hhoconnection
06-24-2009, 05:40 PM
From my blog:
We've all done it knowing full well it's a fruitless effort, but for some reason, we just can't stop ourselves from responding to comments or videos from HHO critics and cynics. Maybe it's the tired, and oftentimes, debunked arguments they apply, or the rude and unflattering manner in which they present their case that causes our blood to boil. Or possibly, it's just a reaction to having our integrity challenged by those who have yet to test theories for themselves. In any event, being called "liars, scam artists and snake oil salesmen," is due cause for righteous indignation, but is it really worth the time and energy to respond to these naysayers, creating pages of circular dialogue that go nowhere? Let's consider the source:
Condemners of HHO generally fall into two categories - failed experimenters and junior scientists. With the former, their desire to wreak havoc on the HHO movement comes from spending a lot of time and money installing a system in their vehicle, to limited or non-existent results. Their inner Ralph Nader emerges with a vengeance to shut down this "scheme." These people could be assisted by the generous nature of HHO-ers, but their egos refuse to let them ask for help.
The latter is brave in his anonymity. Safely tucked away in his parent's basement, this social loser is still hoping the teacher will call on him, proving his superior scientific abilities. To him, HHO experimenters are "morons," wasting their time with "junk science." He beats up on anyone who holds a contrary view, lambasting proven results with blanket statements of "impossibilities." He's the "ding-dong ditcher" of the internet and seriously need to grow up.
So why do we engage these misanthropes? How much accumulated time has been wasted typing out comments and creating video responses? Hours, days, possibly weeks? To what end? Missing valuable family and research time, not to mention the toll it takes on our health in elevated heart rate and blood pressure.
More than likely your well thought out, well-intentioned responses will not succeed in changing minds or one-upping the competition, rather, you'll probably be hit with a barrage of insults. So is it really worth it? I'm finally conceding that, no, it's not.
From here on out, unless constructive and respectful, I vow not to respond to inflammatory comments and videos. The HHO experimenter's path is tough enough without engaging negativity. I'd rather focus on our positive accomplishments and let those who criticize revel in their "superior" intelligence while they idle away fossil fuel in their 19th Century jalopies. Will you join me?
We've all done it knowing full well it's a fruitless effort, but for some reason, we just can't stop ourselves from responding to comments or videos from HHO critics and cynics. Maybe it's the tired, and oftentimes, debunked arguments they apply, or the rude and unflattering manner in which they present their case that causes our blood to boil. Or possibly, it's just a reaction to having our integrity challenged by those who have yet to test theories for themselves. In any event, being called "liars, scam artists and snake oil salesmen," is due cause for righteous indignation, but is it really worth the time and energy to respond to these naysayers, creating pages of circular dialogue that go nowhere? Let's consider the source:
Condemners of HHO generally fall into two categories - failed experimenters and junior scientists. With the former, their desire to wreak havoc on the HHO movement comes from spending a lot of time and money installing a system in their vehicle, to limited or non-existent results. Their inner Ralph Nader emerges with a vengeance to shut down this "scheme." These people could be assisted by the generous nature of HHO-ers, but their egos refuse to let them ask for help.
The latter is brave in his anonymity. Safely tucked away in his parent's basement, this social loser is still hoping the teacher will call on him, proving his superior scientific abilities. To him, HHO experimenters are "morons," wasting their time with "junk science." He beats up on anyone who holds a contrary view, lambasting proven results with blanket statements of "impossibilities." He's the "ding-dong ditcher" of the internet and seriously need to grow up.
So why do we engage these misanthropes? How much accumulated time has been wasted typing out comments and creating video responses? Hours, days, possibly weeks? To what end? Missing valuable family and research time, not to mention the toll it takes on our health in elevated heart rate and blood pressure.
More than likely your well thought out, well-intentioned responses will not succeed in changing minds or one-upping the competition, rather, you'll probably be hit with a barrage of insults. So is it really worth it? I'm finally conceding that, no, it's not.
From here on out, unless constructive and respectful, I vow not to respond to inflammatory comments and videos. The HHO experimenter's path is tough enough without engaging negativity. I'd rather focus on our positive accomplishments and let those who criticize revel in their "superior" intelligence while they idle away fossil fuel in their 19th Century jalopies. Will you join me?