juanbalv Loc: Los Angeles / Hawthorne

There. I said more than I really ever wanted to say. Under the circumstances, of course.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Was going to point out that it was only 19 pages and then....



This post that took it to your 20. Which was posted by ... oh,... posted by you. That is one way to make a prior statement true.

I know there is an interesting and amusing joke in here, somewhere having to do with truth, alternative facts and the new American way in force since January 2017, but it is still too early in the morning for me to come up with it. And I really did want to word it in a humorous non-offensive way, because I really do not think you did it intentionally.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

I would not have commented but since dsmeltz said something, I will too.

Another poster told me that, "... your ideas about free speech are quite different from mine."

In For Your Consideration everyone is constrained by the rules and the monitors to conform. Posters are afraid to speak frankly or straightforwardly - not to fully express their honest opinions. Their posts seem to be a bit mealy-mouthed.

Here in the Main Photography Discussion there are no such restrictions or enforcement against any but the most egregious language and behavior. There is more freedom of speech. That includes the freedom to offer dissenting opinions, lie about facts and get called out for it, argue as long as you wish, repeat yourself and even make yourself look foolish.

Readers are free to Unwatch what they consider to be a "toxic" topic that they feel has turned into a train wreck. Or they may decide to lower themselves by joining the fray or by complaining about it. That's what freedom of speech is all about.

It reminds me of a Jerry Seinfeld routine where a woman in the audience said she was there to celebrate her birthday. His remark was (paraphrasing), "Oh really, which one?" Apparently no answer so he said, "I get it. You want attention - just not too much attention."

BebuLamar

I hate it when people put me on ignore when I don't even know what I said to make them do that.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

It often has something to do with having disagreed with them and having made them look foolish.

I am on the Ignore list of Apaflo, artBob, Linda From Maine, Rongnongno and Uuglypher - maybe others.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

I don't know who has me on "Ignore" status, but I find my list easy to remember - nobody's on it. If I have offended anyone, I hope they'll call me out and ask for an apology if they think one is deserved. I've apologized several times in the past for posting a snarky response when one wasn't really deserved.

I do try to ignore some people, but so far nothing has risen to the level where it would require a button push. It doesn't take too long to form an opinion of the well intentioned, the knowledgeable, the misinformed but honest, etc., etc.

Trolls sometimes out themselves quickly, other times it takes more time to see the behavior in action.

Andy

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

I wish I could say the same but what I post can make me a target. I try to stay away from opinions. Like they say, "Opinions are like ..., everybody has one."

Because I try to concentrate on hard facts, people with alternate views of reality are likely to be offended when I question what I feel is their misinformation.

I don't always have the correct take on things. I am willing to learn and concede when I get things wrong, no matter who points it out.

If someone is doesn't like what I say or the way that I say it I'm sorry. That's usually their problem, not mine.

BebuLamar

Architect put me on ignore list and I didn't think I said anything at all of offend him. I ask for an olive branch to find out why and he never gives it to me.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

Check out where he concentrated his time. Only one post in the last 13 months. That might explain the lack of response.

BebuLamar

No he started a thread about "Flange distance" recently and I think something I posted in that thread that caused him to put me on ignore but I don't know what.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

That was Architect1776.

BebuLamar

Yes. I couldn't remember his full name.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

If you check out the Welcome to FYC thread in the section's home page you'll see we don't have rules - just guidelines (which are in essence a call for decency). You can think of FYC as a place where opinions can be expressed freely. The only thing that evokes any kind of disapproval is when a poster ignores our request for civil behaviour.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

Whether you call them rules or guidelines there is not real difference. It's just semantics - a euphemism to avoid being honest and straightforward about what you mean.

And what exactly does "The only thing that evokes any kind of disapproval ..." mean? Is not disapproval a euphemism for sanction, retaliation or punishment?

For example, "Initiating or participating in such attacks here or in another section will be viewed as being contrary to this section's guidelines." How can talking about FYC in another section be contrary to the FYC guidelines/rules? How could it possibly have any effect unless you "enforce" it by excluding from FYC the person who does that? How is that any different from preventing someone from offering critique of another section?

Check out the definition of mealy-mouthed on Thesaurus.com. adjective. avoiding the use of direct and plain language, as from timidity, excessive delicacy, or hypocrisy; inclined to mince words; insincere, devious, or compromising.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

We have had to deal with the realities of persistent and malicious troll activity, and our answer has been exclusion (but only in the worst and most persistent cases). In FYC, both positive and negative comments are seen as part of the feedback process, and if you look you'll find no shortage of to-the-point honest comments.