NERDS

[Geno]

By the way Earl, our friend Mike the pain train has been on here only this evening, according to his profile. I wonder when/if he will strike again? I doubt he's forgotten us all yet.

[Earl]

Yeah, I noticed. He's probably waiting for an opportunity to get in a zinger.

[Craig Storm]

Come on, now. I think the members who responded to mike_the_pain_train did fine. They actually showed wit, and mike continued to do his part to continue the show.

No doubt about it. And I'm not really trying to suggest that the forum users were taken in by a trick. I'm just suggesting that Mike the Pain Train came to stir up trouble, and succeeded. Replying to such provocations seems to lead to a pointless fight, whereas ignoring them might diffuse them.

As for me (and I may be naive about this as someone who just started posting at websites recently), I prefer dealing honestly with people without having any intention to deceive anyone. My own personal experience has been that I've received greater benefits by leveling with most people and communicating with them openly. I don't believe in playing games in interpersonal relationships. Games are for children.

I believe that this is another way to diffuse ridiculous provocations. Someone trying to cause a fight would be totally nonplussed by someone who instead of fighting in return simply behaves respectfully and honestly. I'm not suggesting any members are being disrespectful or dishonest, by the way.

My point in all of this is that Mike the Pain Train isn't here to do anything but pick a fight, which to him is hilarious. To fight back just encourages him. He's not here to learn or understand. And to break down his arguments is pointless as well, since he's probably only presenting them for their ability to annoy, rather than his belief in them. But if other members are just having fun with him, as he is having fun with them, then my whole rant here is pointless and everyone should just have fun.

[Earl]

I totally agree with your observations here. You're absolutely right. Since I started messaging at this website (in the "Letters 2009" column), I've learned the hard way that the best approach is not to respond angrily to a dumb statement or even a provocation at any website. Ideally I'd like the other guy to analyze his angry reaction to this website or encourage him to think about his position. Of course, as others have pointed out to me (including Mrs. Earl), many of the really hateful critics of this website are not willing to be reasonable. But I don't take the fights to heart, and many of the supporters of this website clearly relish them.

By the way, the way I worded the last unindented paragraph of my last post above did come off being just a little bit pompous. If I'd had the opportunity before you responded to it, I probably would have deleted that last paragraph. Oh, well.

[Katrin]

I've never had a proper fight with any sports bore on these forums but I came close on the guestbook in March after going mad at Troy! Funny, really. Him and his mates post abusive comments and that's fine and dandy, but when I retaliate in a similar manner, they start treating it like I'M in the wrong and start saying "Oh Katrin, you need to watch your language!" Bastards. They damn well asked for that and they knew it. They just can't admit they started it all, and blame me. Nice.

[Earl]

That's what is known as a double standard.

[SportsGuy92]

This guy sounds fake to me. I mean, if he was really a pro boxer, why would he waste his time playing soccer and risk getting hurt?

[Earl]

Good post. I hadn't thought about that.

[Ray]

This guy sounds fake to me. I mean, if he was really a pro boxer, why would he waste his time playing soccer and risk getting hurt?

Boxers aren't known for their BRAINS. That's why they're boxers. He sounded 100% authentic to me. Bonafide.

[Katrin]

Yeah, I noticed. He's probably waiting for an opportunity to get in a zinger.

He's been on again today, his profile says! Someone needs to goad him into posting crap again... things are a lot more fun when there's a big argument underway! Perhaps a nasty PM may do the trick?...

[Earl]

Perhaps the reason why he isn't posting again is because we've figured out what he really is. In case you missed his post, SportsGuy92 doesn't think he's genuine either.

Mike_the_pain_train, please come back and flame us. I dare ya! We want to fight!

[blackdog4444]

Yea I'm bored! I WANNA SEE EM GET PUT IN A STEW!

[rotten]

Seems as though the bullies only want to fight on their turf, when they know they have the odds way slanted in their favor. And quite frankly words on the internet, are defiantly not their strong point.

[Earl]

Hi, Rotten. But don't you think BenHardingham's "your a fag" (in the topic "find something good to do with your time") is an eloquent rebuttal? All kidding aside, I suspect that mike_the_pain_train really is nothing more than a choo-choo boy, a little boy in junior high school who in reality is probably more of a pest than a bully. Certainly, less formidable than Samdaman, who is a high-school athlete and therefore has the power to push others around. (Incidentally, like many bullies Samadaman seems to be awfully insecure, as is evidenced by his protracted effort to bring this website down. Of course, many bullies are insecure. Most of the unreasonable people who get mad at this website don't waste their time with it.) But the interraction between mike and the other members who reacted with him online was hilarious and quite entertaining. They want more (and so do I).