Category: the Rant Board
So, as I have had it pointed out to me, I antagonize the community as a whole on here. This is ironic because I am the one who gets grief from a select few. Being a sensative person, it hurt my feelings to hear this said to me, but I'm a grown up, so I apalogize to any Zoner I have antaganized. It was never my intention to do so. Mostly I joke and I think people just don't get my sense of humor. I can't apalogize for that. Just know I will try to do better.
That being said, I have to say this: This place has gotten so bad it isn't funny anymore. People have left this community due to bullying and harassment. I think the Admins need to do something about it, such as listening to the CL's when they tell them things for starters. There is no reason for this. I guess it just makes some people feel good about themselves to judge and ridicule people they really know nothing about. Sure, it shouldn't bother us to have nasty things said about us from strangers, but it does. Nobody likes to be bullied.
I'm sure I'll get plenty of negativity about this post, but it needs said. I realize I'm far from perfect, so please try to refrain from pointing that out here. Maybe if others could post the things that have happened to them here and their opinions about the bullying on this site, maybe somebody who can do something about it will read it.
Thanks.
I must respectfully disagree with your post. Yes, people are treated here by certain members in a blunt manner that may not be wholly polite, but the terms of service, at least previously when almost all of the humorous remarks remained, says "We are not your babysitters". The zone restricts access to those who are old enough, under the CAPA, to read this information. No where in the terms of service is any phrase similar to "If someone speaks to you in a manner you find rude, that user must face stiff consequences." Theoretically, this is a sight of adults, who are capable of dealing with any undesirable behavior. There is an ignore feature, several layers of blocking features, and a feature to report posts if they actually contain truly offensive or spammy material. Why aren't these enough?
wholeheartedly agree with the last poster. this site is really no worse than it was for years. Same crap, different users. Come on, people. That's like those who keep saying the world is going to end... today, tomorrow, next week, next... you get my drift.
If you play the part of the victim, you'll be victimized. it's simple as that. because the world a s a whole is not a pretty rainbow, no matter how much we'd all like to think it is. It's great when peopel are nice, and kind, but there are blunt people everywhere. the zone, the world, facebook, the bar around the corner from your shack or penthouse. The truth is, the zone is patroned by many people with diverse issues. Some are bulied, some come on here to feel good about being better than others. It's not right, but it's true. I think there's no way to weed those out. Then there are those who come on here to seek attention, whether as a victim, as a clown, as a superior being, whatever have you. Those people will always be here too. Just like in any other community, people leave, and people come back. Some are here to stay no matter what. Let's all be grown ups here. This includes, stop bullying for the sake of bullying, and stop crying boohoo for the sake of being heard. I know what I say will probably make very little difference in how people interact with each other on here, but hopefuly someone somewhre gets the message.
Bill of non-rights article four, "You do not have the right to not be offended".
It's not the zone, I'm afraid, but some of the people within it. This is a site for all sorts, and thus, all sorts will come. Unfortunately thanks to internet ananimity, and a relaxing of what is considered acceptable behavior, people often say stupid things they might not say were they in person. Of course some of them would, even in person. People say things like "I'm blunt", "I say what I think, and if people don't like it, don't listen, grow up, nut up etc." or they pull the freedom of speech card. Yep, we all have freedom to express ourselves. Doesn't give us all the rite to act like douchebags. As for people who don't get our humor, there's a term in psychology called "social monetoring. It refers to being aware enough of one's surroundings to modify one's behavior when the situation calls for it. It helps against social awkwardness. Flop-ear, that was not directed at you, but a generalization. (I know you mentioned people don't always get yours, so I wanted to clear that up.) Most of the people I've encountered here who fall under some of these banners have what appears to be an uncontrolable urge to start arguments, or drama, or even debates for the simple purpose of fueling contention.
Unfortunately, when you start stripping away freedoms - even the freedoms of people like that, it opens up a whole new can of worms. Every social setting has riff-raff, and here, like with everywhere else, all I think we can really do is filter out the wheat from the chaff, and attempt to associate on a more one-on-one setting.
floppes, you tortillia eatting fajita stealing blind cane swinging high healing wearing pre ejaculatting nut meg smelling snail eatting burger spanking humor gurroue indian stripp minnng pillow princess vibrator using one nut seeking blind fucker. what up?who messing with you? tell me. ill find them. anal probe them. finger masterbrat them. and put them on a bus for you. cost? one tortillia!
