An observation about controversial threads:

[EKW]

Not long ago I decided that, since the PTB here have given us the ability to hide posts from other members, I would excercise that right and begin "hiding" members whose responses contain put-downs towards the OP or others.

I've hidden less than a dozen people, but have made a rather revealing discovery. When I open threads that have turned controversial, up to half the posts are hidden. In all the noncontroversial threads I've read, only one post was hidden.

Pretty eye-opening.

I'd invite others to try the doing the same. If nothing else, it makes my visits here more enjoyable because I'm not having to wade through nastiness as often. I hope this works for others who are expressing unhappiness over the tone some of the members here use regularly.

 

[Jessica14]

I didn't know we could do that but I'm not surprised at your findings. I notice it too. I ask myself when I read posts from certain people whatever happened to compassion and humanity and respectful behavior? I try not to get involved in certain threads now, but I have let a couple people know not to take certain posters comments personally.

Nothing wrong with a difference of opinion and exchange of ideas, but it unfortunately gets all too hostile too soon. Good observation!
Jessica

 

[StitchBuddy]

How did you do this??

 

[FlightlessDuck]

How did you do this??

Click "User CP". On the right hand side menu, under "Setting and Options", click "Edit Ignore List".

Type in the name of a user you want to ignore and click "Okay".

I did this with one user for awhile, but felt like I was missing something and stopped using it.

 

[ma2nojo]

EKW? How do you hide them??? I am glad to hear that it is possible to not have to deal with all of the sarcastic wit. I love coming here and reading about Disney, talking with other parents, getting opinions (even if they disagree with me)etc. I personally like to hear different view points and am not offended at all if someone disagrees. However, if you disagree or agree with whatever is being said and are hostile, snarky and put down the way I or others view things... then yes, you have gone too far. You can disagree with someone and not be nasty about it, really it's true and you should probably try it sometime. Again, there are only a handful of these posters- thankfully.

The saddest thing is... those angry posters are probably intentionally being sarcastic, even thrive on it, due to their own life circumstances. I'm pretty sure if they were happy in "real life" they wouldn't feel the need to be the way they are on a DISNEY BOARD.

I can't remember who the poster is that has something in their signature that says something like, "Why are there so many angry people on DIS?" Exactly!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

EKW? How do you hide them???

See my previous post

 

[maxiesmom]

I have found that though there are a few posters I usually don't agree with, and some that I don't like their tone, they do still offer advice that can be useful. And I have even ended up agreeing with some of their points of view.

I just want to say, don't be too hasty in blocking someone. They may actually end up being helpful.You never know!

 

[Jessica14]

EKW? How do you hide them??? I am glad to hear that it is possible to not have to deal with all of the sarcastic wit. I love coming here and reading about Disney, talking with other parents, getting opinions (even if they disagree with me)etc. I personally like to hear different view points and am not offended at all if someone disagrees. However, if you disagree or agree with whatever is being said and are hostile, snarky and put down the way I or others view things... then yes, you have gone too far. You can disagree with someone and not be nasty about it, really it's true and you should probably try it sometime. Again, there are only a handful of these posters- thankfully.

The saddest thing is... those angry posters are probably intentionally being sarcastic, even thrive on it, due to their own life circumstances. I'm pretty sure if they were happy in "real life" they wouldn't feel the need to be the way they are on a DISNEY BOARD. I can't remember who the poster is that has something in their signature that says something like, "Why are there so many angry people on DIS?" Exactly!

You hit the nail on the head! I was just reading through a post and there is one ever so slighly snarky response that has just a bit of an air of superiority to it. No need at all for that response. I looked at who it was and it was one of the people most likely to show up on a controversial thread and tell you how it is. There is actually someone whose signature says something to the effect of when" I stop laughing, I'll answer you." You do have to wonder what the real life is like if they are willing to act this way on a message board. It is sad actually and I'm not being snarky myself when I say that. You just never know what motivates people and you hope its something they can eventually see in themselves and work on.
Jessica

 

[dopeylover]

This is a great idea! So glad I know how to do it now! I come on here too to talk about Disney and get advice/ideas about trip planning and whatnot, and lately I have been really angry b/c people are downright nasty and condescending, and it happens quite often.

