[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

All right. My $0.02, for what they're worth:

I think threads like this rarely have the desired effect. Even when motivated by a sincere desire to improve things, they tend to come across as patronizing and preachy. People do not usually respond positively to what can come across like pontification. So the result is that more often than not threads like this produce the opposite of the desired effect. This is a fairly foreseeable outcome.

Agreed.

I think that is particularly true when legitimate opinions are minimized. For example, to ask that someone with a differing opinion not be called a "sock-puppet" or "troll" diminishes the valid criticisms of real sock-puppets and trolls by dismissing those criticisms as "you just disagree with/don't like them."

True, although I don't actually see that happening here.

I also think it is particularly true when someone suggests in any way that others aren't living up to the ideals of their fraternity or sorority. I learned that the hard way many years ago. Judgmental observations are rarely appreciated.

Yep

Yes, many here go overboard sometimes, me included I'm afraid. But sometimes the harshness is, if not polite, understandable. The actions of some posters have taught others not to take everything at face value, or to recognize signs that something isn't on the up-and-up.

Yep.

No, it's not always pretty. But I tend to think these things have a way of working and evening themselves out, and the best way for that to happen is through dialogue -- challenging specific posts that one thinks are out of line and letting the community, with moderator assistance when necessary, police itself.

Precisely, if one has an issue, the best way to impact it is to address it.
[/quote]

Passive-aggressive threads like this, on the other hand, fan the flames and become part of the problem.

FLAME ON

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

Now maybe it is because I haven't been having the best day that I'm responding thusly, but instead of a passive aggressive finger wagging thread, why not just call out the individuals who are sugar pops mean girls and you think are poor examples? Why make a thread that the majority find insulting and ridiculous, and therefore make yourself a target for the horrible behavior of all of us?

This. (although making her a target provided some entertainment)

I'm going to tell you that if you're this butt hurt over GC you want to call us out and throw some shade, perhaps you need to learn about the ignore function or log off from the internet for awhile.

And this.

Call individuals and their behavior out by name, or keep it to yourself. If that statement is going to hold in the recruitment forum for a certain mama, daughter, and what not when people get accusatory, it is good enough for the Greek Life forum.

But mostly this.

Originally Posted by als463

Is it wrong of me that I am really looking forward to your post? This whole time I was thinking, "Why hasn't Drolefille said anything?" I also looked forward to reading something from MC, KS, and DrPhil.

I'm flattered I suppose

Originally Posted by shirley1929

You're right, I am being passive aggressive

Yes.

and maybe it's just because I don't have time to comment on every single thread and look more like the "cyber-police" as I've been called here.

No, I'm going with coward.

Cyber-bullying is a big statement, but the idea of continually kicking and dogpile-ing on someone when they're down, from behind a unknown username is more hurtful. You're more likely to say more damaging things when you can remain anonymous.

Gee, thank you internet scientist. This is not news. So when I speak with my letters and my username I'm not really being anonymous. You don't need my legal name and address. You on the other hand, don't seem to think your letters are part of your identity, are posting anonymously on the same website and think preaching at us is ok? Hmmmmmm.

They still hurt. Again, I'm just asking people to think before posting...that's all.

You're assuming we don't think. We do. We just disagree with you.

Originally Posted by violetpretty

Is it dogpiling if you're the first one to snark?

God stop being so mean.

/no it isn't.

Originally Posted by shirley1929

If you want to dig through my posts, I have actually out-ed my school on more than one occasion. I choose not to out my GLO only because I've recently had relatives going through recruitment and would like to not leave a giant internet footprint like we've mentioned here on this site before.

That doesn't even make sense. My cousin went through recruitment at Mizzou and suffered no ill effects due to my presence here because I didn't make a big deal about it or post her life story. Your inability to do the same seems odd.

I just know what it's like to be 18 and feeling like you're being ganged up on for something you've said. Cyber-bullying is real and much of it is in the perception of the receiver.

No, it isn't. And the posts in these threads aren't bullying.

I'm just asking everyone to think before they say something that might be construed as bashing to a young adult. If that makes me a horrible person, please let me know. I think this site is a wonderful resource and just would like to see it a little more welcoming to noobs. That's all.

You're being really dumb right now. Maybe you're not all the time, I don't really have an impression of you outside of this thread, but right now... DUMB.

That's all.