TROLL ALERT! - IF YOU ARE BORED HERE IS YOUR CHANCE TO TROLL

[DoriC]

I think that it's precisely because we're having discussions where we can't "see and hear" each other's voices(and our smiles) that we need to be extra thoughtful with the words we write and how we present an opposite point of view so that it does not "sound" rude or dismissive or outright cruel. I get the feeling that if we were to meet face-to-face with some of our more "edgy" and yes, sometimes insulting, posters, we would have a completely different dialogue. I wonder if hiding behind the screen takes away their inhibitions and they feel free to speak in a way that they know is socially unacceptable but they feel safe and powerful in doing it here to see what they can stir up. Just my thoughts. BTW, one more thing while I'm at it, some of these "inside jokes" and hints about these "alternates" makes me feel as though I'm not exactly part of this great forum. It's not a good feeling.

SleepingUgly wrote:
Part of my issue with the alter identities is this... Even though I've never laid eyes on you, I still have come to feel that I know you and have a relationship with you. Here, even more than in real life, it is easy to present yourself the way you want others to see you. The implicit understanding is that the image you project is not based on deception. My expectation is that, while someone may put their best foot forward, they don't do so under one identity, reaping the benefits of my favorable regard, and simultaneously are cruel to people under some other identity that I don't associate with them. That feels to me like being duped and deceived.

I wrote my own little piece on one of the earlier pages but SU got to the heart of the matter. On the internet it really is a leap of faith to believe you've come to know and care for someone on a forum, and then start to have doubts about those instincts. So this OT turns out to be a good thing if it brings us back to the point where we can participate in our usual lively debates with mutual trust and respect. I don't think I've misjudged any of you.

[Who Knows]

What has not happened here

Generally when admonishing ones behavior they are told what exactly what was done wrong.

After you quote the specific example here perhaps you will share why you feel exempt and why you exempt others who behave the same way.

If you are not Johnny's alter id please share who appointed you?

I suspect the original poster is an alter id. Are you the original poster and hurt?

Who can count the total number of alters who posted here? And now you are attracting rubber neckers.

And who will blame who for putting all these ids into the categories they originally opposed?

Who is happier now?

[brain_cloud]

what do they call that when animals eat their own thats what it looks like here

I'm sure you have MANY questions as a newcomer here---about apnea and its treatment. I would encourage you to participate in the other threads and ask the helpful posters there how to fine tune your therapy!

I would encourage that you and the other newcomers not bother with this thread. Lately we have been focusing on regular members who take out additional user accounts to take snide swipes at other members. I mistakenly thought that was cowardly at first. However, reading through the recent posts in this thread I have learned:

1) It’s not really cowardly to reserve a second identity for harsh/antagonistic posts
2) There’s really no difference between taking considerable measures to fool people with a second identity since the primary identity is just as anonymous, and
3) To even DISCUSS the increasing popularity of posters shielding their primary identities behind harsh second identities is what's REALLY cowardly and judgmental

What an epiphany!

And while we are on the subject of not being cowardly, who here will admit to having a man-crush on -SWS? Show of hands.

If -SWS were to ask me to marry him, I would have to think long and hard about whether my purported heterosexuality is really something to make a big to-do over.

[SleepingUgly]

And while we are on the subject of not being cowardly, who here will admit to having a man-crush on -SWS? Show of hands.

If -SWS were to ask me to marry him, I would have to think long and hard about whether my purported heterosexuality is really something to make a big to-do over.

Brain_Cloud, I think you are the only one brave enough to admit it, which is one of the things I like about you.

[Jaylee]

And while we are on the subject of not being cowardly, who here will admit to having a man-crush on -SWS? Show of hands.

If -SWS were to ask me to marry him, I would have to think long and hard about whether my purported heterosexuality is really something to make a big to-do over.

It's the vocabulary.

[LoQ]

Ok I really haven't bothered to read the last bazillion pages of this thread....

I was wondering when the big blue boob would weigh in. At least that's what your avatar always looks like to me. I'm sure YOU are not actually a big blue boob.

[kteague]

Avoiding sleep tonight, as well as the other things I could have been accomplishing. Now that I've read all 21 pages I'm thinking of the dishes that could have been done. Seems about everything's been covered except, JNK, what's it gonna take to bring back the guitar guy avatar that I associated with our resident kind-hearted poetic musician? Please tell me it (and he) are not forever lost to us.

And Brain_Cloud, your assessment of the wisdom in squaring off with DoriC gave me the best laugh I've had in a while.

Think I might sleep now.

Kathy

[ozij]

what do they call that when animals eat their own thats what it looks like here

I'm sure you have MANY questions as a newcomer here---about apnea and its treatment. I would encourage you to participate in the other threads and ask the helpful posters there how to fine tune your therapy!

I would encourage that you and the other newcomers not bother with this thread. Lately we have been focusing on regular members who take out additional user accounts to take snide swipes at other members. I mistakenly thought that was cowardly at first. However, reading through the recent posts in this thread I have learned:

1) It’s not really cowardly to reserve a second identity for harsh/antagonistic posts
2) There’s really no difference between taking considerable measures to fool people with a second identity since the primary identity is just as anonymous, and
3) To even DISCUSS the increasing popularity of posters shielding their primary identities behind harsh second identities is what's REALLY cowardly and judgmental

What an epiphany!

