Bad actors on forums

[MrGrieves]

Hi. I am writing this here as I didn’t want to post it in the general forums and create a big to do there and the admin forum didn’t seem to fit either. Anyways, here’s what I have to say. There are a number of bad actors here on the forums. I have ran different internet message board communities for a long time. For a number of different topics. I have dealt with trolls, jerks, and gadflies on far too many occasions and can spot them pretty easily. There are a number of folks here that are intentionally creating division and disruption. I am not talking about people presenting a different side to an issue but people that like to play to our democratic ideals to discredit one and other on these forums. They play by the rules technically but the intent is there to create division and infighting. With the non-moderator set up here I don’t know how you go about dealing with it. And I wouldn’t say that anything needs to change per se, but rather that I would keep an eye on it.

I know I myself have a low post count but I have been here for a pretty good ampunt of time viewing. I had a different username at one point going back to Bush W.

I haop no offense is taking to me raising this issue as I think you guys do a really good job here. But just wanted to say that as a lingtime admin and moderator of many communities there is a recognizable pattern that caught my attention.

Thanks guys.

[dlk]

1. Given the Trolls' and Bad Actors' Success in Electing Trump, It Makes Sense They Would Continue

From their perspective, there's no good reason to stop.

[MrGrieves]

2. Right. And I think we know that is occurring

Thing is how do we deal with it in this environment here (which I really like). I almost got caught up in it and took the bait on a thread yesterday.

[Sherman A1]

3. Agreed

and some of them have very high post counts. That said, I have found ignore to be very helpful along with the block specific words (for me it is Cat, Kitten, Trump and a few more) and the trash thread function.

[MrGrieves]

4. Thanks Sherman

Admittedly I don't use those features enough.

[Sherman A1]

5. Give them a try

I have found them very helpful.

I don't mind differences of opinions, I do object to a lack of civility and the more and more baiting posts that I am seeing.

[LAS14]

6. How can you tell what their motives are? On several occasions (not...

... a lot), people have assumed motives about a post of mine that weren't remotely true. I find that sort of behavior troubling.