Joyless Black Hole

[sunny-dave]

What on earth is wrong with (some) people on here?

For a worryingly large number of ABers, it seems that the only purpose in visiting this site is to ensure that anyone having some fun themselves (or celebrating the success of others) is rubbished, and all the life is sucked out of even the most innocuous of threads.

I've seen politics threads derailed with irrelevant sexist rubbish, a whole plethora of attacks on anyone prepared to say "well done wales", snide comments about pensioners, ex-pats being sneered at, as well as rather too much casual racism for my liking - and that's just in the last 24 hours.

It's a bizarre version of the "tall poppy syndrome", where anyone who is even remotely happy, or achieving at bit more than others, has to be cut down to size.

This site can only thrive when some people are prepared to be "net contributors" who add value to the site by their freely given input.

At the moment the "value adders" seem (unfortunately) to be being outnumbered by "black holers" who seem to gain their own joy by hurting and/or disparaging others, whilst contributing very little positivity themselves. It's no surprise to see fewer and fewer people prepared to raise their heads above the parapet, when it merely invites abuse. People can (and do) just walk away - and I can't say I blame them.

I'm not naming names (and would encourage others not to do so either), but a significant number of regulars need to take a hard look in the mirror and ask the reflection (if indeed there is one) a few hard questions about whether this particular cap fits.

[EcclesCake]

Here, here.

The site site frequently feels like a rat infested cess pit with some incredibly distasteful posts.

I have certainly been posting less as I find too many posts unpleasant.

[Psybbo]

Well said, Dave and ducks down again

[Lie-in King]

Bravo.

I've been told that I don't contribute - you've detailed why, thank you.

[Mamyalynne]

Summed up very well Dave.


Seems a large amount of people here see a parade and only wish to rain on it.

[stuey]

And the same ones think that every sliver lining has a cloud.

[gness]

Spot on, Dave......and I'll add the posters who seem to lurk around for X or Y to start a thread.....and immediately make a rude and personal remark about the poster rather than addressing the content of the post.

Often happens in news and it just stops others posting because we know exactly where it's going....x

[-Talbot-]

Why not voice your opinion on the individual threads?

[jno]

sozzled again gness?

.... oops, sorry, just dropped by to agree with the OP and got carried away

[gness]

And have more nastiness in a thread, Talbot? Why?

[-Talbot-]

He doesn't have to be nasty ... that is optional.

[gness]

Usually the chosen option.

[sunny-dave]

"Why not voice your opinion on the individual threads? "

Because it's a general attitude rather than any one specific post, Talbot.

Pointing out an individual bit of snidery usually produces a knee-jerk reaction from the serial offenders of "it's just in fun" or "egg shell personality" or "surely my opinion is allowed".

Which might be true in any one case, but when it is dozens of "nasty, but not quite nasty enough to get me suspended" posts the cumulative effect is just soul destroying and the targets either bite back or (more often) just quietly wanders off to more hospitable climes.

[gness]

Reported, Jno!........☺☺☺....x

[sunny-dave]

I don't want an anodyne "fluffy wuffy, we are all friendz here" site - that's boring beyond words.

But everyone needs to put a bit in (even if just occasionally) - generate some positivity - not just take all the time.

[EcclesCake]

So many longstanding, joyous and delightful posters have faded away, e.g. Sherrardk and 2sp. It has certainly become increasingly tenacious on here over the past year or so.

[-Talbot-]

Bickering is par for the course, water of a ducks back.
Personally it is people not backing up their posts when they type the first thing that pops into their head that I find a tad disappointing.

[gness]

So true, Eccles.....I miss Flump but wasn't surprised when she left.....and... oh I won't name the ones I miss......but it was fun and there was a place for it...

I would probably miss rude-to-me Jno if she left......maybe..... ;-)

[Old_Geezer]

Awwww go on. Name names :-)

[gness]

I would, OG.....but they know who they are.......anyway......when are you standing so I have someone to vote for?....x

[janzman]

As a occasional poster, sunny-dave I applaud you.