@Lindagaf We each have some control as well. If we think there is a fake poster (even if you don’t report to mods), ignore them. And just know, whatever signs people post in this thread (or others) for spotting fakes, you may well be flagging people who are not fakers.
And the mods can decide. I will continue to flag people I think are fake. Just as one is free to ignore fakers, one is free to ignore this thread.
I am irritated by people who are obviously fake. While one can say to just ignore or don’t read their threads, there are kind hearted people who give thoughtful, time consuming responses to theses fakers questions. That’s what people do on this forum, some are incredibly generous and knowledgeable, there is just a wealth of information here. I have learned so much from people who are experts in their field or passion, and I certainly don’t consider them “know-it-alls” just because I don’t like what their answer is. Yes, I’d like to get fit by eating chocolate mousse and doing housework, but unfortunately it’s not going to happen.?
I definitely support reporting those who are playing games. They may think they’re having fun, but I think it’s unethical.
How is it “nice” to dismiss some senior members when you call for more tolerance of the beasts? See the irony? One can respect senior posters they disagree with, too.
I don’t have any problems with posters who give informative and useful answers to questions, regardless whether I like the answer. It’s the ones who aren’t answering any question but decide to chime in and critique and essentially belittle the others on a thread that become annoying. There are courteous and diplomatic ways to guide people - if they ask. Unsolicited advice is usually about the sender rather than the receiver.
Re fake posters, it usually doesn’t take long to figure them out. If you feel them out for a post or two before giving extensive advice, it may save one the time and trouble.
Wait-what???
@Marilyn, you are free to ignore those posters you think are annoying. But you must realize that there are many other people who disagree with you, and think those people are giving helpful and expert opinions. You don’t get the option to shut down everyone whose opinion you don’t like. If you put out a post on a public forum, it can be discussed and critiqued in ways that you might prefer it not be. Just block the posters you don’t want to hear from.
I learned to get a thick skin from the very first time I posted on this forum. Got jumped on by some very senior posters, even got an incredibly nasty PM…was a little afraid of this guy going over the top. Almost stopped coming here until I realized that it wasn’t such a big deal, and I didn’t need to take everything personally.
But I really don’t like people who are messing with the kindness of strangers. People are on here not just to kill time, they enjoy the community, the discussions, and feel like they are truly helping others and learning. Some of you have helped my kids get into colleges they should’ve had no chance at, helped my family with many health, exercise and philosophical issues, helped with our vacations, and made us some money. Thank you, all!!
No other poster can guage what’s “informative and useful” all the time. More irony. One knows fin aid, another knows admissions at top collrges, another for UC, etc. Then, the Cafe sorts. You are not always in a position to be judge.
And doing so or just skirting dismissive spoils any fun. Think about it. It’s not the “kind” that you want others to practice.
Again, the point of this thread is how to spot fake users. It is common to question confusing or contradictory answers to best help a poster, especially if someone purports to be here looking for advice. Calling out someone for being contradictory in no way equates belittling or rude behavior.
For example, if someone mentions a deceased pet in one post, then in another post discusses trying new pet food for that same pet (a hypothetical example), it’s not unreasonable to question that, or to flag that. If that user comes back to clarify that in fact they were referring to a different deceased pet, then everyone benefits from clarity.
Anyone is free to answer any questions they like, regardless of the legitimacy of the poster. I am guessing there are CC users who would like to be able to recognize fake users, because it’s a waste of their time to answer such users, and because fake users ruin the site for real users.
There seems to be a philosophy among some here that the only valid posts are those that agree with one’s own views! This leads to the passive-aggressive virtual hand-wringing and victim mode. I’ve been on this earth too many years to pussyfoot around or be a blower of sunshine.
Some of you are misconstruing what I said, which is:
How some of you are claiming I said the opposite is mystifying. And revealing.
Also calling out another poster by name to criticize them is against the POS. As is insulting them by inference.
I enjoy hearing other views, even if I disagree (so obviously they must be wrong?). I often change my mind about issues when I hear a different perspective. But I don’t enjoy hearing from people that are “internet personalities”. I think there is useful information in this thread as far as how to spot them. So watch out, fakers!?
@busdriver11 , agree. I have learned so much since I first came here. A lot of what I thought was right, turned out to be wrong and it was senior posters who made things clear to me. I’ve been very happy to have been proven wrong many times, lol.
MODERATOR’S NOTE: This thread is not going in a positive direction, so I am closing it.