It's the bullying, complaints of bullying, drama, silliness, etc. that keep me paying for a premium membership every year so I can use the invisible feature and come on here to read the boards and play games without being bothered. Every once in awhile I get really bored and come on here and turn public quicknotes on and let myself be seen, but I never stay that way for long because the lack of intelligent conversation gets on my nerves pretty quickly.
Poster 6, wow, that was profound. Not.
Gizmo, I knew you'd ride to my rescue you Beetle beating, thorn wacking, whiskey guzzling, bird burping son of Saquajawia!
Yes, I am not taking any post personally. I asked people not to use this as an excuse to bash me and to just give their honest opinion. So far, you have all respected that. Thank you. I know not everybody would agree with me, that is fine. Respectful giving of one's opinion to another is mature and honest. No harm there.
Just wish it could be like it used to be, laid back, relaxed, fun. Actually, I went to public school and was accepted by the sighted world pretty willingly, not that I never got the usual shit, we all did.
I am now finding Ignore to be my friend more and more. Just easier not to read the hatred and childishness that way I can't get hurt and react.
Shame, I have a premium and I can't even enjoy the site anymore like I used to because of a few close minded and judgemental people. It's okay, I will not pay for another premium. I also will continue to use my ignore feature. However, I have noticed less users logged in more and more. Wonder if the behavior on here has something to do with that?
I've noticed fewer people logging in in recent months and years too. I think it might just be a matter of people moving on, growing up and beyond what this site offers, etc. And of course, there are people like me who still come on and stay invisible most of the time because we don't wish to participate in the drama and prefer playing games to chatting with idiots. The people who used to be fun to talk to are either dead or have grown tired of this site.
I personally don't even know what you are talking about Floppy. I've not seen you be mean to anyone. I have seen you or others say things about you, but other then that I'm lost.
I am maybe to thick skinned, but I'm not even sure about the bullying, so maybe that takes place on the VT servers?
I see some people say rude things on the boards on topics, but if that is ignored, and the person continues to discuss the subject in a discussion manner, the other person must do so too, or stop posting to that topic.
Real Wayne, bullying happens on tt, and on Publics. Somebody comes on and makes a perfectly normal statement or makes a common mistake. Then, the usual group gangs up and belittles and harasses them. It is ridiculous for a bunch of adults to act this way. There is a difference between childlike fun and childish behaviour. Its made me take a good, long look at who and what is important.
Should the ribbing or whatever be thought of as bullying, or just silliness?
I will agree that bullying does happen on here. However, Floppy, I disagree that it's worse than it used to be. It's a different group of users doing it, but I've been on the Zone since 2006, and it happened back then, too.
Anybody can interpret something as bullying or offensive, but what is one person's grief is another's reward. If you don't give the people a reason to bully you, they can't do it. They will try to by any means that they can, but what fun would it be to continuously poke at someone who doesn't react? It'd get boring to them after a while and they'll go away.
if you had a genuine opinion of someone, based on fact and reason. then expressed this badly and maybe was a dick about it, is that bullying or just giving an abusive opinion?
whether you like the opinion anyone has of you or if you disagree, as we all know everyone is very much entitled to one. People don't always express feelings and opinions in the greatest way at the best of times, sometimes they might as I said be a prick about it just for your reactions.
Take it easy floppy. We are in the zone where there is no any restrictions. So me like kindargardens, you like angels, and lutherk like saints will appear all the time. Be mingled with the type of people you like. Ignore the rest, I say.
Raaj.
To me, the answer is pretty simple. If you don't like the people on the site and if they seem overly mean, that doesn't mean you have to stay and subject yourself to that type of behavior. If you do choose to stay, though, I think the others are correct here. Simply put those folks bothering you on ignore and the problems will go away. Now, if folks do things to circumvent the ignore system, then that's when the admins or cl's need to be notified. Also turning off public quicknotes is an option. This way you can read the boards or play games and not be subjected to the mean behavior of a few, and you can send pqn's to those you do like to talk to. So there are solutions here.
LOL Raajy, I know. Just seems people could grow up. That is my biggest point.
Beer Drinker, I know, I'm finding ignore to be a very useful tool but you know there are people who don't even think we should have that feature? I think if there is "freedom of speech" there ought to be an ignore button since there is also freedom to not listen to those who are totally dicks.
LOL i love the ignore feature. It's saved my sanity. I wish we didn't have the need for it, but so it goes...