I am tired of these 'Disney Snobs' who think just b/c you haven't been once a year and haven't read every single thing about the Disney corporation, you are not as committed as they are! Let's all remember...it's a theme park people!!!

As much as I love it and am obsessed, there are other things in life to get super worked up about and argue w. people, and Disney shouldn't be one of them! Sometimes I think they are just people w/ too much time on their hands.

 

[tartemis]

How boring!

Yes, some people are snarky and annoying (and I probably could be accused of being so at times), but I've never seen anybody say anything really ridiculous or hurtful or engage in stalker mode.

I suppose if you are getting worked up over things that you read, then this would be a good option for you.

How about just letting it roll off your back, instead? If you have a life outside of dis, why would you get worked up over what some poster on the internet says?

I often think it is very helpful to hear opposing viewpoints, even if I disagree with them 99% of the time it is interesting to know (1) that those viewpoints are out there and (2) how other people think and (3) sometimes I learn something!

I'm anti-censorship in virtually all forms -- even self-imposed censorship.

 

[Leajess99]

How boring!

Yes, some people are snarky and annoying (and I probably could be accused of being so at times), but I've never seen anybody say anything really ridiculous or hurtful or engage in stalker mode.

I suppose if you are getting worked up over things that you read, then this would be a good option for you.

How about just letting it roll off your back, instead? If you have a life outside of dis, why would you get worked up over what some poster on the internet says?

I often think it is very helpful to hear opposing viewpoints, even if I disagree with them 99% of the time it is interesting to know (1) that those viewpoints are out there and (2) how other people think and (3) sometimes I learn something!

I'm anti-censorship in virtually all forms -- even self-imposed censorship.

I have to say I have experienced one person engage in harassment and close to stalking because she did not agree with what I had to say. I have no grudge against anyone who does not agree with my point of view and just because I do not agree with them does not mean that I don't see their point.

If we all agree on everything than this world would be quite boring. Things are different in different areas. While one school district may have a stricter attendance policy than another does not mean that it is always wise to take kids out of school or that there won't be consequences if you do.

 

[brymolmom]

Keep in mind a few things:

First of all, it is very difficult if not impossible to get tone from written word. So if several of us read the exact same thing, one or two might find it offensive and others might just find it a different viewpoint....usually depends how defensive on the topic the person is as to how he/she 'reads' it. So it might not be an intentional dig or other, just interpreted that way since it is so difficult to know without tone and body language and facial expressions behind it.

Second, not surprising at all, as one who does enjoy a good debate and hearing other points of view - I am not surprised to see the same signatures on the more controversial ones. I think it is a personality thing - and of course those who enjoy that sort of thing would be there more often.

And third, I would be afraid by doing that - that I would miss a lot of the substance of a thread. How do you know why it took the turn it did if you don't have all the data there to read to follow it?

Of course, OP might not even be seeing this post, I can get pretty passionate in my views!

That said, I have seen only a couple/few posts total in my many years that have been, what I would consider hands down, rude and offensive. So everyone's tolerance level is different on this. Personally, I think it would be a very boring social network if everyone always agreed with everyone else.

 

[MistressMerryweather]

I didn't know we could do that but I'm not surprised at your findings. I notice it too. I ask myself when I read posts from certain people whatever happened to compassion and humanity and respectful behavior?
Nothing wrong with a difference of opinion and exchange of ideas, but it unfortunately gets all too hostile too soon. Good observation!
Jessica

I have decided to stop opening certain threads here for that very reason. Specifically, the threads that discuss any "parenting or parenting/health" issues. They get out of hand so fast and it seems that it is hardest for people to be respectful of other choices if they don't match their own. I have noticed that it is the same few posters that really stir things up. I am definitely going to consider the "ignore" feature.

 

[okeydokey]

How boring!

