BajaNomad

Cyber-Bullies

Pescador - 8-4-2008 at 08:06 AM

I picked up our local paper this morning and headline news was the new phenemenon of Cyber-bullying and I had to reflect on the numerous times that we have been subjected to that kind of behavior on Nomads. While some has been rather mild bantering back and forth, some has been downright destructive and perhaps a little scary in terms of level of intimidation. In normal social interactions there are normal checks and balances and when you meet someone who is a brazen bully you have the option to avoid or not see that person socially and if it gets too bad you always have the ability to take legal action to protect yourself. On a chat site such as this one with anonymity of posters, it seems that it is fair game to go to what ever extent anyone chooses to "one up" or bully another poster. I am certainly a strong proponent of free speech but the issue gets real cloudy when subject to the bullying personality. Perhaps the issue of anonymous posting may need to be revisited.
It would be a real shame, although a possibility, if the site were to be overrun or taken over by the few bullies who choose to use this site as their only means of feeling equal or superior.

Bajaboy - 8-4-2008 at 08:15 AM

I agree with you Pescador. Too often I hear people confuse free speech with rude or mean-spirited. Just because one disagrees with another is not a reason to be rude or spiteful.

Zac

rhintransit - 8-4-2008 at 08:18 AM

thanks. very timely. I'm sometimes reluctant to post as one never knows who (which bully?) one is going to inadvertently offend. is it the spelling cop? the THE Baja cop? the caps are shouting cop? the my way the only way expert? the 'I've been here since x" expert? or his/her nemisis the 'you old guys should move over/stop moaning about change and/or the good old days expert? throw in the random rant from whatever wing and the blast the Newbies for, silly people, asking questions that have been asked before quarter and it's surprising that as many people post as they do. then there are the personal attacks that one winces to read. we all live in, or visit, or love, or ??? a great piece of planet earth, Baja California, Mexico. can't we all get along? or get off the keyboard and out doing something else if we have nothing positive/constructive/informative to say?

Udo - 8-4-2008 at 08:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pescador
I picked up our local paper this morning and headline news was the new phenemenon of Cyber-bullying and I had to reflect on the numerous times that we have been subjected to that kind of behavior on Nomads. While some has been rather mild bantering back and forth, some has been downright destructive and perhaps a little scary in terms of level of intimidation. In normal social interactions there are normal checks and balances and when you meet someone who is a brazen bully you have the option to avoid or not see that person socially and if it gets too bad you always have the ability to take legal action to protect yourself. On a chat site such as this one with anonymity of posters, it seems that it is fair game to go to what ever extent anyone chooses to "one up" or bully another poster. I am certainly a strong proponent of free speech but the issue gets real cloudy when subject to the bullying personality. Perhaps the issue of anonymous posting may need to be revisited.
It would be a real shame, although a possibility, if the site were to be overrun or taken over by the few bullies who choose to use this site as their only means of feeling equal or superior.

Quote:

I'll throw the first stone at our poster "MEMO." Just because he feel "anonimous" for what he has stated about others on the board. Pehaps the cyber-bullying gives him a superiority complex. Who knows what lurkes in such mind.

I am all for freedom of speech. But personal attacks should not be allowed by our moderators. This board is for the sharing of information about BAJA

losfrailes - 8-4-2008 at 08:37 AM

Now UDO, you will start a firestorm by naming names. That is one of the main problems with commentary on this board.

Suffice to say that there are posters who fit the descriptions, and not use names

ELINVESTIG8R - 8-4-2008 at 09:46 AM

Cyber bullying is the pits but with the power of the Baja Nomad community giving the cyber-bully a cyber-beating on the forum as well as the mighty banishment button of the Baja Nomad Administrator cyber-bullying is pretty much under control. Let’s be honest 99.9% of the cyber-bullies will not make themselves know to other members during an in person social setting because they fear they will get their ever-loving “A” beat.

I stand corrected. Don't feed the trolls!

[Edited on 8-4-2008 by ELINVESTI8]

Beaten "A"

MrBillM - 8-4-2008 at 09:59 AM

No worries, there.

Parabellum (or other caliber).

CaboRon - 8-4-2008 at 10:24 AM

BajaNomad - 8-4-2008 at 10:40 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by ELINVESTI8
...with the power of the Baja Nomad community giving the cyber-bully a cyber-beating on the forum...
Actually, this piece of it has nothing to do with a solution - it's part of what feeds the problem and makes it grow worse - quickly.

As elgatoloco communicated - cyber bullies are looking for a reaction, and when you give them a "cyber-beating on the forum", you've fed the troll and given the bully exactly what he/she was looking to achieve.

It's all about control - and when bullys get an emotional reaction from you, (in their minds) they've won. THEY achieved control over YOUR emotions.

Don't feed the trolls.

--
Doug

ELINVESTIG8R - 8-4-2008 at 10:48 AM

Okie Dokie Baja Nomad. Point well taken and understood. No troll feeding!

shari - 8-4-2008 at 12:05 PM

Well, having been the object of this cyber bullying, there is a great difference between differing opinions, petty bickering, insulting and downright doing personal damage and borderline criminal assaults and threats of violence.... It is not easy to see horrible untruths written about you and your family without responding. What if our cyber amigos actually believe some of it?????
But I will sincerely try not to feed the trolls although I love animals.
I would prefer that this board have a new rule that each poster has to give thier true identities to the moderator....which would eliminate most of the horror.

DENNIS - 8-4-2008 at 12:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
What if our cyber amigos actually believe some of it?????


Your Amigos wont. The others don't matter.

ELINVESTIG8R - 8-4-2008 at 12:37 PM

Shari my opinion of you has not changed because some nut job tried to trash you and your family. You are still a wonderful human being in my eyes. Hugs...

Sharksbaja - 8-4-2008 at 01:33 PM

What do you call it if they continue to insult you but kiss the asses of so many others? Drunk?

Mango - 8-5-2008 at 12:42 AM

Give me all your tequila money, or I'll write something funny. :lol:

bigeye - 8-5-2008 at 12:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari

I would prefer that this board have a new rule that each poster has to give thier true identities to the moderator....which would eliminate most of the horror.


Here is a fact that may interest you. Up until very recently the board owner did not even know the true identity of his moderator.:lol:

Now how would you ask the owner to demand that each poster give his true identity.:?: