Is it now OK to call someone an idiot on HP?

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   promisemposted 8 years ago

   I reported someone on Monday for calling another poster an idiot. Five days later, it's still there. Now I see the following post:
   
   "Now that's funny, you a severely biased spewer of fake news stories "found them to be free of bias in all cases" ? lol You wouldn't know the difference between fake news and the truth if it bit you in the @%$$."
   
   And this personal and insulting attack on a psychologist who is a member of HP: "Sad that your "clients" cannot possibly get the help they need from you." and "As a counselor, seems like you mess people up vs. help them if this is the type of "counseling" you give. A sad state for your profession."
   
   "Making personal attacks" is supposed to be against the rules. But it seems worse than ever.
   
   Fewer and fewer people are posting anything in Answers or Forums. Some people have openly said they have quit posting because of the abuse and the fact that it isn't being stopped.
   
   Your thoughts?

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      Oztinatoposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Recently the staff removed several personal attacks made against me on one of those trump hubs. The staff were very thorough.
      Sometimes I've noticed they seem to miss it but after I sent an email with all the details they got onto it.
      It has to be a thoroughly documented complaint with links, cut and paste of the comment, etc.
      The "report" button doesn't seem to get it done. Try emailing.

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         promisemposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         I have had mixed results with both emailing and using the report button. But I will rely on both going forward. Thanks.

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   2. 76

      TIMETRAVELER2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      The problem with dealing with people online is that you really don't know who they are.  That being the case, it's probably best to consider the source of the personal attacks because they most likely are full of self hatred an spewing it on others because they can hide behind the internet.  I always think about it in terms of that person looking at himself in the mirror and spewing his hatred on himself.  It doesn't make the problem stop, but the image certainly is a powerful one.
      
      By all means email the team with the details. Do it again if necessary.  We don't need this type of negative behavior on this site, and thank goodness it's pretty rare.

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         promisemposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         I agree. Unfortunately, it is becoming less rare.

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         Zaharamontez7118posted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Yeah!

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      Tinskyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      As someone who suffers from high anxiety, I avoid the topical forums for this reason. From my reading experience on the topical forums, many of the discussions seem to deliberately goad emotional responses and petty arguments. I haven't had the same experience from questions, though I haven't really read many of these either in the last year or so.
      
      Yes, it should be moderated quickly, especially as there is reference to harassment of authors being an unacceptable behaviour in HubPages T & C.
      
      I'm not sure how it is in the States, but in Australia we have internet bullying laws now that make personal harassment a criminal offence. It is negative behaviour that should be taken seriously.
      
      As it has been quiet on HP over the last week. I would also suspect that staff may be on vacation as Marissa suggests, although it would be nice to have someone monitoring this type of behaviour around the clock regardless of downtime. The longer it's visible, the more anxiety it is likely to create.

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   4. 86

      peachpurpleposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      i must say, it is unculture for a writer to call another an idiot.
      
      No matter how enrage a person is, it is impolite to call idiot, we are all culture and well educated people at HP.
      
      Respect one another to deserve respect

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         promisemposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         I agree, Peach Purple.
         
         My wife is the only person who can call me an idiot. 

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   5. 84

      Dean Traylorposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      "Now that's funny, you a severely biased spewer of fake news stories "found them to be free of bias in all cases" ? lol You wouldn't know the difference between fake news and the truth if it bit you in the @%$$."
      
      That writing style is familiar. If I'm correct, I called that person an idiot after he made a few ignorant and personal attacks against me. I ended up being banned for five days, despite the stuff he was stating.

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         promisemposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         LOL. I agree, there is no mistaking that writing style or the temperament. I can't blame anyone for losing their patience with that person, who really likes to pile on the abuse.
         
         I try to restrain myself, but sometimes I fight back because bullies only seem to step up the attacks if people don't fight back. I also admit I have said things that I regret. But I would much rather have civil discussions.

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            PhoenixVposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            

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   6. 0

      Christy Kirwanposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Hi promisem,
      
      This is definitely not ok. Many of the HubPages Mods have been off on holiday vacation during Christmas week and for New Year's. It is likely we simply haven't gotten to your report yet.
      
      I've pinged the Mods to look at your report ASAP. Very sorry for the delay and thank you for being patient with us.

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         promisemposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks for the response, Christy. I understand that holidays can leave a site short of staff.
         
         I'm obviously concerned that such postings that stay live for too long can bring some unpleasant results.

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   7. STAFF

      Matt Wellsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Personal attacks are not allowed in the Forums, Answers or anywhere else on HubPages. If you flag a forum post make sure you flag the specific comment that is offensive. If you flag a post in Answers please provide the Hubber's username and the offensive comment  in the 'explanation' box.
      
      Please email team@hubpages.com with a link to where you saw this post and it will be reviewed.

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         TessSchlesingerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         GDPR Deleted
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            promisemposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            I agree, Tess. It has sadly become a major part of our culture, and I'm a right of center independent.
            
            On a related note, I'm curious why the "anyone who thinks that way is an idiot" was not removed. Coincidentally, it targeted someone who was either a moderate or liberal.

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   8. 57

      Zaharamontez7118posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Fresh air and deep breathes. Turns out...the only person who can make a judgement call is oneself chin up

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      Kylyssaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I've been called all sorts of things since joining HP. Does one need an advanced degree for it to matter?

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         Zaharamontez7118posted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Very well worded! Personally, i believe that i am treated how I allow others to treat me.  Practice paying no mind to those who dont matter for it is only waisted time and energy to oneself. Sad it may be, that others have hurtful inrentions; nonetheless, human nature will always have this. It is our reaction that means the most

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         TessSchlesingerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         GDPR Deleted
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            Zaharamontez7118posted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Nothing will ever make any Being above or beneathe me. This is a not just a personal opinion, but a strong foundation to who I am. I was never raised to judge and life itself has shown me the beauty in everything. We are all unique in some way. We all have strengths and weaknesses instilled in us for some reason. I am not and never will be entitled to view someone as a lesser person.

