rants and raves is not for sissies....

[Wheetsin 714]

It's important to keep in mind the types of personalities that help-based messageboards might attract. You also need to keep in mind that the dynamics of doing anything are completely different from doing it IRL.

Messageboards are like petri dishes for immaturity, codependence and passive aggression.

People can be very viscous online. If you think about it, these people probably aren't like this IRL. They'd get smacked down way too fast. Maybe they're looking for an "out" - a way to give them something their RL can't.

I'm reminded of a boss I had once. She was a rabid bulldog at work, took no prisoners. People were scared to be in meetings with her. We'd have people ask us to proof their emails to her, to make sure they wouldn't rub her the wrong way. I saw her at home once and she was the most submissive woman I had ever seen. Her husband completely ruled the roost, and he did it with an Iron fist, and she was there at his beckoning call. When I saw that picture of her home life, it was easy to understand why she was the way she was at work.

But, using these guesses to make cuts about someone's personal life, what they get out of being here, etc. is NOT the (IMO) most appropriate way to react. When people do that online, and I read it, I don't think -- YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT, S/HE SUCKS! I think - really? Is that the level of maturity we're dealing with here? You say you're how old? That's kind of sad.

I also think for too many people, maturity drops about 70% as soon as they create a handle. I see "people" claiming to be upwards of 30 years older than me doing and saying things that I would have considered immature when I was 12. (And I'm most certainly not the most mature person around... so that DOES say something). If someone on a messageboard managed to incite enough anger in me and hurt my pride enough that I really felt I needed to confront THEM (as opposed to their stance), I would do it in as close of a manner to IRL as possible: direct, person-to-person. But the me here is pretty much the IRL me, and that's not the case for lots of ppl out there. Online people tend to engage "smear tactics" such as starting threads to bash the person, whether the person is named, or the whole ordeal is disguised as some unnamed, unspecified event. I guess this is the IRL equivalent to telling your story to mutual acquiantances and seeking out the supporters.

The anonymity of the internet also empowers people in a different way. This is related to my anecdote of a former boss. On this board - and most boards I can think of - people have a tendency to push buttons incessantly. "Jabs"... it's easy when you can walk into a room, slap someone across the face, and then log off. Or ignore, or block, or claim "I'm leaving this thread" or any other virtual means of not having to own your actions. You can't walk into a room and slap me, and then just disappear, or make me & anything I do as a reaction be unseen/unheard... no, you have to face the consequences of your actions. You DON'T have to do that online, so people do a hell of a lot more provoking and prodding than they would ever think of doing IRL. Not so brave people are suddenly very brave when they have a handle to hide behind. But really - if you're going to pee in your bed, you'd better be willing to change the sheets, or you're just gonna be soppy and stinky in the morning.

All just IMO of course.

[Wheetsin 714]

Ah, forgive the misspells. I would go back and edit but there are way too many paragraph breaks to weed through.

[ELENATION 0]

Only if you are a fundie type deist that insists everyone think and believe as you do. In that case you'll be slam dunked and chewed on like a canine squeaky toy. However, a comparison of ideas and defending your stance is always welcome.

One of the most loved regulars there is deist.

well in that case I think Derrick will be tarred and feathered..... we all know how Derrick wants us all to think and be like him.... he may not admit it, but he is a little fundie at heart......hehehehe.....

[DerickM 1]

I am not sure it is possible to be a 'fundie' deist.

[ELENATION 0]

I am not sure it is possible to be a 'fundie' deist.

ya think? LOL!

well, I think that everything is possible..... so I'm watching you.....

[DerickM 1]

Staring Contest!!

[ELENATION 0]

Staring Contest!!

It's on!!!!!!!

[stacy73 2]

Laurend- LOL...I think you know why I posted this thread... no, I know, you know why I posted this--for crying out loud-I think someone in another thread called you a puppy??? ruff, ruff...snarl...bite..I never thought lbt would be so entertaining..

[anonemouse 1]

Laurend- LOL...I think you know why I posted this thread... no, I know, you know why I posted this--for crying out loud-I think someone in another thread called you a puppy??? ruff, ruff...snarl...bite..I never thought lbt would be so entertaining..

Oh, I know! It really is laughable, in a weird way. Pisses me off sometimes (and sometimes kinda scares me, when I think of the lengths people will go to), but then I just have to take a step back and laugh, especially when I consider how much it would piss them off.

[VegasBones 0]

"Debate however is fun, even when you roll in the mud. Guess that makes me a pig"

Mind if I borrow that?

[DerickM 1]

go ahead, but if you make it famous, I want the groupies.

[pippinje 0]

go ahead, but if you make it famous, I want the groupies.

LMAO :eek::D:D:D

[Wheetsin 714]

I dunno, dare I ask where your fingers have been?

[pippinje 0]

I dunno, dare I ask where your fingers have been?

Dare not! Dare not! :speechles

[losingjusme 12]

in light of recent conversations, i couldnt agree with you any more.