Must be the voices in your head again. Adjust your meds.
Friendly reply, that. Diane. WTG.
Just doing what I can to help.
I was going to say something nasty, but you know what?
That was funny. 
and a hug for you: (((((Diane)))) 
Smooches back atcha.
Boy, this brings back memories. I remember my newbie days well. My very first thread title being changed in GQ (too controversial, they said…). Thinking that David B was speaking with authority when he disagreed with me. And 
thinking that David B and Gaudere were homosexual lovers. Remember that, Gaudere? I thought Tris was an atheist, and Slythe (now another name) was the devil. I thought Poly was catholic, and I thought atheists couldn’t be moral.
My goodness this board has changed the way I think.
But I like newbies. (Disregarding exceptions like Lolo… assholes are assholes, new or not.) I think they add a freshness. I always make it a point to go out of my way to welcome someone new when they’ve come into Great Debates in a civilized manner. But I don’t think I treat new any different from old when it comes to people who troll or otherwise act jerky. (Remember “ambushed”?) I mean, look at the way I slap at Jab sometimes. Of course, he always nips at me first. And look how Stoid has called me everything from a liar to a paranoid in our current debate (though she denies that… she says shes calling only my posts names, and not me! :D)
What a place.
What the hell, since I’m new I’ll put in my two cents as well. I lurked for quite a while before registering and posting, getting the feel of the boards and the people posting here, especially the “elders”. When I joined and introduced myself, I was welcomed kindly by one of these “elders”, as well as other members. I’ve not had any negative experiences to any of my posts to date. But then, since I was new I chose the threads I posted to with care, and was careful with the replies that I posted. I’ve witnessed other newbies come in with guns blazing with their first few posts, deliberately picking arguments and then wondering why they got piled on. Others are right when they say that it would be considered rude if done in any other social setting. Why should it be excused here?
Here’s what I’ve personally learned about these boards: If I post something as fact, I’d better be able to back up the info with a cite, otherwise it’s not considered fact. If I post an opinion, I’d better be able to back up my opinion. If I can’t explain why I feel the way I do about something, my opinion is not valued much, as it is not seemingly based on anything. If I deliberately insult or flame someone, I can expect strong reactions (and very creative insults) and darn well better have a thick skin or a strong conviction. Arguing is an art form. Whining will get you little to no sympathy. And lastly, thou shalt not piss off a moderator.
The first thread I posted to was a stem cell thread. I jumped in with a not-so-well though out position mixed with a cup of ignorance. I got flamed so hard there were grill marks on my ass. People wanted to take bets on how long I would last. Basically, my feelings were hurt due to nobodies fault but my own. And then I had a revelation that I was being an asshole, big time. I apologized and tried to understand other points of view and re-examined my opinions. All the sudden, people started becoming nice to me and we began an honest debate in which I learned a great deal.
Want to know how to survive here?
- Have a thick skin. People are brutally honest around here. Don’t expect everyone to get all warm and cozy with you.
- Show some respect. Many here are worthy of it
- Be prepared to re-examine your views and have your ideas challenged. If that’s not your thing, you’re in the wrong place.
- Don’t be stupid