Lynching other U2 Fans

[indra]

i agree. other forums i go to are ruled with an iron fist compared to here. the problem is here (and i'm gonna be really honest for a minute) there are quite a few people who question everything the mods do. questioning is okay but some people do it to the point where it interferes with our work.

i can't speak for the other mods here but i know at times i've avoided saying things to people or in threads because i don't want to get yelled at for doing my job because i had to yell at a popular member or something. questioning authority is okay, hell people should do that. but to the point where it's not clear if you respect the authority or not is a big no-no imo.

Interesting that this thread is turning into a discussion on official moderators...wasn't it supposed to be discussing self moderation? If everyone would self moderate just a little bit (or a little bit more in some cases), the official mod's jobs, and the entire forum in general would be filled with a whole lot less bickering. Wouldn't it?

 

[u2granny]

Do people do this in real life? If you meet someone who has a different sense of humour, or is a little peculiar, or doesn't socially fit in, do you round up your friends and verbally savage them until they leave?

Why is it okay to pack maul people on the internet?

PS This post is not directed towards moderators as I believe people should be able to moderate themselves on most days, barring the odd wobbly.

In answer to your first question, yes, unfortunately they do. As a public school teacher we have recently had to actually take classes about dealing with this sort of behavior.

Looks like I missed something while I was sleeping for 30 hours.

 

[KhanadaRhodes]

If everyone would self moderate just a little bit (or a little bit more in some cases), the official mod's jobs, and the entire forum in general would be filled with a whole lot less bickering. Wouldn't it?

that would be nice.

 

[Flying FuManchu]

Interesting that this thread is turning into a discussion on official moderators...wasn't it supposed to be discussing self moderation? If everyone would self moderate just a little bit (or a little bit more in some cases), the official mod's jobs, and the entire forum in general would be filled with a whole lot less bickering. Wouldn't it?

Ideally it would, but never gonna happen... personally, I find some of the petty arguments/ bickering entertaining but then I'm like that.

 

[indra]

Ideally it would, but never gonna happen... personally, I find some of the petty arguments/ bickering entertaining but then I'm like that.

me too.


Although I must add people would be suprised if they knew how many replies I type out only to delete prior to posting (I can be really cranky). My post count would be significantly higher though....

 

[yolland]

And you people keep trumpeting the rights of people to have their own opinions, but NO ONE has addressed the issue of taking band quotes out of context to paint negative pictures of them.

Interference.com isn't an internationally distributed tabloid. It's a bunch of nobodies who like U2 blathering away in cyberspace. Who do you think will get hurt if I start a thread arguing that, say, 'Pop' sucked because Larry 'just didn't get it' and the other three didn't care since they're outgrowing him anyway? Certainly Larry won't be sobbing into his sleeve about it, not least because he's got better things to do than read the idle chitchat of people whose very existence (let alone opinions) he couldn't give a shit less about.

YOU, on the other hand, DO come here regularly and are an active participant in lots of discussions. If I start a thread attacking, slandering or cursing you, then that is absolutely a more serious offence. Larry is, for all practical purposes, an intellectual abstraction--a character in a sort of reality show that we all come here to watch, analyze, and fantasize about. YOU are not; you're a thinking, feeling, emotionally vulnerable presence at the other end of the line. It's far more critical that we demonstrate respect for each other's opinions and feelings, than for some abstract (and presumptuous) notion of Larry's opinions and feelings. Is the latter irrelevant? No. But mutuality has to come first.

If I take an old quote of Bono's about trying drugs and begin a thread about how he's a coke addict and pussy hound, is that OK?

When was it ever? That's your own rage and vulgarity screaming, not someone else's.

 

[yolland]

All I know is, it's unbelievable what people will say when they can do it from the safety and anonymity of their computer.

This is very, very true. I know I've succumbed to this temptation myself more than once. Anonymity can be seductive--maybe addictive as well.

 

[beli]

On a slightly differnt slant.... U2 in many people's minds seem to be given almost god-like status. I can't help but wonder if that has a great deal to do with the intense reactions against perceived negative comments against the band or their work. After all attacks (even just perceived ones) on religion or religious belief are generally not well tolerated.

I think you might be on to something with that theory.

 

[beli]

This is very, very true. I know I've succumbed to this temptation myself more than once. Anonymity can be seductive--maybe addictive as well.

Thats another really good point. I wonder if because people using anonymous usernames has a bearing on things. The posters on the well behavoured self moderated forums that I'm thinking of post under their real names, and in some case use their own photo as an avatar.

