Who on this Forum have you Developed an Improbable Admiration, Respect and/or Friendship for?

[Sunstone]

So who on this Forum, if anyone, have you been surprised to develop an improbable admiration, friendship, and/or respect for?

I've become rather fond of several posters who don't share some of my core beliefs in some areas -- and sometimes don't share many beliefs at all with me -- but who I rather admire or like for other reasons.

For instance, @YmirGF nowadays strikes me as having opinions worth paying attention to even when I disagree with him -- which seems to be getting less and less over time -- but we got off to a pretty rocky start many years ago. And I've come to like and admire many of @BSM1's values even thought his opinions so often differ from mine. I've learned a lot from @crossfire though I used to think her...um...."eccentric". And I have learned so much, and have been so inspired by the insufferable @Jayhawker Soule that I owe him more than I can easily describe. Not the least, I've found @Rival to have fascinating depths and insights despite the horror I often enough feel at her conservative politics. That's just to name a few.

 

[Debater Slayer]

Well, I highly admire and draw inspiration from @Jayhawker Soule, but that's not what I found improbable. What I really found improbable was that I was never once on the receiving end of any of his scathing remarks--and that in and of itself made me feel like I was probably doing something right, since his comments often strike me as deeply insightful and thought-provoking even when harsh.

 

[YmirGF]

So who on this Forum, if anyone, have you been surprised to develop an improbable admiration, friendship, and/or respect for?

I've become rather fond of several posters who don't share some of my core beliefs in some areas -- and sometimes don't share many beliefs at all with me -- but who I rather admire or like for other reasons.

For instance, @YmirGF nowadays strikes me as having opinions worth paying attention to even when I disagree with him -- which seems to be getting less and less over time -- but we got off to a pretty rocky start many years ago. And I've come to like and admire many of @BSM1's values even thought his opinions so often differ from mine. I've learned a lot from @crossfire though I used to think her...um...."eccentric". And I have learned so much, and have been so inspired by the insufferable @Jayhawker Soule that I owe him more than I can easily describe. Not the least, I've found @Rival to have fascinating depths and insights despite the horror I often enough feel at her conservative politics. That's just to name a few.

I think it's a case of reaching out of our comfort zones. No one grows inside a bubble. Personally, I much rather explore confrontation than feel people licking my boots. It keeps you sharp.

I will say though that RF has had an unusual impact on me in real life. Now when I am in discussions with folks I tend to listen very closely to what they are saying, instantly dissect relevant bits and then reply. Some people find this unsettling because they are not used to defending their ideas and since I'm so used to doing it here I often have to consciously throttle back lest I upset them with unsettling questions they simply haven't thought of. In a very real sense, I've discovered that most people don't actually think very much about the things to choose to believe and don't take kindly to people questioning aspects of those beliefs.

 

[YmirGF]

Well, I highly admire and draw inspiration from @Jayhawker Soule, but that's not what I found improbable. What I really found improbable was that I was never once on the receiving end of any of his scathing remarks--and that in and of itself made me feel like I was probably doing something right, since his comments often strike me as deeply insightful and thought-provoking even when harsh.

I've always taken it as a great compliment when @Jayhawker Soule deemed any of my comments worthy of a response, regardless of how caustic his comments may have been. He is, far and away, one of the most significant posters on RF, imho.

 

[Debater Slayer]

So who on this Forum, if anyone, have you been surprised to develop an improbable admiration, friendship, and/or respect for?

I've become rather fond of several posters who don't share some of my core beliefs in some areas -- and sometimes don't share many beliefs at all with me -- but who I rather admire or like for other reasons.

For instance, @YmirGF nowadays strikes me as having opinions worth paying attention to even when I disagree with him -- which seems to be getting less and less over time -- but we got off to a pretty rocky start many years ago. And I've come to like and admire many of @BSM1's values even thought his opinions so often differ from mine. I've learned a lot from @crossfire though I used to think her...um...."eccentric". And I have learned so much, and have been so inspired by the insufferable @Jayhawker Soule that I owe him more than I can easily describe. Not the least, I've found @Rival to have fascinating depths and insights despite the horror I often enough feel at her conservative politics. That's just to name a few.

I have lots and lots of fondness for @Rival despite my shared horror at some of her political stances--which I'm sure she feels toward some of my political stances as well. *shakes Rival violently*

I used to dislike @Father Heathen, @YmirGF, and @Godobeyer years ago. Now they're all members I consider to both be friends of mine and immensely valuable additions to the forum (both at once? That's hard to believe, I know!).

