Why all the silly questions and copy-paste-post of obscure news?

2015-10-31T13:37:20-04:00

Seems like many are posting non-sense questions and copy pasting obscure news articles. It's outstanding that folks want to be involved, but come on really! Are the points that important to you? Shouldn't we actually post discussions that pose a question that provokes thoughtful, content-based responses! A lot of these discussions only receive one or two responses, but I suppose if you flood us enough with them it might get you a few points and they will start to add up. I really don't want to be disrespectful but asking what time I get up or how I tie my shoes etc, etc is really boring and annoying. I know I'm not the only one who feels this way and I'm sure I will be slammed by some. But it is only my opinion and don't amount to a hill of beans. Personally I love the questions on world affairs, veteran issues or anything that will help our serving members today. I actually don't mind the political discussions if they are legit and provoke reasonable discussions. If I offended anyone I apologize but I just had to rant and get it off my chest. I hope you have a good day and I won't be offended if you tell me I'm crazy and out of my mind!

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Oct 31 at 2015 1:50 PM

2015-10-31T13:50:15-04:00

Influence points. To some RP users, influence points are a god -- an idol. Or, they think that the influence points will make them a god of RP...

Response by SN Greg Wright made Oct 31 at 2015 2:34 PM

2015-10-31T14:34:49-04:00

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member You have a couple of options available to you. You can choose to not subscribe to the groups where the majority of those posts go...or you can block individual posters.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Oct 31 at 2015 2:40 PM

2015-10-31T14:40:24-04:00

Thanks for your input MSgt! I know exactly what you mean! I've screwed up several Post but I do try to make them all interesting and thought provoking to the group. However, no one is perfect and we will get carried away and screw up. lol

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Oct 31 at 2015 2:52 PM

2015-10-31T14:52:02-04:00

In other news, the Berlin Wall just came down, what are your thoughts? LOL! I get what you are saying, the last thing I want is RP to become another FB...

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 31 at 2015 2:56 PM

2015-10-31T14:56:20-04:00

It is an attempt to make this just like every other web site. The same select members make it their mission to post 20 regurgitated trending stories every day from all the other web sites we were fleeing from. It has been brought up repeatedly, has been discussed daily, and has been dismissed. In a nut shell, if you don't like it, seek life elsewhere, but they will hate to see you go. This is the reason so many of our quality members are inactive or flat out quit. Posts that were laughable a year ago are good to go.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Oct 31 at 2015 3:41 PM

2015-10-31T15:41:46-04:00

Bump. Doing my part to keep this one at the top of the feed.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Oct 31 at 2015 3:58 PM

2015-10-31T15:58:40-04:00

Maybe the people posting actually find the topic interesting....or maybe the poster wants to know what others think about the topic......or maybe the topic really ticks off the poster...there are so many reasons...and just because you may not be interested in many of the topics, others are....otherwise there would not be any responses to the posters.
It's not just all about points.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Oct 31 at 2015 4:48 PM

2015-10-31T16:48:18-04:00

Yeah, I agree with you. I just ignore them, but it is an annoyance. I too would like to see less drivel and more substance. But, then who is the judge? I might think that it is very important to discuss the relationship between Mini Mouse and Micky Mouse.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 31 at 2015 5:18 PM

2015-10-31T17:18:42-04:00

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 31 at 2015 5:24 PM

2015-10-31T17:24:57-04:00

What are your thoughts on this this?

Response by SN Greg Wright made Oct 31 at 2015 5:37 PM

2015-10-31T17:37:41-04:00

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member Part of the problem is that RP requires a question in the title, so you wind up with 'did you see this,' or 'what are your thoughts on....'. Etc.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Oct 31 at 2015 6:46 PM

2015-10-31T18:46:27-04:00

Ahh, yes another enlightened RP'er that sees the fodder for what it is. Well done for speaking up.
Thank you.

