I was there thinking, nah, not me. They'd not get one over me. I'd spot 'em and report 'em. Then I realise... I've interacted with the latest two 'banees' as recently as today. My posts to them were innocuous, being banterish, advisory and helpful if I recall. To suspect now they were one and the same person makes me feel 'dirty' if I'm honest.
I feel your pain, bruv. I did the very same thing with a puppet belonging to one of the most PITA members we've ever had. It wasn't until a good bit later that I twigged.
I'm medium-confident that one of my posts to one of them made it clear that some part of my brain recognized their sock puppet nature ...even though as I was writing it, I didn't consciously realize it. ("Parrot", "Puppet", really, what's the difference?)
If its who i think it was i'd separately reported both of them for trolling but I didn't twig they were one and the same until after Wrey whacked them with the ban hammer - looking back at certain threads it's so obvious I 'm surprised I didnt spot it sooner
Narrow boats?! Damn your eyes, big soft moose. Burn 'em up, I say. Sink all narrow boats to Davy Jones. Wide boats only!
Thanks man. Never fails that when I get a message after something like this, it's always an accusation of "stifling certain POVs". Yes, yes, it must be that. It certainly can't be people's behavior. How offensive of me to even suggest it... 2016, yeah, you, the year. I'm talking to you. I fuckin' hate you. Like... hate, hate. You're the year that took soooo many of the idols I grew up with and left me with the Kardashians and Justin fuckin' Bieber. You're also the year that turned having an opinion into a religion and owning one's actions into a completely taboo topic. You made whether or not I wipe front to back into a political statement and didn't care about the death of bees. Seriously, 2016, you are the fucking worst. When 2012 and his pals don't return your calls, now you know why.
@Wreybies I don't know how you keep up with this place. I have a small fraction to contend with - this site is high traffic. This is the best-moderated site I've been on, and that's the truth. A good balance between keeping order and not running amok.
Thank you, man. It's not easy. I also deal with all the incoming email to the site, where the situation that caused this thread sprung back up like smoldering chaparral. So - much - fun. One thing I think people fail to remember - and I don't think it's intentional, just an artifact of digital engagement - is that I don't live in here. I'm not code. I'm not an AI. I'm cleaning my apt. now because we're looking to install a new AC (the mini-split kind) and the guy comes tomorrow to give an estimate and I don't want him to think we're pigs, and my hubby is a quite a handful to clean up after. I have a flesh-life.
Off topic, maybe, and I apologize if that's the case, but am I the only one who chomps at the bit to know the stories behind certain people getting banned? Always fascinating to me.
Yes, but apparently not the latest. I see @Denegroth got banned today, but I don't know if it was for sock puppetry. And I suppose it's none of my business. @Wreybies, you have to do what you have to do to enforce the rules. Otherwise, we end up with something out of William Golding. And take comfort: at least you don't have to bounce offenders physically.
I often wonder the same. I think, "Good grief, what did they do?" Like I'm afraid it might be something I'm doing myself, unawares, in my sleep maybe. But that's my neurosis.
Here's a related question: is there a way to prevent those banned members from creating a new account and coming right back?
I've been banned from nearly every forum I've been on for any length of time. Usually, it doesn't take much to get the boot. On the Westeros Forum, it was a run-in with the fanatical feminists faction that holds court there. On another fantasy literature forum I posted a full frontal nude pic of myself... mind you, it was from a Halloween costume party and I was dressed as a fantasy character. Nobody appreciates edgy performance art.
I'm pretty sure the IP is banned. So, I mean, the people can probably go out of their way to get back, but it would take actual effort further than just making a new account, but this is speaking from speculation, rather than knowledge, so take my response for what it's worth.
@Wreybies Some people haven't agreed with my opinions in the past. Can we double check whether they're sock-puppets? I believe my extreme intelligence and critical thinking has been the target of angry lesser minds. Also, I appear to have the sexiest avatar. That also may be a reason of my victimization.
Lol...people are really that desperate to create a sock-puppet? That's sad. With that said, it's bad that Wreybies has to take time out of what they're doing to point this out when it's clearly in the forum rules. That's just frustrating for everyone. Can we just ban internet morons completely?
Considering the conversations I had with people here who I actually think have very good opinions and thoughts, I'd be very disappointed if I found out any of them used this.
Used what exactly? Banned morons from the internet? I'd find that a great idea actually. It would save us all the trouble of having to ban them as soon as they do something dumb or against the rules.
I don't generally have a problem knowing what the offenders did - there's a really high correlation between the people on my "ignore" list and the people who eventually get turfed. I think you're safe.