The Power of Silence

I have noticed that a curious and behaviorally contradictory thing happens when critical mass of opinion starts to form, of the belief that a thread has veered off in a direction that people don't like or don't want to pursue.

Instead of letting it go and saying nothing, people begin to leave posts that say things such as:

<font color="purple">
I think we should let this go

Let it rest

I don't want to keep this going BUT </font> followed by the person's thought -- as if well, I'm gonna post my thoughts but I wanna have the last word.

My suggestion would be not to post. Not to say let's close it down, or I agree it should be closed down or anything at all. Because that's what ending the thread means.

And yes, I have practiced this, even on a thread or two that I have started after they turned bad on me, like naughty children who refused to obey me. I simply stopped participating. It's always an option, and like depriving fire of oxygen, it ends the thread more effectively than continued pleas for others to stop posting (but not, of course, you).

well, Raquel, how astute you've become.......that is an excellent idea and i will practice it from now on........Susan

"Raquel"?? "Susan"?? Okey doke. I'm Tilly, then. (Oh GAWD!)

Right on, Wants2!!

Yeah I do try as hard as heck to NOT reply to these posts it takes ALL of my effort to NOT reply and keep my mouth shut... sometimes I don't succeed

I'm guilty as charged from time to time. Thanks for the wake up sweetie. You make a very good point.

Ry

Absolutely. Good post.

SpazKat -- You are so right. It can take enormous self-control, esp. if people have started to irritate one. But it's the most surefire way to get the durn thing to die already!

I expected to be burned on this thread, but so far so good. Thanx for the support.

Couldn't agree more Wants2. I look at navigating the forums much like I do the sidewalk I'm walking on; when I see poop, I make a special point of not stepping in it. 'Course, I'm not really as tempted to step in poop as I am to do some pig wrestling in the forums. lol.

But you know what happens when you wrestle a pig, right? You both get filthy, but the pig likes it.

"Are you talkin' to me?" Your response "If the shoe fits, wear it." It fits. I see I need to work on that aspect of myself some more... WAAAAY more! It's so hard to keep my big mouth shut!! Or as Ryan said, "Keep my fingers still." LOL

Thanks for the heads up, Sweet Friend.