Don't you love the topics here?

Sometimes reading this board makes me sad (at what people do to one another).

All of this gives me motivation to work harder.

The saddest thing is that some people who post heartbreaking stories in this forum are imposters with fake stories. It makes it tough to figure out who is actually in need of help, and who isn't.

Some people need to get attention. Even if they're imposters A2K gives them solace.

Given the current flurry by hatchlings in the marriage and relationships forum, I suspect there is a graduate student on the loose.

I don't get it. Explain

A social psych student I'd assume, lol.

Yes, or Family Studies

Ya think? Hey, maybe it's for Dr. Phil or to nail the place as the next guru du jour! Makes me wonder why I bother to try answering honestly in the first place... No more princess niceguy! I'm mad as heck and not gonna take it anymore!

We have had some imposters.

But we also get sincere people who find us through a search on these kind of subjects on google because of existing thread titles here, and they come and ask their question here too. (I think it was sozobe who said that earlier today.)

Yes, Osso, a2k attracts alot of sincere newbies, and I was one of them. You guys really helped me out with all of your caring words a few months back.

Keep helping others. I have learned, (from a very public a2k foible of my own on this forum), to NOT respond to posters whom I think are either imposters, or "impossibles."

I haven't seen any clangers on sincerity lately, though I have been fooled before. (yikes, don't get me started) As a place/group we seem to have decided to err on the side of helping, such as we can, each to our own view of helping.

My question is if people ever read old threads. I think they do. I might if I was trying to figure a situation out. I think they are there as a repository of viewpoints, past the immediacy for whoever posted the original question.

I think there is certainly a way, after watching how a thread progresses and how a new member reacts, writes and answers, that give strong hints about their sincerity. Again, I have been fooled in the past as well.

But.. if the repository of questions exists, and we can get people to use it, it matters much less if any one bright bored person is having fun or working up some paper. Mostly we can tell, and mostly that is not happening. Mostly people are sincere.

And we are generally sincere in answering back, if not every person every time. Some aren't some times. Usually it is clear when someone is spoofing, riffing, cajoling, jestering.

If people try to trick us with sincere grad student questions and fake responses, well, geez, I am sorry for them. A lot of nonsense when we could all just talk.

Well, I can't argue with that osso.

And, by the way, welcome to a2k, Hollywood, glad you are here.

Go ahead, argue, Cav, I am starting to babble.

Actually, I agreed with your post, so no need.

ossobuco ~ thanks for the welcome