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What do you do about "cowards" on YA that denigrate your answers but provide no means of rebuttal?
I am a newbie to the "politics" of YA. I notice that there are some "cowards" out there that target the questions you answer and take license to denigrate your answer (rather than directly answering the question that was asked) but provide no way of contacting them so that you can provide a rebuttal to their nonsense. I have considered adding edits to my answer to provide a rebuttal, but it seems inappropriate to debate someone in the context of someone else's question, although I do see this occur frequently. In addition, I suspect that these same cowards would report my answer and get it deleted even though they are the ones calling me out in their answer as ignorant or stupid. I've also considered reporting abuse, but I don't favor censoring other people, even if they are somewhat belligerent. Any suggestions? Is what they are doing contrary to any guidelines? Do I simply grin and take it? What would you do?
Cirbryn… Issues are complex w/ length limitations preventing a full debate. Issues are also often far afield of what the person was asking and so are relevant only to the answerers. YA is not a debate forum but rather to answer someone’s question. It seems inappropriate to call out another person by name and denigrate them. They should do it to my “face” (email) or use an appropriate forum. The one time I replied directly tit-for-tat within the question early on with YA, I was reported. I don’t intend to have this “happen a lot” just so I have valid complaint. My reputation is at stake. I call them “cowards” because they don’t want to be confronted with the truth by hiding their email and using a forum inappropriate for rebuttal. I have no problem airing my points in public, since I obviously do it all the time. If the point of your answer is to say you think these independent debates are appropriate, then I will take that under advisement.
4 Answers
- ?Lv 71 decade agoFavorite Answer
For the most part, ignore them. Why do you think they do not allow e-mails? If you don't like my answer, your free to e-mail me about it. And I will answer you. a few have and gotten told about it..then apologized. Those that don't? I ignore them. Now if they are abusive and using foul language or suggestive language, report them. That's all you can do. Do not reply like to like. All it gets you is a violation.
- CirbrynLv 71 decade ago
What would be the point of emailing the person to address his or her points in private? Just edit your answer to address points raised, so that everyone can see both points and judge between them. That's presumably what these people you call "cowards" are expecting you to do. And the fact that they're willing to air their points in public, while you don't seem to be, suggests to me at least that if anyone's a coward it's more likely to be you. Your "suspicion" that they'd report you for debating just sounds like an excuse to me. If that happens a lot then you'd have a valid complaint. Until then you don't.
> "If the point of your answer is to say you think these independent debates are appropriate, then I will take that under advisement."
That's what I think. I realize some people don't agree, but especially if both sides limit their responses and remain civil I think the caliber of answers goes up when other peoples points are directly addressed.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Dealing with cowards is just a part of life. I live in a ghetto, I've had stereo systems stolen from my vehicle. I've had my property vandalized. I watch people who do not live in my neighborhood come and dump trash where I live. There is no reason to retort, it never changes anything. To be the neighborhood hall monitor only puts a target on your back. In Y/A I just try to help those that I can and I don't argue with fools...after all wouldn't that make me one too?
- Anonymous1 decade ago
I'm a politics section regular. Much of what goes on there is against the guidelines. I suggest just editing in your points and comebacks to insults.
Just to warn you certain users in that section are very malicious and if you leave your email open you will get insults, threats, and possibly viruses. It is a total war over in that section.
