Why has GWS degraded into a junior high school lunch room?

Question

Really, it's getting ridiculous. Completely baseless accusations of Nazism and paedophilia, shallow, gratuitous personal insults, and ludicrous speculations on members' personal lives.

This morning I logged in to find the following email from a member with whom I've never even spoken:

"Subject: changed your avatar

Message: Thank God you changed that thing, I was so tired of looking at your cockeye."

Considering the source, it's hardly a blow to my ego, but really, how have we reached this level of schoolyard hair-pulling? Can we pull ourselves out of this infantile behaviour? Have civil debates? Maybe even act like adults, even when we disagree?

I'd really like to think that we could. I'd like to believe that we could use GWS as a medium to communicate our beliefs, our hopes, and our fears. Perhaps even sometimes reach a common understanding.

After the interactions I've seen and experienced lately, however, I really just don't see it happening.

What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

Yes, the children are out of school, and have unfortunately invaded this Forum.  When I see something written in telephone texting language, I just skip over it.  If I have to be around teen-agers, I want a salary.

However, the disturbing part is that the anti-fems have gotten EXTREMELY vicious and mean.  One poster said that if they got rid of the male pedophiles and rapists, and (as some kind of equal match) the radical feminists the world would be a better place.  No one noticed that they had compared radical feminists with rapists and pedophiles and called them equals.  What type of deformed mind thinks that way?

Answer 2

i think: MO and others like her need to have a word with you..

and thank you, for doing this.. i look forward to seeing more of the smart and mature women they claim themselves to be.

Answer 3

I'm new here, but I've tried to be os logical and normal a human being as I possibly can. I've probably gotten heated at times...

As to the trolls, I guess I'll do my best to quit responding to the obvious bait ("why are feminists pedophiles and child abusers?" etc..)

Answer 4

i agree with you, but as iim sure you know, being that this is a public forum, it is going to attract loser's with no lifes who are here to fill that emptyness inside.

i actually like the trolls. it helps me fill my own emptyness by ripping into their mothers.

Answer 5

Why? Because some people are too obsessed with getting their ridiculous points across to even care about basic decency.

Answer 6

I agree but I don't think there's much any of us can do about those other questions. You report them but they always seem to come back anyway.

Answer 7

I agree 100%.  The IQ is the same number as the age of these trolls making this forum feel and sound like recess time in the school yard.  I don't spend too much time here anymore - too tedious and boring.

Answer 8

Junior high?  I would've said elementary school.

Answer 9

My thoughts are that the antis and trolls won.

GWS is a cesspool where common courtesy and intelligent thoughtful views and arguments are the exception.

They wanted to trash an open place online where women gather and they have. I heard the same thing happened in similar sites where women go that were unmoderated.

And the report button in Answers is a further problem. Basically it means that misogynists can and do gang up and target women who say things they don't like or embarrass them. I'm sure they love the irony of attacking women this way and dominating GWS.

I think the only really effective solution to this situation would be to have a moderated group (or groups) where the members can filter who they allow in and kick out trolls.

Answer 10

There is a need for moderators and some type of system that doesn't make email so accessible to people that aren't contacts or the ability to report people for these types of emails.

Answer 11

Once upon a time, GWS was a place where having mature and intellectual conversations, arguments and debates was not only possible but it was how the forum ran. People disagreed yes, but it rarely involved personal insults and attacks. It was a place where people asked questions and lots of great helpful answers made up the majority of responses. Lot's of funny answers too, back in the day when a sense of humor was norm on the forum. But as time passed and as the forum became more known and popular, that slowly changed. The arguments and disagreements became more louder and prevalent and not only that, but the insults and name calling became more prevalent as well. GWS is now a place were anything goes, so much childlike behavior it's amazing and disappointing that a lot of these people are actually adults. But I guess it could be worse: If you take a look at Religion and Spirituality and Cultures and Groups, you will see so much more hate and vulgar than on GWS.

But you know, you have to understand that it's mostly the trolls who cause most of the havoc. The trolls who have nothing better to do with their time. A lot of them create multiple accounts just to do this. That just goes to show the amount of time they have on their hands. I believe the regulars who are familiar with each other are capable of having arguments and conversations on a somewhat sane level.

Answer 12

Ly, I can't believe that.

Everyone, I have met Lyanthya in person.  She is effing gorgeous.  When she walks into a room, everything stops.  Men drool.  Sometimes women do, too.

You're right--it is just like schoolyard bullying.  And remember what your mother used to tell you about the boys who picked on you the most.

But I don't come here much, just because it IS so negative.  When Cassius started posting his accusations of child molestation, I almost puked.

I really wish we could have real discussions here.

Answer 13

Wow, that was pretty nasty and personal ~ what prompts someone to send a complete stranger an email like that?

Low self esteem, I guess.

Regarding the playpen mentality recently ~ are you guys having school holidays in the northern hemisphere? We are down here in Australia and I think that brings the chilluns out, lol.

Take care :-)

Answer 14

Yes it has - and several think they aren't.   I took a fews days off and I am glad. Actually wondering why I came back.  

A derogatory question yesterday afternoon was almost it for me.

Answer 15

Someone said that to you?  Seriously?

I mean, yeah, I ask silly questions, but I don't go out of my way to hand out puerile insults.

Anyway, I think you're beautiful.  I know you don't need to be told this, but don't pay any attention to those frustrated little pricks.

Answer 16

Whoever sent you that message was probably just hoping you'd use your whip on him.

As to your question, I don't know.  I haven't been here long, but I've seen some seriously stupid posts.  Some members obviously are capable of logical thought and discourse, and some are just too wrapped up in their own preconceptions to do anything but proselytize and hope for a cheering section, which, unfortunately, they often get.

I'd like to see real debates.  But as to whether it's possible, I just don't know.

Answer 17

I definitely think that is the case. The problem is that so many of the wonderful and thoughtful posters have gotten fed up with this forum and either have left forever or are like me, only come sporadically now. The lunatics have taken over the asylum.

The trolls and the agitators are now the ones that are asking the bulk of the questions. There are still some people around that ask great questions but it's not like it was when I first found GWS on YA.  

Yes, it would be nice if this place was where people with different viewpoints could reach a common understanding, agree to disagree, etc.  I think it does still happen here but I think it is overshadowed by those that just want to be contrary...those that don't seem to want to talk about change and solutions to things or find common ground...only wanting to hear from those that agree with their outlook.

Answer 18

I agree. It may have something to do with school being out, and the ankle biters get to stay up later.

The part that is really annoying is that all the newbies keep feeding the OCD trolls (kick my nuts, shoulder pads, big hands on girls, Anatol, the multiple avatars of the pathetic "priscilla" creature, your ex is a tiny bug, etc...have I missed anybody?) and therefore keep the trolls interested.

Answer 19

Vacations+ frustration?

When you think things can't get worse, they do!

I seldom come here anymore, but I have received some nasty/hate mails in the last week  too, even one from a "respected" contributor (lol)

GWS could be a great place, but it will never be, as the inmates seem to have taken over.  Nevertheless I think few don't even want  to reach a common understanding, as "fighting" for some, is a way of letting all those frustrations out...let's understand them, being a teenager is not easy.