# Why does the SDMB condone cyber bullying? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 21, 2015, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576 "2015-03-21T07:28:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/282 "2015-03-31T17:17:54Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …who is claiming “calling someone a liar” in the pit is bullying? It certainly wasn’t me. If you want to know what my argument was, why don’t you simply read my post? It is right above your post, you can hardly miss it. > > The accusation is that a group of posters gathered together on another messageboard, decided to target a poster here, then proceeded to follow them from thread to thread harassing them until the mods put a stop to it. Does it really matter if that other board is the Giraffeboard or 8 chan? Exactly. And as I said- the harassment, stalking etc that occurred elsewhere was none of this boards concerns- _until it came over here._ Now, I know our staff here is aware of the source and motivation of the harassment, and know that it’s not simply \*\*Green Bean \*\*deciding out of the blue that Broomstick crossed some sort of line with her humorous anecdote about a weber grill. It’s gone far beyond that to a organized plan to harass a paid subscriber here. And it’s not the first time. There’s also **Czarcasm** , **Ducati** , and a mod or two. And of course they have nothing to lose. If their ISP shuts them down for cyber-stalking or bullying it’s not such a deal. The SDMB has a lot to lose, which is why I asked “why does the SDMB condone cyberbullying?”. I \*like \*the SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/283 "2015-03-31T17:22:18Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > The OP of this thread? > > Is _that_ what you think this thread is about? Because no one is arguing that that’s okay. That’s why we put a stop to it. And to my knowledge, that was the end of it outside the Pit. And that is what this thread is about. Not the posts in IMHO. It’s about the Pit thread that was started after the moderation stepped in. _That_ is what’s being called bullying. No, like I said, it was not simply the PIT thread. It _IS_ about the post in IMHO and even the posts here. And, no, you did \*not \*put a stop to it. You limited the harassment to one thread. Being as you were aware of the scope and nature of the harassment, you should have not even allowed it there. Posters should also have been PMed or warned about bringing their shit over from another MB. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/284 "2015-03-31T17:23:45Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Whether you’re reading those things or not is irrelevant, no matter how repeatedly you assert it. You keep saying that the issue is people not liking you. Well, no, that’s _not_ what I’m saying. MY issue, which I brought to the mods, was that people were frequently threadshitting with irrelevant posts to the topic at hand when I posted on the Dope. I _assume_ that those people didn’t like me because that’s not an indication of “I like you”. Sure, they could have also have been disliking something I did, or they believe I did, rather than me personally. Most people can understand that. There was some disagreement going on, and disagreement on, shall we say, appropriate behavior. I’m OK with how it all shook out and no, I’m not going around saying “wah-wah-wah nobody likes me”. Outside of this thread it’s all back to business as usual. > [@](#): > > Your focus on whether or not people like you, rather than on your chronic lying, is a distraction. What chronic lying? As far as I know the big issue is with one or two threads in all the many, many things I’ve posted here. That’s “chronic”? Twice in 15 years is _chronic?_. And I’m the one accused of exaggerating? > [@Green\_Bean](#): > > I fully understand why Broomstick chose not to read that thread or the Pit thread but there is no excuse for anybody else to throw false accusations around. Just go look at the threads. ^ And there’s another reason for people to provide links in a thread. It solves a lot of the problems that arise from hearsay. > [@](#): > > And just for the record: **Broomstick** , as you probably know by now, I started the Pit thread. I’m glad that you don’t consider the pit thread “cyberbullying,” and I really wish so many others in this thread would follow your lead. It was bugging me that people were taking potshots at you in various unrelated threads, and as I said before, I started the Pit thread in part because I wanted to provide an appropriate outlet. It seems to have worked. Which is an entirely cool way to handle the issue, I fully defend everyone’s right to say what they want in the Pit, and I never expected everyone to agree with me all of the time. No hard feelings between us. > [@](#): > > Many people in this thread have pointed out that it was a relatively mild pitting, and that is because I was pitting the one particular issue, not you as a person, and the thread continued in that vein. I’ve gotten no sense that anybody here or on the Giraffe Board actually dislikes you or has bad wishes for you, including me. That’s good to hear, too. Don’t take it the wrong way when I say I didn’t like the gossipy talk-about-others-who-aren’t here vibe I got from my brief exposure to the Giraffe board. I prefer more direct interaction, including disagreement. Which should be no surprise to anyone who has read my posts here. > [@](#): > > I like you. I think you’re a great writer and an interesting person with a good heart. I respect your ability to take care of yourself and those around you and to roll with the punches. You’ve made many many valuable contributions to this board over the years which I fully appreciate, and you’ve handled this whole situation with a remarkable amount of dignity. That all probably means nothing to you, but I wanted to say it anyway. Actually, it does mean something to me. As I’ve said all along, I’m well aware some of what I relate either strikes people as improbable or is unlikely in some respects and I’m OK with disbelief. I’m hardly the only person here to tell unusual tales (Master Wang-Ka, I’m looking at you - keep up the good work, glad to have you back). I’ve occasionally said I don’t need to lie, I can just tell the truth in such an improbable manner no one believes me. Think about that for a bit. > [@Morgenstern](#): > > That’s my take on it too. No one has attacked Broomstick as a person. Some have attacked her propensity to “embellish” though, others, have taken the “no blood no foul if it’s entertaining” approach to it. It’s really minor regardless. Good, is that settled, then? Can we all hug and make up now? