We need an ignore button!

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I think it was suggested before, but it was wrapped up in a post that ended up being a big argument about people wanting to delete their accounts or something.

WP needs an option to ignore specific users who are disruptive. There are a several trolls that are repeatedly pulling the same crap. It's not provable that they're doing it intentionally, of course they claim that they're misunderstood, yadda yadda, so I guess they can't be banned. But they're extremely malicious, and it's upsetting. Can we at least get an option to not see posts by the trolls? I know if other people quote the troll posts they'll still be visible, but there could still be a setting so that WP members can opt to not see the posts by the people who are causing disruptions.

...or, as an alternative - the members need to be reporting these members to the moderation team so that things can be dealt with immediately and appropriately. That doesn't always mean it will be to your specification or satisfaction, but the sort of tool you propose makes it so that the problems are ignored and not addressed. Please help us take care of WP, and report such problems instead of hiding from or ignoring them.


M.

One message board I go to have both an ignore option (not as simple as a button) and a report button (for reporting a post to moderators).

That doesn't mean it would be simple to implement here.

But, they are nice options to have.

Well the thing is that that makes a whole ordeal out of it, not to mention that probably a lot of people here aren't sure enough about our perceptions of what's going on to feel comfortable defending that we're sure we didn't do something to provoke them. Trolls are usually bullies who are very good at convincing others they've done nothing wrong, or claiming that they're just being themselves, having trouble communicating, whatever. Then they turn it around and make it look like the person they're being nasty to did something wrong.
It comes down to the same problem that it always does; an antisocial is more convincing when they're lying than an aspie is telling the truth. Of course, there may also be a few antisocial aspies, I'm not sure. I think of them as almost mutually exclusive, but there could be aspies with antisocial tendencies. Or people pretending to be aspies who just want a vulnerable group of people to pick on. If when someone presented as a troll, people could simply hit an ignore button and not have to see the nasty posts, it might get boring for the trolls. It's not like in real life where when you ignore a bully they can still see you. If we could just filter out posts by the people who are being nasty, they wouldn't get so much satisfaction out of it. It would also just cause less disruption and less upset.
Don't most bulletin board systems have a way of doing that? for some reason I don't see which system is powering the forum, but it seems pretty standard..
Maybe there could be an option along with the "ignore" button to say WHY we're ignoring the person, so that mods could see what problems are bothering what people? I think a lot of people are also just a bit afraid to approach mods about stuff.

The mods can only be as effective as the membership enables them to be; from what I understand, there are some limitations in terms of implementation of an ignore feature - not impossible, but also not intended to be added at this time. By reporting the problem, there is a consensus reached on the behavior and it can be a beneficial experience for all. Letting others run rampant over the site is not something I consider an acceptable option; I agree that public acknowledgment of those trolling or instigating is not beneficial - this is why PMing a moderator is a good solution.


M.

In that case there needs to be an easier way to report things, and more clear-cut rules against the type of bullying that happens here. There are at least a few people who are really taking advantage of the aspie inability to read intentions. Sometimes it's just underhanded, other times they do overtly nasty things and then claim that their AS made them do it. I can't be the only one who just doesn't have the confidence to deal with this kind of crap. The only way to stop them completely would be to make the rules so strict that discussing almost anything would be impossible. Some people here pretend they're trying offer advice or voice their opinion when they're just putting other people down, then get all "who, me?" and try to turn it back around on the people they're bullying. You guys see this stuff, don't you? It's just not possible to stop them. I really wish I didn't have to deal with it. But the alternative is to leave WP, and I really like most of the people here. I don't want to have to stop coming to WP just to get away from the bullies.
That's why most forums and chats have ways to ignore users that are problematic. While ignoring them may not have stopped it in grade school, online "ignore" can actually mean not having to deal with the nastiness at all.

I don't see what the problem is tbh - most places have an ignore button. I know there is one person in particular whose posts I don't want to read... and any others who make similar wrong assumptions about me.

Is yours kinda the same situation as mine where what's bothersome doesn't quite seem reportable?

For anyone who bothered to read the FAQ, this functionality has been available for a long time.

How do I block an obnoxious member's posts?
It should work in Firefox, Seamonkey, Safari, and Epiphany. It might be possible to get it working in Opera or Chrome if you know what you're doing, but I am told managing user scripts is more difficult in those two browsers.

It is unlikely that the site will further bog down its code to add this feature when it is perfectly possible for the individual users to accomplish the same effect with a modicum of effort.

*bows to Orwell* Thank you, sir.


M.

Yes, TY! Maybe that should be stickied in the main forum or something... considering that nobody knew about it?

Interesting. My experience is quite different. I've been on many message boards. Only one has had an ignore feature, at least that I was ever aware of. And even that one, it's not an ignore button. To ignore someone, I have to go into a section in my view of my profile stuff, and type or paste in their name there.

Makuranososhi makes a really good point about dealing with the problems rather than masking them with an ignore button.

But sometimes I feel a bit uncomfortable as well to report something to a mod. I'll try and throw something very questionable out there for the mods to look at and evaluate sometimes, but I feel like I'd be seen as a troublemaker for reporting things that are just dodgy or mean spirited, and that it could be turned back on me. So there are some things I haven't reported.

Personally, I'd rather hear more from the members about their concerns; if it isn't something that requires moderator action, then it provides the opportunity to discuss why it is questionable, how to suggest a better way to all members in the future, and keeps resentment at bay. I was glad to see Orwell's contribution of the user-based ignore feature - I knew I had seen it, but did not know where - and think that is a fine option for those who need that sort of filter... but my obligation is to make this site everything that it can be, and remain a safe place for all members; feedback is essential to making that possible.


M.

That's the very thing he was referring too, the power of the group.
If there are repeat offenders to the common good of the community, these things become more than just your personal opinion of "mean spirited". The community can speak it's mind one voice at a time. Occasionally I too take things personal, only to be surprised again, with the fact that it ain't all about me...this time.

Truth is though, there are individuals with a motive other than being a part of, I have noticed said individuals not posting anymore for some unknown reason. But I would imagine the complaints where stacking up high enough to collapse.

The mods here work as a team, not on their own, the team is only as aware of your thoughts and concerns, as much as you communicate with them. There always asking for feedback / input instead of making threads that get people all worked up. If you do know of a flaming troll (other than me ), let em know about it.

That being said, I hope I don't get banned for flooding their PM box's

A lot of people here have that problem.
Especially with the "mean spirited."


There was a thread in The Haven about people being told that they deserved or at least provoked bullying-- it was a very common experience. I think most people on WP don't feel comfortable reporting stuff for reasons exactly like that. That's why I think that if there were an ignore/report combination type thing, or just a site-based ignore feature that would give administrative statistics, it would be a more accurate picture of who is doing nasty things that are upsetting other users than could be communicated by PM. The biggest goal of bullying is to make the people being bullied think it's their fault. It's really difficult to report.

I didn't say anything at all until after exchanging messages with another member who had noticed the problems I was having with some bullying, and PMed me to tell me that they'd been seeing what was going on and didn't think it was my fault.


There are a few users on this site that give credence to that theory some people seem to have that AS is just a ploy to act like a jerk and get away with it. I mean, I'm not saying the theory has any value, but there are people who claim to have AS that just want an excuse to be nasty.