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Oct 31 at 2015 6:47 PM

2015-10-31T18:47:13-04:00

It would seem as if Rally Point means (Gather all your points) much like a pinball machine.
But that is not true, Rally Point to me is an area (Point) where we (Service members and Veterans) can come together (Rally) to post, discus, teach and learn on the topic we know best that is related to what we do or did best.
I personally stopped posting because some time ago ( 3 years) I noted some actual SM and Veteran posting comments that lead me to think they wanted to end there life. I don't know what happened or what was the out come, but I assure you, that's why we are here. I can read about who is running for president in the news and draw my own conclusions, but the SM and Veteran ( I pay close attention too).
In addition, there are Employers who are also liked to RP and do read many of the titles posted and responses.
Perhaps we can hide our names and pictures, but the topics and responses that one may find questionable may also be questionable to the employer as well. Questionable to the point of (Do I really want to hire a Veteran?).
I gave up on the points and resorted to being true to my fellow men.
Sometimes someone here in RP is really having a hard time, they ask for help and this never gets to be seen because of the many as you said Msgt Curtis Borders are too busy trying to compete with points rather then to hear someone who may need help. I will give all the new members 1 year before they start to slow down and realize what they are actually doing here.
Too many posts may be a cry for help.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Oct 31 at 2015 6:58 PM

2015-10-31T18:58:57-04:00

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member one man's trash is another's treasure

Response by PO2 Jonathan Scharff made Oct 31 at 2015 8:43 PM

2015-10-31T20:43:34-04:00

Every time this topic comes up I have consistently said the same thing. It is about the points! Some members just can't resist posting topics about what your favorite color is? And then we have all the members who agree with these types of post all chime in and say how important it is that we have them! I don't post much, I don't contribute much anymore because of this!

I will make my suggestion again to fix this...give us a mindless dribble topic catigory, or an I need attention catigory, or a I love Facebook catigory, what ever you PC Admin members would think is appropriate. Then move ALL of these posts to that topic catigory and the rest of us can still use RP for its intended purpose. Someone explain why we can't make that happen? Alas, that has not and I predict will not happen.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Oct 31 at 2015 10:09 PM

2015-10-31T22:09:59-04:00

At least on Facebook I can block and not see the completely irritating people. Here on Rallybook when you go to new and you see 20 inane posts from the same individual you have to scroll through it is disheartening. Limit everyone to 3 or 4 discussion posts a day. Or just eliminate the point thing. There is no way to tell who earned them from interesting relevant posts and who did by posting every story off of some news site or by asking irrelevant questions about your favorite food or color.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2015 11:16 PM

2015-10-31T23:16:37-04:00

It reminds me of "Whose line is it Anyway?" The show where everything is made up, and the points don't matter. But unlike the show, many people are after the points!

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Oct 31 at 2015 11:35 PM

2015-10-31T23:35:21-04:00

What difference does it really make? No one is forced to read or answer anything they don't want to read or answer. Anyone can scroll through the "Answers" drop down menu and see what is new or trending. If you don't like it, ignore it. No one on here is the judge of what is important or not important to a military member or veteran. There are still plenty of professional discussions on here with a lot of good back and forth. I don't think anything will change the nature of this because it is the nature of social media. Even on LinkedIn, I see discussions I feel do not belong there. I just ignore them. Anyone can do the same thing on here.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 12:03 AM

2015-11-01T00:03:14-04:00

My favorite posts to respond to are those having to do with transition and education. I think you're on the mark; there's a LOT of chaff here. I still hang around because I enjoy catching the occasional thread where you can tell a member is looking for actionable intel, an audience to bounce ideas off of, or at least somebody who understands them.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Nov 1 at 2015 1:13 AM

2015-11-01T01:13:37-04:00

So tell me about your relationship with your parents.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 10:28 AM

2015-11-01T10:28:25-05:00

I wondered the same thing, but then I realized that, although this is a generalization and there are always those that will game the system to earn site badges, there are plenty of people who are genuinely interested in the news items they post. Just because I am not interested in the topic, doesn't make it less worth sharing. People are weird! I'm sure I seem weird to people that don't share my interests. That's what makes a site like this, where we have something in common, such a valuable resource. We can share ideas with others who may have a completely different background.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Nov 1 at 2015 10:44 AM

