Whiny posters and threats of leaving

[_barrelomonkeys]

Well, a couple of things:

- I would endorse the idea that people need to "toughen up" because this is the internet, and it's not for the weak. If you are easily offended, don't go where you're likely going to be offended. If you don't want to be eaten, would you swim with sharks? It makes no sense to impose your own set of standards on a bunch of anonymous strangers. I don't understand how/why a person would be offended by something a stranger says anyway. Am I responsible for what other people say? No. Am I responsible for how I react to what other people say? Yes.

- I think people in North America (and especially in the US) are too easily offended in general. I believe this is one of the most litigious countries in the world simply because people are spoiled lazy children, and they expect everyone else to cater to their individual needs. This whole idea of political correctness and making sure we don't offend is symptomatic of a lack of importance placed on personal authenticity and responsibility. People just need to grow up rather than looking for opportunities to be offended so they can whine and bitch about it in hopes of garnering attention (like little kids do), or worse yet, sue. "I'm fat, so I'm going to sue McDonald's! It's certainly not my fault I eat like a moron!" Same phenomenon.

Or ex-Mos that spend years on bulletin boards discussing a Church that did something to them? Surely that is not whining. ;)

I agree Schmo! No more whining and bitching about such matters! All in favor say "Aye!"

[_Livingstone22]

Why is it that whenever people take offense to others in a forum designed to foster debate they threaten to leave and then (sometimes) leave? Also why do they usually end up returning?

Its a sign of maturity to be able to let criticism not affect someones behavior if it is not true criticism. Even if the criticism is true why do some (usually Mormon) posters who threaten to leave do this? Its my opinion its a childish way of garnering attention via whining, creating an atmosphere wherein the trumped up offenses of the target are turned into whipping boys. The lack of evidence for feel-good statements these people initiate are the catalyst for their flight after someone stands up and says "I'm offended". Yawn.

How do you feel?

I am so offended by your post. How dare you. I am leaving! Seriuosly, I threatened to leave MAD....and did. I have and will never go back.

[_Some Schmo]

Or ex-Mos that spend years on bulletin boards discussing a Church that did something to them? Surely that is not whining. ;)

I agree Schmo! No more whining and bitching about such matters! All in favor say "Aye!"

Whining is about style, not substance.

I'd be interested in an instance when you thought I was whining.

[_barrelomonkeys]

Or ex-Mos that spend years on bulletin boards discussing a Church that did something to them? Surely that is not whining. ;)

I agree Schmo! No more whining and bitching about such matters! All in favor say "Aye!"

Whining is about style, not substance.

I'd be interested in an instance when you thought I was whining.

I wasn't referring to you. Surely you weren't referring to me in your post.

Were you? ;)

Do I whine about offense? Or merely state my opinion?

Surely you are not offended by my disagreement with you over effective communication techniques?

[_Jersey Girl]

Merc

Why is it that whenever people take offense to others in a forum designed to foster debate they threaten to leave and then (sometimes) leave? Also why do they usually end up returning?

Because personal attack isn't debate. Sometimes people get their fill of it and decide they're "outta heah". When they cool down and get some perspective, they return.

Merc

Its a sign of maturity to be able to let criticism not affect someones behavior if it is not true criticism. Even if the criticism is true why do some (usually Mormon) posters who threaten to leave do this? Its my opinion its a childish way of garnering attention via whining, creating an atmosphere wherein the trumped up offenses of the target are turned into whipping boys. The lack of evidence for feel-good statements these people initiate are the catalyst for their flight after someone stands up and says "I'm offended". Yawn.

Well, I can think of a couple or three reasons.

1. Heat/Kitchen
2. Criticism becomes personal attack
3. They want to see if someone will support them

Which reminds me, on another board I was/am on (which could get a little cut throat), if someone created a new thread for the purpose of complaining about the interaction in an existing thread, they were almost driven off the board as a coward...sometimes they were driven off. In other words, no one felt sorry for them. They were considered people who couldn't hold their own.

Merc

How do you feel?

Well, currently I feel like smacking the crap out of you for creating this thread. Otherwise, I'm feeling great and thanks for asking!

Jersey Girl
;-)

[_Yoda]

How do you feel?

