Thoughtless replies

[koipie doll]

I just read a disturbing thread.please don’t get me wrong on what I’m about to say, because I love this site and have gotten wonderful advice. There’s a wealth of knowledge here. But the thread I’m talking about is maybe a year old. It involved a 13 year old child wanting advice about keeping goldfish in a Gatorade bottle. Yes, that’s a terrible practice and should NEVER be done. But there were some very unkind and demeaning replies. First of all, you don’t call a child dumb. He obviously knew something wasn’t right, and came to this site for greater knowledge about fishkeeping. As the old saying goes, there are no dumb questions. There were also some very good replies with good advice and encouragement on how to be a better fishkeeper. What I would like to say to those that were downright demeaning and insensitive, shame on you. This was a child you were speaking to. He came on this site to learn. We have all made mistakes, even experts in the field. That’s how we learn. And that’s what this site is for...sharing knowledge, learning more, and having fun in the process. This child could very well turn into a fine fishkeeper with the right teaching and encouragement. I’m sure he cried and felt so deeply ashamed that he was turned away forever. And that’s not what we’re all about.

When I was about 7 or 8, I went fishing with a cousin and caught a blue gill. Naturally I felt bad for the fish and decided to keep it as a pet. So I put it in a bucket overnight. To my horror, by the next morning it was dead. After that I vowed to learn how to do it right. And now, I’m a proud owner of a 130 gallon with 5 healthy and happy fish. And I have this site (and my own research) to thank.

Thanks for letting me rant a bit. I still love this site.

 

[twentyleagues]

I just read a disturbing thread.please don’t get me wrong on what I’m about to say, because I love this site and have gotten wonderful advice. There’s a wealth of knowledge here. But the thread I’m talking about is maybe a year old. It involved a 13 year old child wanting advice about keeping goldfish in a Gatorade bottle. Yes, that’s a terrible practice and should NEVER be done. But there were some very unkind and demeaning replies. First of all, you don’t call a child dumb. He obviously knew something wasn’t right, and came to this site for greater knowledge about fishkeeping. As the old saying goes, there are no dumb questions. There were also some very good replies with good advice and encouragement on how to be a better fishkeeper. What I would like to say to those that were downright demeaning and insensitive, shame on you. This was a child you were speaking to. He came on this site to learn. We have all made mistakes, even experts in the field. That’s how we learn. And that’s what this site is for...sharing knowledge, learning more, and having fun in the process. This child could very well turn into a fine fishkeeper with the right teaching and encouragement. I’m sure he cried and felt so deeply ashamed that he was turned away forever. And that’s not what we’re all about.

When I was about 7 or 8, I went fishing with a cousin and caught a blue gill. Naturally I felt bad for the fish and decided to keep it as a pet. So I put it in a bucket overnight. To my horror, by the next morning it was dead. After that I vowed to learn how to do it right. And now, I’m a proud owner of a 130 gallon with 5 healthy and happy fish. And I have this site (and my own research) to thank.

Thanks for letting me rant a bit. I still love this site.

I remember that thread.
Taken out of context what you say is absolutely true. If you check that users other posts before that gatoraid post you'll get a better understanding of context.
There was a influx of posts of that type all around the same time. I personally believe that a lot of them were bored children working on being trolls. I personally reported a post as I'm sure others did as well that looked and felt as though we had seen this "person" before under a new name previously banned and they got banned again.
Some of the posts are real. The questions asked can seem ludacris. The ops seem to not read any of the answers or can't learn from the answers given and there has been turmoil on those threads. They start multiple threads to ask the same question over and over. After multiple talking tos from admin some of the kids are still here and have finally started learning.
Context is what you may be missing. I don't care to go relive that mess by any means. I don't forsure know that was one of the trolls or someone that's still here and learning but smells like one of the trolls atm.

 

[koipie doll]

I remember that thread.
Taken out of context what youthsnks for clearing that up. say is absolutely true. If you check that users other posts before that gatoraid post you'll get a better understanding of context.
There was a influx of posts of that type all around the same time. I personally believe that a lot of them were bored children working on being trolls. I personally reported a post as I'm sure others did as well that looked and felt as though we had seen this "person" before under a new name previously banned and they got banned again.
Some of the posts are real. The questions asked can seem ludacris. The ops seem to not read any of the answers or can't learn from the answers given and there has been turmoil on those threads. They start multiple threads to ask the same question over and over. After multiple talking tos from admin some of the kids are still here and have finally started learning.
Context is what you may be missing. I don't care to go relive that mess by any means. I don't forsure know that was one of the trolls or someone that's still here and learning but smells like one of the trolls atm.

Thanks for clearing that up. I only saw the one thread. Was “fishing” around, and saw that one because I keep and love goldfish.

 

[A201]

I've read my share of unhelpful responses to seemingly naive request for information.
I think if the situation seems ridiculous or hopeless and the replies are abrasive, ignor the thread & move on.
Don't get caught in the trap. Don't exaggerate the situation.

 

[esoxlucius]

In fairness I don't think i've ever seen a thread where someone asks a question and are immediately castigated with an onslaught of needless abuse. That, as you rightly say, is wrong. What does happen though, occasionally, is that someone will come on, usually youngsters/trolls and you eventually realise that their repeated stupid questions are only posted to attract a negative reaction. And a negative reaction is what they eventually get!!! We've had a few people banned for this.

As twentyleagues said, it's all about context, and understanding what went on previously leading up to the "thoughtless replies" you allude to.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

The owner logged on on march 15th, and didn't come back on after that day. Probably a troll. I saw that thread. It is a terrible representation of the fishy family.