How do you react to negative posts on RallyPoint?

2014-09-05T18:22:01-04:00

I notice how easily many of us become offended or outraged when someone posts something drastically contradicting one's beliefs or is un-cultural. Heck I took a hit of about 30 down votes in my Rallypoint career!

Have you thought of the ways to address members in less than aggressive manner?

Do you find yourself trying to 'put someone in their place', 'giving them piece of your mind' or are you genuinely interested in helping them see an issue from broader perspective?

Response by CPO Jon Campbell made Sep 5 at 2014 6:50 PM

2014-09-05T18:50:48-04:00

Timely topic.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Sep 5 at 2014 7:04 PM

2014-09-05T19:04:03-04:00

OK, PO1 Dronzin, here are my thoughts....
Most of us have very deeply rooted values and beliefs. Most of us understand that OUR values and beliefs are NOT necessarily the same values and beliefs as everyone else. One would assume, therefore, that we could have a 'discussion' of our different perspectives in a professional manner. Reasonable? Sure it is! UNTIL one or both parties allows emotions to dictate their responses rather than reason, that is when the discussion quickly goes to 'Hades in a hand-basket'.
We're all human, we all read posts that tend to raise our ire, and there is nothing wrong with that, it's completely normal. Perhaps, once we find ourselves in this 'heightened emotional state', we should step away for the conversation for a period of time in order to form a lucid, and logical response rather than reacting in a defensive and emotional manner.
I realize this is, in many cases, easier said than done; but maybe we, as a community, can agree to TRY.
Just a thought.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 5 at 2014 7:54 PM

2014-09-05T19:54:50-04:00

When I see posts with people expressing some uber-attitude and I am interested in the discussion, I try to remind people what the site is meant for, hopefully w/o showing attitude back, and that we all show respect here. Then I see if they want to join me in a verse or two of "Kumbaya".

Hopefully, with others joining in, the post becomes defused before the attitude-laced statements start getting tossed over hedges like hand grenades.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 5 at 2014 8:22 PM

2014-09-05T20:22:27-04:00

I have yet to use the "thumbs down" option that is sure to have serious political and emotional ramifications on an individual. I have chosen to bide my time and stew in my own anger juices until the even more devastating "bent dog tag" option has come to fruition.

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Sep 5 at 2014 8:47 PM

2014-09-05T20:47:12-04:00

I thought about addressing a comment that I found a little uncalled for, but then decided it wasn't worth it. The reality is, we all have a right to our own opinions. That's one of the things we defend as service members. We don't have to agree with everything others may say, but that doesn't mean we need to be spiteful about it.

I don't think I would be much of an officer, let alone much of a Soldier, if I spent all of my time trying to put people in their place. I would much rather learn from all of you on here, and I hope I can offer some sound advice or insight from time to time too.

All right - bring on the thumbs down. I can take it. :-P

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 5 at 2014 8:48 PM

2014-09-05T20:48:37-04:00

For all you Star Wars fans wondering which button to push at times.........

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2014 9:37 PM

2014-09-05T21:37:28-04:00

In the past I have posted comments that if I were still in uniform I would never have said to a senior ranking service member. Many officers and senior enlisted take the approach that "yes, sir/sergeant" is the only appropriate response and consider anything else disrespect.

The joy of being a veteran is that I now have more latitude in expressing my opinion, and I tend to take the mindset of speaking to an equal when debating something here on RP. Some consider that as me being aggressive or abrasive, because all they see is the rank next to my name and not the merit of the message itself. Hell, I once had a SFC (retired) scold me by saying that down voting him was disrespectful in and of itself and that I was essentially a worthless sack of excrement for doing so. Some people are going to see a dissenting opinion of any kind or a down vote as aggression/disrespect and they are the type of people that I'm thankful I no longer have to be around on a daily basis.

In short, haters are gonna hate, and if you're going to post something that might get peoples hackles raised then be ready to deal with the heat that will be heading your way soon after.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2014 10:18 PM

2014-09-05T22:18:38-04:00

I'm surprised how some comment on here. I know some of us like to vent but nonetheless we should keep it professional. A joke here and there is fun but some are out just to bash others and feel superior.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2014 10:22 PM

2014-09-05T22:22:22-04:00

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member We get some of that here and then they just seem to disappear. But mostly pretty civil, even with those who think they know more about Climate than a Meteorologist.. Just saying!! lol

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2014 2:21 AM

2014-09-30T02:21:02-04:00

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member I know I am wrong and more often that I would like to admit to. That said, I am not going to let someone tell me something that is wrong pertaining the field I am trained in. And I am not talking about 'heat lightning' or some other urban myth. But actual scientific terms which are categorically wrong.

Even if one is right you can't bend their fingers or their minds. They are not reasonable or are being recalcitrant. For example, I would never climb a power pole just because I saw it on Dirty Jobs or try to wire my house because I like Holmes on Homes. If I think I know a bit about everything, it is pretty certain I do know enough to make specious comments.