2015-11-01T10:44:03-05:00

I needs dem points! Also, they're just following the example of RallyPoint Shared Content.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Nov 1 at 2015 11:53 AM

2015-11-01T11:53:09-05:00

It's not the source, but the accuracy of the source. There are times that obscure news has it right before the MSM. It is our responsibility to validate the source and information before posting and being shown as a know-nothing.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 2:37 PM

2015-11-01T14:37:57-05:00

Why not? Yours and my idea of a compelling post may differ. Some things I post, others I don't. Somethings get a response while others don't. This is what makes RallyPoint a robust forum.

Response by SSgt Paul Esquibel made Nov 1 at 2015 3:26 PM

2015-11-01T15:26:21-05:00

I think some of the copy and paste ones are interesting like the one of the Tenn National Guard under investigation for involvement in human trafficing or the Air Force one about the officers being investigated for quoting lyrics from song between texts dealing with drugs, those are interesting as they do to some degree provoke interesting conversations, I haven't really seen any others yet, but I haven't been on here very long to have enough experience to know exactly what your talking about.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Nov 1 at 2015 4:44 PM

2015-11-01T16:44:37-05:00

Since I am unable to reply to a few who replied to this post due to them BLOCKING me...I'm replying here...as for the Beans, chips and ice creme threads...these are posted in "FOOD" "FOOD and BEVERAGE" and in "HUMOR" and if you or others do not want to read about these sort of things...to participate, have a little fun, be a little humorous then you don't have to.....These posts were posted to have a little fun...and many RP members had a lot of fun with it.
Isn't the whole reason to have different Groups is to have those topics in discussion...so if someone posts something about uniforms then it goes under Military...and if someone posts things about China Sea it goes under foreign affairs and China and China sea... These post are separated by Groups and topics and for those of who who have a problem with some posts....then don't bother with those posts...IGNORE them...Don't read them...Don't participate. MOVE ON and go to a post that interest you. If it upsets you SO MUCH, then IGNORE those posts so you won't be upset.
My goodness....there are many types of people/members here on RP with many likes and dislikes...something one person finds interesting, another person finds boring or useless.
Isn't the whole reason for the variety of groups/topics so that it covers everyone's interests?
As for Copying and Pasting....Yes, I've taken a headline...changed it up into my own words and then copied the URL for the story...but not to make points....It's because i disagree with the story...or because I can't believe it or because i find it interesting and I want others on RP to interject their thoughts and feelings...I want to hear what others think....are there others who think like I do....or are there those who agree with the story I just posted. There is a lot that I read every day online from four or five different news papers and two or three news outlets...some stories jump up out at me and I post them on RP...SO what! if you are not interested in it, then don't read it.
I've posted questions that have nothing to do with a news article...just to get a discussion going and to learn the likes and dislikes of other RP members....SO what! If there are some RP members who find this irritating, then DON'T read it...Don't Participate...then you won't have to get upset.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Nov 1 at 2015 6:06 PM

2015-11-01T18:06:36-05:00

Personally I don't mind, I just scroll past ones I'm not sure about or really have no skin in the fight on. I do put humor based posts here or every once in awhile something serious when it bugs me and I want to talk about it (trying to cut back on the seriousness honestly). I don't care for likes, it's just to take the elevated levels of testosterone and estrogen back to reasonable levels. If there isn't a balance of seriousness and humor you'll loose folks and we're serious enough in our daily lives. I also like the historical posts....those rock being you never know when military history was made, and then BAM "did you know today was such n such"? A lot of value here in RP. A lot of valuable people. Also you're never going to please everyone 100% of the time, and what you or I call dumb or ignorant, could be beneficial to someone else. I'll get worried when RP starts telling me that knee high socks and Ranger panties are ok to wear in a public setting. Or if RP seriously begins to focus on one side of the political realm over another. I can roll with everything else. On a side note, if ANYTHING I post offends anyone, PLEASE let me know. Nothing worse than someone chewing you out and you have no clue as to why.

