I Need Some Help

[rps]

I'm going to throw this out there for any of you to consider. I mean no offense, I take no sides, and I am not targeting anyone or any group.

I think it would be nice for two types of posts to go away.

The first is the type designed or intended to provoke reaction. I know some people enjoy it, but trolling is a low form of humor enjoyed only by the one who perpetrates it. In reality it is nothing more than bullying by implying "I'm smarter or more clever than you are."

The second type is the vituperative. If you don't know the word, it means verbal abuse and/or censure.

The reason I ask for help is we, as a group, need to recognize these things in our selves and in others and avoid them.

I am no Pollyanna - my former profession left me too cynical for that. However, just because you disagree with or dislike something you see posted, that does not mean you need respond in ill mannered or vindictive form.

The forum will be more pleasant to read if we can agree to avoid these two kinds of posts.

By the way, you are welcome to think I am wrong or crazy with this post. If so, ignore it. Post something about fishing instead.

[J-Doc]

Exactly.

I don't see it changing though. It's because people have opinions. Some personality types mandate that theirs are louder than others and that they are the only one who is right.

Which is why I don't post that often anymore. And why so many have left the forum.

I agree with you. I just don't see it stopping.

[Mitch f]

I think much of it is just guys ribbing each other. But I agree there are some bad posts. I think it's easy to tell who's really pissed, and someone venting.

[J-Doc]

It's more than ribbing.

Varying opinions. Some are strongly in disagreement with others point of view.

[Moswimb8slinger]

If you don't have something nice or productive to say, keep it to yourself. It's called restraint, I refrain from contributing to conversations like that, here or other social sites.

[fishinwrench]

Yeah let's all just pretend to agree with each other all the time, and keep this place as phoney as possible.

Is that the kinda atmosphere that is desired ?

I like genuine people that speak their minds way more than I enjoy sneaky cutthroats. But that's just me.

[Terrierman]

No problem with honesty and disagreement. But one doesn't have to be nasty or mean about it is the point, I think.

[MOPanfisher]

Utopian concepts never work. There will always be someone who trolls, always be someone who over reacts, someone who resorts to name calling and or threats. The best thing is to not feed the trolls, some simply can't resist feeding them thinking they will win, you win these things by letting them die of their own insignificance.

[5bites]

No problem with honesty and disagreement. But one doesn't have to be nasty or mean about it is the point, I think.

Exactly. It's not the disagreeing. It's the fact that WE GET IT ALREADY. That dead horse is so beat now it's not even good for glue. I'm fine with disagreeing and discussing but provoking and bullying is not ok. If someone has a topic on there mind starting a topic is a good idea rather than wrecking someone else. Lastly don't feed the trolls. I get caught up in that myself.

[rps]

Yeah let's all just pretend to agree with each other all the time, and keep this place as phoney as possible.

Is that the kinda atmosphere that is desired ?

I like genuine people that speak their minds way more than I enjoy sneaky cutthroats. But that's just me.

I very carefully did not ask that everyone agree. I did not ask that anyone change their opinion. I fully intend to say when I disagree with someone's position. I was merely asking that all of us avoid using hateful terms in an attempt to shame or hurt. The best lawyers, and yes there are some very good men and women who practice law, always strongly assert their position but never engage in ad hominem attacks.