Why Is Everyone So Mean?

“Your perpetuating”

“but mostly, its you

lets say you have 50 fights with 50 different ppl (probably a typical week for you). even if you start only half those fights, you started 25 fights, while everyone else only started 1 fight


Name ONE fight I started since November 2005 that wasn't a direct response to something negative somebody said to me within 24 hours before that.
last edited: 12/20/06 8:26:41 AM”

“In this perpetual pissing match don't you ever run out of piss, Sarge?

Hell, I'm bone dry..............
Later, buttheads”

“Define 'mean'.

Would a person that expresses pleasure at a personal tragedy of another TTer be considered 'mean'?

or just subhuman?”

“for the sake of argument, lets say that you have never instigated since november 2005

your responses have been over-reactions to th nth degree. you see meanness or patronization where there is none, or you come back 10x worse than what was said to you”

“I told wanderer when he accused me of that that I'd find 10 that he did for every one that he found of me.

He declined to find even one.”

“for the sake of argument, lets say that you have never instigated since november 2005

Oh, so the story changes...


your responses have been over-reactions to th nth degree.

Give me one specific example. (please pick from this thread because I'll find you two other people who said the same thing I said)


crash - All you are doing right now is finger pointing. Funny considering the purpose of this thread.

Look in the mirror pal.”

“this is going nowhere. im going to walk away from this now and take a shower. but i would bet $ you wont be able to drop it after i leave”

“"I am just curious...why is everyone so mean to each other on here like in the last year and a half or so?"


I agree with this observation. While I might not have been able to post during those times, I read TT every day and kept up on all of the threads. When posting before I left, my discourse with some around here was bottom of the barrel, which was reciprocated as well.

While I truly knew better, I felt it was more important to "score points" through personal insults and other school yard "burns". Some comments made people laugh, some made people real mad, but that was the whole point at that time. I also felt that influence against a position could be made if the position could be reduced to the absurd and the poster made to look stupid. Credibility was essential of the position presented to me, yet I lost credibility every time I responded like that. When I left, I honestly felt that I personally had contributed to the worst of the worst and that I hoped that during my absence, this board would improve. That has clearly not been the case.

I believe that there is a new low this board has reached. I believe there is a direct cause-correlation with the time period wolfeyes points to and certain posters who became "dominate" during that time period. I also feel that the present situation overseas has played a role in the infighting that goes on around here. In some cases, there has been a major altering of actual friendships over the "war".

There was a point in time that when Matt had enough of Tarp Rat (quite recently, too), banned him and claimed that he (Matt) was going to take more of an active role in moderation of this board. That has not been the case. We have posters threatening each other with violence, posters committing multiple offenses against the terms and are still allowed to be a part of this board. This to me does not equate into a more of an active role in moderation of this board.

We, the community of the board, could make an effort to try and treat people a little better as well. We all play a role in all of this. And Matt needs fulfill the promise of an active role in moderating this board; I think this is the first cause of action, then the rest will follow.”

“Merry Christmas to you wolfeyes. Sorry your thread got hijacked and pulled down into the TT BS.”

“"techntrek is a bicycle seat sniffer" - crash bang

LOL! I love a good raunchy sniff in the morn'. Gets the blood pumping.

Oh, and you listen to the soundtrack from Beaches in the bathroom with pink bubble bath and a glass of wine. :-Þ”

“but i would bet $ you wont be able to drop it after i leave

That's the dumbest argument ever. You win the money. I'm not afraid to tell you so, even though it proves your point -- because the point is stupid.

If you ever post on trailtalk again you're a baboon.

This will be such a burn if you ever post on trailtalk again. *rolls eyes*


crash - next time you want to throw accusations at me, you should at least put it on a thread that isn't asking for that stuff to stop, you know? Stop looking for a fall guy for your personal problems at Christmastime. It's weak.”

“You have made wolfeye's point well, sarglo.”

“techntrek - You're a troll. Her point was people are being mean. I have agreed with her and asked it to stop and suggested people use ignore and uncheck fuego, as have others. crash is the one making personal remarks against me (which he can't back up with facts by the way).

Repeating the lie that I'm "mean" and start half the arguments doesn't make it so, as evidenced by no examples of this actually happening.

Your hypocrisy is showing. Did I address you? "No". Did you address me on this thread hurling negative personal remarks? "Yes". Your hypocrisy and double standard is showing dude. Get it in check.

last edited: 12/20/06 8:44:13 AM”

“Because they don't know the true meaning of Saturnalia!

