Re-post: How to deal with trolls

teacher, I’ve been avoiding this, but your arguments with ReManG could have died much earlier. The famous last word syndrome. We all have to watch that, in trying to make our point, we don’t end up leading the argument or turning a discussion into something more agitated. It should stand to reason for any educated person anywhere, once you start calling someone names and calling them out in public, it’s all downhill from there.

Benchmade has a logo that says “Held to a higher standard.” I’ve always liked the thought of that, the very idea that perfection exists and is worthy of striving for. When you call yourself teacher, you’ve given yourself a moniker that carries some burdens… it’s expected of you to be exemplary in behavior as we expect all of our teacher’s to be. Under the microscope, as it were. So name calling and open forum arguing really make you look bad, especially with that name. Doesn’t help your case much that Gary is well known and widely liked around these parts.

I’m not meaning to single you out, per se, but this example is one we can all easily fall prey to. It’s the bane of social behavior, the need to prove oneself righteous and worthy.

Many these days would apologize up front for any unintended offense, I won’t do that, as I am merely calling it like I see it. I think we can all agree, open forum arguments are completely worthless to any productive effort.

I know I’m long winded, and for that I do apologize, but I’ve always felt a complete explanation helps further a deeper understanding. That said, I’m here so much because I have a physical disability in the name of a Conversion Disorder. Stress or even cold causes me to have muscle spasms, very often excruciatingly intense ones. This has been going on for nearly 16 years. In being here, and working on lights, there is a focus and a certain avoidance of issues that is relaxing. I have found that there are many here suffering something, some with very severe issues. So it might pay to consider that a great many people with the time to be on any forum are going through a lot in their lives, suffice it to say they’re not at their best all of the time. Once some of that is taken into consideration, it may be easier to be patient with what someone says, or how they said it, or that they even said it at all.

Keeping it civil is sometimes difficult to do, what is Civil in Bangladesh, as compared to Alabama, USA? We’re a world wide family, it takes a bit more compassion than normal to keep it peaceful sometimes.

While for me, this quote is religious, it can apply to anyone anywhere… “As is the strength of thy conviction, so shall be thy salvation.” Let’s all have conviction in doing right, be strong in that commitment, and continue trying to make the world a brighter place, for the benefit of our children and their children. :wink:

2021 and beyond. We shall see.

thats awesome!

I struggle with last word syndrome myself. There are members I hold in highest regard not because of what they say but what they don’t say or how they refrain from getting sucked in, you simply don’t ever see them participate in that kind of verbal sparring. I think this is the ideal that SB would like us to strive for. However, most(many?) of the rest of us want to be seen as “telling it like it is”, sometimes hoping to correct a misunderstanding but often with just an edge of “I’m right and I’m sure of it”. It’s when I’m most certain I’m right that I’m most likely to err in how I try to be convincing. It goes downhill from there when insults are added to somehow strengthen an arguement. This doesn’t work too well so if you really are trying to be convincing then avoiding that descent is a must. By now we’ve reached the threshold where threads can get locked, warnings issued, and possibly bans as well, it’s not very far away and is easy to reach. All it takes is thinking you’re right. Showing restraint is harder but is the goal.

Very true sir! :+1: :+1:

Exactly! very well expressed.

:+1: ……. Well said Dale.

Teacher, you have edited what Dale said because you did not like what he said, so that you could "agree" with some of it, & as per usual you must have the last word.

Practice as you preach.

Best Regards,

George

Edit:

Highlighted some more relevant words that teacher left out.

i vote for a “thats a trollpost!” button besides the “mark as spam”
(an explanation should be mandatory to send)

if a certain number of users click that button the post gets hidden - only a “post was marked as not useful - click if you want to read” message will appear then
(the information is not lost)
the post may not be edited then as long as the admin approves the post on request (when the author does request that)

so a user who gets marked can think about why he offends the other members
he can learn and change his style
if he does not want to change he might see he does not fit

on the other hand if one “angry guy” used that function a lot, but all the posts stay he can see (and so does the admin) that his opinion is a minority he might let it go for the greater good

.

am i naive?

You had to put your .02 in didn’t you keengeorge? A very appropriate thread for it too I might add.

I quoted what I agreed with… so as to avoid additional comment…… simple as that.
Your actions do nothing more than stir the pot once again.

The truth is if either ReManG or I either one had displayed the institutional fortitude our “argument” could have died much sooner than it did. Unfortunately neither one of us displayed that trait.
ReManG gave as good as he got. I gave as good as I got. We were both childish… that is a two way street however.

So what is the point in your post keengeorge??? Please enlighten me and anyone else who might wish to know.

WOW Chill out teacher!

I do not take any offense to what ReManG says its just the way he is I guess he likes to say his words. Same goes with Dale but once again nothing offensive is said! Some times its hard on a forum with people from different places one thing we might accept they may not. Also the Australian sense of humor is very different! I call my best mate a D*ckhead and he does the same to me no offense is taken!

But Its one thing to say your words and another to personally attack some one. Or to Single people out for not agreeing with you!

This is all just growing pains really, when the forum was smaller it was easier to self moderate. We’ve grown a lot, quickly, and it’s taking some time to settle down.

Nobody has to put up with any of it, honestly, any one of us is free to not open a thread, not address a statement we don’t like, or simply not log in at all.

By coming out in the “open” with some things, it may very well help the forum family find a happy medium, that’s all.

One things for certain, all the bickering and drama is not relaxing, regardless of where it’s coming from or who started it.

I am completely lost at whatever your point is mate?? I’m serious……. :slight_smile:
Why would you assume I am not “chilled out”??? :slight_smile:
:person_facepalming:

Keengeorge said his words just leave it. He wasn’t attacking you he was asking a question.

Rebuke a wise man and he will be wiser, correct a fool and he will be your enemy.

CRX, 4th one from the right, me LIKEY! :heart_eyes:

Graphitized Trustfire Mini 02 triple XP-L HI :wink:

Taking a cue from RacoonCity…lol

ETA: If that’s out of line someone PM me.

I’ve got a problem with that big box of Snickers on the screen…
No matter how I shake my monitor none will fall out on my desk! :stuck_out_tongue:

That popcorn button could have gotten quite the workout of late, been plenty of appropriate places for it unfortunately!

LOL! Shake Harder!

Joking aside, if we ever exchange anything by mail, I’ll be sure to include one in the box.

On a trip to Central America once, got hooked on white chocolate covered coffee beans. Sounds gross but they’re delicious and I’m not even a big chocolate or coffee fan. They only ship them certain times of the year though because the heat melts them into a blob while on its way to its destination. Now that I’m reminded I’m going to be wanting some all summer!