![[ Roberta's Ramblings ]](/images/roberta_rambling.gif)
January 16, 1998
Hello OBGYN.netters,
This week I am going to discuss a serious health threat that effects all online communities at one time or another. Unfortunately OBGYN.net is no exception. What is this threat you ask?
The Forumbuster
What is a Forumbuster? It's a deadly parasite that attaches itself to online communities and sucks the life out of them. When it has succeeded and the community is ravaged it quietly moves on to another unsuspecting victim.
How do you get rid of the threat this parasite represents?
Well, unfortunately it's not easy and is often painful. You can either have it surgically removed (suspend it's posting privileges and block it's email) or have it controlled with proper medication (a good dose of reason sometimes works). The truth is however, once infected, surgery is usually the only permanently effective treatment. Once done you then have to go through a period of recovery.
How do you spot a Forumbuster in you midst as it attaches itself to you favorite list, forum, chat room or news group? Not easy I'm afraid. They often appear quite harmless at first glance. But experience sharpens the eye. I have listed below some ways to recognize the insidious little beast when it first appears:
- Forumbusters offer unasked for "constructive criticism" of other people's work but rarely produce any of their own allowing for such criticism from others.
- Forumbusters voice critiques of what's wrong with things "around here", but offer little sensible advice for how to REALISTICALLY improving the situation.
- Forumbusters use every opportunity to advance their personal political agenda at the expense of others. No price is too high as long as someone else is paying it.
- Forumbusters do not contribute to the group via articles or help with educational projects or similar positive contributions.
- Forumbusters smell a conspiracy.
- Forumbusters beat a subject to death.
- Forumbusters post the same message to multiple lists, some of which have no idea of what the Forumbuster is even talking about.
- Forumbusters really seem to be participating and enjoying themselves the most when a flame war erupts. Certainly in a way they never do over other more constructive issues.
- Forumbusters take things out of context or entirely too literally.
- Forumbusters make broad generalizations about entire groups of people.
- Subscriptions start being canceled when Forumbusters get on a posting roll.
- Forumbusters love to be the center of attention.
- Forumbusters talk a lot about freedom of speech and their rights but they insist on attaching themselves to other forums designed for other purposes (the parasitic quality) instead of creating one of their own.
- Forumbusters think they are the voice of reason and speak for the underdog.
People often really think Forumbusters are either crazy or a pain in the neck and are afraid to post on any topic the Forumbuster has sunk their teeth into. Thus they start posting for guidance or intercedence to the listowner.
The reality is, Forumbusters are actually a liability to any legitimate cause they champion.
Have you ever seen one of these creatures? I have encountered several in my career and would offer you this advice:
DO NOT attempt to take one on by yourself. They bite and the venom is poisonous sometimes resulting in lifelong scars.
Instead, report them to your health care provider (listowner) and document all the symptoms.
Work with your provider to decide on a treatment plan and stick with it.
It is unrealistic to expect a cure overnight but with proper treatment, if caught in time, the deadly Forumbuster can be reduced to an uncomfortable episode in the wonderful, productive life of a healthy online community.
However, left untreated, especially in the very young, it is almost always fatal.
SO BEWARE OF THE DEADLY FORUMBUSTER!
Have a great week everyone. ;-)
Your Friend,
Roberta
If you have any interesting news, ideas, or questions you would like to share please drop me a line at roberta.speyer@obgyn.net.
1/16/98
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