On pain of possibly encountering a severe case of regrets, I have to
agree with Dave that:
"There is only quietly shunning" and
"This [behavior] will only change when such
contributions are ignored, thoroughly and permanently."
Dave and I together have proven conclusively that these two reactions
(shunning and ignoring) work really well. And to prove the point, by
breaking my rule of never replying to Dave Crocker, I expect to now
prove for all on these mailing lists that breaking these rules only
extends the bothersome behavior.
I assure all concerned that I will only break my rule just this once,
This will also demonstrate how well it works when properly applied.
Cheers;-)...\Stef
>From your message Wed, 24 Feb 1999 11:25:41 +0800:
}
}William, and all others who continue to respond to this sort of silliness:
}
}When someone gets continuing pattern of obscene telephone calls, they are
}faced with trying to decide how to get the calls to stop. This is made
}difficult by the psychology of the people who make such calls. The caller
}is sufficiently starved for any sense of control over their life that they
}find it necessary to try to use the telephone as a means of claiming some
}control over others.
}
}If the target handles the call incorrectly, the caller will feel that they
}have upset the person and, of course, that is the goal. For most people,
}simply hanging up is the best course of action, but some callers even take
}that as an indication that the target is upset.
}
}At base, the requirement is to withhold any feedback -- any and all
}feedback -- from the caller. Only when they are fully and completely
}deprived of any "reinforcement" will they stop calling.
}
}We are now experiencing this sort of aberrant psychology in Internet
}mailing lists. In the current case, it includes full-blown and persistent
}delusions that even permit claims of friendship with the recently deceased.
}
}With this sort of illness, there is no reasoning. Nothing that is said or
}done will get the person to become a constructive participant. There is
}only quietly shunning.
}
}In case none of you has noticed, these aberrant behaviors have not reduced
}over the last couple of years. They have, if anything, gotten worse.
}
}This will only change when such contributions are ignored, thoroughly and
}permanently.
}
}d/
}
}=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
}Dave Crocker Tel: +1 408 246 8253
}Brandenburg Consulting Fax: +1 408 273 6464
}675 Spruce Drive <http://www.brandenburg.com>
}Sunnyvale, CA 94086 USA <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
}
