h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

From now on I'm going to completely ignore Lord Wolfden. I've tried helping him, I've tried being nice, I've even (and I'm not proud of it) been mean to him a couple of times and still he behaves in exactly the same fashion.

So that's it, I give up. Life's too short. If he posts I will merely steer around it and carry on regardless (unless of course he posts something interesting and relevant, in which case I *might* reply), if his behaviour becomes such that it disrupts a thread to the point that I no longer enjoy it I will quietly unsubscribe and not announce that I'm doing so.

For the time being I shall remain subscribed to the various threads dedicated to trying to do something about the situation, but if they carry on going round in circles or any more Researchers come along without any knowledge of what's been going on and accuse us of bullying LW I will quitely unsub from them as well.

And I have reached a decision that seems to be the same decision, Mr D. I don't see there's anything else that's going to have an effect. I've not responded to anything he's posted since he's been back.

Life's too short, as you say. It's even getting a bit too short to keep up with all the 'what shall we do?' discussions. But I hope you do.

Morning. (It's morning where I am. <smiey&gt

This is the best course of action for everyone involved, imho. Ignore someone long enough and they get the message. I haven't had any personal dealings with LW because I stopped going to the forums he frequents before he arrived on the scene. Life ~is~ too short to be someplace that annoys you.

Everything we do here is voluntary. No one holds a gun to our heads and makes us post to any particular threads - or to read them. If I know in advance that following a conversation is going to p**s me off, then I just don't go there. I do it because of a handful of researchers I simply don't want to interact with - much the same way you apparently feel about LW. And my short list pop up on some very interesting conversations that I otherwise would participate in.

Cutting off my nose to spite my face? Perhaps. But I have lost the taste for agruments just for the sake of arguing. And invariably, when I try to come down in the middle on an issue - explaining that things aren't always black and white, then I get pilloried from both sides. We have people here who enjoy a vigorous debate, scoring points and showing the rest of us how bloody smart they are. So I happily leave it to them. I used to enjoy that sort of thing myself, and fel no malice toward them. I just don't want to participate at this point in my life.

None of which has anything to do with LW who is alunatic and should be certified.

You've made a wise decision, Mr. D. Between the LW brouhaha and the editor position flak, I've been rather disgusted with the site lately. A number of times I've wanted to put my in, but decided to sit on my hands instead. Certain individuals thrive on conflict, it's like getting a fix.

I happened on a thread where LW's exasperating behaviour was discussed and have tracked round to figure out what is what.

In one thread a very clever woman (I think) has coerced him to give (kind of) informative answers - still very short and not enrich(n?)ing - but answers/informations nevertheless.

Like Hyp, I think and move on to the interesting parts of the conversation or the guide is the best course. It is the first unpleasant an uninteresting researcher I've come across in almost four years. And I'll steer out of his way.

I've met af few like LW in chatrooms - and only a few times have they brought my p**s to the boiling point. Excuse my language. There are too many interesting people to spend time with.

Just noticed that Lord Wolfden is on pre-mod *again*. Maybe this time he'll learn.

I came to the same conclusion a long time ago, Mr D. It's just a waste of effort getting involved on any side of that particular stushie .

I do feel sorry for the person in question - up to a certain point. He does seem to have a lot of problems to deal with and is physically limited in what he can do with a keyboard. Part of me admires his f*** you attitude. Perhaps that's what gets him through each day? What baffles me is the fact that he has a good degree, so is well educated - but posts such inane tripe a lot of the time.
I know that a lot of people have tried to 'mentor' this person - maybe he perceives their involvement as pity?

I read that thread yesterday too, Tartaronne. My finger was poised over the yikes button when I saw what appeared to be an especially unfeeling/inane comment - coming as it did after a posting from a researcher who is dealing with his own terminal illness.
I'm glad I did nothing. As Tartaronne observed, it was dealt with very skillfully.

Personally I still give him a chance, but when he starts p***ing other people off I ignore him. I think most people do. Still if it was attention he was looking for he certainly knows how to get it.

Until he answers my questions I posted on his PS I'm not going to bother with him. I was tempted to post a message telling him to make like a tree and f**k off, but that's probably a bad idea.

Yes, it would be 'd within seconds.

Shame, really.

Yes

I was gone for the weekend... My timing couldn't have been better, methinks.

Well, I have left the You Should be Ashamed thread... I just couldn't cope with being vilified by Della over the banning of Tig.

Mr D, suddenly, reading that thread, I have discovered what the Della wars were about. I just... never got it before.

I posted a reply to you there, but you'd already gone. I said - don't let her get to you. She can't help it, she really can't. You might just as well get annoyed at a baby for crying or a dog for barking.

I also said remember the old adage: laugh, and the world laughs with you. Think/talk like Della, and the world laughs AT you.

I haven't had anything to do with LW, but I know Della of old. And the one thing I would say about her is that she's an excellent barometer of the quality of an argument. If she's right behind it, it's probably wrong. If she's shrieking and screaming that it's a scandalous shame and ought to be stopped, it's probably right.

If she's "vilifying" you, I'd take that as a ringing endorsement that you're on the right lines. The biggest mistake you can make with her is trying to engage her in rational argument. If there's a conversation on a serious subject going on, the ONLY thing she is any good for is as comedy relief. And as that, she really is incredibly reliable and good value. As soon as you lose the last possible shred of respect for her, as soon as you can, in fact, cease to consider her as worthy of *any* normal courtesy, she ceases to be a problem and starts to become an actual benefit.

During the 1990 Rugby world cup, a couple of friends of mine had a large cardboard cutout of a referee. They would sit watching matches, drinking beer and shouting at the telly, and occasionally throwing empty cans at the cutout in frustration. Think of Della as like that cardboard cutout. Think of her posts as an occasional entertaining *alternative* to ones that people have actually *thought* about. Really. I promise, once you come to think of her as some sort of retarded ginger stepchild, you'll actually look forward to her posts for their comedy value.

Try it.

SoRB

"I have discovered what the Della wars were about. I just... never got it before"

One by one, people get it.

Join us... join us... join us...



SoRB

I hadn't thought about it like that, thanks SoRB! I think I'll re-sub and only concentrate on the relevant stuff...

After what happened in that thread I have to say that I'm truly sorry I ever got angry at you and Blicky when you seemed to be picking on Della... I had no idea how infuriating she could be.

Think nothing of it, really.

It is interesting, though, that one after another, people who used to weigh in on Della's side have an epiphany when they're on the receiving end of what, for want of a better word, I'll call her "thinking".

What's even more interesting is that the traffic is entirely one way. Nobody - not even one person - who used to agree with what got called the "Dirty Angels" has suddenly seen the error of their ways and started siding with Della. Wonder why not?

I should point out that since you have disagreed with Della you will of course now be inducted into the global conspiracy (you too, J'au aemanene, or however the hell you spell that...). Henceforth you must submit entirely to azahar's mind-control, obey her every command, and worship with the rest of the "az-cabal".

It's ok. We've got badges and everything.

Or is it "badgers"?

SoRB

I'm already in the Az Cabal.

*Does the Cabal secret handshake with SoRB*

See?