearing sent or shared (collectively referred to as “Content”). By using the Services you agree to be bound by these Terms and not take it personally and be pissed when events unfold as described in these Terms.
Please note: Our Services evolve constantly. As such, the Services may change from time to time, at our discretion. We may stop (permanently or temporarily) providing the Services or any features within the Services to you or, really, anyone we choose. We also retain the right to create limits on these Services at my sole discretion at any time.
1. Who may use the services
You may use the Service only if you agree to form a binding social contract with Greg and are not a person previously barred from receiving services under the laws of the applicable jurisdiction or due to past opinions based on previous bad behavior. In any case, you must be at least 2 years old (the age Greg has determined is worthy of communication). If you are accepting these Terms and using the Services on behalf of a anyone else, you agree and represent that you are authorized to do so and have the authority to bind such person or entity to these Terms, in which case the words “you” and “your” as used in these Terms shall refer to such person or entity. Yeah. If you say you heard it somewhere, from someone, you own it.
2. Privacy
You understand that through your use of the Services you consent to the collection and use of any gained information, for research, sharing, processing, and use by Greg, according to his whims and used by him and his friends and affiliates for any use they see fit.
3. Content on the services
You are responsible for your use of the Service and for any Content you provide, including compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. You should only provide Content that you are comfortable sharing with others and be prepared for reciprocal comment and content in return, regardless of the form. Any use or reliance on any Content or materials shared via the Service or obtained by you through the Service is at your own risk. We do not endorse, support, represent or guarantee the completeness, truthfulness, accuracy, or reliability of any Content or communications shared via the Services or endorse any opinions expressed via the Services. You understand that by using the Service, you may be exposed to Content that might you might disagree with, be offensive, mildly emotionally harmful, uncomfortable, inaccurate, inappropriate, or in some cases, ideas, thoughts, and other content that have been misstated (sometimes loudly and with great conviction). All Content is the sole responsibility of the person who originated such Content. We may not monitor or control the Content shared via the Service and, we cannot take responsibility for such Content.
No content shared by Greg, whether stated or presented, whether original, unprovoked, or in response to any and all Content provided by you, shall be deemed as confrontational or an attack on your person, ideas, or sensibilities. These Services exist solely as a vehicle to exchange ideas, concepts, and communication. In other words, these Services do not intend to offend and certainly mean you no harm. As a result, we reserve the right to challenge, disagree, disregard, or ignore Content that violates the User Agreement, including for example, bad jokes, mis-used snark, foolish commentary, bad impersonations, unlawful, unacceptable, or ill-advised conduct, insincerity, dishonesty, simple harassment, abject stupidity, or really, anything that Greg deems as just being dumb.
Yo, I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want, So tell me what you want, what you really, really want, I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want. So tell me what you want, what you really, really want, I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha). I wanna really, really, really wanna zigazig ah. If you want my future, forget my past. If you wanna get with me, better make it fast. Now don’t go wasting my precious time. Get your act together we could be just fine. I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want. So tell me what you want, what you really, really want. I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha). I wanna really, really, really wanna zigazig ah. If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends (Gotta get with my friends). Make it last forever, friendship never ends.
If you wanna be my lover, you have got to give. Taking is too easy, but that’s the way it is. If you read this part, let me know my messaging me with the word “pickle” and you may win a free five dollar Amazon gift card. Terms do apply, of course. Oh, what do you think about that. Now you know how I feel. Say, you can handle my love, are you for real. (Are you for real). I won’t be hasty, I’ll give you a try. If you really bug me then I’ll say goodbye. Yo I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want. So tell me what you want, what you really, really want. I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha). I wanna really, really, really wanna zigazig ah. If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends. (Gotta get with my friends). Make it last forever, friendship never ends. If you wanna be my lover, you have got to give. (You’ve got to give). Taking is too easy, but that’s the way it is. So, here’s a story from A to Z.
You wanna get with me, you gotta listen carefully. We got Em in the place who likes it in your face. You got G like MC who likes it on a. Easy V doesn’t come for free, she’s a real lady. And as for me, ha you’ll see. Slam your body down and wind it all around. Slam your body down and wind it all around. If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends. (Gotta get with my friends). Make it last forever, friendship never ends. If you wanna be my lover, you have got to give. (You’ve got to give). Taking is too easy, but that’s the way it is. If you wanna be my lover. You gotta, you gotta, you gotta, you gotta, you gotta. Slam, slam, slam, slam (make it last forever). Slam your body down and wind it all around. Slam your body down and wind it all around. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Slam your body down and wind it all around. Slam your body down and zigazig ah. If you wanna be my lover
