WOW, did Bob ever hit it on the head when people asked him to address
fights and flame-baiting (people who try to cause list fights by posting
leading comments -- more on them below in the part about Internet
Sociologists and Internet Anthropologists). We ARE blessed here by having
almost entirely good people, and the most absolutely WONDERFUL moderator --
fair, logical, understanding, extremely hard working, intelligent, kind,
etc. THOSE reasons (in my opinion) are why the list will reach issue 3,000
in only 21 more issues, has been around for something like a dozen years,
and has 3,150 members on last count.
If anyone wondered what Bob meant when he mentioned my often talking about
things like longevity and size, here's an explanation. Because of his work
Steve knows a number of Internet Sociologists and Internet Anthropologists.
Now, I am rather lousy at names -- something which caused me problems
growing up in retail so had to work extra on that, and something which Pat
A. will confirm from our book discussions in which what I recall tends to
be plot and setting, so I can only give you three such names if you want to
look into such work, but you can go from there by cross-refing. The three
are Lynn Cherney, Bonnie Nardy, and Steve Sisler; I also don't vouch for my
spelling. These are rather new fields still with few people, but growing,
and make for very interesting reading. The FML is actually studied by such
experts for its ability to survive and survive, even when some have
actively tried to cause it problems.
Anyway, another take on the fights here involves the Flame-baiting aspect.
It turns out (according to Steve who has human-computer interactions as his
research specialty, coming to it from another field many years ago, so this
is NOT first hand from a specialist since I'm not one) that there is a very
SMALL contingency of individuals who try to bring down lists as a
COMPETITIVE HOBBY by causing others to fight, or baiting angry replies.
It's no surprise that the number is small; after all, the Internet would
fall apart if it wasn't and also the person needs to have something of a
destructive bent to do that sort of nasty, petty and hurtful thing -- sort
of sociopathic to my way of looking at things, but that's only my opinion.
Interestingly, the people who typically do this are male college students
(though there are some females and individuals of other ages or not
students) and most claim to be female (often with a sympathy provoking
"problem" mentioned now and then, though some certainly go by male names),
the individuals might take several names and even have those names interact
on a list (which might also remind people of when someone using multiple
names/addresses threatened others according to what was mentioned by others
here earlier), such destructive hobbiests may not even use real names.
Here's the most important one if you read widely: they try or have tried to
bring down other lists (Sometimes they even target one category such a
ferret related lists.).
Ways to recognize such individuals: they often are schmaltzy alternating
with being flame-baiting or obviously argumentative; while they might post
the typical things we all post here that's much more rare than for the
normal poster. If you are new to the Internet or the FML you'll get used
to what's normal; I have been here since the start of the list so know
folks get used to it. You aren't as likely to see the normal range of
posts from them -- more likely to be either of those two extremes. They
often target people when the people are upset about something else and that
is known (hitting when someone is down) -- probably because the targets
will be more emotional and tired then so less in control. They sometimes
seem very inflexible. They LOVE to use leading questions or comments to
make something seem like other than it is and they WANT you to chime in
with something unpleasant.
What you can do to stop them: ignore them. It's by far the best thing.
When they can't be ignored find a non-fighting way to reply. Humor is even
better. I have very scant abilities in that direction which is why you
normally don't find me using that approach -- just no talent for creating
humor in me (except sometimes when I have a fever of 103 or higher).
Remember that these individuals are RARE, but they can cause damage way out
of proportion to their numbers.
Now, of course, there are always going to be some arguments or
disagreements, or rumors for plenty of other reasons. Just take your pick.
After all, the FML IS approaching 3,200 members so it's bigger than some
mid-sized towns. Just look at how often unpleasant things happen in any
town and by how many people. The FML is just WORLDS better.
Personally, I think the fights that were here were only cabin-fever
speaking, and expect that will change with the weather. Hey, we have our
first Spring flower on the balcony -- very early but it's there! So,
thanks to every one of you level-headed and kind folks, especially Bill
(BIG) who makes this list possible!
[Posted in FML issue 2979]
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