I've removed it from my quick options. I just have to see what they're saying. Lol. Sick? Maybe, but.... Smile.
I agree that a lot of what goes on in publics is disheartening. I hardly ever show up in public quicknotes because I have never been able to linger long; sometimes the conversation is intelligent and entertaining, and people can be enormously helpful if you ask. However, I have watched a couple of instances where someone would make a small mistake and prompt a dog pile of people wanting to tear them to pieces. That said, this is a site which strives to keep the restrictions to a minimum while providing features for those who've had enough. People certainly could grow up a little, there's no denying that, but restricting peoples' freedom of speech raises many more issues. How do we decide what is acceptable behaviour and what isn't, after all?
exactly, what is right and kind in 1 culture could be seem as sickly and fake in another. perceptions people and common sense is the guidelines to life.
:), hmm.. my few thoughts on this topic, 1. when a person joins a public form such as this place be ready for anything tossed at them or please do not come here at all. Second, read the guide lines before signing up to a place such as here, it will help you keep your eyes open for the crap that does fly so you can use features like ignore to keep your sanity. Just my thoughts for the time beeing. Heck, if I let some of the stuff said about me prier to this post or going to be said, get to me I would go crazy lol.
i agree that bullying and that do happen on this site. However, it is also up to individuals to control it. Adult should act like an adult, but often, adults on this site are the one who make judgement, bias, and all sort of accusations.
However, by saying that, i think, one should also ask the question, why they are the target. This could be some things, actions, caractors or personalities of oneself may need to be reconsider and rethink.
My 0.2 sense, if you don't want to be judge, don't open the flud gate for others to judge you. e.g., don't talk about stuff that you will regret, don't share stuff that you know it is not socially acceptable, be sensative and respectable to your own and others, emotionally, psychologically, and physically, dare i say, your sex life, too.
If however, you talk about things that to gain popularity, or to make you stand out, and when people judge you according to what you have said, then, perhaps, is time to consider and think about why, such judgement is on you.
Ignore em I say!LOL.
Really, I say it is a bunch of strangers and I don't intend to meet them. Those who talk rubbish should be ignored. Those who are bright, open minded and fun should come for a good time, laughs and the like.
I believe those who have fun at the expense of others really ought to take a look at themselves and what that says about them.
If you really didnt' care about what people think of you because you'll never meet them and so on, with all due respect, I think you never would have posted this board topic. I urge you, iwhtou any attack of defamation twoard you because I dont' know you well, to consider which side you're on. Do you want to come on here and create a rebelious personality for yourself as a secondary outlet to yoru real life, or do you want to refrain from being a target for judgment. You cant' have it both ways, I afraid. This is one of those things where, you cant' have the cake and eat it too. Humans nautrally judge each other when actions, moral stances and character traits are questionable. This is true for the blind community as well as all humankind. If you want to create an alternate personality for yourself on here, please dont' complain when people scrutinize you for it, and please dont' tell us that we dont' really knwo you so we shouldnt' judge. We only know what we're being told. You control what is said about you, therefore. So sensor yourself if you want to stay out of the spotlight, or else deal with the scrutiny with a grain of salt.
The people who do it are well aware of it. The fact that they get someone to react is what makes them feel better. They do not care what people think about it or what other people think about them. This is one thing you can try and convince to people that it is not right and it should be stopped, but no matter what it will still go on. If rules are put in to place, and if the community leaders and admins are to "babysit" then they will either just wait until the site team members go away, or they still won't give a shit and do it anyway. It's not a worthwhile battle.
Well Writer and Butter Cup have said it well.
Your posted personality is what people know, so they will talk about that personality.
If you are one thing here, you will be that thing no matter what you are off Zone.
You might meet these strangers one day, you never know.
You posted, so you care. Smile.
Point taken. And I am going to stop posting here now before it becomes a bashfest. Oh and everybody cares a little what others say. I don't care how much you say you don't. This is my alter ego.:p
At any rate, it doesn't matter and people would talk no matter what. So, live and let live.
Yes, people do care about what people say if it either a, has to do with them, or b has to do with a friend of theres. However, what I meant by "they don't care" is that they could care less if you have your feelings hurt. All they want is to make you look like the idiot and get a reaction out of you.
what like writing a board topic, watching everyone generic post, guess so.
lets all go and watch telly tubbies, we have our freedom to watch top quality programming such as that.
I agree with poster 2. It's time for growing up! Nap time is over. Milk time is over. Welcome to the real world. That is all.