Stirring the Pot of Controversy.

[Weight]

There is a poster on this forum that finds controversial ideas and reports one sided stories. I vote we should not take the bait and let them talk to them selves.

 

[waldenbound]

Amen to that.

 

[John61CT]

No, if left unchallenged unsuspecting noobs may consider their implied belief system reflects reality.

 

[Trebor English]

Amen to that.

I make it easy for me.  I have a short ignore list.  Today it is three.  I haven't figured out how to decide it's time to remove someone from the ignore list.  If they start posting smart interesting stuff worthy of the time it takes to read it I'll never know.  Once a year I delete everyone and let them earn their place back on the list.

Sometimes I wonder how many people have me on their ignore list.  I have posted stuff that was unsmart, disinteresting, opinionated, and sometimes even wrong.

 

[johnny b]

Not real sure who yer talkin about, but for me I've put 'AreWeLostYet' on my ignore list. It just gets old, fast.

I got dinged by a mod a couple years back for a snarky comment about someone's post and the ignore list was suggested. (who knew?)
I never did for that particular poster because some of his stuff just kinda hits the funny bone.  

To those who haven't been on here long, try not to fall for the 'Debby Downers' who get caught up in their own negativity.

The majority on this site seem to be thoughtful, caring folk with positive attitudes, but like any public forum there are exceptions.

[@ John61CT...you are correct, but I'm not sure I could remain civil responding to some of those posts...]

 

[bullfrog]

I enjoy listening to nonsense and one sided stories. I guess that is why I sometimes enjoy being a ranger!

 

[LivGolden]

Agreed. Darren-downsayers are a particularly sad set of fellows. I think this fellow, in particular, has a YouTube channel he needs clicking. Otherwise, the man hasn't much content. Perhaps ignoring the man really is best -  in this instance, anyway.

 

[GraceinMotion]

I'm an over-educated, highly opinionated adult. Somewhere along the way, I've learned, mostly, to ignore my own foolishness and that of others. BSers gonna BS. Pot stirrers gonna stir that pot. C'est la vie and que sera sera, pardon my French and Italian.

 

[QinReno]

An educated woman who knows how to swear in multiple languages. Nice.

 

[Dingfelder]

I used to engage with those people to try to bring the best points out of a possible exchange. You have to have not just a lot of energy for that, but enormous goodwill, as well as a clear understanding that your goodwill will be taken advantage of regularly. I don't have those things in the same abundance as I used to, nor am I so inclined to tilt at windmills to make the world a better place. These days I tend to step into those situations only to prevent harm on the level of clear-and-present-danger.

Which is not to say I don't sometimes play devil's advocate myself. But less so. Playing devil's advocate makes people think, and it's common that people don't like to think or be reminded that they haven't thought much yet. Often you just make people uncomfortable when you prod them to think.

 

[John61CT]

"this is doom & gloom" BS or

"why do you keep posting just this cr^p without making any intelligible point?"

does not require too much effort to process, but still flags it for a gullible newcomer that something is wrong, this is not normal stuff for the site, at least take it with a grain of salt.

We already see so many people full of fear from such mongering all over the media and amplified by the net,

let's do our best to not be complicit by just leaving it there without comment

Not saying to censor in all cases,

definitely do not IMO engage in direct debate with the troll,

but individual members should just respond authentically to show it does not represent a majority POV.

 

[Weight]

Without an audience they will go away. There are so many other posts on this forum I can't see even the newest visitor mislead for more than one visit.

 

[RoamerRV428]

I let other's stew in their own filth without comment 99.99% of the time.
That tiny percent left sometimes can hit my buttons LOL---I say let them stew alone!

 

[Jack]

No, if left unchallenged unsuspecting noobs may consider their implied belief system reflects reality.

As an unsuspecting and trusting noobie myself, I really appreciate this attitude.  Especially since I never even heard of van life two months ago.  Think I post a lot?  Believe me, I read at least five times more than I post.  That said, you folks who frequently help and offer advice to others, I can't tell you how much it's helped me personally.  You need to know that you're making a difference.  This forum is full of practical application and honesty.  It's not full of the YouTube/Instagram version of van life.  The romanticism is stripped away while encouragement is given.  

Because I've taken the time to read so much here, I've learned to see clear patterns when it comes to truth and reality.  I don't have time for drama and ignore it.  Some people have more issues than Life Magazine but I'm not subscribing.  (I will, without hesitation, call out hypocrisy though.)  But, because of the regular folks who post here, I've recognized them for the drama and one-sided stories that they are and silently moved on.  How did I learn to see those kinds of posts?  Through those who challenged them.

 

[John61CT]

Thanks. It does get tiresome for those that hang around a lot, but 100x more folks don't, and thus need to be alerted about" those with other than mainstream viewpoints"

 

[wanderin.pat]

Oh CRAP, who did I piss off now?????  Just tell me to shut up if you want me to.... 

What?  Oh, it's NOT ME?  

Nevermind.