Thread: Quotation Marks

Why do we like to quote philosophical pearls of wisdom? From Moses to Descartes, from the witty to the humorous, people love to associate themselves with the words of the wise and funny. I've never seen ditchdigger quips or any rice paddy wit & wisdom or garbageman humor make into forum poster verbiage.

It would be nice to see some originality from the membership but what prevents it? Lack of fame, smarts, or are we intimidated by our forum peers? Many people like to quote famous people for instance. Why? I rather see something paraphrased, at least you know the guy isn't googling all over the place in order to get it verbatim. A philosophical quote for any subect is like a notch in a gunslinger's holster for some of us. Showing off or trying to let the world know how smart you are? Doesn't do it for me.

I just find it odd that we resort to such measures in order to enhance a point we're trying to make. How can somebody else's quote make it into a forum signature...isn't it contradictory in a sense because a signature should be yours...no? Christ, I'm guilty of it myself.

So far as I know, mine's original - and very topical!

Originally Posted by zinjanthropos

Why do we like to quote philosophical pearls of wisdom? From Moses to Descartes, from the witty to the humorous, people love to associate themselves with the words of the wise and funny. I've never seen ditchdigger quips or any rice paddy wit & wisdom or garbageman humor make into forum poster verbiage.

It would be nice to see some originality from the membership but what prevents it? Lack of fame, smarts, or are we intimidated by our forum peers? Many people like to quote famous people for instance. Why? I rather see something paraphrased, at least you know the guy isn't googling all over the place in order to get it verbatim. A philosophical quote for any subect is like a notch in a gunslinger's holster for some of us. Showing off or trying to let the world know how smart you are? Doesn't do it for me.

I just find it odd that we resort to such measures in order to enhance a point we're trying to make. How can somebody else's quote make it into a forum signature...isn't it contradictory in a sense because a signature should be yours...no? Christ, I'm guilty of it myself.

Did you know that Plato was a pedophile. No bullsh*t - Its true. Of course at that time pedophilia was not illegal nor was it as socialy ostricized as it is today. Though it was still practiced behind closed doors, none-the-less it was not all too uncommon for grown men of status to engage in sexual conduct with young boys. Other great minds of ancient Greece such as Aristotle and Socrates were also rumored to have favored the company of pre-adults though such rumors were never validated. Plato however would casually make references to his sexual habits.

I suppose the point here is that even though Plato was a great philosopher, at the same time, he was still just "Some guy" - Not a god of unquestionable intellect but rather an average human being like you and me. With all of the faults included. As were all great philosophers, writers, scientist, generals, kings, presidents....as were all great minds through out history.

Yet that doesn't stop folks today from quoting these "Great Minds" at the drop of every hat. Its not that we shouldn't learn from those who came before us because we most certainly should. But when two or more parties are arguing a case in point - throwing in a witty historical quote does not necessarily or should not necessarily serve as indistructible reasoning.

For the most part I think that referencing quotes is merely a fashionable thing. I've got nothing against it but I don't take it too seriously either.

With my first 20 or 30 post I used the signature you see below at the bottom of this post. Your thread has inspired me to start using it again. (Along with updating my Avatar)

It is from an 80's ninja movie called Clash of the Ninja. Only I replaced the phrase "Marumatsu Tiger Claw" with the word "Science". Theres no real meaning to it what-so-ever I just thought is sounded cool.

Originally Posted by Megabrain

So far as I know, mine's original - and very topical!

An excellent signature. It sounds original and reflects your status.

People who quote a lot of scriptures have to be the worst. Whenever I see that I wonder if they actually have thoughts of their own or are making an investment in their next life, sad and an instant turn-off for me anyways.

Well i chose mine because i thought it was funny, in the hope that it might cheer some people up and it was good natured, obviously didn't work. Perhaps i should try something like "I'm sweating like a paedophile in a play ground" ? I wonder if plato would have found that funny.....