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Lotus
01-29-2013, 01:21 PM
I want to just get this out there as a thinking point for you guys, because It's a realization I have come to that's really helped me out.
First of all, I want to say that I am very sensitive and prone to getting really hurt when I feel like I'm being attacked (or I know I am) I really hate it when age, body size, intellect, religion or sexuality are the things that are used as weapons against me or anyone, really. It's just so petty. And then I realized- that's the whole point! It usually happens when you've done something that upsets someone else... let's say, for example, you create a tail that resembles someone else's. Then the hateful comments start.... it's like someone is saying "you upset me, I'm gonna upset you right back!" Maybe their argument is really weak, and they know it, but they still want to make you feel bad. So then derogatory comments about things like age, sexuality ect start coming up... and here's why: When someone is angry and just want to fight, they will do whatever they can to keep you fighting. It validates them. It gives a reason to keep it going. And people who don't know you well but maybe know a LITTLE about you will attack easy things- like the ones mentioned above. They can be touchy subjects for some, so it's kind of a fail-safe method of trying to hurt you. Really, it's about getting a reaction.
I used to have this horse who had been really badly abused. It left him scared and untrusting and he protected himself by being aggressive. Any time anything upset him, aggression was his go-to reaction- he'd bite or kick or whatever he had to. Which really pissed me off, mostly because I had no idea I had upset him in the first place. So I'd get mad right back, and then the real fight would start. After several bruises and bites and bouts of hard bucking, I just got sick of it and whenever he started being nippy or whatever I tried to just ignore it. When he found that he couldn't provoke me to fight, he would take his anger out on whatever was really bothering him. That goes in to a whole other subject, but the point here is that when someone's trying to illicit a fight from you, they will go for things they either suspect or know will hurt you and force a reaction. If it happens, read it over, and then take the time to walk away and come up with an intelligent well thought out response. Or don't respond at all. Of course, if you find that you really have done something to hurt them first, take it to PM's and try to find a solution. Above all, try to remember that some people are just asses.
I hope this may help someone if they find themselves in this situation, regardless of whether it's here or elsewhere. :)

Lotus
01-29-2013, 01:29 PM
I think I should mention that this applies to innocent stuff, - not like you stole someone's design, claimed it as your own and are making buku bucks on it.

Mermaid Danielle
01-29-2013, 01:47 PM
Hmm, interesting anecdote. Thanks for posting, this is so true...

Spindrift
01-29-2013, 02:33 PM
Thanks for posting. I totally agree. With regards to the forum and online stuff in general: I think that for a lot of people it's easier to put negative comments on the Internet because the Internet is so faceless and anonymous and people can hide behind their computer screen. Like, I highly doubt anyone would ever say a lot of the things they say online to the person they are attacking if the situation was in real life. Anyway, I actually try to use the same mindset to -stop myself- from getting angry online. Realizing that it's just people fighting over Internet points makes everything a lot simpler, for me.

Also, I love horses so your little story about the abused horse made me smile. I'm glad that worked out. I think the thread should be named a little more conspicuously to get the readership it deserves though.

Lotus
01-29-2013, 04:14 PM
thanks for the advice spindrift- I'll re-name it :)

Lotus
01-29-2013, 04:14 PM
oh wait, how do I do that??

AniaR
01-29-2013, 04:46 PM
I think I'm on the fence. There are people on the site who are damn right nasty to each other on PM and end up suspended etc because of it. I think because we're a community, we tackle community issues publicly so the community can make points. I see a lot of public stuff the same way as if you were in person and sitting everyone down to have a talk about a drama that affects a lot of people or has the potential to. Also as a community, we need validation and support from each other. But yeah, I think a lot of threads on here start out well- even if they're drama. It's the replies that get messy and cause trouble. It's about responding instead of reacting.

At the end of the day I do see all the perspectives, what it comes down to is simply respect and accountability. I struggled for a long time to keep my own personal drama off the forum- but quickly realized the people who took personal issue with me wouldn't. I pick and choose what I respond to. sometimes I feel like it's a matter of the community defining what we tolerate and what we don't. I feel like everyone complains about it, but everyone utilizes it as a platform at one point or another too.

Either way, honestly, mernetwork is no different than any other forum- in fact, it seems to be a lot lot less, especially when it comes to vilgarities and trolling. People just gotta use discretion and sometimes take self imposed breaks (I do it from time to time to calm down and gain perspective) and use their own discretion.

drucilla
01-29-2013, 07:04 PM
Wow that sounds really specific is something going on that you feel the need to talk about, or is it just an example? To me it's rather detailed for an example, but if that's what you say it is then I'll believe you. If not then letting it out is always better than keeping it in as long as you use your words wisely, which shouldn't be a problem. Either way I'm sure AniaR is right about the community being there to support you.

AniaR
01-29-2013, 09:18 PM
I don't want to deflate your point, I actually agree with a lot. Just offering up a different perspective :p

Lotus
01-30-2013, 02:20 AM
I didn't post this because of this site. I used the tail design thing as an example, because people here can relate to it.
I posted this because I want people to realize that when someone comes at you with superficial insults over something you did that was, in no way, meant to be inflammatory, said attacker is just looking to validate being angry- by way of easy but offensive comments.... And that I hope people can see these attacks for what they are. If there's something personal anyone would like to ask me tho, feel free. But pm me for it.

AniaR
01-30-2013, 04:55 PM
I 100% agree, and I think I'd like to share this as well:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/c28.0.403.403/p403x403/560295_210849142365175_1464049155_n.jpg

I've gotten into a few scuffles simply because the person failed to understand my point, and then gets defensive because they feel intimidated or insecure. :/

Lotus
01-30-2013, 08:28 PM
yup. hit it on the head, Raina. :)