Something odd about this place...

[HazelStone]

I've spent a pretty large amount of time on the Internet. Grow up in a one stoplight town, and if you're not into football your socializing options are very limited. So, I've inhabited a few message boards as well. But something here is different. A certain je ne sais quoi...

 

The other day it dawned on me. There are NO TROLLS here. I've seen some gentle disagreement and plenty of reasoned discussion... but no myopic college freshmen. No race-baiting, no "making money is eeeeeevil," no Evangelical Hard Atheists, no VEHMT members, no militant feminists...nothing.

 

Really. I think the most...animated...debates I've seen here are about *how much* to help others and *how far* to out oneself trying to get friends to keep some bottled water packed and extra groceries in the house.

 

Even moderated message boards have their fights.

 

What the heck? Do Cat and Darlene have minions with cattle prods that they send to neighborhoods whose IP subnet is used by a problem poster?

 

Dang...shoulda routed through Tor.

[mommato3boys]

I've spent a pretty large amount of time on the Internet. Grow up in a one stoplight town, and if you're not into football your socializing options are very limited. So, I've inhabited a few message boards as well. But something here is different. A certain je ne sais quoi...

 

The other day it dawned on me. There are NO TROLLS here. I've seen some gentle disagreement and plenty of reasoned discussion... but no myopic college freshmen. No race-baiting, no "making money is eeeeeevil," no Evangelical Hard Atheists, no VEHMT members, no militant feminists...nothing.

 

Really. I think the most...animated...debates I've seen here are about *how much* to help others and *how far* to out oneself trying to get friends to keep some bottled water packed and extra groceries in the house.

 

Even moderated message boards have their fights.

 

What the heck? Do Cat and Darlene have minions with cattle prods that they send to neighborhoods whose IP subnet is used by a problem poster?

 

Dang...shoulda routed through Tor.

 

 

Ya hadn't been over on the Edge have ya? LOL

 

Just joking

 

You are right everyone is pretty much like minded here and most of us have been around a good long while and those that come through once in a while and try to stir things up don't last long. It gets a little bumpy around election time but then it will smooth out.

[sassenach]

LOL. well there might be an occasional spy for guvmnt but so far the site isnt on dhs list so we are cool. lol. we got great recipes!

I know what you mean. FB pages, especially the news stations are full of trolls.

 

chat rooms all kinds of forums.

I dont even think westboro baptists have ever protested here either! lol.

 

 

this is a truly blessed site, Hazel. Thats all I know.

[themartianchick]

If ya'll didn't realize that I'm a troll... It is just that you've never seen my hair when I first wake up!! I look EXACTLY like those treasure troll dolls. I try to stay inside until I've dragged a garden rake through my hair, so the neighbors don't find out the truth!

 

http://en.wikipedia....wiki/Troll_doll

Edited August 17, 2012 by themartianchick

[Mt_Rider]

:008Laughing:

 

Martian, you kill me! Here I am, checking a couple more threads before going to bed at this late hour... Nice quiet thread....nice things being said about MrsS....

 

THEN I READ YOUR POST AND....I GET THE VISUAL...

 

 

 

Cuz I was around for the 60's craze for troll dolls. I love the trolls with their psychedelic-colored hair. Those itty bitty ones you could get out of the gumball machines. Too cute! [think I still have one with matted blue hair]

 

 

 

ahem, now back to the original intent of the thread before 'the troll' hijacked it.

 

 

I agree, Hazelstone! Tho there *have* been some real dust-ups in the past... Thankfully, it's usually very mellow cuz folks who are attracted here genuinely like each other. Care about each other. More interested in helping each other with prepping than spouting off crude remarks to others and thinking they look clever/powerful/what-evah!

 

Yeah, we have a crew of moderators who keep a close eye out for 'family squabbles' and have the POWER of DELETE! But rarely have to use it. Ususally we just send off a PM or two and suggest alternate ways of stating something that might have been better meant than typed.

 

If someone comes on thinking to type here like they type elsewhere..... Ain't! Gonna! Happen! They'll get bounced out. MIGHT get one warning/coaching. Depends on if it looks like they don't 'get' our culture here or if they're really just trolls. Or selling Viagra, etc. Takes work to keep that kind outta here. [ Yea, Cat and Darlene! ]

 

 

OK...now I *am* going to bed.

 

MtRider [ ....my troll-ish look is with hair sticking sideways 45 degrees and downward. Freaky, but have not achieved 'true trollish' with it going upwards... ]

[CrabGrassAcres]

Yeah, sometimes there is a little 'intense fellowship' here. LOL, but that is because we care passionately about our ideals. Not the same as stirring the pot just to get a little excitement.

[Ambergris]

When you expect more drama than you can handle from one direction, you tend not to generate it in the other. Safe zones are good things.

[Louis1]

Trolls have no chance against a .

[Cat]

:darth duck:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you everybody for the nice words. From my perspective, I think we just have just "seen it all". We actively moderate, and it isn't just Darlene and I; we have a bunch of excellent, experienced Moderators. I put that "diamond" picture under each one because they ARE our "diamonds". Together we can usually spot trouble pretty quickly

 

We use a gentle approach unless it doesn't work. :frying pan:

 

 

But it also helps to have a life perspective that follows our Lord as the ultimate leader.

 

We have all kind of people here - Christians aren't the only ones, but probably the majority. Personally, I try not to assume everyone thinks like I do. But I still have an abiding respect for the person that they are, *no matter what*. Unless they stir the pot, trying to *create* a problem, everyone is welcome, and everyone has value.

 

I hope that shines through.

[Darlene]

lol@Louis

 

MrsS had her growing pains over the years, trust me. Mistakes were made, feelings were hurt, toes were stepped on. She's been online for over 13 years and I think she's grown and matured during that time. People here have not only gotten to know each other here online for quite a while, but so many of us have met face to face in person which has deepened and cemented these bonds that originated here. We've worked through so many things which I really believe has strengthened the relationships. We didn't just walk away in a huff, we either apologized when wrong or were willing to forgive when wronged ourselves.

 

Those are the qualities of real friendships and I think that's what you're seeing. Maturity and genuineness can't be faked but more than that God has always had His hand of blessing over this site. He's used it in many little ways to touch peoples lives so we all have been used by Him. That's something very special to think about.

 

Cat has a gift of keeping things under control with a firm and loving hand. Me? I have a long fuse but I've been through too much on the net so when the rare person has pushed too far at the expense of the site is when I've had to refresh the paint on the boundries.

 

MrsS is very 'real' and I think that most people recognize that. It's harder to stir things up when you're dealing with reality vs. illusion.

 

I'm just glad that the things you mentioned are apparent. The moderators and members have worked very hard to maintain the stability of all that.

[HazelStone]

If ya'll didn't realize that I'm a troll... It is just that you've never seen my hair when I first wake up!! I look EXACTLY like those treasure troll dolls. I try to stay inside until I've dragged a garden rake through my hair, so the neighbors don't find out the truth!

 

http://en.wikipedia....wiki/Troll_doll

 

"You see, the snow on the roof is too heavy, you see, the ceiling will cave in. His brains are in terrible danger..."

 

*flees*