The problem with online communications is they can be hasty or poorly articulated and while spelling is an issue for some (present company included) some people have transposition problems. A friend of mine has a sister and to overcome her problem her mother worked with her night and day. That girl is now a doctor and so were both her parents. So, taking some things into consideration might make a person less likely to jump on another.

Good topic Jacob.

Response by PO3 Shaun Taylor made Sep 30 at 2014 2:41 AM

2014-09-30T02:41:24-04:00

I try not to feed into the negative responses, but I've come across a few people here who had me re-thinking my views on using the thumbs down feature. I try to be positive in my responses and feel that I should get the same in return, even if we don't agree. After my last experience I also avoid commenting on certain topics that tend to get heated because of some of the things I've experienced on here.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 30 at 2014 9:03 AM

2014-09-30T09:03:13-04:00

We should all try to avoid being cereal down-voters.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Sep 30 at 2014 10:12 AM

2014-09-30T10:12:00-04:00

For me, I have found most of the post of the negative comments humorous. I find down votes troubling if the person does not explain why they are doing it? I do not intend to be negative, and apologize to anyone who thought that I was. Actually, I have been accused of being 'fake' nice, but I think they just disagreed with what I was saying without intellectual foundation and it is always easier to attack the messenger than the message…when it is founded in logic and facts.

Response by SGT James S. made Sep 30 at 2014 10:40 AM

2014-09-30T10:40:36-04:00

One of the things I don't understand about this site is the "point" system. You get points for someone voting you "up" and lose points for someone voting you "down". I've responded to comments, paired my response with a "down" vote and the respondee was more hurt and offended by my down vote than they were with my response.

Why have a point system for votes at all? A couple of comments I've read have alluded to the same thing I'm about to write. It turns things into sort of a competition. Like many of you, I'm here to connect with my fellow brothers and sisters in the military and occasionally engage in healthy debate about subjects that pertain to active service members, veterans, retirees and in general, the well being of our country.

I see no problem with giving someone a thumbs down for a comment I really disagree with and agree that if you're going to give a thumbs down, pair it with a response. Get rid of the point system though. I think it's silly and creates unnecessary divisiveness.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2014 12:38 PM

2014-09-30T12:38:08-04:00

If you have reviewed more than one thread you understand who is passionate about what here on RP. This is like a family where you know who the druggy is, who the jail bird is, who the crazy uncle is, who the alcoholic mom is, who the "I don't give a crap" grandpa is. We know who we are collectively.

There are many posts where I have life experience or knowledge I would love to impart. However, realistically I realize that I know who will jump on my "OPINION" like a dog on a stew bone. I make a rational decision not to be bullied and by pass the conversation leaving my comment on the floor.

Sometimes I do post with the "Damn the torpedo's full speed ahead" intent and live with the consequences. Often it is a post and run and I refuse to engage in a senseless round robin of discussion with someone who refuses to acknowledge that another point of view/opinion might in fact exist.

Does this deprive the membership of RP at large of the privilege of my insight? It certainly does as it deprives me of others insight who do the same thing for some of the same reasons.

I would love to have engaged and meaningful conversation here where we exchange ideas, evaluate the other opinion and either consider it or not consider it. Disparagement, personal attacks and vitriol has no real place here as who are we trying to impress? I mean really, I want to expand my pool of contacts who may help me at some point when I need it. I will certainly not engage someone who I deem to be hostile and request assistance when I need it.

RP is a microcosm of our society and as such we have to deal with all it has to offer. Sometimes it is better to STFU and move on to happier places than stop and engage the combat zone which some of these threads become.

Me I try to see every comment from the user point of view. Sometimes it is impossible to follow the logic especially if I become so emotionally engaged that I lose objectivity. That is the point I pull myself away from the conversation as I no longer serve a purpose other than to foment further aggression.

In the end I quote Rodney King "Can't we all just get along?"

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2014 1:29 PM

2014-09-30T13:29:56-04:00

No big deal to me, I know who I am and what I post. Everyone has something different over most post anyway, good way to learn from others.

Response by SSG John Erny made Sep 30 at 2014 1:41 PM

2014-09-30T13:41:53-04:00

I am old, set in my ways and do not like the kinder gentler army. F ups were fixed with push ups not paper work. If that did not work mowing the 1Sgt's grass and stripping and waxing all the floors over the week end did the job.

Me at my best. "Erny no one is on detail, mow the grass" Me, "OK" I get the mower, see a post engineer drive buy, I flag him down, he mows the grass with a tractor, I get the details in about 20 minutes. Put the mower away. CW2 "Erny! I told you to mow the GRASS!" Me "I did Chief" CW2 "Bullshit!" Me, "look at the grass Chief, it has be mowed" Chief walks out side "how the hell did you do that!" Me, " Chief I am just that good" He starts to short circuit so I let him in on the details. CW2 "Good Job, go back to work"