A really late response

Trudging through my early posts I noticed one comment that I hadn't noticed before. It happens to be from my earlier rant about RISE. Here it is, reproduced verbatim.

Rayner,
Let me quote what you have written and express my views. I hope you take this seriously.

1. "What is wrong with RISE? It's extremely difficult to tell. I keep getting this feeling that RISE is headed for some really bad place. And I think I've thought it through."

If you think so negativly about RISE, then you should leave and join another CCA which is 'better' for you.

2. "I can't stand these attitudes. They suggest that anyone who cares can just **** off and stick his head into the nearest dustbin."

It's not very nice of you to be making such nasty remarks.

3. "Some violists (especially Nicholas): notable for late entries. "quite gone" is zhaohan's assessment of Nicholas. In my view you don't care about being among the worst violists the world has ever seen."

You should not single out people like Nicholas, or make extreme remarks like "the worst violists the world has ever seen".

4. "Shawn, maybe you're not as stuck-up as Junhong (yes Junhong you can be pretty pissing at times even though you are extremely pro), watch it. Being pro doesn't entitle you to arrogance. Look at Adriel."

Whether Shawn is arrogant or not, it does not matter, because in my opinion, you are very sensitive. You get angry even over words like "fartist". I've seen you using your double bass bow to hit another RISE member just because he called you a fartist (I've been observing you since the beginning of this year).

5. "I have this feeling that no one will bother about reading this anyway. Or think about it. I just felt I had to let go. These are observations I've gathered in rehearsals past."

That's where you're wrong. Also, from what I have observed about you, I feel you should improve on your petty character.

And here's my response. I hope Anonymous will respond to this, even though it's 6 months late.

1. Why not? I have another CCA which I think is better for me, and I believe you know what it is. Quitting RISE is definitely an option; however I do realise that many people out there are ready to leap on me and shout that I'm biting the hand that fed me.

I personally don't feel that I owe anything to RISE any more, after all the trouble I've gone through, and all the backstabbing and shady dealings going on in the music scene. For instance, I saw the current Bass no. 5 in Music Essentials going for a price of either $4500 or $5500, I can't remember which. Just a few months later, the school bought it, for only $2500, Mr Sze told me at that time. Just think, if you were going to buy that instrument, and your school bought it for half the price, what would you think? Betrayal? Disgust? And then I'm asked to go look at basses for RISE. Is it my job? I don't think so.

2. Yes I admit these are nasty remarks. However, let me put them in the context of my argument:

Violin needs repair? Soundpost dropped? Perhaps the cello needs tuning in the middle of the rehearsal? I don't really give a damn. Since I can't project, mr sze can't hear my mistakes. Even better. I can't tune in the middle of the rehearsal, so I'll just stone there.

I can't stand these attitudes. They suggest that anyone who cares can just **** off and stick his head into the nearest dustbin. Worst of all, some people with these attitudes laugh at people who don't. Who care. And that's really discouraging.

These were all real life examples that I knew of at that time. I believe my tone was already moderated by modifiers like "they suggest..." - as in, "I read from their actions that ..." That is not a nasty remark, but my own feeling/response about these members' actions. Do take care in interpreting what others say, anonymous.

3. There is a device, well known to many people, called exaggeration. Exaggerated remarks have a purpose: they function to make people react faster and harder. What I'm saying here is, "prove me wrong". Again, don't read too much into what others say.

4. "Whether Shawn is arrogant or not, it does not matter" This statement of yours is sidestepping the question totally, then turns into a fallacy ad hominem, directed against the person making the argument.

"You get angry even over words like 'fartist'." Derogatory terms like 'fartist' distort the image of people and occupations. What people who use 'fartist' are saying can be construed to mean that all bassists are essentially fartarounds and the sound they produce on their instrument is akin to farting. It's like using loaded terms like "nigger" or "paki". If you don't see the value of basses I suggest you turn to our music director, Mr Sze, who may shed some light on this. And do go on observing people, it's very nice of you. Why don't you observe the behaviour of the rest of the string ensemble while you're at it. I'm sure you'll have a lot to say.

5. "That's where you're wrong. Also, from what I have observed about you, I feel you should improve on your petty character."

Now, again, we see examples of loaded statements being made, without justification at all. Where am I wrong, pray tell? Do take the effort to respond properly, if you want to be taken seriously. And the second statement is basically another ad hominem fallacy, a fallacy directed against the person. Do substantiate your claims.

I gather from your hesitance to admit authorship that you would not like to take responsibility for your claims. This is pretty wise of you, considering that your arguments are generally ill-planned especially towards the last part. No offence meant, but you would do well to think through what you're saying.

I thank you for your response. Hopefully the philosophy course will help you in your argument, and a good English grounding in discerning bias, purpose, function and intent. Also, judging by your tone and language, I have a pretty good idea who you are. It's been a pleasure going through your arguments.