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The level of personal assault in this forum has reached alarming proportions. I'm not proud of the fact that I allowed myself to be drawn into it in self defense. I would suggest that anyone interested enough do a quick scroll through the various relevant threads and see for themselves where and how the personal attacks began and against whom they were directed - it shouldn't take too long to start recognising names, which would speed up the process.

I find the hypocrisy appalling - if people are allowed their personal opinions, why are not only those opinions attacked, but also the person who has expressed those opinions? And what makes it OK for one person to attack and then claim innocence when the assaulted one retaliates? I admit freely that I could be wrong in this but it appears to me that there are hidden agendas behind the attacks - that the real reasons for the rancor are not stated but instead some comment made in jest is used as a front and sometimes a thinly-veiled 'defense' is in fact used as an opportunity of attack.

I have found certain threads a great deal of fun and have learnt much from others. I would therefore like to make a suggestion, in the interests of forum members in general: could those who feel it an absolute neccesity to repeatedly make personal attacks unload their vitriol in one thread - a thread specially reserved for personal battles? I offer this thread - but please feel free to open another.

I have said all I have to say on this and will not post anymore on this subject.

One last personal thought - I'm no-one's baby sitter - it's not my place to go through each thread and post in order to explain the obvious to anyone who understands the English language.

With love as always
Jo

This really is most peculiar. People have suggested in the past that all i do is make personal attacks, yet when pressed for even one example fail to provide it (of course that may be because Jarkko removes them ). That is a side issue however. What concerns me most is this idea of having a special thread for this. This has a number of potential problems:
1. It will encourage this type of shameful behaviour.
2. It will take all the fun out of it.
3. It will remove the natural spontaneity of the threads.
Just food for thought,

p.

Jo

To some extent I empathise with you - I no longer post on some threads as I know that the result will be vitriol. I know only read these threads and instead of replying just speak to myself.

However I do know where Partisan is coming from - The feeling that goes into these threads is what makes this forum so exciting.

However there is a third thing that can happen and people may desist from posting or not join the forum if they feel that attacks are too personal.

It's all something that needs to be borne in mind - the emotions attract people like moths to a flame, but if the flame gets out of control it can be destructive rather than a useful tool.

JTS

Well said John, some very wise words.
Georges

"it will encourage this type of shameful behaviour"
"it will take the fun out of it"
Partisan.. are you saying that this shameful behaviour is fun?
I found this website in 1999 and made many friends here, both in the chatroom and, more recently, here in the forum after my enforced absence from the use of a pc for 18 months...and what a long 18 months that was and recently I feel less inclined to visit.
What is this monster that we have created? (No,Godzilla, I don't mean you )
How many posts are purposely designed such that pressing the 'submit' is meant in the same way as firing a missile to hit it's target?
I bet there are many 'submits' that once pressed are regretted later when the full post suddenly appears on the screen. "Did I really say that" "I didn't mean it that way" are phrases that may come to mind. Too late to edit because the missiles have been fired back.
"I pressed the wrong button !!!", cannot be heard above the missiles.
Some missiles are meant to explode whilst others are designed to have a little flag that pops out with the word "bang" on it. The trouble is, it's difficult to tell one missile from another.
It's also difficult to measure the intended effect on the recipient. Will it be "ouch, that bloody hurt " or "missed me " ?
There is nothing better than healthy debate and it is always pleasing to see how the same people can agree and disagree with each other, but the mention of cliques on another thread becomes unhealthy. I would imagine that if we were all sat in the same room then there wouldn't be huddles of people in the corners whispering to their hearts content or throwing bits of paper across the room ( that reminds me.. I have a school visit tomorrow)
"Is it shameful behaviour or is it fun?" The answer is both because it is difficult for the reader to gauge accordingly.... unless it has a label
1. this post is in fun only
2. this is quite shameful but tongue in cheek
3. this is so so shameful
or
4. oops I pressed the wrong button

I try not to upset others as that itself is upsetting for me but sometimes, in everyday life, it just happens and, in the cold light of day, there is a lot of backtracking and analysing to do. It's good to see that this also happens here "Sorry, I pressed the submit button instead of the 'self destruct' button.. it won't happen again"... now that's not difficult to say, is it?
I'm now going to press the submit. This missile will explode in mid air and lots of rose petals will fall to the ground... unless your eyes are shut

All in good faith
Pete

Pete wrote: I try not to upset others as that itself is upsetting for me but sometimes, in everyday life, it just happens and, in the cold light of day, there is a lot of backtracking and analysing to do. It's good to see that this also happens here "Sorry, I pressed the submit button instead of the 'self destruct' button.. it won't happen again"... now that's not difficult to say, is it?
I'm now going to press the submit. This missile will explode in mid air and lots of rose petals will fall to the ground... unless your eyes are shut

Pete, I fully support your sentiments here - plus, I love the 'rose petals' metaphor!

Andrew (Darby)