Response by MSgt John Carroll made Nov 1 at 2015 8:53 PM

2015-11-01T20:53:43-05:00

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 9:55 PM

2015-11-01T21:55:50-05:00

It's so all these people with hundreds and hundreds of thousands of points, who adamantly say points don't mean anything on RP, can get more points with those asinine questions, and then be the top dog in their rank or grouping!!! This website showed so much promise, but its foundation is a big game that everyone plays but says they don't!!!

Response by PO1 John Miller made Nov 2 at 2015 12:56 AM

2015-11-02T00:56:02-05:00

I'm right there with you! Yeah I sometimes post silly stuff, but I don't make it my mission either! :)

Response by SSG Buddy Kemper made Nov 2 at 2015 1:20 PM

2015-11-02T13:20:46-05:00

Because they all need more golf MSgt Private RallyPoint Member !!!!!

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Nov 2 at 2015 2:35 PM

2015-11-02T14:35:59-05:00

I find it very childish, unprofessional and just down right rude to make a comment and block the person from commenting back.
I have neither been rude, childish or unprofessional in my responses/comments.
I made an observation and said I found it negative and discriminatory. Then a comment is made basically shooting me down for my comment. I show and explain why I felt this way...and then BOOM.
WOW. I'm speechless.

DISCRIMINATION:
1. an act or instance of discriminating, or of making a distinction.
2. treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs.
3. the power of making fine distinctions; discriminating judgment:

By limiting the topic of discussion to what one prefers on a FREE site or being judgmental against it....is personal discrimination.
By making comments or judgements about an individual or more than one individual on their choice of topic is discrimination.
By blocking a person and or persons to respond to comments regarding topics of discussion or comments made is discrimination.
These are all forms of discrimination.
Don't worry....I'm done with you folks. It doesn't make sense to continue with this discussion. Some folks see things one way and some folks see things other way. The Judgmental and just down right mean and hateful views....and so much sarcasm.....here is just way more than I want to be a part of.
Instead, it should be brought up in a more neutral and civil way... and handled through top Admin members and hopefully resolved.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2015 5:49 PM

2015-11-02T17:49:14-05:00

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member, After looking at your tags, tell me what is humorous about this post.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2015 8:55 PM

2015-11-02T20:55:58-05:00

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member, I down voted your question because it has become like a venomous plague seeping into the RP community. It has nothing to do with you personally, but everything to do with the content.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2015 9:45 PM

2015-11-02T21:45:24-05:00

I agree with you. I have seen this often. I recall a long time ago this was an issue. It just keeps going. There is always a new member that does something just like you are saying. I think we all know who does this the most. I try to do what I an to post good content but there are so many others out there post some random thing about what was their favorite breakfast in basic training.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2015 9:56 PM

2015-11-02T21:56:37-05:00

About effing time, Thank you MSgt.
I am thinking the same damn thing over and over... I can't handle another "what's you favorite MRE"- question. There needs to be a 5th category, that is optional just called "Nonsense".

Response by CPT Russell Pitre made Nov 2 at 2015 9:56 PM

2015-11-02T21:56:37-05:00

Yes. I have seen so many. That is why I don't come around too often. I just saw one about having a dog. At least it wasn't about basic training. I just don't think we get enough of those.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2015 8:24 AM

2015-11-03T08:24:50-05:00

Pick a number between 1 and 3! ...... That is what some posts remind me of! LOL

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2015 12:39 PM

2015-11-03T12:39:58-05:00

I actually like the variety of questions. They do not all apply to me, and do not all interest me. I do however like the option of being able to scroll through and choosing what I want to read and what I want to respond to. There have been a lot of things I have read about on here that I would have most likely never known about if someone had not posted them. Just because one person my find it "silly" does not mean another person may not enjoy the read.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2015 3:42 PM

2015-11-03T15:42:42-05:00

This is a large part of the reason why I'm not nearly as active as I once was. I liked coming here for the professional nature of discussions here, and being able to "talk shop" like I used to back when I was on active duty. Over time it's increasingly become less professional, and as such less worthy of my time. If I want to have an inane conversation about a non military subject, I already have Facebook for that.

