Cyberbullying, is it happening on SN

[centaursailor]

Since the post about Sailingdog going missing on Sailnet I have taken more notice of some of the hostile remarks in response to perfectly cordial comments and info posted here.
Am I mistaken in the belief that giving an opinion or posting a article related to a question posed is what the forum is all about.

[smackdaddy]

Heh-heh. There's no problem as long as your opinion is the right one.

[Faster]

Originally Posted by centaursailor

.....
Am I mistaken in the belief that giving an opinion or posting a article related to a question posed is what the forum is all about.

I certainly hope not.

I'd say 'cyberbullying' is a bit too strong a term. Occasionally there is an unnecessary lack of civility in exchanges, and some members are more prone to this sort of reaction - but I strongly believe they are the minority.

The anonymity of the internet, and the difficulty in accurately discerning tone in the written word is always going to create challenges here.

Since Sailnet promotes a 'family friendly' format there are rules in place to attempt to maintain civility at all times. Obviously Off topic and political exchanges raise the most acrimony with charged, strong, generally implacable views on both sides.

We try hard to contain such incidents while at the same time avoiding a heavy-handed moderating environment that would quench the spirit of open dialogue... it's not always easy.

[US27inKS]

I didn't respond to your survey, but I've noticed you've been hanging around int he politics forum lately. You better have your big boy pants on if you want to hang out in there long. The Seamanship forum is rather tame by comparison.

[BentSailor]

Well, two things to note. First is that your poll options don't seem to make much sense as answers to the question.

Is cyber-bullying acceptable? Happens occasionally.

Second thing to note is that "bullying" here is not a common occurrence due to the nature of the people and environment. Cyber-bullying is pretty much limited to bullying using social consequences (by it's nature); and someone ranting at you in the political threads (the only forums on the board with a "grey area" in the moderation rules) is generally ignored after a while. You can speed it up by adding the person to your ignore list. After a while, the worst ranters get ignored by everyone and they rant in their own virtual space. There is nothing preventing them from posting comments at you - you simply don't see them.

There has only been one time where I know someone has tried to attack me through "social forces" here, and that was sorted out quite quickly by a moderator. If someone ridicules you based on a political belief, it's part and parcel of voluntarily participating in the forum (or political debate anywhere really). If someone starts making personal accusations & insults, the mods are pretty quick to clamp down on it. Even in the one time those accusations were levelled at me, the incident was kept confined to the political threads.

[jrd22]

I think the moderators here at SN do an excellent job of keeping things on an even keel without being too big brotherish. It's easy to get your feelings hurt on the internet because of the lack of tone, but this forum is much better than some others. I hate to see valuable members like SD leave because of misunderstandings, but unfortunately it is probably inevitable.

[LandLocked66c]

Strong opinions happen! So do wankers...

I could take any of these old men, so I don't worry too much...

That's smack, by the way... BFS as he calls it!


If you take the internet too seriously then you should probably find a new outlet. You are only bullied as long as you let it happen!

[smackdaddy]

Originally Posted by LandLocked66c

Strong opinions happen! So do wankers...

I could take any of these old men, so I don't worry too much...

That's smack, by the way... BFS as he calls it!


If you take the internet too seriously then you should probably find a new outlet. You are only bullied as long as you let it happen!

That is the truth. I see much more Cyberwhining in most forums than Cyberbullying. I believe that's why the term "HTFU" came into vogue.

Now for the rest or your post, bring it on wanker!

Hey, look at all the canvass flying on that bad boy! BFS for sure.

Sincerely,

The Puddle Sailor Who Just Happens to Be Sailnet's Most Lovable Troll

PS - Cent, the way I see it, to paraphrase your awesome sig, "Cyberbullies are tough only when you are on your knees."

[blt2ski]

Depends upon what you call bullying....... We all probably do this upon occasions, sometimes on purpose to a poster we know if you will. That might also be construed as normal jabbing that one might do in person too.

Others, frankly dog is really good at, not sure if it is bullying or whining or what......but the old "its not proper to pull up an 8 yr old post, person probably......see my post yadda yadda" Granted written vs said, but the written tone looks VERY bully/annoying etc. He had another thread where he went after the person because of some "speeling" Turned out to be a European in his early teens trying to find sailing info, English was a 2nd language, if not 4th or 5th, he(dog) tried ripping an ahole into him along with another thread about this............

Does it occur on here, upon occasion, Dog has had his share of bully posts with in those 20 some odd thousand posts too. When it comes to sailing forums, the bullying seems to be less on here than say SA or at times AS among others I have looked at. If one goes to an owners site, ie one for just Jeanneaus that I also look at, there is no bullying what so ever. Other than the occasional fun jab at a person.

Marty

[PBzeer]

This seems to be a cause in search of a victim, trying to equate a lack of civility/manners/politeness with an intentional act.