Why do some people block others on Rally Point?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 19:11:30 -0500

I know this has probably come up before - but I find it quite odd when going to comment on a post but I get the angry cat (or whatever comes up) that I can't because I've been blocked. Most of the time it's people I don't recall ever having a discussion with.

It kind of detracts from the purpose of this site to block people from replying on posts - especially when they can just address that person somewhere else on a thread.

I guess I just don't get the point of blocking someone when it's not like on FB and you can't see their comments or profile anymore. It just stops them from responding to other posts in a thread - which is irritating.

Just a thought.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Dec 10 at 2019 7:13 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 19:13:09 -0500

Typically people block others because of personal attacks

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2019 7:36 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 19:36:13 -0500

I've never blocked anyone on here, but I'd venture to guess it's due to a disconnect between generations and the way people see the military and engage in its community.

Almost every day I see some old veteran crush some younger enlisted guys on here, typically over stupid stuff..
I agree with your statement, it's kind of counterproductive to conversation and development.
I also recognize that sometimes you just dont want to deal with someone, and I guess you shouldn't have to on your own social media accounts.

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Dec 10 at 2019 7:59 PM

SPC Stewart Smith — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 19:59:57 -0500

I have been blocked once, that I know of. I pointed out more than 20 lies about me in just 3 posts by SSG Bob Ricci. I then told him he needs an integrity check and owes me an apology. He then blocked me.
My problem with "blocking" people is it completely cuts off discourse. You no longer have the option of coming to any sort of common ground or even agreeing to disagree.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2019 8:40 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 20:40:10 -0500

Because that’s what society does. We don’t want conversations, we want echo chambers. I mean, imagine how fun and pristine this site would be if it was just people sitting around all the time telling each other how right they are about everything?

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Dec 10 at 2019 8:59 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 20:59:33 -0500

Where is your pic

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Dec 10 at 2019 9:00 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 21:00:16 -0500

Afraid to show your picture

Response by SN Greg Wright made Dec 11 at 2019 12:11 AM

SN Greg Wright — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 00:11:49 -0500

I've had a few head-scratchers myself, that I never even talked to. And a couple I earned.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Dec 11 at 2019 7:24 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 07:24:40 -0500

We live in a world that is becoming more and more politically and socially isolated. I've never understood it. I've never required my friends to agree with my politics or social inclinations nor should I be required to agree with theirs. I have a group for whitewater boating friends that includes everyone from an unreformed Missouri red neck, classical liberal college types (not Progressives), all the way to a former card carrying Communist. The only time I've ever blocked anyone is if they engage in repeated personal attacks. Remembering that I come from an Infantry and Engineering background where the language is to say the least impolite at times, it takes a lot to get under my skin. I've not blocked anyone on this site, unless I've hit a button by accident.
I've been around this stuff since the old News Group days, so not much offends me.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2019 7:26 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 07:26:41 -0500

I block a user that constantly makes posts that have no interest for me, and I feel don't contribute to my experience. It's how I reduce clutter on my feed.

For example, over use of religious and political posts, cartoons, memes and other stuff that isn't even close to military in nature.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2019 11:02 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 11:02:04 -0500

snowflakes?

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 11 at 2019 11:14 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 11:14:42 -0500

Twice, many years ago. There was a pair of people actually (almost a tag team) who tended to get rather stalkery if engaged in debate and disagreed with. They would spend days going through every topic you'd ever been in and find every comment you'd ever posted just to down vote you and insult you, regardless of topic or how long ago it was.... Very fatal attraction'esque....

It was creepy and it was blowing my account up with notifications.

Response by SrA John Monette made Dec 11 at 2019 12:45 PM

SrA John Monette — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 12:45:50 -0500

because some people don't like to hear other opinions. this has happened to me at least twice this month. appears to me that officers are the worst. instead of having a civilized discussion, they get butt hurt and block you.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2019 2:20 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 14:20:41 -0500

Some just can't accept that a well-articulated counterpoint might just have value, so they hide from it by blocking.
Speaking for myself, the only people I have blocked (five, I think) earned it through their behavior. Abusing posters and calling names and the like. They can go find their own sandbox.
I don't have to agree with you, but disrespect is not something I will tolerate.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 11 at 2019 2:41 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 14:41:51 -0500

Some folks are assholes.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2019 3:22 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 15:22:20 -0500

The anonymity of self the greatest invention of the modern era. The ability to sit in an area and comment on what others say is by nature a conversation. Like the stiff-arm in football the blocking of a person is kin to that. The meaning of the block in neither real or relatable since it was done in the vastness of the creature we call the internet. Civil society opens the interchange of ideas, internet-based society opens the avenues of discord and division.

Response by SPC Angela Burnham made Dec 11 at 2019 4:55 PM

SPC Angela Burnham — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 16:55:55 -0500

It's a disconnect between generations and politics mainly. It's sad that some of the top influencers on RP feel the need to do things like that.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Dec 11 at 2019 7:38 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 19:38:26 -0500

I refuse to do it as I am not in the business of taking people's freedom of speech away. Talk all the shit on me you want, it is your right, and I will still sleep fine tonight.

Response by MSgt Steve Sweeney made Dec 11 at 2019 11:47 PM

MSgt Steve Sweeney — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 23:47:16 -0500

Some people have tender feelings and take umbrage when you call them on their BS. These are normally people who are not accustomed to having their opinions challenged and feel everyone should take what they say without question.

As for getting blocked by people you never had a conversation with... sometimes you may be trying to reply to a person within a thread started by a different individual that has a block in place so you can't reply - so it looks like the person you are trying to reply to has blocked you, but it was the original poster. That may be the case here. Check the top of the thread should it happen again.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Dec 12 at 2019 6:41 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 06:41:14 -0500

I've never blocked anyone but I have been blocked by a few that want to live in an echo chamber playing only ideas they support or like. That is fine. They are the lost among us that cannot engage in debate or discussion. They like to show up toss out their ideas and keep anyone from challenging them.

I can see blocking if someone is excessively hostile, vulgar, rude etc. but that is not why most people block as far as I can tell.