Please respect my individuality.

[Trek420]

um... so, context has probably told me all I need to know, but will someone define "forum troll" for those of us not familiar with the term (okay, then, for me)?

Thanks!

I once saw an illustrated guide to trolls that was hilarious. But here's a non illustrated guide to varieties of trolls:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=1032102

[witeowl]

There was a time in my life (high school) in which I would work my religion (Paganism) into nearly conversation. I was just itching to be challenged, and my elation upon being challenged was matched only by my disappointment upon being easily accepted.

Honestly, it seems to me that most people here have responded with a fair amount of indifference to the whole motorpacing issue. This thread, then, has brought to mind a scene from the Simpsons where Bart is jumping up and down, complaining that people aren't paying attention to him. "Why won't you pay attention to me?" he whines at one point.

It probably won't be a surprise to hear that this part of Trek's linked post on forum trolls stood out for me: "When trolls are completely ignored they sometimes step up their attacks, desperately seeking the attention they crave. Their messages become more and more foul, and they post ever more of them. Alternatively, they may protest that their right to free speech is being curtailed."

Mad Kate, I'm sorry if my assessment is wrong, but I looked back through your posts and I can only find one not alluding to your motorpacing. You've thrown it in where it didn't really fit (the dog doo response). I find a couple of threads you started yoursely which ended very quickly (indifference). In light of everything else, they truly seem to be of the "pay attention to me" variety.

I don't know what to say. It seems to me that the problem here isn't that people aren't respecting your individuality; it's that they are.

[tulip]

Whiteowl said everything that I would have if I had really given it alot of thought, which I didn't. Why? I guess it's really because Whiteowl is alot nicer than I am and that I don't give a flying rat's whisker about it.

In a word, Whatever.

[Cataboo]

Madkate,

I looked up all your threads the other day whenever you posted whatever you posted the other day and I think there was 3 or 4 of them that you had started and they all started off with you really like to chase your partner.

and I kinda shrugged and said, okay, she really really wants us to know that she wants to chase her partner whose driving a car.

I didn't notice anyone saying anything deragatory about it other than maybe you should be careful because it was risky...

I also didn't notice anyone APPLAUDING you for it. Now, if not applauding you for it is what's counting as not respecting your individuality... maybe you need to examine what you want from us.

You also need to realize that you've not been contributing to this forum other than the thread that you've started... which is normally how you get to know people, contributing when you know an answer to a question that someone has or give advice.

So if you post 3-4 threads on your motorpacing, and then post 1 thread about how we're not respecting you... and contribute nothing else... what do you want or expect out of us?

Right now, I just think you're odd and you want attention. If you like to chase your partner... that's great, that's nice you love riding.

[tctrek]

In a word, Whatever.

+1 to Whatever

[kenyonchris]

I agree that this thread is odd. I read the original thread when it was posted and didn't understand exactly why it was posted, or what MadKate needed or wanted us to contribute. And I didn't see anything particularly derogatory or offensive about what anyone posted, it seemed to be people were (like me) confused on what, if anything, should be said in response.

Personally, I don't see the point of chasing someone who is driving, any more than I would see the point of a runner trying to chase a bike. But whatever.
To each his own. Don't break any traffic laws, don't endanger anyone else with your actions, and pretty much I could care less. The only reason I bother to respond this time is because it seems that other posters are being maligned for their responses to a confusing and befuddling original post.

This forum is very handy for getting support, information, or sharing an experience. Not so much for tossing out a topic and expecting one reaction, but getting another.

[Zen]

In a word, Whatever.

Or in another word, "meh".
I sure didn't take the time to search any threads.

[witeowl]

Or in another word, "meh".
I sure didn't take the time to search any threads.

Well, I didn't have any tea to offer, so I had to show an effort in some other way.

[Zen]

I just can't help it, the title of this thread reminds me of this

[pinkbikes]

Hmmm... in my world respect needs to be earned. Not sure this performance has earned you any.

I'd say at this point all we've seen is a bunch of you rubbing our faces in your individuality, which has done little to earn you any respect.

I think it's fair to say that I'm pretty indifferent to your individuality.

[lph]

this really isn't any of my business, and I'm not an admin, but still... I'm feeling a bit uneasy about this. Yeah, I'm a wimp.

If I were to receive the messages Mad Kate has on this thread - and earlier - I'm not sure I would feel taunted, but I certainly wouldn't feel very welcome.

Please, can we just leave it now? I think the opposite point has been made.

[beccaB]

I think someone should yell at me. I tried to race a tractor. I'm 48, and should know better. It won eventually. probably made him mad, and not a good way to foster acceptance of bicyclists in my community. So, I won't be offended if someone chastises me.

[Zen]

Darn you! How will I get these biscuit crumbs out of my keyboard?

[OakLeaf]

Darn you! How will I get these biscuit crumbs out of my keyboard?

This is the only reason my laptops last longer than 6 months...

[e.e.cummings]

Darn you! How will I get these biscuit crumbs out of my keyboard?

I was going to post that somebody should tell a joke, but you beat me to it ...