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/285 "2015-03-31T17:26:55Z")
> [@SJL4041](#): > > I don’t buy that we can’t link to examples of harassment in ATMB. We’re discussing whether harassment is okay on this message board. Any examples would be clearly within the bailiwick of ATMB. Banquet Bear has no examples because they don’t exist. We can link to anything here on this board, but not outside this board. The obvious harassment occurred in the original IMHO thread, the PIT thread, and in this thread. There are a few other posts scattered around which, taken out of context, would not appear to be harassment. Several of the posters involved have started following me around here and making snarky comments unrelated to that thread but related to the issue here. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/286 "2015-03-31T17:30:03Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Exactly. And as I said- the harassment, stalking etc that occurred elsewhere was none of this boards concerns- _until it came over here._ Now, I know our staff here is aware of the source and motivation of the harassment, and know that it’s not simply \*\*Green Bean \*\*deciding out of the blue that Broomstick crossed some sort of line with her humorous anecdote about a weber grill. It’s gone far beyond that to a organized plan to harass a paid subscriber here. And it’s not the first time. There’s also **Czarcasm** , **Ducati** , and a mod or two. The suggestion that some vigilante posse was formed and swore a blood oath to make Broomstick’s life miserable by “stalking and harassing her” is a ridiculous exaggeration, which I suppose is completely appropriate. Bemusement and suspicion over her stories has existed on this board for quite some time, and a Pit thread was inevitable at some point. Your board-war hysterics are just that. Not to mention that you were more than happy to join in the off-board “bullying” of Dopers until your suit of armor arrived. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/287 "2015-03-31T17:39:30Z")
> [@SJL4041](#): > > I did a search on your name and found post #119, where you essentially say the same thing as Broomstick. I missed that post, for which I apologize. But…is there a forum where it would be appropriate for me to ask to see the evidence behind your post? The Pit? I guess I don’t know where to post since you’ve told me not to post it here. > > As for why I was posting in ATMB, I was simply responding to a post in this very thread. I will take any future posts on this topic to the Pit. My apologies. Since it relates directly to this thread, this is a warning that was issued, which was part of the response to the bullying of Broomstick that was occurring. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18216933&postcount=58](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18216933&postcount=58) This is one of several mod notes that Asimovian issued in this thread telling people to take it to the Pit: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=18217221#post18217221](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=18217221#post18217221) Most of the rest of my knowledge of what happened comes from a discussion in the mod loop, which I will not copy here. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/288 "2015-03-31T17:47:33Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Since it relates directly to this thread, this is a warning that was issued, which was part of the response to the bullying of Broomstick that was occurring. > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18216933&postcount=58](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18216933&postcount=58) > > This is one of several mod notes that Asimovian issued in this thread telling people to take it to the Pit: > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=18217221#post18217221](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=18217221#post18217221) > > Most of the rest of my knowledge of what happened comes from a discussion in the mod loop, which I will not copy here. Thank you. And yes, the staff here moved with speed and care to stop the spread of the harassment, and limiting it to just the BBQ PIT is not a bad way to corral the problem and limit it. You guys are on the ball, even tho I do not entirely agree. My point is that given the scope and depth, perhaps even the PIT thread is too much. I think you can see where I am coming from, even if we dont see eye-to-eye. OK? However, since apparently the staff has given the issue due and careful consideration, I will drop the issue of the PIT thread. So, due to the measures taken (which were not apparent early on), I will state the SDMB does not condone cyber-bullying. But I think you guys need to keep a watchful eye on this- and of course the inevitable fall out which will occur. Fair enough? Again, thank you and the rest of the staff for their prompt work and thought on this issue. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/289 "2015-03-31T17:53:20Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > It’s gone far beyond that to a organized plan to harass a paid subscriber here. And it’s not the first time. There’s also **Czarcasm** , **Ducati** , and a mod or two. This is a lie. There are certain dopers that are more frequently snarked on than others, but the idea that there has been an organized plan of harassment is utterly ludicrious. If you have an actual example of this, please PM it to me. > [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Not to mention that you were more than happy to join in the off-board “bullying” of Dopers until your suit of armor arrived. Yes, this bears repeating. Perhaps more loudly and clearly… **DrDeth is a frequent contributor to the snark threads on the Giraffe Boards.