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       TessSchlesingerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       GDPR Deleted
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          Zaharamontez7118posted 8 years agoin reply to this

          I started to read.  I hope I do not seem unprofessional with an outlet i see as art to reply what my fingers fly around to say.  I believe what my eyes glanced at was someone who left, then came back just to find fault in the place already deemed as negative and whatnot.  Anyway, i meant to say it can always be looked at in a happy way. ^^^?

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2. 65

   Glenis Rixposted 8 years ago

   Hubpages staff ought to screening for trolls and closing their accounts. Personal attacks are inexcusable and could amount to libel in some instances.

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      promisemposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent point. In my line of work, lawyers said a site wasn't legally responsible for non-staff forum posterings unless it was informed of the offense.
      
      If that's a correct legal stance -- and these lawyers specialized in media law -- then the risk of losing a lawsuit goes up if a site ignores a warning.

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3. 71

   SmartAndFunposted 8 years ago

   Personally, IMHO, these types of messages don't bother me much. They are just typed words in cyberspace. Sticks and stones and all that.
   
   I think staff have better things to do than babysit adults who get their feelings hurt when they get in disagreements with each other online.
   
   I'm not saying this kind of behavior is just fine and dandy; I just don't think adults should get so upset about an anonymous person in cyberspace calling them a name or disagreeing with them, or that HP resources should be prioritized for such trivial issues.
   
   You have the power to ignore these comments, or to call out the commenter for resorting to name-calling because they are unable to debate their topic. Perhaps they do not have the mental faculties to engage in proper debate, or perhaps the position they take is a poor one and it cannot be successfully defended. Either way, you win and they lose.
   
   I don't mean to offend anyone, but honestly, it is the holidays, staff is scarce, and even during the times staff is present in full force, I think they surely have better things to do than worry about online bickering and insults.

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      promisemposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for a different perspective. You are a rare person if you can ignore being called an idiot. I try to turn the other cheek, but sometimes they go too far and I just shoot back.
      
      As Glenis points out, some of these comments also rise to libel and can result in lawsuits. A court doesn't care if it's a holiday week.
      
      Should people be required to follow the HP rules of behavior? If they don't have to follow the rules, then I believe HP should remove the rules.
      
      I also believe this kind of behavior is damaging to the site's reputation.

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   2. 0

      calculus-geometryposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      +1
      
      JFC

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4. 0

   calculus-geometryposted 8 years ago

   Five days later, it's still there.
   
   Five days ago was Christmas.  You think the mods spent time on a major holiday playing nanny to bunch of childish adults?  Santa has made a note of it and will disburse lumps of coal as appropriate next year so don't worry about it.

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   1. 0

      promisemposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I was referring to Monday after Christmas. They have had plenty of time since then to act on it.
      
      I suggest you read up on libel. You won't make any money writing for a site that gets sued into bankruptcy like Gawker.
      
      Your sarcasm aside, do you believe it is OK or not to insult and libel people on HP? Should the site have rules of behavior and should we be required to follow those rules?

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   davidlivermoreposted 8 years ago

   It's the internet.  Everyone calls each other horrible names every second of every day.  I've been called far worse.
   
   It doesn't offend me.  We are all idiots in some way.
   
   However, you could find yourself banned.  So I would suggest against it.

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      promisemposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I don't plan to call anyone an idiot. I do plan to cut way back on my forum and answer activity like many others.

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6. 87

   Marisa Wrightposted 8 years ago

   I suspect manpower is much reduced over the Christmas vacation, and let's face it, HubPages is not heavily staffed at the best of times.  So I would not draw any conclusions from actions taken or not taken between Christmas and New Year.

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7. 48

   Nicole Weltonposted 8 years ago

   I would say there is so much going on in the world right now and not enough peace.  Give yourself a break, and put those comments away from your mind.  It seems if you report it, then you have done all that you are able to.  Acknowledge even mentally unstable and cold people have access to internet.  Think about how teens used to prank call, then imagine who all could be leaving those comments.  You may very well be having a verbal assault from a ten year old these days.

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8. 71

   SmartAndFunposted 8 years ago

   I agree, Nicole. Although I do not condone bad behavior and name-calling, and am glad that HubPages has a policy against it, a person can gain a good amount of peace in their life by learning not to let such silly things as internet name-calling and disagreements get to them.
   
   There is a term I have run across on the internet called "chimping out." "Chimping out" is the desired result some internet name-callers are trolling for. They troll a person just to see how long it takes for that person to "chimp out" -- in other words, throw a hissy fit about being called a name by an anonymous person on the internet, who as you point out, is possibly in grade school or middle school. The troll sits back and gets a good laugh, feeling like a puppet master who is yanking the target's strings, controlling him (which, if the target chimps out, they sort of are). If the troll's target doesn't provide the desired result, and instead either ignores the troll completely or states their case logically, calmly and succinctly, the troll will eventually leave to find a more entertaining target with a "high chimp factor."

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      Oztinatoposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I have to point out that if you don't report hate speech to hp they'll hold it against you. It is HP rules to report such behaviour. If we want to belong to the hp community we are doing a disservice not to immediately report such trump like behaviour.

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9. 61

   asifahsankhanposted 8 years ago

   I think it's never ok to call someone an "Idiot" (or any of it's synonyms)
   
   Here or anywhere.
   
   Just saying.... (for society's sake and of course for humanity)
   
   Thanks for bringing that up by the way. Cheers.

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      promisemposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your support!

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         asifahsankhanposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Anytime...

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