To be honest, I'm saddened by the turn of events that has seemed to happen as of late on the board.

One thing that drew me to Shades' board to begin with was that the majority of the people here were much more "down to earth" than the MAD crowd, and, more kind.

I have always suspected that I was too thin-skinned for these type of boards. I recognize that there are people behind the screens. I, probably mistakenly at times, form friendships and relationships with people based upon what they are typing on a computer screen.

I consider many of you my friends, so yes, if one of you said something to me that couldn't be resolved, at least in a private setting, I would be hurt, and might actually leave as well.

I just don't understand what's so wrong with making an effort to be civil. Even if you disagree with someone, you don't have to go into a personal attack. In my opinion, THAT is the coward's way out.

You will probably notice a drop in my participation in discussion on the board, at least for a while. I have some work commitments that are pressing. I will still do daily monitoring for Shades, and help from an administrative perspective.

Those of you who need to get in touch with me can PM or email me.

Sorry for derailing, Merc. ;)

[_Some Schmo]

Or ex-Mos that spend years on bulletin boards discussing a Church that did something to them? Surely that is not whining. ;)

I agree Schmo! No more whining and bitching about such matters! All in favor say "Aye!"

Whining is about style, not substance.

I'd be interested in an instance when you thought I was whining.

I wasn't referring to you. Surely you weren't referring to me in your post.

Were you? ;)

Do I whine about offense? Or merely state my opinion?

Surely you are not offended by my disagreement with you over effective communication techniques?

Nope, I wasn't referring to you. I'm pretty sure I've said before that I didn't consider you a whiner.

But given the context and nature of your comments, I thought you were accusing me of it. I wasn't offended; I was sincerely interested in any comments I may have made that you had interpreted as me whining, that's all.

[_Some Schmo]

How do you feel?

To be honest, I'm saddened by the turn of events that has seemed to happen as of late on the board.

One thing that drew me to Shades' board to begin with was that the majority of the people here were much more "down to earth" than the MAD crowd, and, more kind.

I have always suspected that I was too thin-skinned for these type of boards. I recognize that there are people behind the screens. I, probably mistakenly at times, form friendships and relationships with people based upon what they are typing on a computer screen.

I consider many of you my friends, so yes, if one of you said something to me that couldn't be resolved, at least in a private setting, I would be hurt, and might actually leave as well.

I just don't understand what's so wrong with making an effort to be civil. Even if you disagree with someone, you don't have to go into a personal attack. In my opinion, THAT is the coward's way out.

You will probably notice a drop in my participation in discussion on the board, at least for a while. I have some work commitments that are pressing. I will still do daily monitoring for Shades, and help from an administrative perspective.

Those of you who need to get in touch with me can PM or email me.

Sorry for derailing, Merc. ;)

I'm only civil with those that merit civility (like you).

I understand taking a break. I'd just never mention that I was doing it.

[_Mercury]

How do you feel?

To be honest, I'm saddened by the turn of events that has seemed to happen as of late on the board.

One thing that drew me to Shades' board to begin with was that the majority of the people here were much more "down to earth" than the MAD crowd, and, more kind.

I have always suspected that I was too thin-skinned for these type of boards. I recognize that there are people behind the screens. I, probably mistakenly at times, form friendships and relationships with people based upon what they are typing on a computer screen.

I consider many of you my friends, so yes, if one of you said something to me that couldn't be resolved, at least in a private setting, I would be hurt, and might actually leave as well.

I just don't understand what's so wrong with making an effort to be civil. Even if you disagree with someone, you don't have to go into a personal attack. In my opinion, THAT is the coward's way out.

You will probably notice a drop in my participation in discussion on the board, at least for a while. I have some work commitments that are pressing. I will still do daily monitoring for Shades, and help from an administrative perspective.

Those of you who need to get in touch with me can PM or email me.

Sorry for derailing, Merc. ;)

Very true. We all have lives outside the board.

I attempt to keep my discussion on topic. What one person sees as a personal attack the other side sees as a valid retort to silly arguments. Bringing in a recognising and calling out of pretense with conflicting opinions within the scope of discussion usually results in "offense".

No one should be subjected to unwarranted personal attack but sometimes you just gotta wipe the smug statements of percieved authority of matters off their faces.