And while we are on the subject of not being cowardly, who here will admit to having a man-crush on -SWS? Show of hands.

If -SWS were to ask me to marry him, I would have to think long and hard about whether my purported heterosexuality is really something to make a big to-do over.

Amen.

[ozij]

Seems about everything's been covered except, JNK, what's it gonna take to bring back the guitar guy avatar that I associated with our resident kind-hearted poetic musician? Please tell me it (and he) are not forever lost to us.

Kathy

Would you trust him if he did?

[NotMuffy]

Lately we have been focusing on regular members who take out additional user accounts to take snide swipes at other members. I mistakenly thought that was cowardly at first. However, reading through the recent posts in this thread I have learned:

1) It’s not really cowardly to reserve a second identity for harsh/antagonistic posts
2) There’s really no difference between taking considerable measures to fool people with a second identity since the primary identity is just as anonymous, and
3) To even DISCUSS the increasing popularity of posters shielding their primary identities behind harsh second identities is what's REALLY cowardly and judgmental

What an epiphany!

In addition, consider simply Giving The People What They Want.

As usual, this thread grew exponentially (100 posts and 1000 views in less than 24 hours).

43 different posters weighing in.

OK, maybe not "different".

The practical solution would be twofold:

1. Once one sees the nature of a thread developing, if they find the subject matter objectionable, don't read it (HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!)
2. Most to all forum characters (even the secondary ones) tend to keep their personality traits consistent, so simply putting those that one doesn't care for on their "Foes" list should solve most of their issues.

For instance, while all SAG characters have one trait in common (they're all chiliaphobes), NotMuffy has Tourette's-level patience, about the same level of appropriateness (although she thinks it's more like "Satirical Humor") and generally DGAF.

NM

[rosiefrosie]

I have been following this thread from the beginning and have even posted to it a few times. It has had many twists, turns, surprises and has been very interesting. It has left me feeling as if I did indeed fall off that banana boat yesterday. I am confused and don't know who is who anymore. I need something for this headache too. So my question is could someone enlighten me to who is who and who is not?

I have to agree with Mars (and whoever else you are) that the original OP may be a regular poster out to start something and have some fun. I think he has accomplished his/her goal.

rosie

[NotMuffy]

I have one more suggestion.

Unless you were directly involved in a "Shooting War" in defense of your country everyone should STFU with the cowardice crap.

[NotMuffy]

I have one more suggestion.

Unless you were directly involved in a "Shooting War" in defense of your country everyone should STFU with the cowardice crap.

It has been brought to my attention that although it seems like we've been shooting at somebody or another forever, that is not the case (things were pretty cool from 1817 to 1825, AKA the "Era of Good Feelings", for example).

Permission to use the word "coward" and it's derivatives is hereby extended to anyone with an active military ID or a DD214.

[NotMuffy]

I have one more suggestion.

Unless you were directly involved in a "Shooting War" in defense of your country everyone should STFU with the cowardice crap.

It has been brought to my attention that although it seems like we've been shooting at somebody or another forever, that is not the case (things were pretty cool from 1817 to 1825, AKA the "Era of Good Feelings", for example).

Permission to use the word "coward" and it's derivatives is hereby extended to anyone with an active military ID or a DD214.

It has been asked if it's OK to refer to oneself as a coward (literally or figuratively).

I think that's OK, too.

[ozij]

And while we are on the subject of not being cowardly, who here will admit to having a man-crush on -SWS? Show of hands.

If -SWS were to ask me to marry him, I would have to think long and hard about whether my purported heterosexuality is really something to make a big to-do over.

Brain_Cloud, I think you are the only one brave enough to admit it, which is one of the things I like about you.

I apologize to the entire board for my betrayal of the entire community's trust and my failing to remain who I never said I was. I leave my fate in DoriC's hands.

There is no such thing as "the entire board" or "the entire community".

Your "fate" (whoever you are...) is actually in the hands of each and every human being who believed the "jnk" identity when you made it say it had to take a break from posting because it was ill; every human being who did not realize that the human being who made that statement in "jnk"'s name was posting again as "who" within a few days, while turning off "jnk"'s PM's. It is in the hands of each an every person who thought of "jnk" as a living human being, and wondered how that person was doing.

Your "fate" is also in the hands of those who saw "jnk" ask about DreamStalker when he returned to post under his "jnk" identity, not realizing that "who" had been an active participant in the very discussion in which DreamStalker anounced his move to the Land of Lurk.

DoriC is but one member of the forum. -- in the imaginary world of play created by yourself, carbonman and you are unruly children and you appointed DoriC as your teacher. That's fine, and that's fun. But it's an imaginary game. And "you" the person behind the "jnk" identity are clearly still playing the game.

Yes, this is the internet. Yes, one can play unlimited imaginary games on the internet. However, one can strive for integrity and honesty anywhere -- even on internet forums. This has nothing to do with what people say about themselves, and everything to to with how they choose to behave.

I liked SU's response because it was an excellent statement of the rules of the game that some of us play by.

Maybe the follwing information may be helpful to you, the person behind the "jnk" identity:

I - an individual who often interacted with the "jnk" identity, who care about other people even if the only ascpect I know of them is the one they reveal in a limited identity on an internet forum, in my name only and not representing anyone else on the forum, hereby state that I accept "jnk"'s apology in the spirit it was given: as simply another move of a puppet master in a show run for his own pleasure.



O.