Idiots on forums - Discussion

[Fluffy_Duck]

Wow. Here is one for you all.

Idiots. Why are they here? There seems to be the constant theme of idiots turning up on some forums. Before anyone asks, no... this forum has so far from what I've seen escaped these idiots.
I've just found that there are some you wish you could reach through the screen and slap. They ask questions, you give them an answer. They don't like it, so they change what they want and ask again. You give a modified answer. They then say you know nothing and because you aren't the person that runs the forum you don't know s***.

I'm sorry, but after yet ANOTHER run in I just had to vent. Here I know a number of you, some have worked out who I am (I'd tap that "boy") and I needed to get it off my chest.

Perhaps, for a laugh people here who have run into idiots can relate and share a funny story about what we have found on forums.

- Fluffy

[xombiekitty]

Sounds like you've been having a fun time of it Fluffy_Duck

I'd say there are a lot of reasons why people come across as idiots, even when they may not be. The written word is harder to convey tone with so many people take things poorly where no harm was intended and things snowball from there. Then there is the fact that the net is full of people from different backgrounds and they way each person communicates may differ vastly and problems may arises from that.

When it come to people who won't take the answer given and just want to reword things until they get what they want (like you've described) ask yourself if they're worth your time & stress. They great thing about forums is the community that develops within them. New people are always welcome and it becomes a great place to hang out. If someone is just trolling or just a complete twat, don't do your head in trying to interact with them. Life's too short for such stress.

Of course, I don't always follow my own advice and I have been known to write epic length responses to trolls and idiots on other forums (who am I kidding, I often write epics just for normal comments, lol). I try to limit my best narky responses to those that shouldn't even be allowed to use the net in the first place.

I've been a moderator on a variety of forums over the years so I've dealt with racism, sexism, rants about censorship... you name it - I've seen it. Most people are lovely, but there's always some tool that has to cause a scene. I find the ones who don't think their behaviour is a problem, even when the majority of a forum has responded poorly to them, are the worst. If someone makes an honest mistake then there's no problem, but when someone continues poor behaviour regardless of the community letting them know it's not appropriate, then it's annoying.

I think I've dealt with too many to single them out, but I guess the more minor stupidity-spills online are almost invisible to me on some forums now, lol.

Oh, best advice I have for dealing with idiots (trolls should be ignored) is to take your time in constructing the response. They hastily posted comments showcasing their stupidity for all will wait. You have time on your side to work on what you want to say without looking like tool. After you've taken your time you may not even want to post it as you sometimes realise nothing will work with some people (I've done this).

On the upside, most people online are awesome and I consider myself lucky for the many online friends I have that I look forward to meeting in person one day

[SuperWannabe]

Yep.

I'm.

I'm a professional idiot.

I get paid for it LOL (Gotta love Monty Python)

[Darth Salem]

We have forums at work and it's always amusing how people assert their rights to free speech that should of course render any or all rules placed down by the Admins/Mods subservient. What next, a bill of rights "To troll the Internets without fear or favour"

As always I just know I'm in for a good read when someone starts with.
"I'm not racist/sexist/something'ist BUT..." and the other one I loath is when someone sprouts off some vile personal attack against someone or group and ends it with "Just my opinion" as if, well that's okay, no need to be offended then, of course it would be nicer'ish if you said it in person and not on a public forum.... Grrrr

Thank-you for letting me vent, I've only just decided to ditch a long time friend for being such a "just my opinion" tool (gave them a 3 strike benefit of the doubt as well)

So my vote goes to the "just my opinion" tools
My advice is to treat them like you would in real life, good manners should apply to forums as well.

Thank-you and good night.