Has Fluther ever had 'bad' members?

We have had a few recalcitrant members; some are still here, others have been eaten by Neptune.

Rules in the pool wont let us name names.

^ What Willie said.

And we all have our moments. I’m one of the moody ones.

Sorry. I didn’t realise you couldn’t name people.

@LBM It’s tricky. You can’t name members’ names in the question itself and you can’t name members in a negative way. You can say positive things about members but can’t in a way that makes it a popularity contest. Clear as mud, right?

Suffice it to say, there have been mean, nasty Jellies and even nice Jellies who get testy at times (like moi.) Some folk have even been banned from the site. Battles royale have taken place but for the most part, we are somewhat calmer now – unless we are talking about baked beans. :-)

As others have stated, we can’t name specific people when it comes to the “worst”, but overall, I think throughout Fluther’s history, most Jellies really are welcoming and friendly.

Back in the day, I used to be a lot more aggressive regarding certain topics. I still have very strong beliefs, but as I aged, I toned down a bit, since most of the time arguing on here is pointless. A genuine discussion, on the other hand, where both people are interested, is far more worthwhile.

@LBM Most members have been great. Most current members are great, although some tend to like to argue without having any credible evidence to back up their arguments. Those folks are in the minority. Most people here are truly here to be helpful/useful and fun and supportive.

Some members who are no longer with us have either left in a huff, or were banished for being crazy psychos unhelpful or combative or were simply here to seek attention (as a real member, or as a troll).

There are some “hot topics” that tend to get people riled up, and if you don’t like drama, you can either avoid those threads, or simply observe without commenting. For me, I’ve found that staying out of the religious threads has done wonders for my blood pressure. As an agnostic, there’s nothing that I can say to change anyone’s mind. I also tend to stay off the meat eaters vs vegetarian threads for the same reason (except to let folks know that I am a vegetarian) because I can’t change anyone’s mind, and I don’t like getting into ugly arguments with people when there simply isn’t a right or wrong answer.

Three of the best members we’ve ever had, passed away within the last year. We are still mourning their deaths. I never thought I could be so affected by the deaths of people who I never knew in real life. These particular 3 people, though, were beloved, active, extremely helpful members. Unlike some of the bigger sites, we are a relatively small community, so when people pass away, it really affects us in a profound way. Even though we may never meet in real life (although some of the Jellies have) because of our small pool (no pun intended) of people, we know each other better than say people on Yahoo Answers or whatever other sites people are active on.

I hope you will find our group worthy of your time : )

Now, are you hungry? What can I fix for you?

There have been members who fabricated their questions and answers to evoke sympathy from us and turned out to be fake. That is reprehensible.

There’s been a few real jackasses over the years and a couple difficult types still ride the range here, but, for the most part, we are a pretty nice group of peeps and while everyone can have their moments, most of us are pretty solid and not prone to rabble rousing. You’ll compose your own short list of pissy jellies soon enough as you travel around fluther town.
Just keep a pair of spurs in your saddle bag and you’ll be fine when the rogues kick up their heels. haha

Trolls come around now and then. Fortunately, they’re usually found out and kicked out.

Because we’re a small site, many of us know each other on Facebook (for those that are on it) and some have met in real life.

You’ll learn people’s personalities soon enough. Some are cranky, some are silly, some are negative, but we’re all Jellies. :)

Depends on how you define “bad”. To some people “bad” means trolling, to others it means breaking the rules, to some others it just means stirring the pot, intentional or not… There are some long-time member who are still considered “bad” by some of us. Io me it’s just a matter of getting along. But don’t be discouraged by a “bad” member, people changed all the time. I’ve seen members who I couldn’t get along suddenly becoming nice to me. You can never see that coming.

Yupper, there are some real good followers here. Every bunch of apples has a few not-so-ripe ones. I think some consider me not so ripe because I always tell it like I see it, honestly.
Make yourself at home!

@YARNLADY. I didn’t know that. I can’t imagine someone being that low.
I probably missed that question when I was in South Africa helping feed the hungry after that awful earthquake/tsunami/zombie invasion.

@filmfann I see what you did !!!

Mostly it is a do unto others type of environment. Be cool and everyone else will be. Be a dick uncool and expect to catch flak. Just remember not everyone believes the same way you do and while it is ok to disagree with how a person thinks attacking that person or belittling them is not ok.

Shhhhh @LBM. We don’t talk about ‘them’. Just don’t go down to the basement or up to the attic…

The rules are pretty strict, and the mod team keep us in line. Mostly, people care about this community and we care about each other. So even if we do have a bit of an off period, we get over it and move on.

Just FYI we call each other “Jellies.” (I saw on another of your threads, someone made reference to “Jellies”). Of course, you don’t have to refer to yourself as a Jelly, but when people make comments about Jellies, that’s what they’re talking about.

Also, Fluther is really big on proper grammar and punctuation. I’ve had a question sent back for modding because I put in a comma that a mod felt was not necessary (yes, it’s true). Also, no text speak. Maybe LOL or an occasional acronym, but in general, no texting phrases.

Also, some really great,wonderful people have died. Some we hear about, but others we don’t. When we do find out, we seem to come together as a group and share memories and conversations we had with that particular jelly. If you scroll back through the meta questions, you will find the memorials. We may be a cranky bunch at times, but we still love our fellow jellies.

The Internet being what it is, we have seen members that caused difficulties.

I’m not sure what “bad” means, so I’m not sure how to answer.

I think our first line of defense is our insistence on proper grammar and usage. Undesirable people rarely care to take the time to write cogently.

The truly bad ones are those who make chewy pancakes.