I wonder if the anonymous state of some internet forums somehow gives people the permission, in their mind, that they can misbehave.

PS Again, I'm not refering to the moderation of this site. I'm pondering about the lack of self moderation on some sites.

 

[Flying FuManchu]

I'm not giving up Karen O avatar!

 

[indra]

I'm not giving up Karen O avatar!

Damn! I thought that was you!

 

[beli]

I'm not giving up Karen O avatar!

lol. I didn't know who that was.

But would you post under your real name? Its not the done thing on this site but hypothetically, would you do it? Do you believe it would alter the content of your posts?

 

[KhanadaRhodes]

But would you post under your real name? Its not the done thing on this site but hypothetically, would you do it? Do you believe it would alter the content of your posts?

i know you weren't asking me, but i'll reply anyway.

i can't cuz it's already taken but when i get chummy with someone i'm more than happy to call them by their real name, and vice versa.

 

[indra]

But would you post under your real name? Its not the done thing on this site but hypothetically, would you do it? Do you believe it would alter the content of your posts?

It would be weird for me to post under my own name. Perhaps it wouldn't be bad if everyone else was too. I do post to an email list under my real name (many people do), and on another board pretty much all the regulars know who all the other regulars are (like some people do here, but there is a greater percentage on that board).

I will say that the email list can get really nasty.... (but it can be fun too).

* edited to add: heck, I didn't even register here with the same name I use on the Church board. And I have a different name for the Church email list (now my real name ), the main Church bulletin board, and the Church chat room.

 

[beli]

lol. Yeah, the question was to anyone.

And I do mean in the context of everyone using their real name. It obviously doesnt work if most people uses aliases and only a few people use their real name.

 

[Flying FuManchu]

lol. I didn't know who that was.

But would you post under your real name? Its not the done thing on this site but hypothetically, would you do it? Do you believe it would alter the content of your posts?

No I would not, and my not wanting to do so has little to do with this site actually... Maybe a long time ago I would have BUT I think there are too many psychos out on the net today (mebbe I'm paranoid) in which giving out personal info in a public forum is just asking for PROBLEMS. I've seen people get messed around with on other boards and not in a harmless way. I know there are blogs, xangas, myspaces out there that reveal a whole lot about a person and they probably get little problems but in a forum where debate and disagreements tend to abound no matter how cordial, there will always be one sensitive psycho that you may piss off and eventually come back and try to get back at you.

I don't mind giving little tidbits of info out but to break out of my anonyminity isn't something I care for. Besides, I only started posting MORE on THIS forum recently b/c U2 released an album and are touring.

There are probably some anonymous people who are what they post for better or for worse.

 

[beli]

The psycho issue is an interesting one. I have been a member of family history sites, using my real name, for many years. Mostly because its pretty difficult to research your family name without telling anyone what your family name actually is. lol.

Anyway, to date, touch wood, I have not experienced any psychos.

But there are some people on some of the U2 sites that I would not like to meet in a dark alley. I wonder, wonder, wonder, excuse me pondering in public, I wonder if:

a) the internet gives some people permission to behave in an objectionable manner and they are actually really nice in real life.

b) the anonymity of aliases allows people to say what they really mean and perhaps things that shouldn't be said

c) U2 has a disproportionate amount of psycho fans

 

[Flying FuManchu]

On a site I go to where trolls abound more openly, there was one person who let out his real name posted a lot of pics of himself and his clubbing ways, etc. He happened to have a porn website that he ran. Well for several months he hadn't posted anything. Literally disappeared. After those months, he came back and mentioned that the police had confiscated his computer and taken him away for a bit b/c he was accused by an anonymous person of hosting child porn on his website or computer. Well, that caused problems I'm sure you can imagine but part of the cause was his pissing off a troll or maybe a troll taking advantage of the guy's openness. Of course, the guy could have been trolling us all with his problems but I doubt that.

But on a serious note, there have been instances where people are able to find out a ton of personal info if you reveal a little too much... that kind of crap makes me uncomfortable. Besides that, I'm shy....

 

[beli]

Apart from the name issue, why , why, why do you (or anybody else) believe people think its okay to lynch someone on a website?

Or, put it another way, why do some people behave themselves on a website?


edited because Flying FuManchu edited his post. lol

 

[Axver]

But would you post under your real name? Its not the done thing on this site but hypothetically, would you do it? Do you believe it would alter the content of your posts?

