(((((Swan)))))
I too am right now dealing with someone who posed as someone else, who I know personally, and have a bit of a rocky past with, and started to harass me through this person's email account. I was in the process of reporting it when I found out who it actually was. And now am in the process of reporting that individual. It's pretty serious and will undoubtedly have repurcussions for the individual who did the harassing. On a personal note, it was annoying, angering and depressing. It's a very rare occurence for me, but it has happened to me before. I've been online for a llllooooonnnngggg time (Don't worry Simon, Mods, it has nothing to do with this board.) These abuses take our time, emotional energy and can be very hurtful... no question about that... but, IMO it doesn't diminish the value of the medium... or participation in it.
The benefits, such as support, being in a community with others that have like experiences, watching people grow and heal (tremendous value to me personally) and the possibility of establishing some incredibly great friendships, do IMO far outweigh the negativities. It's really an individual thing, but we have to decide how how much we are willing to emotionally invest in the board. I don't think the board replaces real relationships, though we can develop some very real, very wonderful relationships on it. When I was new to the online community, I was constantly on it...I wanted to learn more about it, especially when I first left the borg, there wasn't much else for me in the real world, and frankly I craved understanding and friendship. I had to find a balance. I tended to take topics and chats quite seriously. Personally even.... but I learned that for the most part, a generality exists between us. It doesn't mean things can't get offensive, yes they can. I agree, sometimes certain topics can be a total downer, and it's depressing to see that some archaic mindsets still exist. But there are vast volumes of incredibly great posts! I choose to frequent this environment because of those posts. There are some brilliant minds, some wonderful warm cuddly fuzzies, some invigorating humourists (love the humour), and some very solid people on the board. I get so much from them. There are also those that are not... and while they can be tedious, annoying, downright rude and negative, they also provide, in a once removed kind of setting, a lesson in coping with them. As in the real world, there is a wide cross section of people participating here, I like to look at it as an opportunity. Not to mention, posters here are very good at delivering the other side of the story too.... like the recent issue referred to.... Lady Lee and others, stepped up, and quite astutely presented information that IMO effectively countered the negative. Also the mods worked to protect the environment here. That activity comforts me personally very much.
So, though it's not always great, it is for the most part terrrific! Exercise that wisdom that many posters here have come to realize you have Swan. Protect that tender heart of yours, but also get the benefit. It would be sad to lose you.
On the issue of the negativity about gay lifestyles that has gone one here, it's my hope, that someone who is gay, and has a history of balanced posting, and understands the issues quite well, would step forward and participate as a moderator here, so that those of us who are not gay can understand more clearly the issues pertaining to the homosexual individual and community. I think in that particular arena, though most of us seem to be accepting and loving, that only someone who is gay can truly understand the impact certain statements make on the individual and community at large.
A big squidgy hug for you (((((((((Swan))))))))
Inq