Nothing is worse than rubbery pancakes.! ;>)

There have certainly been some nasty people; I believe a few were even banned from participating.

There are some Jellies who have been here for many years, but people generally tend to come and go. There’s an easy ebb-and-flow to this tidal pool. It’s always unfortunate when someone pleasant and insightful moves on, but the undesirables also leave eventually.

I think we all have our moments when we behave like jerks! But, there’s a good number of terrific Jellies. At least for me, Fluther is a microcosm of civilization at large – there are people I like tremendously, people who are ok, and people I won’t engage.

I’m friends with a few on facebook who were banned from here. They are good people, they just didn’t play well with other jellies.

@chyna thank you for pointing me in the that direction. I have had a long look through. Fluther’s love for each other can be really special, @Adirondackwannabe and @gailcalled sounded like lovely lovely people. Respect to them R.I.P

@filmfann Ha, ha.

There was once a stranger who came to this site and pretended he had just lost his wife and need us to console him. After a few exchanges, he pretended he had just fallen in love with his teen age cousin. He apparently posted entries on social media about how laughable and gullible the people of Fluther are.

@YARNLADY Really? That’s disgusting, I hope karma finds him soon. I know that isn’t a nice thing to say, but after losing someone myself, I don’t know how someone could pretend that has happened. It sickens me.

@YARNLADY I vaguely remember that!

@LBM We’ve also had a pervert or two, that sent private messages to a lot of the ladies asking intimate questions about what they were wearing. haha

@Coloma Oh my, wish we could say names, would like to look these people up.

The answer to your question is rather nebulous when there is no standard to go by. Who is bad or who is good is quite arbitrary to whom you ask. For example, and I am sure some will get huffy but it is valid just the same, if you went to the deep south in the 20s, and 30s and asked anyone (who was not a minority) if they were good upstanding Christians, hardly anyone would say “no”, even those who 8 hours prior rode horses by night, burned crosses, and lynched a few Black folk. You can ask here have there been any bad members and get a wide range of criterion on what or who that was. I have not been privy to any nasty members, certainly some rude ones, but Fluther is not utopia. I have known whom I would say were quality Flutheronians, but some felt bullied and left, or were ran off. Some of those who would consider themselves in the “good” category could have had a hand in running those off who felt bullied, but would never see their connection and might have seen the one who left as the problem. Fluther has been as Fluther is from my time here, if you have yet to have a bad encounter, hallelujah, I pray it continues, even when you step on someone’s sacred cow.

We’re all nice people here. And that’s an inside joke that some of the longer-lived jellies will get. And so might you if you stick around for a while. Say, as long as it takes @Coloma to respond, for example.

What ever happened to “102.5” and Randy??? @CWOTUS

@Tropical_Willie or Shoulder Pad Queen

@CWOTUS How long HAS it taken me to respond? 3 hours according to your posting time. I hope @LBM stays around longer than 3 hours. haha

I admit it.
I’m the bad seed.

Ya want proof, @LBM? Try and change your avatar.

@ibstubro Haha very good! I like you.

^^^ Yes, @ibstubro is terrific and has a great sense of humor.

How do I determine a “bad” Jelly?

- Someone who posts comments such as, “That’s a stupid question” or “You must be an idiot.”

- A person who sprinkles his/her messages with profanity. How is that helpful, and what does it add to a discussion? I’m no prude, but I really don’t want to read obscenities. That sort of language violates the spirit of civil discourse.

- Anyone who argues without efficacy. I’m-right-and-you’re-wrong, without further explanation or evidence, doesn’t promote a useful debate.

- Somebody who can’t draw that fine line between provocative and just plain mean or rude.

@Love_my_doggie Sounds like most on Yahoo comments. haha

Yes @ibstubro does have a good sense of humor, and he shops at the discontinued food bin too which shows a willingness to try new things and step out of the food box, it also might mean he’s the grim reaper. Botulism anyone. lol

Are you an idiot, @Love_my_doggie? The jelly’s bad when the button’s up! ~
Cheese is trickier.

That which does not kill us makes us stronger stronger, @Coloma
Holy moley! 25¢ Pop Tarts??

^^^ No, @ibstubro, your the one who are a idiotte.

I could be a bad member today. haha
My usual good natured, jokester, self is being sorely tested with this fucking heat wave in NorCal and the hideous Trailhead fire burning about 30 miles from me.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhx7zJdYMP0

( Now at over 2,200 acres. )

I am god damned hot, and smoked out. I shall do my best to not allow my misery to pollute Dodge City here, but, if any truly bad member rides into town I’m a’gonna be first in line for the posse that’s gonna run ‘em outta town by sunset. Don’t mess with a hot bohemian cowgirl. lol

@Coloma Is that where you live? Shouldn’t you leave? Do you have anyone you stay with?

Oh, sorry, re read. It is 30 mile away. But still, it is pretty close.

@LBM I’m not at risk, the fire is burning south of me, but yeah, it’s bad out there, smokey and hot.

It must be horrible, such devastation. I’m sorry that is happening around you.

@LBM Such is summertime in the hills/mountains here. I’ve been lucky over the years, some close calls but no losses. Knock on wood. I feel bad for all the evacuees and animals. evacuating horses and livestock and pets is just as critical as getting yourself and important belongings to safety. Thanks for the well wishes.

@Coloma Absolutely, the poor animals. They don’t understand. It makes me very sad for the loss of the animals. Hope you keep safe, and the fire fighters manage to distinguish it soon.

@Coloma Please stay safe.

Back off buster, this ere is m jukebox and you better step off if you know what’s good for you, dig?