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Why do people get so mean?

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  • Posts: 34,415 Member
    Snarky comments are nothing more than passive aggressiveness. It really says a lot about that persons need to feel validated.

    You seem remarkably judgmental...and so definitive about it too.

    I guess that really says a lot about the type of person your are.




    (Did I do this right? Reach a conclusion based on something as simple as a subjective style in an online forum? I hope I did it right...)
  • Posts: 22,281 Member
    OP I think the FL part is where we can expect to get support.

    I think the forums part is where we can expect to get information. Would you agree that it's better if that information were straightforward and not confused by holding back for fear of hurting someone more sensitive or simply not ready to hear that information.

    In this way I think the site manages to be informative while still being supportive.
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  • Posts: 27,732 Member
    Nope, I have no problems with disagreements. A good "argument" is a fantastic way to put forth new and challenging ideas. That is how we learn and grow. But one doesn't have to be disrespectful about it.

    Like the above respirator se to this question about turning off your tablet and cell phone..... How is being that sarcastic, to a question, helpful? I have to wonder what is going on in that individual's mind? Are they just in a bad mood today, or are they really one of those "mean" people, recognize it, and they are taking offense to the question? Kind of one of those best defense is a good offense type of thing?

    I know perfectly well that I can choose to stop using this site if I wish. And I also know perfectly well that what I may consider "mean" behavior, others may not. And quite possibly, "mean" may not have been the best descriptive word. But why is it so easy to jump to sarcasm, far-fetched examples, obviously unhelpful comments, etc.? And nothing has happened to me; I was just reading some threads and felt bad for some of the OPs who clearly were asking for help and were subsequently being berated for their questions or postings or whatever.

    Just sad to me, I guess. Or maybe I was completely wrong about the intentions of MFP. I thought it was a community for mutual support. Which yes, of course, includes disagreements. I was hoping to find a place where so much rudeness didn't exist.

    I don't think that was sarcasm.

    When I find that I'm getting my feathers a little too ruffled I switch off my computer and go do something else.

    There's also an ignore feature, if you click the arrow underneath a poster's avatar.

    MFP is a community like any other-- there are all personality types here. There are lots of people who prefer a soft approach, as you seem to do. There are many others who prefer sarcasm/bluntness. My advice is to take the feedback that suits your personality type and ignore the rest.
  • Snarky comments are nothing more than passive aggressiveness. It really says a lot about that persons need to feel validated.

    But you're making a snarky remark now so......
  • Posts: 14,121 Member

    You seem remarkably judgmental...and so definitive about it too.

    I guess that really says a lot about the type of person your are.




    (Did I do this right? Reach a conclusion based on something as simple as a subjective style in an online forum? I hope I did it right...)

    Looks about right to me.

    I don't know about passive aggressive. I'm pretty sure I'm just aggressive aggressive.

    Aaaaaand in.
  • Posts: 27,167 Member
    Usually when I am wrong, I want people to tell me I am wrong. So I can stop being wrong.

    Yeah, but where has that gotten you?














    Oh, yeah...nevermind, carry on. Nothing to see here.
  • Posts: 34,971 Member

    You seem remarkably judgmental...and so definitive about it too.

    I guess that really says a lot about the type of person your are.




    (Did I do this right? Reach a conclusion based on something as simple as a subjective style in an online forum? I hope I did it right...)

    I think you did.

    UsOtm.gif
  • Posts: 302 Member
    people arnt mean, if people post a topic be prepared to have comments with different perspectives and opinions, if people cant take it, then they shouldn't post topics
    sorry if you felt that was mean, it wasn't my intention,
  • Posts: 27,732 Member

    But you're making a snarky remark now so......

    :flowerforyou:
  • Posts: 34,415 Member

    I don't think that was sarcasm.

    When I find that I'm getting my feathers a little too ruffled I switch off my computer and go do something else.

    There's also an ignore feature, if you click the arrow underneath a poster's avatar.

    MFP is a community like any other-- there are all personality types here. There are lots of people who prefer a soft approach, as you seem to do. There are many others who prefer sarcasm/bluntness. My advice is to take the feedback that suits your personality type and ignore the rest.

    Nah, don't do this^. It's more fun when people who have a different style of communicating in public make entire threads calling out others for not being like them. Bonus points if you call them names while doing it (and not just "mean" and "unhelpful" and other vague terms like that).
  • Posts: 4,301 Member
    Snarky comments are nothing more than passive aggressiveness. It really says a lot about that persons need to feel validated.

    There are thread posts which come up repeatedly; ie, sugar, Paleo, banana girl, and for some who've been on here for while(more then a year) it is like Groundhog Day. The vast majority of people on here will call someone out when they post material which misleads others; ie--I gained muscle mass while eating a deficit. Hope this helps.
  • Posts: 111
    haven't you heard the birds the word
  • Posts: 295 Member
    The people here aren't mean; they're smug. It's a small difference, but significant enough that they'll never admit to being mean, only correct, so I wouldn't waste your breath.
  • Posts: 234 Member

    You seem remarkably judgmental...and so definitive about it too.

    I guess that really says a lot about the type of person your are.




    (Did I do this right? Reach a conclusion based on something as simple as a subjective style in an online forum? I hope I did it right...)


    No, not really. Why would you think I am judgemental?
  • Posts: 2,492 Member
    The people here aren't mean; they're smug. It's a small difference, but significant enough that they'll never admit to being mean, only correct, so I wouldn't waste your breath.

