On Thu, 12 Jul 2007 09:04:28 -0400, Marc Riddell michaeldavid86@comcast.net wrote:
Keep in mind, Mark, WE teach people how to treat us. And, when shouting is met with silence, all that's left is the echo.
on 7/12/07 10:09 PM, Guy Chapman aka JzG at guy.chapman@spamcop.net wrote:
I wish. What is left is the endless repetition of "see, he had no answer to this! I was right!" posted to every single place the disgruntled troll can find.
On 13/07/07, Marc Riddell michaeldavid86@comcast.net wrote:
When they say this, Guy, who are they talking to?
on 7/13/07 8:50 AM, David Gerard at dgerard@gmail.com wrote:
To anyone who'll give them attention. The obvious answer is not to pay attention, but this can then lead to unduly ignoring people
When someone is throwing bullshit at you - simply duck. No response, is a response (and a lot less foul ;-). They will get hungry without being fed, and find someone else to feed off. It has nothing to do with you personally; you are simply the one that's feeding them at the moment.
This is a judgment call. If the person's responses are not contributing positively, constructively to the conversation, and not contributing to the advancement of the discussion: they need to be ignored so that conversation can proceed. And a silent response sends a message loud and clear. List Moderators do this routinely every day by not admitting the bullshit into the conversations; again, a judgment call.
If it is the perception of others you are concerned about ("what will other people think of me if I don¹t respond and let the remark stand?"): A person's credibility and reputation are built one interaction at a time, and is cumulative. It is not based on whether or not they respond to an individual statement. Also, the persons looking on, that you may be concerned about, aren't stupid they can tell a bullshit response when they hear one. And silence on your end can bring a silent "well done", "well said" and some :-)s from them.
In the end, it's your judgment call: Is it really worth my time to engage with this clown? What you will most likely find if you do - is that you would be dueling with someone who's unarmed.
Marc Riddell