I also really, really miss @Penumbra. She seemed to me to be so aloof and unemotional from a distance, but the day I was fortunate enough to have a lengthy private conversation with her kicked off a friendship that showed me that she was a deeply compassionate, kind, and lovable friend.

 

[YmirGF]

I have lots and lots of fondness for @Rival despite my shared horror at some of her political stances--which I'm sure she feels toward some of my political stances as well. *shakes Rival violently*

I used to dislike @Father Heathen, @YmirGF, and @Godobeyer years ago. Now they're all members I consider to both be friends of mine and immensely valuable additions to the forum (both at once? That's hard to believe, I know!).

I also really, really miss @Penumbra. She seemed to me to be so aloof and unemotional from a distance, but the day I was fortunate enough to have a lengthy private conversation with her kicked off a friendship that showed me that she was a deeply compassionate, kind, and lovable friend.

Yeah, @Rival is a sweety, to be sure and ditto about @Penumbra

 

[Debater Slayer]

I couldn't stand @Katzpur years ago, too, and didn't think we'd ever be friends at some point. Turns out I was missing out on one of the sweetest people I've talked to here.

 

[Katzpur]

I couldn't stand @Katzpur years ago, too., and didn't think we'd ever be friends at some point. Turns out I was missing out on one of the sweetest people I've talked to here.

You are so kind! You totally made my day. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And trust me, the feeling is 100% mutual.

 

[YmirGF]

I think some of my most unlikely friendships here on RF is with @Godobeyer and @FearGod especially given my somewhat strident views on Islam. I've come to appreciate their views and often funny senses of humor. I don't know that they would agree with this but I'd like to think so.

 

[Sunstone]

I couldn't stand @Katzpur years ago, too., and didn't think we'd ever be friends at some point. Turns out I was missing out on one of the sweetest people I've talked to here.

Yeah, @Katzpur is someone to be cherished. She's got a lot of integrity.

 

[YmirGF]

I couldn't stand @Katzpur years ago, too, and didn't think we'd ever be friends at some point. Turns out I was missing out on one of the sweetest people I've talked to here.

Whereas I've always been a great admirer of @Katzpur (Kathryn) since day one. A smart, funny, informative lady. A genuine RF treasure.

 

[Jesster]

I'll be honest. It's really difficult for me to grow connections with people through text-based means. I also haven't been here too long. I'll give you all a shot though.

 

[Debater Slayer]

I'll be honest. It's really difficult for me to grow connections with people through text-based means. I also haven't been here too long. I'll give you all a shot though.

Glad to hear you'll give it a shot! I for one would welcome it.

I understand the difficulty, though. Text-only communication lacks a lot of the cues of face-to-face contact.

 

[Quetzal]

Interestingly, they are people that a year ago I fought tooth and tail with. But now, post election cycle, I find their input very helpful. @Revoltingest @BSM1 @YmirGF are three that come to mind right away.

 

[Terese]

@Sunstone and @YmirGF have my significant respect. I find their opinions informed and enjoy the fact that their views differ, since i value different viewpoints on the same subject.

@ratikala and @Sw.VandanaJoythi are no longer active on this forum, but their spiritual advice has helped me to become a good person to myself and to others.

 

[Revoltingest]

I like & respect many.
You know who you are.

 

[FearGod]

I think some of my most unlikely friendships here on RF is with @Godobeyer and @FearGod especially given my somewhat strident views on Islam. I've come to appreciate their views and often funny senses of humor. I don't know that they would agree with this but I'd like to think so.

It's really a honor to me to hear that from a person that I really admire, thanks

 

[Brickjectivity]

The power of the forum is that it removes many obstacles to friendship, but the weakness is that those obstacles are often part of real friendship. I will keep in confidence those posters who I love most. For their sake I hate virtual friendship, but without it I could not have met them. Besides there is always a distance that cannot be crossed whether in person or not. Even if our friends here are virtual I have grown in admiration and respect for many.

 

[Sunstone]

...I hate virtual friendship, but without it I could not have met them.

I have the same mixed feelings about virtual friendships.

 

[Woberts]

I wasn't mentioned? Ouch.
On a more serious note, @Father Heathen's posts are usually pretty well thought out, while often being hilarious. @Sunstone posts some really thought provoking stuff, as does @Rival.