GNHQ here - please read

Given the number of threads deleted on here it proves GNHQ's point that often conversations do not observe respect and consideration for other posters. What a shame that his has turned into exactly what they were advising against.

I came to this yesterday when it was already degenerating into something quite unpleasant with many deletions, only to return this morning to find that is being rendered nearly incomprehensible by the number of deleted threads. What was a quite measured request by GN to be mindful of how we respond to others without resorting to overcritical and/or personal attacks has become just that. It would appear that there are those who are determined to derail and upset whenever possible whatever the subject.

Whitewavemark2

I’m loving the civilised debate going on, in all the politics threads at the moment??.

Yes, I have really been enjoying that debate also Whitewavemark2. Unfortunately, we are on holiday this week (staycation) and my good wife is now dragging me out the door. ???

So I will have to leave that debate now until later, but I would encourage anyone who wishes to see GN at it's best to look at that thread.

I mean, when Whitewavemark2 and myself agree on anything of late, the world must be changing. ?

Elegran Yes we have had those!
I think at one time, there was a code word or phrase that some posters used to alert others to the presence of a potential troll.
Unfortunately they weren’t always accurate in their assessment, and some poor souls whose bizarre histories were actually genuine wondered why they were being met with apparent hostility.

My own yardstick is to try to view a post in the best possible light & not assume malice where perhaps none is intended, but very occasionally it’s obvious that it is.

EllanVannin

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I don’t like it when posters don’t answer questions, it happens to me a lot ! This is why I am responding to your question and the answer is I don’t know !

Never saw either poster before, or again it would seem.

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I’m loving the civilised debate going on, in all the politics threads at the moment??.

Elegran good post

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Jane Occasionally there are also unfamilar posters whose posts are not well received. People find their stories don't hang together, or show the poster in a bad light - and say so (politely) in their replies. The original poster then lams into them for ganging up on them, trolling and being unbearably cruel and so on. I suspect the troll in some of those cases is the original poster, dangling bait and then attacking anyone who rises to it.

Galaxy that is exactly my point. Debate and disagreement can be courteous and polite or it can slide into personal attack and sneering, which is why this thread was started. There are many GNetters who are put off commenting on threads because they see what happens to others. It DOES become bullying when hurt is caused, particularly when the perpetrator(s) keep on and on.

That sums it up perfectly, GrannyLaine

People do get picked on GN. It happened to me, by one particular poster, who found it amusing. Thank goodness others reported this person to GNHQ, who had their account suspended for a few weeks, as a result. I was too embarrassed to report, in case I was thought of as a wimp!
It made me quite unwell.

Until it has happened to you, you cannot just dismiss it as people being over sensitive.

That is an excellent definition Jane

Wikipedia’s definition of an Internet troll

‘In Internet slang, a troll is a person who starts flame wars or intentionally upsets people on the Internet by posting inflammatory and digressive, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the intent of provoking readers into displaying emotional responses and normalizing tangential discussion, either for the troll's amusement or a specific gain.’

But I am not sure how we can resolve that. Having a debate about an issue or disagreeing is not bullying.

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Marydoll it is indeed about perception. I am reminded of the school playground bullies who could never see anything wrong in their taunts or actions. They were 'just having a bit of fun' and the problem was always 'others being too sensitive'.

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trisher

That's disgusting. I wonder why? It is ridiculous that GNHQ fall for this business of something being entirely one sided when it obviously isn't. Could they ban a few of the people who I can only describe as hypocritical please.

Indeed

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It's all about perception. What may seem to one poster as just a robust exchange, can be viewed as something much more by another.