My Saturnalia Name Is...
Saturnalicius princeps”

“This guy never runs out of piss.

Hmmmm, gotta go!”

“LOL @ MarkO!”

“Yeah, laugh it off man.

Its Christmas!”

“I know how people can be on the net Wolfy. I'm one of them. I have done a great deal of reflecting on myself in the last few months and I needed to make changes in how I deal with others on here. You know me better than most people on here. You know what I'm really like and the way I act on here sometimes ain't it. I don't like that.

Generally I try to avoid the conflict. If someone says something I don't like I just don't respond. Some people if I interact with them civilly it still ends up in a negative discussion so I simply have to ignore them all together.

I also echo much of what Q said. My past behavior on here has been bottom of the shlt bucket bad at times and there were things I said that still shame me to this day. Q, Buddha Bear and Crash Bang have all felt my sting and for that I have been sorry. It's my hope they can see past my faults but if not, I don't blame them a bit. Through it all though, you guys never miss characterized me or lied about me so I can get passed anything short of that.

Less time on here is what I really need. LOL!”

“(door opens)
Fridge - Amen to that.
Crash - you are hilarious as always.

I found this site in 2001 and was so happy to tap into a virtual community that I can learn tips on backpacking. I had no one to backpack with and wanted to get into it. Forums that aren't moderated heavily are always been this way. People who are bored and want conflict will post and create it. It's like backpacker tv - drama and entertainment. Ooo look! The log is catching on fire and burning up! LOL! Honestly, sometimes I come on here and look for some action. I may come out of hiding and post here and there.

What I like about this forum is that there isn't a moderator that is into power trips and babysitting. Matt is great and a hardworker. Are we seriously asking to be babysat for our own behaviour? We are all responsible for our reactions to what people type and you willingly read. I myself would not want to ask Matt to be my babysitter because (whine) I don't want to see offensive and mean things on my computer (that I powered up and willingly read and post in this forum each day). We naturally want everyone to agree with us, and view it personally when people don't. I hate that, but am guilty of it too.

That doesn't mean that people haven't crossed lines and Matt had to step in due to inappropriate and outright attacks - No one is innocent in participation of debates that become disrespectful. People are mean everywhere - at work, on the streets, in the home - but there are so many cool folks out in the backcountry and these odds drop. Why is that, I wonder?

Actually going on trips and posting on this board are two entirely different animals. Everyone I meet in person regardless of what attention-getting words are displayed across my monitor are good peoples.”

“wolfie,
sorry that your "why the meanness" thread devolved so.
i agree with your observations and think it's sad. besides snownymph and buck, i would like to also add bitpusher to the top of the list. i'm sure there are a few more i'm forgetting.

nigal, that's why i pretty much stopped posting on all fuego threads. i would read some of the stuff i posted a few days later and feel pretty stupid. i see people alienating themselves on here, guys that would probably get along great if they'd met in person. but now they "hate" each other's TT personality they'll prolly never give each other a fair shake in real life. it's really sad.”

“"My past behavior on here has been bottom of the shlt bucket bad at times and there were things I said that still shame me to this day. Q, Buddha Bear and Crash Bang have all felt my sting and for that I have been sorry. It's my hope they can see past my faults but if not, I don't blame them a bit. Through it all though, you guys never miss characterized me or lied about me so I can get passed anything short of that."

I honestly consider anything that happened back then water under the bridge. As such, I offer my apology to you as well.”

“I think it's pretty ironic how I have started threads in the past that were gear related(few posts), chatter fun related(fewer posts)or asking for advice threads(a few great posts)but start one asking a character related question and BAM! Takes off like a rocket! Everyone trying to defend, explain, justify, or simply show their character. This is all fine and dandy, I just wanted to mention I noticed what threads around here pull the most action.

And, oddly enough, reading through the whole thing solidifies my original observation.

As for checking and unchecking fuego, I don't read the fuego threads. Shyt filters into regular threads on a consistant basis. Take this one for example.

As for ignoring certain posters? They just create another name or two or three and keep the shyt flying anyways.”

“I do wish matt would step in more, it's needed. MarkO posted porn the other day with no handslap.”

“Link please.”

“LOL”

“WOW...snif snif...this is so nice this time of year. I think it all comes from a point of view.

