INFO_DART
Generalizations are in order here. Let us not get into the situation where the search to understand takes on, in itself, the aspects of the communication we are seeking to understand. We are talking about real people and situations. Half life and all, how would you feel if your discovered your posts being discussed as a form of aberrant behavior?
Well, not you in particular, since you seem to be the subject of one such study and comment on this thread. But there are others, and I don't believe it proper to mention names, or specific posts. If that pushes us into an arena where the broad statement is the rule, then so be it.
I have mentioned Precious Metals, try ECharters ; both about a year to 15 months ago. Look at Pacific Rim about two summers ago...again when there was great discussion about the value of the major property. There is a bit of a situation on the Diamond property threads about a year ago.
You really have to spend a lot of time on the thread learning who the players are to see and understand these things happening. And what things you might ask. 1. The shout down---multiple posts aggressively addressed to one person. 2. The insult --a limited number of posts that simply draw the persons qualifications into such question that the individual is so offended they simply say.....I don't have time for this. 3. The harassment--someone is hounded on multiple threads by a single poster or a group. I'm sure others have witnessed other types of aggressive behavior.
I believe you also have to be aware of all the ways people use SI. Some people simply log on and answer all their posts. If they are all from a single thread then it looks like the person is trying to dominate the thread through multiple posting, when all that individual is doing is answering his own 'mail'. If you have heavy discussion between a few individuals you may see what appears to be a tactic in operation when it is again just a result of the nature of the SI forum program.
And again, a mob tactic, is more a natural event than it is a planned procedure. If you threaten peoples dreams you are going to get a wide assortment of reactions which can combine to appear as one of the tactics, or a mixture of them. And how much you threaten their dream is likely to effect the intensity of the response.
There are a lot of threads that have come to life as a result of the recent political situations. They are a wonderful place to look for silencing tactics.
regards,
mnmuench |
