All in favor of banning Emma the Troll?

[Pico and ME]

Originally Posted by BrianR

I vote we educate her instead.

If I came into the Cellar now as myself at her age, you'd ban me too. But I turned out all right. Kids need mentors. But if the egregarious trolling continues, perhaps some milder discipline is called for, perhaps muting for a week while the mods train her to be a good little poster?

Jeez...come on. She does not want to be a good little poster.

[BrianR]

Originally Posted by Starring_Emma

Are you a conservative? Because I fined that liberals make for bad educators. There always stoned and thinking about gay sex.

I do not take illegal drugs, not even once to try them. Ask anyone. And you can learn something from ANYONE if you pay enough attention.

My politics are not what should concern you, young lady. This Grammar Police Badge however... I'm going to write you a warning this time.

Originally Posted by Starring_Emma

I'm already an awesome little poster... why would I want to just be a "good" little poster.

That is a matter of opinion. To the rest of this community, you have practically flooded us with new posts in a very short time, without giving us enough time to get to know you and adjust to your...ebullient... personality.

In our experience, young people such as yourself do not last very long by your very nature. You have gone by many names. Weems. Christmas modemer. ETC.

Some of you have stayed long enough to blend in, others have not. A few have had to be forcibly removed. One or two are still invoked when appropriate, usually for the laughs.

So, your first lesson: Approach any group of us as you would a clique of girls at your school. Dress like us, speak like us, get to know us before you interrupt our conversations or make comments about our boyfriends "read: politics/sexuality/<insert comment here>" Or else risk similar consequences, being ignored, avoided or even expelled.

Know this: The person(s) to whom you are speaking in any situation has (have) been here longer than you and, for better or worse, been accepted. Radar is not everyone's favorite person here, but he's been a known quantity for some time and has established himself. Lumberjim can rankle anyone, anytime. But we know him, he's been met in person by more than one of us, myself included. And he, too, has established himself.

My advice to you, Emma, is to be truthful with us. We have resources that you do not yet understand. We can track you anywhere in the world. The chances are, one of us has been to the places you describe and will be able to tell if you are lying. We have a finely-tuned ability to smell out dishonesty. A relationship based in dishonesty is not going to last. Just be yourself, and a little quieter. Go for quality over quantity in your posts. And pay more attention in English class! All we see is your writing and it tells us a LOT about who you are.

There are a few clues in writing that communicate volumes to us in our little electronic world. Capital lettering, when used properly, can indicate emphasis, or a strident tone of voice. Run-on sentences, text-speak, immature grammar, these all indicate youth and, usually, someone who will not last long enough to get to know, and thus are ignored.

Baiting established users is poor behaviour that is rarely tolerated. Leave that for later, when you've gotten to know how it's done. Flame wars are definitely not tolerated here.

Most new entrants throw one or possibly two pebbles into our figurative pond as an introduction. We have threads for this purpose. Feel free to resurrect one and introduce yourself in the usual way. Read a few to see how it's done. You have thrown a handful of stones into our little pond and we need a chance to assimilate you in our own way. Be patient, young grasshopper. I know it goes against your philosophy, but let us judge your worthiness to join our group. We judge not on looks but on character, content and suitability.

The average age here is far higher than your own. There are many college degrees represented here as well as far more life experience than you have seen. You are still young, yet are trying to insinuate yourself into a mostly adult group. You can yet become a conforming nonconformist like the rest of us, or act the spoiled, petulant child and risk being shunned. To quote Rush Limbaugh, "Words mean things." More so here than most other forums, which is why we are here instead of there.

Now, why are YOU here? To join? Entertain? Or to annoy, interrupt and destroy our harmony?

Think about your answer and let us know when you are ready to decide. There is no time limit. Begin!

Brian

[Urbane Guerrilla]

Originally Posted by BrianR

Flame wars are definitely not tolerated here.

Brian, I think that is inaccurate.

[BrianR]

Originally Posted by Starring_Emma

I'm here to help !

You should have noted my awesomeness by now!

Sorry, I must have missed your "awesomeness". It was masked by MY surgically enlarged ego.