We had one of our rookie's wives drop by the station Sunday for the Roast Leg of Lamb feast. We were sitting there and the usual plethora of fun started. We were discussing some of the stuf we do and the various arguments we get into...

She looked around and said,"You guys are so mean to each other." The Driver on the Ladder truck and I had been particularly harsh on each other about silly stuff, so she addressed that. "Man how can you and the Capt even be at the same fire?"

The Driver/Engineer laughed, and said,"Heck this is down time, at a fire we would both die to save the other one."

I guess on the fire service we found out years ago that in the absence of a real fire one of the best ways to find out if someone can "take it" is the harassment phase. Nothing permenant...just childish stuff...And those people who can take it turn out pretty good. Those who get all personally hurt...they don't stay long.”

“Someone here has an Obsession........and no sense of humor.

XL, you've got a sense of humor.
last edited: 12/20/06 9:12:51 AM”

“I honestly consider anything that happened back then water under the bridge. As such, I offer my apology to you as well.

Thank you. None needed though. IMHO that was all on me and you simply reacted to to me.”

“trolls don't count, by the way. Plus, I noticed that the only posts I count are people I have met or the people that I met that have vouched for someone else I have not met.

(door closes and you can see a shadow lurking behind a window)”

“Someone here has an Obsession........and no sense of humor.

Not me! I am all about FUN...really, I am. I don't debate well. Never have. I am pretty much black and white. No grey here. Why? Cause grey can be spelled two different ways and it's not worth it to argue which way is right or wrong. Best just to be black or white and not mix the two to create a color that is what it is but demands a right or wrong spelling.
last edited: 12/20/06 9:17:29 AM”

“I hate everyone.”

“This site is fun. And I get to work through some ideas. It's kind of like the college dorm room. Throw some ideas around and see if they stick.

I think the key is to not take it personally. Argue vehemently, but keep the personal stuff out.”

“Wolfeyes, not you!!

Its that guy who keeps dragging my name through the mud..............make him stop!

My hair is gray.
>8^b”

“Wherever did Gear Slut go?”

“I can't make him stop. I am not a miracle worker.”

“I know.............I'm kidding.”

“I am certain if MarkO, I and some new TTer and I were on a hike and a mad bear burst out of the forest.....

I could count on MarkO to help me knock down the new guy so we could run away...(LOL)”

“Poor little MarkO, the bully that runs crying to the teacher when he gets punched back.”

“wolfeyes - Beautiful__you started a great thread. You put out the "bait" and the trolls just carried on and on trying to defend their honor(?). Their reflexive actions gave me many laughs.

Thanks for contributing to an enjoyable Holiday Season.

BTW, one doesn't know "Mean" until they know me. Finger pointing! Yes, I'm pointing a finger at all the trolls. Guess which finger!

Just sign me:
Mr. Mean”

“Finger pointing! Yes, I'm pointing a finger at all the trolls. Guess which finger!

The double jointed one that bends backwards?”

“Speaking of fingers, mine are starting to experience arthritic-like pain. Sometimes, if I flip someone off, it just kinda sticks that way for awhile.”

“I know what you mean about the name changing wolfeyes but for me its still real easy to add the new name(s) to the ignore list - if I run out of space on the list I just edit out those names that I had not seen in a while”

“I think Matt should wipe out the registry for all additional names assigned to each ISP address for 6 months and let's start a new year. Would be a lot of fun to see who disappears for awhile.”

“Great idea, wolfie!!!!!!!!”

“No fair to those of us who have to share. Course Birch doesn't postmuch anymore anyways.”

“Married TT'ers would be an exception and I am sure Matt knows pretty much who those are at this point anyways.”

“"“Wherever did Gear Slut go?”
wolfeyes
10:28:52 AM
12/20/06"


I was just thinking the same thing the other day.

Where, oh where, is the slutster?


"“I think Matt should wipe out the registry for all additional names assigned to each ISP address for 6 months and let's start a new year. Would be a lot of fun to see who disappears for awhile.”"

I would be up for that as well, but with the limit for two accounts for those homes that need them.”

“You guys do realize this would cause violin to die, for real.”

“because we ARE...duh......

the collective "WE" are mean people....we express/project that meanness and it is received/percieved and understood...

Why is it hard to simply accept that the collective is "Mean" and deal with it instead of hashing the concept to pieces as if there is a "Kinder, Gentler" way of being that we are somehow subborning?

We're all pissy people..admit it and get on with your lives!”