The Elephant In The Room

I should probably retitle this “The elephant that was in the room, has been asked to step outside for a while but is almost certainly chomping at the bit to get back inside” because, whilst I was waiting for the opinion of the mods on whether or not this was appropriate to post, the elephant in question was banned for a while. Regardless, I still feel that this is a relevant question regarding how we, the subscribers and contributors to this forum, actually feel about misuse of our forum, particularly as not a single complaint was made. Here’s the post…..

I must confess that I am not an ardent user of forums in general. If I need a bit of assistance on a particular issue I’ll often pop on to one to ask a question. Other than that, my forum time is pretty much exclusively limited to my passion; Southampton Football Club. That of course is what makes this place an essential part of the daily online routine, not just for me but for hundreds that share this passion.

It is this shared passion, coupled with a truly diverse bunch of subscribers that makes the place, albeit in a virtual sense, so welcoming. Channonfodder once likened the forum to a local pub, a most astute analogy and one that got me thinking. How do local pubs police their clientelle, especially given the fact that their very nature as a public house means that all, initially at least, are welcome? What happens if an unsavoury character all of a sudden takes a shine to your local pub? Well I’ve seen this happen on a number of occasions.

In every instance, a cold shoulder is displayed by the majority of regulars; a simple refusal to interact which is usually enough to send a message to the unsavoury that they should perhaps consider moving along. We might call this the ignore button. In some cases the hint isn’t strong enough and a quiet word from the barman is required. This would probably be a PM from one of our mods. Sadly, sometimes the unsavoury just can’t take a hint or, even worse, revels in the discomfort they are causing and simply adapts their behaviour, just a smidgeon, just the tiniest bit so that they are not technically infringing any rules but carries on pushing the boundaries regardless. Ultimately, this just turns some of the locals away and a downward spiral begins.
Well, those that run our local Not606 arms, have consistently proven to be very well aware of what their locals want. The recent addition of a games room and smoking section in Beefy’s corner is testament to that! So I wonder what they would say if I suggested that all the locals are sick to death of our current unsavoury? Well, I think I’m going to tell them but I thought I’d ask the other locals for their opinions first, just in case I am over reacting and this forum isn’t really getting poisoned singlehandedly by just one poster…..

 

If you are referring to gomarchingin he has to be one of the most entertaining and popular and posters on here which is why you wrote this post, and why a number of people take time out of their day to talk to him about his spelling, punctuation and grammar.

I am genuinely sad to hear that he has been banned.

 

Has he been banned? Wow! What happened there!? Perhaps a bit of positivity on here at last

 

The man in question is very clever to stay just on the right side of the law as far as the mods are concerned. He drives me mad and IMO has driven some regular posters away I hope only temporarily.

Several of us have tried to make him see reason but failed. Think we have to just leave it to Channon and co to deal as appropriate.

 

Don't have a problem with GMI...he's a bit depressive but remember he can't argue with himself. You have to join in. It is how he is...he is not a WUM and I am sure he cares about SFC. Don't know why he got banned, but I have never felt inclined to complain about him.

 

I echo these words. It is written that he got banned for abusing another member but reading back through those posts it is apparent that other members were also abusing GMI. Mostly great debaters/posters and mods on this site but there are 1 or 2 that think that they own the show and do not appear to like to see opinions other than their own. As Fran says GMI couldnt argue with himslef and it takes two to tango.

 

I think for most people it wasn't his opinions as such but his stubborn refusal to have any sort of reasoned debate. He never answers questions.

 

I occasionally replied to him and teased him sometimes, but you will never change his mind so no point in long drawn out discussions.

I read an interesting article in the Independent (only paper left in the cafe) recently...it said that people form opinions and see only the evidence that supports that opinion...so GMI sees only gloom and others see glimmers of hope in the darkness. The conclusion to the article was that discussions in person or on forums will rarely change peoples stance. Hence why politicians concentrate on the undecided voters...the rest will never change.

 

Gomarchingin was brought down by blurts trying to prove that they were more intelligent than him. He responded in the appropriate manner if he did indeed insult them, nothing more annoying than a superior forum poster.

 

I can't imagine ever getting that wound up over a forum poster. Try living with two small daughters constantly winding each other, and their parents up. GMI was pretty funny from what I remember. There is also a thing on this forum; that you're not allowed to suggest that NA has got things wrong, or that he's not the right man. You even suggest this to be the case, you get torn down.

 

Was about to start defending NA, when I realised that it actually confirmed your point

 

The problem I had with GMI wasn't just the constant negativity about my beloved team, but his refusal to actually engage in debate about any particular point. I absolutely agree with all those who support his right to have whatever views he wants to hold, but continually spreading completely unfounded tosh about NA's relationship with NC, or refusing to accept that we tried to buy more defenders in the summer, just made me want to bang my head against a wall sometimes.

As many have aleady said, the best argument against him would be to have a winning Southampton Football Club. Over to you boys...

 

Whatever happened to tolerance?

 

I agree. How can we vilinize someone for being a passionate Saints supporter? Just because he's not the most logical or latteral thinker

 

"I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

 

TBF Archers I think we have all been very tolerant. At times he just went to far IMO! If you look back I've never accused him of being a WUM but at times his posts were just moronic.

 

Why was he banned just out of interest?

I know his views were a little "out there" but was there something in particular that broke the camels back?

Seems a little harsh if he was banned for going against the grain. Forums would be pretty dull if everyone agreed on everything.

 

I'm surprised there haven't been more people agreeing with the original post. For those who can't understand why people get annoyed with him: It's not uncommon for people to get annoyed with ignorance and stubbornness, especially when the two are combined to such degrees. Nobody would give as much of a toss if he had a contrary opinion but at least presented it reasonably and was open to being corrected, but instead it's a waste of everyone's time trying to talk to him. People still get drawn in because ignorance about something people care dearly about (the club) is clearly irritating.

 

What are you talking about? I don't know what vilinize means but he didn't get that treatment for being a passionate saints supporter, he got it because he single-handedly ruins every thread on this board. He posts three times as much as everyone else and most of them are incomprehensible. Even if you have ignored him most posts are people replying to him. He's a menace.

 

But surely if that's how you feel, you just don't talk to him. I found him pretty easy to ignore most of the time, whilst occasionally he said something witty or insightful. Why get into an argument you know you can't win, if you know you'll be the one getting upset?