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Sun 5 Feb, 2006 12:15 pm
I don't know about anyone else, but I have just about had it with the offensive crank input on A2K.
You all know the section to which I am referring. Time and time again over the past month or so, I log onto A2K and scan down the "at a glance" list, and there it is. Humourless, offensive, argumentative bullsh*t, started by people with some apparent form of mania who have supposedly studied various ancient books (I'm trying not to be specific, you all know what I mean) and posted here on A2K, purely to get a reaction.
Unfortunately, the outspoken lot that we are, we nearly all get lured in from time to time, and join the fray.
This is just the sort of response that agitators love, as it seems to validate their reason for being on A2K, and encourages them to come back and have another go.
Now, I know that someone else started a thread along similar lines recently, but it seemed to get derailed and ended up missing the mark.
My view is that, if everyone who loves this place took a deep breath and made a supreme effort not to post in that section for at least the next month, maybe the loonies will get sick and tired of shouting into an empty room, and go away to bother someone else.
If we are successful, but they come back at a later time, we just adopt the same tactic from day one of their arrival.
All very good in theory, but will it work? Well, we'll never know, unless we try, IMO.
All I know is that I come onto A2K in order to have a laugh with people that I have never met, but regard as friends, have a virtual sob on occasions, and scan through some really informative stuff re. current affairs, international news and anything else that interests me.
I logged on tonight, in a very silly mood, armed with several ideas to splatter around on the humour thread. After a quick scan, I suddenly feel like I'm sitting in the dentists waiting room.
Getting back on topic.....maybe this idea could be tweaked somewhat, to make it more effective. Maybe there is someone out there with a much better idea, but I feel that something needs to be done.
What do you say?
I will obviously get some wisecrack responses (gawd knows, I have been guilty in the past) but, for once, and possibly the only time this year, I am being totally serious.
Please air your views, 'cos if I ended up talking to myself on this subject, I would really begin to believe that I was just becoming a grumpy old git.
What needs to be done, in your opinion?
Obviously there may be some of you that do not wish to give your opinion in public, and that's quite understandable, but at least you can follow the thread and see how we progress (hopefully).
If this gets sidetracked through the old chestnuts of personal beliefs/and/or name calling, maybe someone else can start another thread to help us towards a solution.
Thoughts.....?
Tis a noble idea, and well said.
Thanks LTX, but I'm in no way taking the credit for this thing. I believe the esteemed goddess of the green eye was the first to let off steam, and I just follow in her shadow.
It's probably a common feeling among many of us, that needs airing a bit.
What I say?
That I'm totally relaxed, not feeling like the in the dentist waiting room.
But none of those religionists are going to change my mood...
You posted a lot of wise comments, unfortunately wasted on poor soil.
So if you have a good joke...
LE when you get a moment pm me. I'd like to talk to you about my Lord. He's laid it on my heart that he's worried about you.
I can sympathize with you but I dont necessarily agree. Everyone has different ideas of what is offensive. I, in the real world, am very emotionally unattached to things. I dont get easily offended and I have a really great time on A2K. Just because you get sucked into an "immoral" topic doesnt mean you have to stay there. IMO, its these taboo things that perpetuate some of the best conversations here. If I dont like something I dont reply to it.
So far we've got no solutions to the problem. I not be the only one drawing a blank.
I think this is just a phase and will blow over in time.
Remember the gazillion "My spouse is addicted to porn" threads
last year? Well, surprisingly enough the topic subsided in due time
(although the problem is still prevalent, it seems), as
people got tired answering the same crapola over and over
again.
We can wait and sit out this one as well, Spanky.
We a2k'ers are determined and ultimately will prevail.
Don't worry
From your lips to the ears of the goddess.
Lord E,
Phoenix did indeed try to right the ship, and we can all do our part. Unfortunately, some folks just can't see beyond thier narrow agenda.
A troll, is a troll, is a troll...
Don't feed em'.
I've noticed several people attempting more lighthearted - or the opposite, more serious -threads recently, and am all for supporting them.
Fbaezer, for example, started a virtual olympics thread (whatever the title is, something like that) and Jespah has started a couple, damn, I forget what they are on about... anyway, my point is for those of us who feel this way not to give in to despair but to increase interesting content, some of which will bring in more interesting posters via google besides being diverting in itself.
LE,
I've suggested this solution a couple of times and it was pretty well overlooked while the war raged. I decided to pretty well sign out of that forum and let the fanatics have it. It's sad , because I would like to have discussions regarding S&R without having the "Army of God" take the damn thing over! Thye problem with fanatics is that they are fanatic!
Anon
The problem with your proposal Lord E is that there are sufficient cranks on this forum to feed off each other. They can keep the drivel going with or without us. I regard it as entertainment for the most part and part informative. It is always useful to know what the cranks are thinking. In most cases I just read them rather than posting.
Lord Ellpus,
While I do understand the position you are coming from I would like to ask a question if I may. Perhaps the thing to ask is for EVERYONE to not sling mud or name call? If those that you consider "loonies" were to not do this, would that help?
I appreciate what you are trying to do and I do commend you for it. Phoenix did try to accomplish the same thing and unfortunately quite a few of us did not get her point. Hopefully, all the anger, frustration, etc., has dissipated enough to where we can call discuss things without the mud slinging?
I have learned a lot from many on A2K and I am grateful for that. I would hate to see that knowledge withheld because we have a problem staying civil to each other.
CalamityJane wrote:I think this is just a phase and will blow over in time.
Remember the gazillion "My spouse is addicted to porn" threads
last year? Well, surprisingly enough the topic subsided in due time
(although the problem is still prevalent, it seems), as
people got tired answering the same crapola over and over
again.
We can wait and sit out this one as well, Spanky.
We a2k'ers are determined and ultimately will prevail.
Don't worry
They're back. I think it's a guy, and he's getting off from the attention.
Anon
Well, well, speak of the devil!
Anon
I will say that in my five years of participation on forums, I've seen a zillion iterations of "I want my ___ back!", including from the moment I first dipped my toe into the online forum thing (and which almost sent me running at the time). (That forum had just undergone some structural changes and the old guard was complaining loud and long, I had serious doubts about getting involved in something with so much negativity. Turned out to be a great experience.)
The nature of these things -- especially the big and Google-fed ones -- is that stuff waxes and wanes and changes pretty much continuously. Some people are nostalgic for when it was sillier, some for when it was more serious, some for when it was mostly people who knew each other, some for when it wasn't so cliqueish, and on and on.
That said, I agree with the premise that if you don't like it and don't think it's worth arguing, ignore it and respond to/ create content that you do like.
LE I agree with you and phoenix both on this issue. I hope it doesn't come down to anyone abandoning S&R for awhile. That would stink for those who want to have a good time and also have some good discussions. I have noticed a definate lack of participation lately there. I too have not participated in much. I just pass over the ones that seem to me to have no real point except to start an argument or scream out their idea's without listening to anything but themselves.
One good thing for me at least that has come out of this is that it's pushed me to try other area's of A2K. I needed a little shove to put myself out there. Don't know why really. But I'm finding humor and good conversations in other places as well. I guess I just figure there's no obligation on anyone's part to participate in something they don't agree with. If there are people who are just trying to be obnoxious and won't listen to others maybe they'll stop if they don't get a rise out of anyone. I don't see why people can't just continue on while ignoring the threads they disagree with?
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