Thanks, I know what you are talking about.
I am extremely aware that some want me to be light, stay light and post light. I know it can make some people uncomfortable when I stray from that request. It can even seem dark or "bullying" and I always notice when someone in the audience gets restless, starts fidgeting or making those "tsk tsk tsk" sounds. I am very aware of when posters are obliquely talking about something I posted that they thought was too too aggressive.
If I am not sure, I just ask them but seldom if ever get a direct answer where they point to me, personally, and i know that they don't do it as a courtesy or out of kindness. But I did ask. LOL.
I also observe when there is a disturbance in the force and a few "Hey Mark is amazing" posts pop up out of nowhere (to the rescue) and try to right the perceived imbalance. I see it all play out very clearly and weigh what people are saying to see if I have gone overboard or if they are talking about someone else's posts.
I did a lot in my life to earn personal freedom and I cherish it. So I enjoy the right to say what I think. It is one of the things I ended up truly detesting about Scientology and Scientologists. The relentless effort to re-route thoughts and speech into a pre-approved pattern. I reject that entirely.
I don't mind that some prefer my "light" humor.
And I don't mind that others prefer my "dark" humor.
In my mind there is no difference. They are both just expressions of what is felt or thought.
Even when I was in Scientology I greatly loved when someone would speak honestly and directly to me without packaging their words into acceptable truths. To me, that is very little value and when I talk to someone I like to be as kind as I can while not giving up who I actually am.
Honestly? In Scientology everyone's communication dial was crazy-glued to the "theta" setting. There was just one radio channel allowed. Only one tv station could be watched. I think it's utter lunacy to live like that.
If someone has something to say what difference does it make if it comes out "light" or "edgy" if it is a real communication?
I always go out of my way to bend over backwards to make people feel comfortable. But if I think they are being dishonest or muddying up the water, that is something I don't passively grit my teeth and hope will pass. I stand up and say something. If I saw someone disseminating Scientology to a wog, if I had the chance (and it has happened often) I would take special time and care to tell the wog what he could expect if he gets involved. That is kindness.
I had enough Scientology lies and spin. I don't accept it. I reject it thoroughly, no matter how it is packaged. That is the humane thing to do in my ethical belief.
I am acutely aware of social protocols and have regular meetings with persons of all stations in life from the street-sweeper to the "top" of major corporations & enterprise and maybe I have beers with guys in a biker gang, too. I don't have any problem modulating and "dialing in" to any wavelength that makes things fun or interesting. I also regularly conduct meetings with very technical, scientific and medical industry pioneers and visionaries too, and there is never any problem. People leave those conferences with smiles and good feelings. Sometimes 'inspired' is a word that people say in thanks. I can do that when I want to, but only if it is appropriate. But if I want to say something I say it. Not out of compulsion or lack of manners--but instead because I think it is a perfectly good and constructive idea that keeps things real.
So, I am glad you like the light stuff and don't mind if you tune out the offensive material or scold me in a post if you have that feeling.
I like when things are honest.
I will tell you that if I am about to post something that is pretty edgy (even for me) I always pause a moment and think if I want to hit the send button. 99.9% of the time I think, "why not? that's what i actually think or feel" and don't try to police my own thoughts. PAUSE.....CLICK.....SEND. LOL
If my style of posting becomes a hazard to the board and moderators decide to send me on temporary or permanent vacation, I don't mind that either. I loved the time I had here and wouldn't change a thing.
I walked in saying what I had to say and I would exit the same way.
I will keep posting until someone crashes the sledgehammer of "he's gone too far this time!" down upon my mouse.
PAUSE...........CLICK.....SEND.