20 replies to this topic

[Devi]

Hey guys,

     Due to recent events I don't have to name, I think I'm going to have to take a break from FC for a while.  I use this site as a way to connect with other people who share a love for one of or possibly my favorite hobby, antkeeping.  This was a place that I could come to escape the stresses of the world and talk to other people who know what, "pogonomyrmex" means and read Cheeto's and ANTdrew's journals.  There have been a high increase in posts that are either toxic, or pointless and spammy.  This just isn't what I see FC as, and it makes me sad it has come to this.  While there are still some great people on here that haven't caused any issues what so ever, it has become too negative for me.  Hopefully this forum changes for the better.  

     I will probably come back at some point, but I don't know when.  If anyone wants to contact me just PM me and I'll get an email.  I'll also probably be active on Discord, so you could contact me there as well.  I hope everyone can understand where I'm coming from and I hope certain individuals have better behavior.  

    Life is about growth though; so hopefully things have a turn-around and it gets back to the state it was in when I joined.  I sincerely hope everyone is doing well and I hope your colonies prosper.  

 

-Devi

Edited by Devi, February 9 2021 - 6:35 PM.

[TennesseeAnts]

Edited by TennesseeAnts, February 9 2021 - 8:43 PM.

[gs5248]

I hope you come back soon. 

[ConcordAntman]

I wish you well. Times sure are fraught now. I hope you’re able to tune out the chaos and find the calm. Come back soon.

[AntaholicAnonymous]

Sometimes I wonder where all the toxicity hides on this forum.
Maybe the threads in question just fly under my radar but I see 5x more talking about toxicity than examples of it.

This forum is probably the nicest place on the internet I've ever seen.
I'd guess it's some personal stuff that I'm not involved in

[Antkeeper01]

bye

[Kaelwizard]

It's a shame that this had to happen. I hope you have a good break, though.

[TechAnt]

Farewell, we will be waiting for you when you return!

[antsandmore]

        bye(these emotes are oddly satisfying)come back soon!

[Syber_ant]

        bye(these emotes are oddly satisfying)come back soon!

lol

[MysticNanitic]

Sometimes I wonder where all the toxicity hides on this forum.
Maybe the threads in question just fly under my radar but I see 5x more talking about toxicity than examples of it.

This forum is probably the nicest place on the internet I've ever seen.
I'd guess it's some personal stuff that I'm not involved in

 

^ I'm new here and this has been my experience.  I've seen some of the trolling but take it as par for the course.  I hope you don't stay away too long Devi, I've really enjoyed reading your posts, they are among the most constructive and informative on these boards.  It's understandable that you'd want a break, conflict is exhausting.

 

This seems like as good a time as any to share my thoughts on trolly behavior: as you probably know, young men driving the toxicity are usually working through some pretty tough issues of their own (in isolation, now more than ever) and the internet provides a safe place of anonymity to pass along their hurt.  If they have an interest in formiculture I believe they are part of this community - with their worst impulses (ideally) corrected kindly or ignored and their best behavior encouraged.  In the end it will be hobbies and interests, community, and acceptance that allow a once-troll to grow and reckon with their anger.  I know because I was one of them, no one would have appreciated my 14 year old self on their message board! ...getting off my soapbox before I fall off

[AntaholicAnonymous]

I agree Mystic.

No matter which direction you turn in life there's always gonna be someone saying stuff that could offend you.

You'll never control what people say but you can control how much value you place on their words and how you respond.
There are a lot of people here like ANTdrew who's opinions I value and take to heart but a random guy calling me dumb doesn't effect me one way or another.

[FSTP]

Seems kind of like an over reaction. Toxicity is only toxic if you let it effect you imo. While certain events on the forum were bad and annoying. They're just that, an annoyance. Not something to dwell on and fret about. It happened, ok, now move on. If anything I want to stay to insure that FC stays a great community to discuss ants and make friends. When any community develops and gets to a certain size its going to have undesirable people eventually join and do inappropriate things. Best you can so is get rid of them when they cross the line and then move on.  

Edited by FSTP, February 10 2021 - 11:44 AM.

[Barristan]

This kind of stuff happens from time to time in almost every forum after reaching quite some size, regardless of the topic, nothing to worry about.

[Kaelwizard]

Seems kind of like an over reaction. Toxicity is only toxic if you let it effect you imo. While certain events on the forum were bad and annoying. They're just that, an annoyance. Not something to dwell on and fret about. It happened, ok, now move on. If anything I want to stay to insure that FC stays a great community to discuss ants and make friends. When any community develops and gets to a certain size its going to have undesirable people eventually join and do inappropriate things. Best you can so is get rid of them when they cross the line and then move on.  

This kind of stuff happens from time to time in almost every forum after reaching quite some size, regardless of the topic, nothing to worry about.

If it wasn't clear to you guys in Devi's post, there are some personal issues as well.

[Devi]

 

Seems kind of like an over reaction. Toxicity is only toxic if you let it effect you imo. While certain events on the forum were bad and annoying. They're just that, an annoyance. Not something to dwell on and fret about. It happened, ok, now move on. If anything I want to stay to insure that FC stays a great community to discuss ants and make friends. When any community develops and gets to a certain size its going to have undesirable people eventually join and do inappropriate things. Best you can so is get rid of them when they cross the line and then move on.  

This kind of stuff happens from time to time in almost every forum after reaching quite some size, regardless of the topic, nothing to worry about.

If it wasn't clear to you guys in Devi's post, there are some personal issues as well.

 

Yeah, I probably could've worded that a bit better instead of venting my stress.  

Let me try again:

I'm super busy right now and have A LOT going on right now, so I won't be able to be on that much anyway.  Especially after Vendayn's recent offense I was just kinda sad and also stressed as I mentioned above, so I vented a lot in my first post.  

Just know I will be on less but should be able to get some important things done in the next week or so so I will probably be able to be back on more frequently then.  Sorry if I over reacted. 

[Devi]

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to let you know that I have decided to come back and will be on a lot more frequently now.  I'm a lot less busy now and am in a better state of mind so I am happy about that.  As a quick update - the Pogonomyrmex aren't doing the best, but more on that later.  

-Devi

Edited by Devi, March 31 2021 - 9:07 AM.

[Paul_M]

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to let you know that I have decided to come back and will be on a lot more frequently now.  I'm a lot less busy now and am in a better state of mind so I am happy about that.  As a quick update - the Pogonomyrmex aren't doing the best, but more on that later.  

-Devi

Ey! He's back! 

[ANTdrew]

Welcome back, man!

[Kaelwizard]

Welcome back!