    I would argue that we're not even smug. (Yes, I'm grouping myself into the "mean people" group because I can't tell you how many times I've been called mean over the past few days for trying to help somebody.) When we try to give advice to people and they just think they're so special that it doesn't apply to them, it gets grating. On top of that, we're called "haters," "meanies," and (my personal favorite) "lunatics."
  • Posts: 34,415 Member


    No, not really. Why would you think I am judgemental?

    I based my analysis entirely on your judgmental post...

    ...because you reached a conclusion about certain people and what it says about them as people based entirely on the style of their posts. That's a judgment...(and IMHO a remarkably flawed one at that).


    (edit: to fix the plurality of my object)
  • Posts: 1,298 Member


    No, not really. Why would you think I am judgemental?

    You literally just made a conclusion about a group of people based on your personal interpretation of responses to threads. That's rather judgemental.
  • Posts: 335 Member
    What is so wrong about anecdotal observations? So many people want stuff "backed up with science" and scoff at these one-off stories, but sometimes, this leads to scientific discoveries. These "anecdotes" may be the next decade's "science"! And even if they are not, what harm is it to politely hear another person's experience? You might actually find something helpful and useful in it. And, if not, you're free to ignore it. No one is twisting your arm to do anything that you don't feel is healthy or right for you.

    Please read any of the following for an explanation of what is wrong with anecdotal observations:
    http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-anecdotal-evidence.htm
    http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-role-of-anecdotes-in-science-based-medicine/
    http://osmosis-online.com/2010/01/09/seeing-is-not-always-believing-why-anecdotal-evidence-is-not-proof/
  • Posts: 22,281 Member

    Did you report the offending post? (I didn't read the thread)

    No, this time I decided to do an experiment and see if anyone else reports it. Apparently I am the only mexican on this site? and/or the only person who thought a racial joke was innapropriate? *shrugs*
  • Posts: 27,732 Member


    No, not really. Why would you think I am judgemental?

    Can you really not see how your post was judgmental? You are saying that anyone who responds with snark is passive aggressive and that their snark proves that they need validation. That's a judgment.
  • Posts: 1,298 Member

    No, this time I decided to do an experiment and see if anyone else reports it. Apparently I am the only mexican on this site? and/or the only person who thought a racial joke was innapropriate? *shrugs*

    I read the first four jokes and didn't finish the rest. I had a feeling the 'quality' of jokes would only decrease...
  • Posts: 16,356 Member

    I based my analysis entirely on your judgmental post...

    ...because you reached a conclusion about certain people and what it says about them as people based entirely on the style of their posts. That's a judgment...(and IMHO a remarkably flawed one at that).


    (edit: to fix the plurality of my object)

    It's funny because its true.
  • Posts: 34,971 Member

    I based my analysis entirely on your judgmental post...

    ...because you reached a conclusion about certain people and what it says about them as people based entirely on the style of their posts. That's a judgment...(and IMHO a remarkably flawed one at that).


    (edit: to fix the plurality of my object)

    antonio-banderas-ooo.gif
  • Posts: 22,281 Member

    I read the first four jokes and didn't finish the rest. I had a feeling the 'quality' of jokes would only decrease...

    lol/ it did, and toward the bottom was the racial one. but nevermind...everyone is being SO SUPPORTIVE in that thread and LOLing it up. i wonder if that 's the kind of unconditional support this OP seeks?
  • Posts: 1,842 Member
    Good grief here we again.

    Just because people don't agree with an OP, it doesn't mean that they're mean or smug - some of us have been at this a long time, and have done a *kitten* ton of research and have learnt from others on this site. So, if you're going to post:

    - but aren't logging or weighing food
    -or you're eating ridiculously low calories
    - or you try to sell me something
    - or if you write a post as fact, when it's clearly incorrect

    then I'd expect people to correct you, to give you advice, to tell you not to do X but to do Y instead. Some folks just don't sugar coat that - we're all adults here (have to be over 18) so I don't think the majority of us need info sugar coated.
  • Posts: 7,963 Member
    The people here aren't mean; they're smug. It's a small difference, but significant enough that they'll never admit to being mean, only correct, so I wouldn't waste your breath.

    I'm mean. I'm also smug. And I'm intelligent enough not to care what the normies think about it.
  • Posts: 436 Member
    Moderators do a good job here. Their job isn't to weed out offensive posts, but to stop posts that violate the guidelines.
    Saying "If you want to stop being offended, throw out your computer" doesn't mean that you literally should do that. It means that you can't control what others post and will fail trying. Your topic here is an attempt to police the internet. :drinker:
  • Posts: 34,971 Member

    I'm mean. I'm also smug. And I'm intelligent enough not to care what the normies think about it.

    Muggles I tell ya
  • Posts: 295 Member

    I would argue that we're not even smug. (Yes, I'm grouping myself into the "mean people" group because I can't tell you how many times I've been called mean over the past few days for trying to help somebody.) When we try to give advice to people and they just think they're so special that it doesn't apply to them, it gets grating. On top of that, we're called "haters," "meanies," and (my personal favorite) "lunatics."

    That's certainly fair. Neither description takes any skin off my nose, though it's equally grating to see people so constantly up-in-arms at being annoyed by people. I never understand why the people accused of being mean are so quick to tell others to click the ignore button, but never consider ignoring the people who are annoying them. I assume it's because one party thinks its better than the other, and thus we have smug.

    randy-marsh.gif
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