Dude you shouldn't be offended when some one calls you out as a shill. You totally sound like one. It's healthy for us to point out suspect behavior.
And I totally understand that.
I believe there's ways to go about things and ways to research things before flat out accusing people though. And that's my feeling.
We're all adults here.
Personally, I wouldn't call anyone out until I really looked into it first. But that's me.
Everyone has their own option and has a right to think what they want. But I believe calling someone out could easily be done in a way that was less offensive to everyone. Reporting them, having the admins track them, shooting them a private message first, getting more information, etc.
The Problems I See These Days with Forums and Blogs (and Society) Is That:
Anyone who takes the time to -
- Thank someone
- Go out of their way to be helpful (in a positive way)
- Link a positive response to an origin
- Write about a positive experience
...is automatically labeled as an Employee or Paid Reviewer.
Anyone -
- Complaining
- Giving a negative review
...is a Spammer or Competitor.
It wasn't always like this, and there are a lot of people who ruined it for everyone.
I'm not asking you or anyone else to change their ways. But if you truly are here just to share your experiences and lend a hand to people, I would hope that you still give others the benefit of the doubt every so often and/or give them a chance.
I get that everyone cannot treat everyone equally when they're hiding behind a router because there are a lot of shady people out there
(which is a whole other discussion, but something I will touch on lightly while im waiting in port). But profiling people for a few posts sharing their experiences
(without simply going to their profile and looking into what else they have written about) should be avoided. I think people are too quick to point the finger. Especially when some of the people who were in fact spamming this thread were the ones that should be been looked into. I took a look at this guy and his recent sign up and the fact that every post he made here
(this thread, other related threads and even random threads having nothing to with anything) were specifically only complaining and spreading crap about a single seed bank. Now after looking into that, I could understand users talking
(if I had the same history).
I don't expect any type of healthy repetitious posting or standards from anyone or any forum.
I just make a point to talk to people the same way I'd talk to them if they were standing right in front of me. Big or small, preppie or grungy, roided-out or skinny. I wouldn't say or talk any differently to them here or in person. I think that too many people take advantage of the fact that they get away with pretending to be whoever they want and saying whatever they want without having to take responsibility for it
(when their online).
And it's sad. It's had a huge amount of influence on our kids and the way everything is today.
I don't know how old you are, but I can remember a time when it wasn't like this at all.
It will never be like that again. But it's nice to reminisce.
What is the point if all if this? Nothing. Maybe others feeling the same way can let their guard down when they know others share the same beliefs? Maybe not.
Hope y'all are having a great week.
LH&R