Stress does funny things to people. This Pitt season has already added plenty of it to what has built up over the last couple of years. I’m seeing it showing up in the comments in various ways.
So, I think some reminders about how things work are in order.
There is no formal registration to comment on this blog at this point. I don’t do it, mainly because I don’t like to bother when I go to other sites. Also, because I don’t want the added responsibility of safeguarding other people’s personal information. The reality is that the site is getting bigger and more popular so eventually I probably will have to.
In the meantime, there is still something of a controlled honor system.
The commenting system works this way. The first time you try to comment, it will be held for moderation. That means I have to approve it first. Once I approve it, the rest of your comments generally go through cleanly unless you link or write something that trips the spam filters.
Sock Puppetry is never acceptable on this site. If you think you have a valid point that is fine. If you think the only way you can make your case is to pretend to be other people to agree with the point. GO AWAY.
Related to that, if you try to post under a new name/e-mail/etc, the commenting filters will hold you in moderation because you will be treated as a new comment. There will also be flags raised by the bots suggesting the possibility of being a commenter under a different name. I can then compare them.
This has happened a bit lately — this tends to flare once or twice a year. I will choose whether to immediately ban a person who tries it. Issue them a private warning if they used a real e-mail. Or I will publicly call them out. No set system. Totally at my discretion.
[As an aside, another variation is the ever popular commenter so disgusted with the team or something else that they claim they are done and walking away. Or, say demand to be banned as some sort of martyr. Only they really can’t. So they try to return under a different name. It’s not pure sock-puppetry, but I have no respect for that and don’t bother approving their comments under a different name. Hopefully, you know who you are.]
This is not a message board. There are several fine ones. Consider using them. Keep the comments relatively close to the topic. Tangents happen, but if you are continually seeking to hijack a thread for your own discussion, then I recommend going to a message board or starting your own blog. Eventually, I will get tired of it.
On the matter of message board related things. The etiquette is different. Personal attacks are not welcome. Not on other commenters. And really not even the players. I realize everyone is emotional at times, but take a breath. Even Tino Sunseri is a Pitt student and will soon (oh, sweet lord so soon) be a Pitt alum. Call out the issues of skill. Complain about performance. But making it personal. Making accusations of character that are over the top. Knock it off.
There are probably a couple other things I wanted to say, but it is late and I’m tired.
Sometimes little jibs or jabs at Tino made in jest can be comical but the fact of the matter is there are about 9489 things wrong with this team right now. Did anyone actually believe that Tino was going to come back this year and be Dan Marino? He is not a “carry the team on his back” type of talent and we all knew that coming in.
I am an adult and fully understand I neither play, coach or administrate any Pitt sports team. It has been a good foundation for me and kept me from the dark side of blog/message board lunacy.
As for people posting under multiple names, that is just wrong and comes off as a child who wants to be seen and heard.
Signed,
Tino’s Dad
If it doesn’t remain civil then it goes down the road other blogs have gone and that would be too bad.
BTW – all the articles for at least another week will be done by other writers, mostly Chas apparently, until I get my daughter married off and decompress from this whole wedding thing.
After that I hope to contribute more, both is posting and in commenting.
I understand your concerns Chas, but I feel strongly that exceptions should be made for those individuals that contribute comments under multiple posting names IF they have been professionally diagnosed a with schizophrenia. I’m sure that all who comment here can relate to the mental tramas involved in owning up to our devotion to Pitt football as of late. This ccould lead to a variety mental illnesses if that dedication becomes pathological.
Reed, I actually do post under my actual name, but if Tino continues to be our starter for the rest of the season, the stress may become just too excessive.
In preparation for just such a case, my psychgologist has already advised me to change over to an alter ego post name to help diffuse the pressure from such a situation.
So if Tino is still our guy come midseason, expect to see a new name posting on here calling himself, WTFwhocares?
commit from Charlotte. He had offers
from a number of big schools?
When I started posting on them six years ago I had never posted anywhere and figured that when they asked for my name I’d just put it down.
Nice play…. Tino’s Dad!! Good stuff
Respectfully,
JoeD, IMMA Man, PittisIt, Rev. George, Frankcan,StevePKilledNebraska2, and all the other poster names I am not! I like to earn the bashing under my own call sign, thank you very little. LOL@me.