I've actually been posting under Axver for long enough that it's come to feel like my name. I employ it as a last name online, a lot of people choose to use it as my first name (or at least a nickname) rather than André, and in real life, I've almost mistakenly written Axver as my last name on forms. I would never ever publicly post my real last name, so that's out of the question, but continuing to use Axver feels as if I am using my real name and the contents of my posts wouldn't be altered. I am Axver, or André Axver, not André [Lastname] utilising the anonymity of the Axver screen name.

(As clarification, Axver was originally the last name of a character in a story I'm writing. Now, when I write my story, I have to make a conscious effort to distance Amak Axver - or any of the other members of the Axver family - from myself.)

There's no excuse for lynching or harassment. I know I'm guilty of many inappropriate remarks, and that's something for me to work on. I would like to say, however, that I've never made a post that I feel I would not have said to the face of the intended target - I am, after all, an outspoken person who never hesitates to speak his mind.

Anyway, this is a pointless rambly post that hasn't added much to the conversation. I think the point of 'lynching is inappropriate and some members need to work on their behaviour' has been more than clearly established by now. But I'm bored. Have a good one, folks.

 

[indra]

Apart from the name issue, why , why, why do you (or anybody else) believe people think its okay to lynch someone on a website?

Or, put it another way, why do some people behave themselves on a website?


edited because Flying FuManchu edited his post. lol

Sometimes I think it's just because they can and not really face consequences. And you don't see the hurt you cause...you don't see a face or hear a voice, you just see a screen. And they can't physically punch your lights out either.

I think it's a bit the same mentality that causes otherwise normal people to act like complete fuckwits when they get behind the wheel of a car.

 

[Flying FuManchu]

Apart from the name issue, why , why, why do you (or anybody else) believe people think its okay to lynch someone on a website?

Or, put it another way, why do some people behave themselves on a website?


edited because Flying FuManchu edited his post. lol

Hey are you accusing me of lynching! We don't do that in the MidSouth any more!


I believe Indra is mostly correct.

 

[beli]

Hey are you accusing me of lynching! We don't do that in the MidSouth any more!

Nah. I made a comment about your porn story and then you added an extra paragraph to the end of your post and my post then sounded really weird.

 

[anitram]

I'm not sure why so many of you find this behaviour strange.

It mirrors real life.

Yes, there are some people who are more outspoken online, but personalities do not fundamentally change. You are who you are, it's only the degree of expression that changes with different methods of communication.

If everyone here behaved 100% respectfully and like adults, it would be strange. Because that is not at all how real life is. Not here, or anywhere else on the planet.

I roll my eyes at posts plenty of times here, sometimes many times each day. At my own posts too on occasion.

But I accept the world for what it is, not for what I think it should be.

And it surely as hell isn't 100% of the population self-moderating 100% of the time. That's utopia, not planet Earth.

JMO, as always.

 

[Flying FuManchu]

This is real life vs the internet

 

[KhanadaRhodes]

Hey are you accusing me of lynching! We don't do that in the MidSouth any more!

I know I'm guilty of many inappropriate remarks, and that's something for me to work on.

you can start in the ebttrt thread

 

[beli]

I'm not sure why so many of you find this behaviour strange.

It mirrors real life.

Most of it. Lynching though? In real life? I imagine some minority sections of the community, unfortunately, would agree with you, but that doesnt make it acceptable.

 

[beli]

This is real life vs the internet

Thats one of the funniest things I have seen. Thank you.

 

[myusernamehere]

a) the internet gives some people permission to behave in an objectionable manner and they are actually really nice in real life. yes and vice versa. I am actually more bothered with the people who are super sugery sweetness online, and show no sign of being human.

b) the anonymity of aliases allows people to say what they really mean and perhaps things that shouldn't be said Depends on the site I suppose.

c) U2 has a disproportionate amount of psycho fans It's not just U2. Every artist/group/celebrity seems to have a very vocal major minority.

 

[yimou]

But would you post under your real name? Its not the done thing on this site but hypothetically, would you do it? Do you believe it would alter the content of your posts?

No i dont think that it would change anything for me. I try very hard to respect everyone´s opinion. If someone disagree with me, then i respect it because who am i to decide how others should feel about anything. But i do feel that many show absolute no respect for others opinion. I dont think they act the same way in real life, because then nobody would want to be near them.

My real first name is Morten, but its too damn boring to use as a username