I think you hit the nail on the head. I originally left the forum due to the incessant trolling, but at least at that time it was recognized as counter-productive behavior. Now the trolling has moved mainstream and there are punishments for not toeing the line and taking the trolling "like a man".
I also agree with PKM that we come here to escape normal life now and then. But when we come here just to be trolled over and over it gets old very fast. Life has enough rough spots without dealing with grade-school bullies during "down-time".
I am sure I have come off far more defensive than usual, or than I should have, but that is largely because I have felt pretty much nothing but attacked, with an attitude of "take it or get negged". I might be reading it all wrong, but that has been my perception since I came back. I don't even have the time I had in the past to spend here, I was just looking for a nice diversion that wasn't as focused as some other forums I go to (check out some online FPS forums...good luck getting any topic besides who has the best KDR or what guns are overpowered in those), where I could get into some different discussions to take my mind off of things I have been through over the past year and a half. Kinda sad to see it was just what it was when I left. Bordie really is right, the singers may have changed spots, but the tune is still the same.
The biggest thing is there really seems to be an edge to the ribbing that largely wasn't here before, regardless of who is involved. I haven't really posted much in the past couple of weeks, mostly GIFs and such, and just observed it happening. Poking fun is fine and all, but when it comes with a threat, and relies on being outright hurtful, it tends to get a sharper response, imo, and kills the overall camaraderie of the group.
But I disagree with Stoked. I don't think it is as much an even divide as one side, or group, exerting the pressure and everyone else, mostly individually, trying to figure out what they are all missing. I have seen it in posts from posters that don't even normally participate much. That is where the Lord of the Flies comparison comes in. Some people come here expecting a fairly normal forum, and get heavy trolling, threats, and gang treatment, and show confusion, which is viewed as weakness, so it gets worse, and anyone who calls anyone out on it gets attacked for it. Pretty fair comparison, imo.
Anyway, I'm sorry if I rubbed anyone the wrong way. I am just really really tired of life in general, and I guess I needed an outlet, and this wasn't the right place for it, or the right time, or both maybe. I will just back off and remove one more obstacle. Take care.
