An observation behaviour online

I still stand by my OP and I am pleased that some posters agree with me.

I agree Gransnet is a godsend for some people, when I stated I was not on Gransnet 24/7 I was just replying to posters who suggested I had disappeared.

Tegan I see your point in your post of 15.49, that sometimes it's easy to take a comment too personally but the ones I have in mind are (I feel) made directly AT some members, even to the point of naming them in the insult/rudeness.

Perception is a funny thing! I am one of those lefties that keep being mentioned! The reason I am vociferous is because it feels overwhelmingly that there are more centre/right of centre members on Gransnet and I want to have my (imo minority) voice heard!

Phoenix

Anya your post if anyone spoke to me in the real world, the way that certain people think it's ok to 'speak' to people on GN, then I'd cut them out of my life. is absolutely spot on! hit the nail on the head there!

I would like to say "my point exactly" but better not in case anyone agrees

x post. I was replying to Elegran.

Oh I see.

Agree STB, I have started threads that have either morphed into something that I don't have a reason to post on, or rarely, it has become IMO unpleasant. I just move to another subject.
Many threads bear no relationship to their original subject, this is often interesting, but possibly not to the OP.

No-one objects to the original poster going off and coming back later, but sometimes they vanish completely. This makes everyone wonder whether they only started it to throw a stone into the pond and watch the ripples. Until they return to say "I've finished the shopping, now what have you all replied?" or something similar, it is not clear if they will ever be back.

I tend to double read some posts. As it can be quite easy to think that someone may have meant something by something. But if you then read it as if they didnt mean something, sometimes, you can indeed see that they didnt mean it as you first read it, if you see what I mean.

Can I ask one thing that baffles me.
Why is it seen as a gransnet crime, to start a thread, and then either leave it for a while, or indeed go out somewhere or whatever, and come back to it later?

I do agree with Ana, though, that people who are even slightly right of centre are well and truly torn into and I admire the posters who will argue with the left leaning (apparent) majority. I generally CBA though I do get irritated by the huge preconceptions that seem to hold sway in some people's minds!

I've realised over the years that sometimes it's easy to take a comment too personally and that, even if it has touched a raw nerve, it wasn't necessarily meant to. So I now [at least I think I do] try not to over react. And, if it WAS aimed at me personally with the intention of making me over react, if I do so then I'm playing into that persons hands anyway so still try to ignore it. Most of the time. And I think when all hell breaks loose on here it's often due to the dreaded tr***ing....[not allowed to say that though]

Good advice Elegran! I also think Merlot has a very valid point about "stirring" and I would just like to add that judging by all that members seem to do makes it clear that they are not glued to Gransnet 24/7
However, for anybody who is housebound, perhaps poorly or on their own, may I add that there is nothing reprehensible about being glued to Gransnet. !!
We DO have lives too , magpie123 so don't be so dismissive of those who have the courtesy to respond to your unfounded observations, even if some might think you have got

Anya, please lurk, much better than leaving, your presence is valued.

I have strong opinions that I often express and I will respond robustly if I disagree with other posters. Isn't that what a debate is? I work hard at not being personal and also try hard not to rise to the bait of ripostes to my posts that I feel are personal /bitchy but try to stick with the core debate.

I post less often now as life has got very busy at the moment ..not because anyone has chased me away! Peace and love to you all!

I hope so too Anyabut well understand your reasons.

Anya, I wish you'd reconsider. GN isn't the same without you!
(I know you post on a couple of threads, but still...)

roses if anyone spoke to me in the real world, the way that certain people think it's ok to 'speak' to people on GN, then I'd cut them out of my life. I'm all for a good debate and I enjoy listening to a different perspective.

And I do miss most of the great personalities who come on GN.

But I really just CBA to put up with the level of sniping and cronyism from the few, so I've just removed myself and only pop in now and again.

Naturally, this post will be torn to pieces and it will be interesting to see by whom. However I won't be here to see it as I'm off again.

[cupcakes]

Let's hope they are lurking, we need lurkers.

I wondered where you were Anya.If people think they are going to be shot down in flames and dismissed in a contemptuous way then they will cease to post.this is a great pity.The forum is for us all to post our thoughts on things.I hope that posters will return, if that is the reason they have left.

Magpie re your OP. I'm one of the names who hardly posts any more. You're not wrong!

Reasonably normal versions of all the examples are posting hourly on GN, it is the ones who go to extremes, or set out deliberately to stir it and disrupt, who cause trouble.

I suppose those who try a bit of t***ling will do it differently according to their different personality types.

A Pointless thread? Come on, own up, which one of you is Alexander Armstrong's granny?

It has got me thinking though, if someone on here is Ed Balls's granny she must be nearer 90 (at least) than 80! Well done, whoever you are, still posting - I hope I am still posting at 90

'Stung into a reply' is a very apt term Elegran.

Wow Elegran, some of thse examples seem strangely familiar!

Some of those examples seem more like personality types than t****s.