But do you feel better for rising above the mud? Did you derive any contentment knowing you overlooked them? If yes great. If not you may need more time. Do you think by not responding they were more happy or less happy. Alex
Nor do I really but my enquirey was an effort to determine if by not responding Paddoboy had deprived them of some pleasure these folk may get from having a go at him. Alex
If one doesn't notice them, then who cares? It's not like they're actually hurting you. The only damage would be if an ad hom were accepted as if it were a valid counter-argument. Regardless, the idea is that, under Dave's First Rule, you would report it. It would be struck in-thread (say, highlighted in red and struckthrough), and after enough accumulations (say, 2), the poster would be infracted. That's a lot of maintenance, I know. But hey, we're just spitballing here.
The point of not feeding vexatious-types is not what happens to them, but what happens to you and to the forum. I'm suppose there are members out there who still flame my posts. But since I have them on ignore, two things happen (or, don't happen, as it were): - I don't see them - the flames in the threads die as quickly as they're lit. This is key.
Insultin coments whether ad homs or not do not promote "civil" discussion... but im for what ever works the best toward Sciforums success... an i dare say that at least half of the members enjoy dishin out insultin comments... an whether the moderation on such comments is strict or lax its fine wit me as long as the rules apply to everbody... an i have full confidence in James R's ability to get 'er done Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Dave, as I said, what you say makes a lot of sense. In changing my obvious inclination of "rising to the bait" I just hope the mods, and admins, all of them, play their part. My position is simply, I've never really been inclined to turn the other cheek. I have had much success in my life fronting up to bullies. But this new start, may be the start of something big. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
I don't feel much either way Alex.....I mean its simply a science forum, and as I'm fond of saying open to any Tom Dick and Harry, as well as Dave, Alex and origin. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
I think I told how my grandfather told me if he caught me starting a fight I would get a flogging but if I lost a fight that flogging for starting one would seem a flea bite.... Well two things came from that warning... firstly I had to be real sure the other chap was starting the fight but having established I had not started it I could get stuck into the job of winning. Hope that helps. Alex