Every day I get to deal with all sorts of stuff that our members bring to my attention. I know they bring it to my attention with the best intentions. Until tonight, I must admit, many times I would think to myself........"what's the big deal? Why is this member so irritated by what this other member did?"
But I just stumbled into the middle of an incident that really irritated me. I felt like one of our members. Somewhat powerless to discipline this person without losing my cool. Now I can see why people send in support emails whispering about the misdeeds of others. They see it, and it PISSES them off.
Here is my story....................
I come across a blog post tonight about hating to blog. The author says (and I paraphrase) that the only reason he is blogging tonight is because he needs to get back into second place in his city on ActiveRain. He has actually been a member here since last summer. Over 16 months as a member. The kind of person we love to have around here. Someone that is still blogging after 16 months................but not really.
He goes on to say that instead of writing something stupid about his local community, like everyone else here does, he is just going to tell it like it is and tell you right up front that he is just blogging for points. A necessary evil, he calls it. Fine. In fact, as I read it, I am slightly amused. Amused enough to comment. I read a lot of posts every day. I don't comment on as many as I would like to, but on this one I would comment.
I say something to the effect of.................."wow ____________, I feel horrible that ActiveRain has you home on a Saturday night blogging just to stay ahead in the rankings.................(maybe I added another smart ass comment, I can't remember, you'll see why in a minute).
I was about the fourth one to comment on the post. In response to my comment, the author says something to the effect of "I read (in some book or magazine article, or website) that blogging about a controversial topic will get you lots of links". OK, I will buy that. We are all in there commenting. He is stirring up the waters a little. I like that.........in fact, I appreciate that. Dissenting opinions are welcome on ActiveRain. We encourage them. It's the reason I commented on his post. "I hate blogging" is not a popular topic around here............but it's ok to say it.
I was a little concerned though...........the post was public...........not members only, so I ask in my next comment........."is this post intended to show the public that you are a straight-shooter?" I wanted him to consider that a client could read his post, and may wonder why he is doing something he doesn't like just to save face.........
At this point, I forget about it and I move on. I continue getting emails into my inbox as the author and another commenter have a good discussion about the authors website (a link was provided with a sentence like "and I should probably add the obligatory link to my website since that is what you all do")
After a little while of back and forth comments from the author and this other gentleman commenting on his post........I get a notification that the blog has been updated. I'm a curious guy by nature.........so I go back to see what has changed................haha, I am shocked...............THE WHOLE POST HAS CHANGED!!!!
The post is now a post about his local market and buying and selling..........and interest rates.............and new construction.............and...............I don't even know what else........I was so irritated I scrolled down as fast as I could to leave a comment...............
But wait............MY other comments were gone. No one else's comments were gone. Only mine!!! "Is this guy serious" I say to myself out loud sitting in my recliner at home. "Does he not know who I am????"
I fire off a comment as fast as my fingers can type. (again, can't remember exactly, but it went something like this) "Why did you delete my comments? You changed the whole post........that's kind of chicken shit of you, no?" (I'm not sure of the other words..........I am sure I used "chicken shit") I hit submit. Five seconds later..........I feel bad. I shouldn't have sworn. But I want him to know I am pissed. I go back and edit the comment...........I use the new strike feature and strike "chicken shit" and replace it with "weird"
He comes back with "I didn't know we were allowed to swear here, and if you didn't want us to be able to delete comments, you shouldn't have given us the ability to"................................WOW, Now I am really pissed..........does he know who I am? I keep thinking. OK, what are my options..............My finger is on the "smite" button..............(hahahha, yes, there is a 'smite' button). No, I can't do that. Do I delete the post? He changed the whole thing and left everyone's comments but mine..........what do I do? I let him know what I am thinking.
I comment with "I think your limited knowledge of SEO has you convinced that if you get a bunch of us to comment on your post, then change it to something real estate related and relevant to your market, it will help you. I further believe that you only deleted my comments so that I would not be made aware when you made changes to the post"
Haha, looks like we have a bug there........because I was still being notifiied. After firing off that comment, I wait.........and I wait.............in the meantime, I tell Jon what happened............he calls me a "dork" for getting so fired up. I sometimes call you guys a dork (under my breath) for getting so irritated at another member. Finally, I get an email from the author.
"Why the personal attack? I wrote something I didn't want out there, I wanted to change it.................I have been a good member for over a year, never had an issue" (paraphrasing)
He's right, I feel bad.........but I want him to know that what he did was not OK. I respond.........I've cooled down now. "I don't appreciate you taking a post that we all commented on (took our time to be nice to you and comment on) and change it to something totally different. Not really the spirit of what we are doing around here. My response was probably out of line, but gaming is not tolerated here..............."
A little later...........I get this................."I've had a few drinks and posted something I should not have. I replaced the story and deleted the comments (all of them). It's no more complicated than that...................BTW, who are you?"
So he didn't know who I was.................hmmmm, I was powerless for a little bit.............and it pissed me off.
I'll never call you a "dork" (or other like word) under my breath again when you bring it to my attention.........whatever it is, because you went through it, and I'll bet it upset you.........I can understand now :)
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