Response by SPC Luis Mendez made Nov 3 at 2015 7:43 PM

2015-11-03T19:43:25-05:00

It happens all over the Internet. You know, this one means of communication that was Touted in the late 80's to become Information Super Highway. Well, it did in Fact! However at the very same time it became the Super High way for the Spreading of teenage Gossip, Rumors, Urban Legends, Old wives tales and for Old Myth-maniac men to tell Tall Tales. And without a doubt the Super Highway for old crimes to take on a New form and names, such as "Hackers" and ID Thieves.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2015 9:13 PM

2015-11-03T21:13:59-05:00

I noticed that too. A lot of people on here just stirring the pot. Makes the site less fun

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Nov 4 at 2015 8:21 AM

2015-11-04T08:21:16-05:00

LTC Yinon Weiss - This is exactly what you and I have been discussing. MSgt Private RallyPoint Member is voicing out what has been stated several times.

My words to the community, please be patient here. I can tell you that RallyPoint is addressing these issues but I'm sure as you can understand, it takes a lot of work to clean things up. If anyone feels that a discussion is to off topic or does not meet the standards of what RallyPoint is trying to do, please reach out to a 4 Star Admin; we can take action on these posts quickly. Secondly, be a light in the darkness. Think before you post. This site is here to help Service Members, not to be a place to go to keep up on if companies are censoring your emails or crap. It is up to us, the RallyPoint community, to dig in and to be what we once were. There are a lot of volunteer admins such as myself, SFC Mark Merino, GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad, SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" and others working very hard to police this site but we do this in our limited spare time. We still maintain our full time jobs or retirement. We still must maintain other activities but we are here trying to help. Please, reach out to us, let us know if there is a problem. Tag us by typing "@" followed by our names. Help us help you and together we will bring RallyPoint back up to the high standard we had once before.

Response by LTC Ed Ross made Nov 4 at 2015 3:11 PM

2015-11-04T15:11:12-05:00

Good observation; but with any social network a certain percentage of posts will either have you scratching your head or ignoring them will little or no afterthought. On the positive side, I'm on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. I like RallyPoint best because I find the universe of participants head and shoulders above the others. It reminds me of why I stayed in the Army after my two-year obligation and a tour in Vietnam. I said to my self, "who would I rater associate and hang around with every day, the people I knew before I came in the Army, primarily concerned with their narrow self interest, or men and women in uniform who focused on things bigger than themselves?" I chose the latter.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 2:00 AM

2015-11-05T02:00:38-05:00

Actually I would like to learn how to tie my shoes so my back wont go out on me! A couple years ago when I sat down to tie my shoes I had sudden searing back pain that disabled me for 2 days!

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 8:41 AM

2015-11-05T08:41:12-05:00

... so we don't share anything?? or only share things that "a high power" think is worth sharing?

Is an open platform ... so people share whatever they want to share as long as it is not things that are prohibited. So by complaining people share too much junk is like complaining why there are so many brands of tissue paper in the store. :)

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made Nov 5 at 2015 5:33 PM

2015-11-05T17:33:57-05:00

I agree. But, like they say opinions are like @$$hooles, everyone has one and some of them tend to stink....lol
Personally I just ignore the ones that are pointless or are a waste of time.......

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Nov 5 at 2015 11:41 PM

2015-11-05T23:41:40-05:00

I also can;t understand how people deal with a million notifications. I post like one question a year and can;t handle all the emails.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Nov 6 at 2015 5:55 AM

2015-11-06T05:55:42-05:00

Well you know, one man's trash is another man's treasure. POINTS, GOTA GET THEM POINTS!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2015 7:42 AM

2015-11-07T07:42:06-05:00

MSGT you are CRAZY and you are out of your mind !!!!! NO just kidding. I agree with you. Great subject.

Response by SFC Randy Hellenbrand made Apr 10 at 2021 11:34 PM

2021-04-10T23:34:37-04:00

Trump supporters really can't think for themselves.