I disagree with you guys for two reasons. This is a neighborhood based listserv. This is not like posting anonymously on one's favorite geek or porn site. For some of the really childish characters, you may be correct.
But we are tacking up posts that last forever in front of our friends and neighbors. I believe you're thinking of the neighborhood list more like posting with nicknames to the world wide internet which is not quite the same. Secondly, you may be a bit naive to believe the awful behavior we've seen on the list is not simply a reflection of what happens in segments of this community. Down to the concept of banning dissenters when the bullying fails to intimidate, this ugliness and power trip that appears on list is endemic in the UCD culture. I could describe the "committee minutia" strategy, and so many other ugly face to face strategies regularly used but which don't work on the list. The character attacks, lies, misinformation, astroturfing, etc.all take place at the civic associations. The folks you watch bullying on this list regularly engage in bullying in face to face encounters. The list is the great equalizer. Part of the reason some of these clowns can't stop when they fail on the list is because they previously got away with their abuse of power with virtual impunity. When I was banned from FOCP in 2004, the king easily got away with it. On the list when the king e-bullies Ray, people can study what he is doing and he can't get away with it. Normally, stacking the deck, what we experience on the list as the ganging up, completes the face to face ugliness. However, these characters are much easier to expose on the list than from within their association . All of the mean spirited tactics eventually fail on the public and transparent list. They can call people crazy as much as they like, but the record can not be forgotten and the little mistakes can't be swept away so easily. These characters pretending that their alternative list is due to incivility can't get away with their normal tactics becuase of the record. When the UCD or FOCP quietly bans someone or entity they see as a threat, they are practised at immediately employing the character attack strategy when a complainant is ruthlessly attacked as a nutcase and danger. It doesn't work that way on the list, and over time the bullies simply expose themselves. In summary, the ugliness on the list is a reflection of the ugliness in the community. We are all victims of the UCD process which has always attempted to exploit those known as the anointed in order to secure its power. This divide and conquer strategy is what neo colonial corporate powers do internationally that cause civil wars and also against urban neighborhoods slated for gentrification. That is the cause of the list ugliness as I see it. I don't post on geek and porn sites so I'm not informed how other internet ugliness works. Boy oh boy, do I understand district ugliness on list or in person. Respectfully, Glenn ----- Original Message ----- From: Al Airone To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2007 7:55 AM Subject: Re: [UC] Incorrigible list leaders <<I think 85% of the problem is that e-mail frees many people of normal social constraints. People will e-attack when they would never do so in person, or not in the same inappropriate manner. >> Amen! Al Airone ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Sent: Monday, July 30, 2007 8:34 AM Subject: Re: [UC] Incorrigible list leaders I totally disagree Frank, unless the "out in public" you refer to is other e-communication systems. I think 85% of the problem is that e-mail frees many people of normal social constraints. People will e-attack when they would never do so in person, or not in the same inappropriate manner. I also think sometimes people can write in a manner that sounds more harsh than they intend or realize, especially since there are no visual cues to the contrary as would be the case in a face to face. Paul -----Original Message----- From: Frank <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Sent: Sun, 29 Jul 2007 10:07 pm Subject: Re: [UC] Incorrigible list leaders Have you been out in public in the last few years? This is SOP for the majority of the population as far as I'm concerned. This list is almost reserved in comparison. Frankus Sleek. Edgy. Infinitely flexible. On Jul 29, 2007, at 03:31 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: What bothers me is the lack of civility especially common among many big posters. Name calling (including intentional reversal of names, use of last names or diminutives as insults, gender based attacks, etc), open hostility, personal attacks, etc., are included routinely in a lot of posts. = ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.25/926 - Release Date: 7/29/2007 11:14 PM
