What should we do about hostile posts/posters?
Use Ignore button on hostile poster - 22.7% - 10 votes
Everyone just abandon threads turning hostile - 25.0% - 11 votes
We make posts trying to calm things down - 2.3% - 1 votes
Mods do more warning/deleting/locking - 6.8% - 3 votes
Do nothing - 31.8% - 14 votes
Other (Explain in a post) - 11.4% - 5 votes
Buddy Blank
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2013
Posts : 2299
Posted 7/3/2013 7:51 AM (GMT -6)
Only real trolls I have ever seen here are bottom feeders offering cures for cancer that are obvious scams.
onthefence
Regular Member
Joined : Apr 2011
Posts : 121
Posted 7/3/2013 7:58 AM (GMT -6)
It's very easy to ignore without clicking the ignore button, just stop reading and move on. I voted do nothing, but it's pretty much the same as abandoning posts that turn hostile.
81GyGuy
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2012
Posts : 2960
Posted 7/3/2013 10:55 AM (GMT -6)
I started this thread because every now and then one of our listmembers says s/he will be leaving this list and not returning because the person feels that the level of posting incivility has reached an unacceptable level.
I was interested in getting a feel for how widespread this sentiment was among our listmembers in general, if we were really going to be losing people, and what, if anything, might be done about it, if we were to do anything at all.
The discussion has been as lively as I expected. And the poll results (so far) look pretty decisive: people can use their own individual judgments on how to handle "hostile" postings, if that's what they perceive them to be. There is no call for any particular course of action in particular. The mods need not become more involved than they already are, or take a more controlling role in this. And there is almost no call for listmembers making posts themselves to "calm things down."
In short, stay the present course and let us as individuals deal with this as we wish.
Some of the points made so far:
InTheShop – Don't feed the trolls.
quincy17 – More positive threads.
Casey59 – Use Ignore button.
gedman – Just leave abrasive threads.
F8 – "Threads like this stir things up and solve nothing." Fair enough.
Steven D, compiler – This forum's incivility level is nothing compared to some other threads. (!)
Great discussion so far.
dude1969
Regular Member
Joined : Jul 2011
Posts : 434
Posted 7/3/2013 11:39 AM (GMT -6)
Let the threads run their course, attacks and all. Mods shouldn't edit them either. Quickly lock the thread oand place it in a "Scarlett Letter"-type sticky folder at the top. Call it the "Scarlett Letter File." Call it whatever you might wish. But then you have, for all newcomers to see, the mean spirited, passively aggressive, actively aggressive posters with all their warts, personal agendas, cliques, and "enemies" in broad daylight, so to speak.
You're gonna act and talk like a d-bag, the evidence of your d-baggery is then there for all to see for ever. There won't be any denying it. Discerning newcomers will then quickly be able to determine the advocates, supporters, and a-holes. And most likely, the a-holes will shuffle off.
I would also be for removing the edit feature. It would hopefully make people think a bit more before posting.
I use the ignore button... in the meantime.
gunfighter
Veteran Member
Joined : Sep 2012
Posts : 1249
Posted 7/3/2013 8:55 PM (GMT -6)
Lieutenant,
Well, I voted to do nothing. My rationale is that with this disease and drugs used to treat it emotions can run very high. Many times we don't know that the member's family is in turmoil from illness of a spouse, loss of job, or other life changing experience..Forgive and forget is my belief. Our moderators can handle it if it gets way out of hand. Off Topic--but 1 can bench press hundreds of pounds and the other qualifies as "expert" with a Colt Gold Cup .45 auto pistol--neither of these gentlemen are "wuuses"-lol.
Bill
