Forum Survivor Idea

[Cosmo]

Re: RE: Forum Survivor Idea

There was no shortage of right wing Christian bashing going on here, I step in and shoot back and you all have a problem with it? Could yall even be more hypocritical? I doubt it.

Hypocritical? Perhaps. But the overwhelming majority of opinions here are not supportive of right wing politics and religions. If you're going to jump into a forum whose basic philosophy is so divergent from your own, you ought to expect a few kicks in the pants.

It mystifies my why people go to forums or groups that hold views and opinions they find offensive. If there were a limited number of forums I would put a whole lot more effort into being more tolerant but there is any number of places you would find less confrontational. I am a non-christian lesbian with a secret affection for anarchy ... there is no way in hell you and I are going to agree on much. But I wouldn't drag my butt into a born again or a conservative forum.

Anyway, that's just how I see it ... and the numbers in the poll suggest I am not alone. My advice? Lighten up, big guy. It's just life and nobody gets out alive.

 

[merryclaire]

can somebody tell me what a troll is please?

 

[Reverend Blair]

A troll is somebody who posts things just to get a negative reaction. They often follow regular posters from thread to thread and sometimes board to board, often try to drag threads they don't like off-topic, make personal attacks without provocation.

Some are motivated by trying to silence any discussion that goes against their political stance. These aren't the people making points that may be contentious, but the people who have no point and do not have a supporting argument for their stance.

Others just like to start trouble. They get their jollies by starting a conflict. These kind of trolls often disappear when the trouble has started.

 

[Cosmo]

Re: RE: Forum Survivor Idea

can somebody tell me what a troll is please?

Merryclaire ... a troll is someone who joins a forum for the primary purpose of creating trouble. Trolls will seek out forums whose members predominantly hold opposing beliefs to their own, then argue in post after post with the regular forum folk.

It would be like me joining a homophobic right wing forum just to argue about same sex marriage. I don't understand why people do this, but there is something perverse wired into our natures that tempts us all to do so. What separates the trolls from the rest of us is their inability to control that impulse. They create all kinds of discord without contributing significantly to the quality of the forum.

I have seen forums destroyed by these vermin. Thankfully we have a strong core group, responsible owner and moderators and a disproportionate level of wit and good humour here. While now and then the trolls succeed in riling some of us up, generally they are treated like the nuisances they are.

There are members here whose opinions differ radically from my own and I find these people welcome additions. The debates are stimulating and thought provoking, free of character assassination and malevolent intent. If we all thought the same way, this would be a very boring place indeed so simply disagreeing does not make a person a troll. In my opinion, it comes down to intent.

My two cents worth.

 

[merryclaire]

thank you RB & Cosmo...i kept seeing that word from time to time and was wondering what it meant

 

[John]

What about freedom of speech?

 

[gerryh]

Re: RE: Forum Survivor Idea

What about freedom of speech?

freedom of speach is in direct proportion to how "agreeable" your speech is to the majority of any group. Boards that calim to be "free speech" boards are usually those that curtail free speech the most. If not the administration then the populous of that board.

 

[Cosmo]

Re: RE: Forum Survivor Idea

freedom of speach is in direct proportion to how "agreeable" your speech is to the majority of any group. Boards that calim to be "free speech" boards are usually those that curtail free speech the most. If not the administration then the populous of that board.

Exactly!!! Democracy rules. If you don't like the underlying sentiment of any one forum, toddle off to another more suited to your philosophies and tastes. Finally, Gerryh, someone gets it.

I don't think the issue is about free speech, but rather about a community of like-minded individuals enjoying the company of one another. I certainly don't agree with everything everyone says here, but thoroughly enjoy spirited discussion of our differences -- providing the discussion is more than a covert attempt to devalue or discredit my point of view. It's pretty easy to spot who is looking for conversation and who is looking for a fight, right Gerry?