Posted By:
JoannThis is gross. Really, it is.
I have not been keeping up or posting nearly as much lately for variety of reasons (busy, finals, traveling, etc), but a big one has been the whole Peter C thing.
It's not as simple as "well then don't read his posts". Really? Well then can I post about my upcoming trip next year that I'm so excited about? Just don't open it, you know. And my job really sucks sometimes. Maybe I'd like to post about that. If it bothers you, just move on. Is it exactly the same thing? Of course not, but it is directly on point as to telling people to simply not read posts that they don't like. It's not that simple, and whether they are read or not having the board cluttered with inane posts detracts from the focus and is irritating.
More important than that point, though, is the fact that I am and was getting so freaking irritated with people that say just don't open his posts, or otherwise defended him in other ways - people that I like and respect and have had great interractions with here in the past.
To me, that is Peter's real damage - that is seems clear that he is divisive to the board itself as people are now picking AT EACH OTHER over this one poster that refuses to listen and wears his inanity and controversial status as some kind of twisted badge of populist honor. While we fight with each other over him. That's really kind of sickening.
Also, as I got so po'd at the people who defend him or even respond substantively to his posts (yes, it was getting that bad) I realized that this is not healthy for me. It's definitely not good for the board, but also a sign that I'm too invested in it or some dang thing. I don't even know, but I did make a conscious decision to back off from the board and from having to deal with seeing Peter's stupid posts and the collateral arguments that inevitably followed.
As to this thread, it makes it clear to me that I am on the right track by backing off the board a bit. Peter insists on behaving this way, and it seems pretty clear that it will continue. Because I can't resist ... here you go Peter:
"To me when somebody makes a joke about me, it reflects more on the poster so I don't respond to most of the jokes."
- Wrong. I have seen intelligent and nice and respectful people pushing back on Peter and making jokes. Not about anyone else - just Peter. So I think it's not just a reflection on the person making the joke.
"My only crime is that I don't know that much about vintage cards."
- Unbelievably wrong, and stunning to me that you would think so Peter. There are many posters - including me - that don't know a whole lot about vintage cards. Your "crime" is disrupting this community, and you don't even see it. Pathetic.
"Jeff L.,
Not at all. I expect that from you. It doesn't faze me a bit. Unfortunately that is the type of comment that makes others think twice before posting."
- Wrong. Anyone that reads this board - whether posting or not - probably has a crystal clear idea about why you get these comments, and probably understands that they will not get similar comments unless they post ... similary.
"I'm not trying to be anybody's champion, I'm just trying to make sure you understand what the newby and the lurker is thinking."
- Peter, please describe the miracle by which you know what the newbie and lurker are thinking. Because I tend to think you don't actually know. Just more of your revolutionary keystone kop power to the people delusion.
"Look at the series of threads Lee has started. If he didn't have me to poke fun at he would find another Board member."
- Wrongo again! Lee has been around forever, and as best I can tell has never maliciously poked fun at a single person. Not one. Ever. At least not that I can think of. So it is completely untrue to think that if not for Peter he would poke fun at someone else. No, Peter, this is specifically because of you and your behavior, not because Lee just casts about for someone to harass.
This is just plain nuts.
Joann