In Software Engineering and other disciplines there are papers, articles and books on Design Patterns. Here we propose an initial set of Forum Design Patterns modeled after recent events at The Cellar.
Forum Design Patterns
(1) Lump and Censor
(2) Poke and Bash
(3) Ambush and Ban
This is only the beginning of the list. I'm sure if we all contribute to this effort, we can create a bestselling book and retire to book signings at Borders stores.
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(1) Lump and Censor
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Don't discriminate between different posters' writings. Label a group of them and shut them up right away. Strut your testestorone with as few words as possible.
Quote:
Originally Posted by x
That's the problem. You idiots keep it a "highly-charged emotional situation" with this bullshit you call "support". You're nothing but enablers, not friends. 
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(2) Poke and Bash
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From the School of Speak Boldy and Carry a Big Stick. Push someone's button, wait for their response, then crack them over the head.
Quote:
Good morning, time for your daily reality check.
He didn't miss you last night. He didn't even think about you.
Carry on.
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Quote:
Oh, I know, I know...I've been licking my wounds all night--and, this morning. I don't know who I hate more-him or me. The urge to fuck up his life is raising it's ugly head. I want to call him and tell him off. Not that he'd care.
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Quote:
Dude. get over it. You can't fuck up his life. There's nothing you could do that would remotely affect him one way or the other (there's assault and murder, but that's counterproductive). Make him as much of a non-entity in your mind as you are in his. Rejoin humanity and stop wallowing in dog shit.
You're afraid of feeling nothing, aren't you? Well, you're going to have to, at least for awhile. Suck it up, do it. End of story.
I'm quickly running out of empathy here. How many times can someone walk up to you and say "Look, I hit myself in the head with a hammer" and you stop feeling sorry for them?
end. it.
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(3) Ambush and Ban
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This is where someone starts a thread to bash and provoke somone. The target defends themselves, then several known combants join in the ambush, pig fighting ensues, and the target is banned. In many cases, the ban is temporary, known cases vary between 8 months and 4 days.
Quote:
Originally Posted by A
must... resist... urge... to bash... Mari... and ruin... the thread... -
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A
ok i created a thread to bash her over in health.
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Talk about the Marichiko ban here
Quote:
Originally Posted by E
...could someone please direct me to the salient sequence of postings that resulted in this ban...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by R
... the same thing happened to another friend of mine. A bash thread was started, half a dozen people fought with her, and she got banned. The UT character was JR, the LJ character was NW, and the Mari character was WW. Same play, different actors.
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