Yes, some people are snarky and annoying (and I probably could be accused of being so at times), but I've never seen anybody say anything really ridiculous or hurtful or engage in stalker mode.

I suppose if you are getting worked up over things that you read, then this would be a good option for you.

How about just letting it roll off your back, instead? If you have a life outside of dis, why would you get worked up over what some poster on the internet says?

I often think it is very helpful to hear opposing viewpoints, even if I disagree with them 99% of the time it is interesting to know (1) that those viewpoints are out there and (2) how other people think and (3) sometimes I learn something!

I'm anti-censorship in virtually all forms -- even self-imposed censorship.

I disagree. There are some posters here who think it's funny to make fun of babies born with birth defects. Nothing redeeming there at all.

 

[sam_gordon]

Keep in mind a few things:

First of all, it is very difficult if not impossible to get tone from written word. So if several of us read the exact same thing, one or two might find it offensive and others might just find it a different viewpoint....usually depends how defensive on the topic the person is as to how he/she 'reads' it. So it might not be an intentional dig or other, just interpreted that way since it is so difficult to know without tone and body language and facial expressions behind it.

I disagree. There are some posters here who think it's funny to make fun of babies born with birth defects. Nothing redeeming there at all.

WOW! I must not have been here long enough or am not looking in the right threads. I haven't seen anything like that. My only thought would be to report the post as inappropriate and let a mod take care if it. If people simply 'ignore' that poster, they'll continue to make posts like that (because invariably someone won't have them on ignore and will respond).

 

[Barnhill9586]

This thread is a great example of how we all have differing opinions on different topics. I’m sure if this were a very controversial topic the disagreements would be sharper and more decisive and someone would be offended by something someone else said. The OP and others obviously like the idea of blocking some posters which of course might be best for them. I personally would never block anyone because I really like to read others opinions and comments (I know this will sound snarky but it’s the whole reason I visit the DIS message boards). Also, I am not trying to offend anyone but I regularly see comments from posters who are upset at the folks they have deemed snarky or pot-stirrers saying they have no life or have sad lives, etc. or words to that effect. This is obviously just my opinion but those put downs are just as bad as anything I have ever read from the so-called pot stirrers. I will say that I have never read anything as hurtful as belittling someone with a handicap or special needs as a previous poster alluded to but I don’t read and post as much as others so I probably missed it. I have a hard time rationalizing why anyone would make such a post, I have to admit. Anyway, this is just my two cents. Happy Monday to everyone!

 

[sweetsusannah]

I didn’t realize that we could block certain posters, good to know. When we post a question can we block certain people from responding as well?

I try to keep an open mind about all opinions because I realize that we need different views in this world else the world would be pretty boring. However, I also think people on the board go a bit overboard with criticism of others. Several posters constantly get ugly at anyone whose opinion differs from their own. I can recall posting something to the regards of “we are all just parents trying to do the best for our kids, no reason to be so critical” and having another poster comment “not everyone here is a good parent trying to do their best.” I also agree that some people look for something to jump on and start controversy with. I stopped reading most of these threads for a while but have gradually started reading again with more of a let it roll of my back mentality when it comes to those "angry" posters.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I disagree. There are some posters here who think it's funny to make fun of babies born with birth defects. Nothing redeeming there at all.

I have not seen this here, but makes me very sad! I guess I just miss these nasty threads....sometimes ones tone is not really what they think/who they are...I htink I have done that myself and have gone back to actually add in what I meant. No ones perfect but mean-ness does not help anyone.

 

[MistressMerryweather]

There is a controversial thread going right now and wouldn't you know it, there those posters are. I've put them on "ignore". Thanks for the reminder.

 

[maxiesmom]

I didn’t realize that we could block certain posters, good to know. When we post a question can we block certain people from responding as well?

I don't think so. I think you can block yourself from seeing their answers, but there is no way to keep them from answering. The only thing with doing that is then your thread will read a little wierd for you, as people may reply to the person you block.

I have a hard enough time following some posts. It would probably make me a bit crazy trying to follow them with bits removed!