** (I’m such a typical durper. I know that’s hypocritical, but I’m trying to decide if it’s ironic as well. Either way, it’s incredibly lame for him to be frothing at the mouth about the supposed misdeeds of a group that he’s a part of.) > [@Broomstick](#): > > Which is an entirely cool way to handle the issue, I fully defend everyone’s right to say what they want in the Pit, and I never expected everyone to agree with me all of the time. No hard feelings between us. 🙂 Thank you. > [@](#): > > Can we all hug and make up now? :: hugs :: ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/290 "2015-03-31T17:55:10Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I \*like \*the SDMB. If you don’t like the other place then why are you always posting over there? ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/291 "2015-03-31T18:22:05Z")
I was under the impression we are not to discuss other boards in this forum. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/292 "2015-03-31T18:32:58Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > For fuck’s sake: for people who seem to think that the Giraffe boards are some haven for planning attacks on this place – have you ever freaking VISITED the place? It’s just another message board. Yes, there’s a forum for SDMB snark and gossip. I don’t know. I hear it’s much like Afghanistan and there are whole threads that are nothing more than training camps for launching terror attacks against the SDMB. I think we need to fight them there so we don’t have to fight them here! ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/293 "2015-03-31T18:50:15Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > **DrDeth is a frequent contributor to the snark threads on the Giraffe Boards.** I find it hard to believe that DrDeth would associate with that group of mouth-breathers. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/294 "2015-03-31T19:17:18Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I don’t know. I hear it’s much like Afghanistan and there are whole threads that are nothing more than training camps for launching terror attacks against the SDMB. Dammit, you figured me out. My real name is Green Bin Laden. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/295 "2015-03-31T19:37:09Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Nobody is “cyberbullying” anyone. Nobody is contacting **Broomstick** by e-mail, or spamming her on Twitter or Facebook (if she has one). (At least, as far as I know) Nobody posted anything like, “I hope you get raped you fucking bitch”, or “you should just go kill yourself, you stupid twat”. > > If you (as in a general you, not anyone specific) have a habit of being an asshole and pissing people off, and making up bullshit, people are going to call you on it. You’re going to get pitted. And yes, past behavior will be brought up, to point out that you have a habit of acting this way. > And quite frankly, **DrDeth** , it’s not like you haven’t flamed people before. So quit pulling this, “YOU’RE BEING MEAN!!!” > > In short: don’t talk the talk if you can’t walk the walk. QFT. I have friends who get the rape and death threats for posting feminist thoughts on Twitter, and it seems to minimize that kind of real harassment and abuse to call this break-room style snark cyberbullying. I’ll be the first to own that it is unkind, but it doesn’t threaten or bully. And as far as unkindness goes, I find unreasonable or unfair comments are pretty quickly shot down over there. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/296 "2015-03-31T19:55:17Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > What chronic lying? As far as I know the big issue is with one or two threads in all the many, many things I’ve posted here. That’s “chronic”? Twice in 15 years is _chronic?_. And I’m the one accused of exaggerating? Someone who refuses to read about the issues is not a good judge of what the issues are and whether other people are exaggerating. ---
**Author:** ![Emiliana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@Emiliana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emiliana)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/297 "2015-03-31T20:11:18Z")
The last person to post in the pit thread was DrDeth on March 27th. The other thread hasn’t been about Broomstick for a good while now in spite of its title. Perhaps the horse could be declared comatose if not actually dead? ---
**Author:** ![Calatin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Calatin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calatin)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/298 "2015-03-31T20:47:38Z")
> [@Emiliana](#): > > The last person to post in the pit thread was DrDeth on March 27th. The other thread hasn’t been about Broomstick for a good while now in spite of its title. > > Perhaps the horse could be declared comatose if not actually dead? We should beat it a little more, just to make sure. ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/299 "2015-03-31T22:46:13Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > This thread is now bullying the bullies for bullying people who have bullied other bullies in the past for their bullying bullies. Are any of these bullies perchance bison from Buffalo? ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/300 "2015-04-01T00:08:54Z")
I wonder if the Bills will move to Canada… ---
**Author:** ![splatterpunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3be4f8/32.png) [@splatterpunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/splatterpunk)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/301 "2015-04-01T00:49:13Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > Yes, this bears repeating. Perhaps more loudly and clearly… > > **DrDeth is a frequent contributor to the snark threads on the Giraffe Boards.** Well, in fairness to **DrDeth** , his contributions are not well-regarded. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576.md?page=16)