Shift to the Dark Side (personal attacks)

[Jere]

I have been on this board for quite a while. It seems that periodically we experience a series of guest posts which cross the line and start attacking people as sport. Unfortunately, one of the side effect of this juvenile behavior is that long-time, helpful posters will quit the board in frustration. I hope we are not entering such a cycle, but I am seeing signs of an increase in mean-spirited guest posts. I don't have a position on whether or not guests posts should be permitted (there are good arguments on both sides that have been debated ad nasuem), but I feel a shift in the force toward the dark side and I fear the loss of the human resources that make this board so special for all of us.

[curtcurt46]

Boy do i agree and I am really new to the forum.
curtcurt46

[Moogy]

Personally, I don't worry too much when GUESTS post mean attacks. The obnoxious jerks on this board, while a pain, are fewer and less nasty than those found many other places on the internet.

However, I REALLY stress out when I see regulars start throwing flames. Fortunately, that hasn't happened for a while now .

Moogy

[Vader]

I feel a shift in the force toward the dark side...

hEY, HEY, HEY!!!

What have you got against the dark side?

But seriously, personal attacks are really bad--but you must always remember
the ancient Jedi wisdom :

"DON'T FEED THE TROLLS!"

[Guest]

I have been on this board for quite a while. It seems that periodically we experience a series of guest posts which cross the line and start attacking people as sport. Unfortunately, one of the side effect of this juvenile behavior is that long-time, helpful posters will quit the board in frustration. I hope we are not entering such a cycle, but I am seeing signs of an increase in mean-spirited guest posts. I don't have a position on whether or not guests posts should be permitted (there are good arguments on both sides that have been debated ad nasuem), but I feel a shift in the force toward the dark side and I fear the loss of the human resources that make this board so special for all of us.

No need to pick on Vader like that, he didn't do anything.

your reaction in this and other posts reminds me of the story of ole Puss-eye Bob. How he got that name and the glass eye are another story so I won't bore you with the details.

anyway we were all in the break room one day for lunch, ole Bob was at the other end of the table having his lunch, we finished up and were having coffee when one of the other guys starts whistling at a low constant rate like a dog whistle, we look over at Bob he's now messing with his hearing aid cranking on the volume or something. He takes it off starts looking at it all confused, puts it back on adjusts some more, the guy starts whistling again, next thing we know ole puss-eye Bob takes off the hearing aid starts banging it on the table!! damn thing just won't work he says! next thing we know it goes flying across the room bouncing off the wall.

moral of that story, break was over.

[Bookbear]

Yes...my first response was "Who peed in their cornflakes?"

My second response was "See? An excellent reason to bar guests from posting"

[snork1]

I figured I didn't need the attacks. I have enough negativity I can't avoid in my life, why put up with volunteering to be attacked.

I just left.

I do a quick scan of topics regularly, but I rarely bother to contribute anymore and put up with the flak.

[Offerocker]

I figured I didn't need the attacks. I have enough negativity I can't avoid in my life, why put up with volunteering to be attacked.

I couldn't have said it better myself, and I'm glad that you did!
We do NOT need any PERSONAL attacks here.

Take it to PM!

I just left.

I've thought about it, but need this forum and 99% of the people here - they're my friends.

But I sometimes "leave" by removing my posts, yes, just because I was 'guested'. If we are as intelligent as we'd like to think we are, why then cannot we Private Message someone with that controversial comment?

It IS difficult to ignore slamming; I had it big-time today - guess it was my turn.

I do a quick scan of topics regularly, but I rarely bother to contribute anymore and put up with the flak.

I think there are an increasing number of us who feel that way and DON'T contribute due to the flak/slamming/BAD MANNERS, etc.

Snork1 will be back, although we may not BENEFIT from his 'return', sadly.

[cwsanfor]

I just left.

I really hate to contribute to this thread, but I think Snork just hit the problem. Although there have been very significant contributors who have apparently needed to enter this forum as guests originally, and I recognize the legitimate need of some people (such as employees of some companies or persons with obligations to other forums, or fora, to use the stilted variation) to post anonymously, if this nonsense continues, I suggest the Goodmans should consider the need to sacrifice the benefits of anonymity for a lower signal to noise ratio. But that's a whole other flame war. Sigh.

[NyNurse33]

I for one would love not to bother others on here with negative energy, but would also love to take things to PM to those particular rude people and give it right back to them...but you can't PM guests. It is quite amusing how these imbosoles manage to suck me in...its almost as addicting as cpap, but not as satisfying.

[birdshell]

I personally feel a responsibility to help the newbies as I was helped. Yes, they ask many of the same questions that have been answered over and over. It is still a VERY important time for them and as we see our newbies improve and blossom into regulars--that strengthens the xPAP community.

When there is a flame attack, it makes me want to be the fireman. It takes a pretty small person to cut someone else down in order to feel superior.

In caring for this forum and its members, we need to remember that more of us who share our knowledge makes a stronger and more valuable forum. Part of that sharing is maintaining a standard for contributions, and supporting each other.

Is it worth being flamed? Each member has to make a decision for him- or herself. I hate to see Forum Folk such as Snork limiting participation due to flaming. It would probably hurt me very much to be flamed, but I hope that the value of the forum and the contributions of so many great people would bring me back.

Isn't support what the forum is all about? Supporting flamed members (even if one believes their opinion to be wrong) is part of that.

Surely we may agree to disagree in a fair and balanced discussion. I thought that was the underlying concept for the term, "forum."

[Jere]

hEY, HEY, HEY!!!

What have you got against the dark side?



"DON'T FEED THE TROLLS!"

Sorry, Vader! I'll come up with a more original metaphor next time. Besides, we all know that the beneath that funky hat your are one righteous dude

J

[birdshell]

Here in Michigan all residents of the Lower Peninsula are called "Trolls"--because we live 'under' (south of) the Mackinac Bridge.

BTW, Upper Peninsula residents are "Yoopers," derived from 'UP'ers.

[Jere]

reminds me of the story of ole Puss-eye Bob.

Drat - now I will spend the entire weekend trying to figure out how that story relates to my post.
.

[whatrdreamsmadeof]

I so agree with Jere, some of us have had and continue to have an abundance of problems with this treatment, I've been told "You just have too may Issues" So I PM those who are very supportive on the forum and you know who you are, Laura, Chuck, Jim, Roberto and many others, Some get sucked in as melissa said others of us with thinner skin stay away, but I hope those of us who do PM the great folks here that are more than willing to help...God bless them they keep us compliant and Keepin on!!