incitatus ?

[tracymort]

you know a lot don't you?

[annakarenina]

Not necessarily, he just answers alot of questions, but not always with the right answers.

[good2skull]

As a long-time buddy of Incitatus, I can tell you that contrary to the rapid (and somewhat bitter?) reply of Annakarenina, yes he knows shed loads, and not just general knowledge stuff either. Ask him a specialised question about chemistry or the Borgia (spelling?) Popes. Of course he is not always right, but I'd say the percentage is still pretty impressive.

[incitatus]

If Im not certain I always try to say so.

[annakarenina]

hehe - yes I am very bitter about incitatus! Actually, I didn't mean to cause any offense, just answering the question with my own opinion on the matter, maybe a little tactlessly.

[incitatus]

anything I can do to ease your bitterness? One with so much tragedy in her life has enough to cope with....

[annakarenina]

Oops, I really seemed to have chafed a couple of egos here. I've insulted you and I'm sorry. Can we call it quits now. Actually I've found some of your answers very interesting, even if you are sometimes inaccurate.

[tracymort]

oh dear! I've opened up a can of worms haven't I! Incitatus, you sound like the sort of person who writes general knowledge quizzes for pubs and local papers!! Oh and by the way, sorry if I sound like a dumb essex girl but what does your name mean?

[duketheduck]

And a couple of other questions from the questioner formerly known as annakarenina: you are very quick at answering questions, are you online all day long? (I have broken my leg, hence am at home and v bored)

[incitatus]

Oh dear, the name again. It means "to be spurred on" but I use it because it was the name of the Emperor Caligula's pet horse, which he made a senator and reputedly a consul. No I dont do quizzes, though I sometimes take part. Im just an academic with a free netlink and some spare time.

[allen ives]

Just like to cast my vote with the pro-Incitatus lobby.

He shares his knowledge ungrudgingly, and without being patronising. I know [small] 'shed loads', too, but Incitatus has taught me things I didn't know, and persuasively argued me out of one particular misconception.

Life is far, far too short for bitterness, anna.

Try and see the best in it.

[lillie]

This is a highly amusing little squabble. I can't believe its spilling over into other questions... I don't know who's side to take. Annakarenina: yes you do have a right to say what you said, and I don't think it was as mean as Incitatus and good2skull are making out. However, I agree you could probably have said it in a kinder way. Now for the Incitatus and good2skull: you're big boys now and don't need to be getting all upset over a comment, especially if you're academics with open minds. And remember it is the done thing to accept an apology with grace. Tracyh: and you thought this was a perfectly innocent question! All the stags have locked horns - do you normally have this effect on men? God, I'm really scared of the response to this! Don't hate me!

[annakarenina]

What is this thing with bitterness? Is everyone who disagrees with incitatus bitter? And who are all these academics (all of them are incitatus anyway) with so much time on their hands ? (in case you ask I've broken my leg and am off work). Perhaps 'academic' is a euphomism for 'unemployed'. Incitatus: why have you got such low self-esteem and why is it SO important for you to be seen as the fountain of all knowledge?

[beenee]

This is an answerbank. People ask questions and incitatus and the rest of us answer if what we can. Surely dispensing the knowlege we have (however inaccurate) isn't a bad thing. This is how we grow. You go incitatus! Also, sparing a thought for poor tracyh who's email inbox these are clogging up.

[indobrit]

I do wish people would put things in perspective. I have known Incitatus since he was a first year undergraduate, and umpteen years later, I am proud to count him amongst my friends. He is an academic, a doctor of chemistry, a lecturer at one of this planet's leading science colleges. Anna Karenina, if that to you spells unemployment, then I feel sorry for anyone TRULY unemployed who crosses your path. Incitatus and I are old sparring partners on many things; one thing we both learnt early in life: have the good grace to recognise when you may be wrong, and to admit it courteously. Incitatus should carry on posting, right or wrong - when he is right, it's good, when he is wrong, he admits it. More than this, one cannot ask.

[annakarenina]

yes right, 'indorbit' I REALLY believe that you are yet another of incitatus 'friends'. I just don't believe that there are all these professional people who have so much time on their hands to register suddenly on the site simply to jump to the defence of a so-called incredible, learned, popular, wise, busy adult male doctor, lecturer and academic against one harmless little comment by me! Sorry, you don't convince me AT ALL, so just zip it incitatus. Now, I'm going to change my name to that I can finally escape your childish snipes in answers to my other questions. I will remember to NEVER disagree with poor delicate incitatus again. Respond away to this - I won't be reading anymore of your manipulative nonsense.

[allen ives]

Blimey, anna. I reckon you should see someone about your apparent inability to loosen up, seriously...

[indobrit]

Dear me. Mistress Anna Karenina shows herself in her true colours: bitter, twisted, and a guttersnipe - plus, a common or garden bully, in that she can dish it out, but she can't take it. Master Incitatus and Master Good2Skull and I (all three of us very good friends of very long standing) shall not cease in our pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, for to give way to bullies is to enhance the rule of tyranny - and that would simply NEVER do :o)

[incitatus]

oh deary me. Look guys, sorry. Thanks for them sticking up for me, I appreciate it, but honestly it wass only one little comment and I never claim to be right all the time. Ive even grudgingly admitted the possibility that some americans are nice people. And Im not wilting away because of one (I assume woman, but with pseudonyms who lknows)'s comment that I aint infallible. Its just a shame. I always had a bit of a crush on Anna Karenina. Seems like it is not to be.

[lillie]

Leave Anna alone! She's provided some much-needed mystery and intrigue: is Incitatus really the same person as Indorbit, Good2Skull and Allen Ives? By the way, what is your research topic Incitatus, and what science college are you at - you might be lecturing my cousin! Actually I'll ask this on the main page so as not to clutter up Tracey's email inbox anymore.

[TeeCee]

42?