Rumors / Gossip

[Nebulous]

Just like in the real world, rumors spread like wildfire in the forum world.



Have rumors ever been spread about you? If so, what were they? How did you deal with it?



Have you ever gossiped / spread rumors about another person on a forum? If so, how did you do it? Publicly (posting it on forums), PM, email, IM, etc? Did any it cause any drama for the person you gossiped about?

 

[Cranos]

No to all questions. I guess I don't gossip online...

 

[Durandal]

Have rumors ever been spread about you? If so, what were they? How did you deal with it?

Yeah, I've been the victim of rumour spreading, unfortunately. After a nasty breakup with my first, she told all of her friends and many others that I killed her cat and stole money from her.



Only thing is that she didn't have a cat, and generally hated them, and she robbed me of money and more. I didn't really have to deal with it, because she was a mess of a person at that point, and her credibility sank to six feet under.



Other than that, a vindictive ex-friend of mine that I put a lot on the line for decided to badmouth me and tarnish my reputation, with no basis in legitimate fact on another forum. Unfortunately that forum had/has become a pretty toxic place - lots of two-faced people there (liars and hypocrites - there tended to be a regime there that ruled most of the conversation, which really thrust the place into stasis at times, because of mismanagement), and so I just cut my losses and stopped going to that forum, because it wasn't a positive and constructive place for dialogue and mutual and social respect (which is/was unfortunate because I spent a considerable chunk of time on the forum as was even a top poster/contributor and made a few real friends (though a few I thought were friends weren't particularly authentic...)).



Basically, I see negative gossip as a cancer-like thing, and so I tend to cut it out of my life and avoid the source, lest it spread. Unfortunately, identifying 'gossip' from actual constructive discussion is difficult at times, and can't be judged with a sweeping hand, so to speak.

 

[Nebulous]

Ive had my share of rumors. Mainly involving me being some sort of corrupt liar.

Although those seem to have died off over time.



I don't really gossip about others. But I do get the occasional PM or email containing gossip or rumors about other people in the forum world. It can be pretty petty some times.

 

[Durandal]

Well, gossip is by its nature, petty. That's the whole point. If it wasn't petty, it would be actual dialogue. I don't go around looking for gossip, though sometimes I hear it, or someone probes my interest in it (and are rebuffed).

 

[Jazzy]

Have rumors ever been spread about you?

Yes

If so, what were they?

The worse one was that I am not who or what I say I am.

How did you deal with it?

After being stalked by said person for two years, I let my attorney handle it.

Have you ever gossiped / spread rumors about another person on a forum?

If warning other members about said stalker, then I guess I'm guilty.

 

[Durandal]

A factual stalker isn't a rumour - it's constructive to warn others, so they don't need to suffer the same unfortunate problem. A rumour would be calling Durandal a stalker (nevermind the windowless van outside your home).

 

[Jazzy]

Then I am not guilty of spreading rumors or gossip. I come to forums to have fun and meet new people. I can't be arsed getting involved in spreading rumors or gossip. Members will soon find out for themselves the true victim from the one who always plays the victim card. I, myself, find that these rumor/gossip spreaders go after high post members or members that others seem to like. They are jealous and pathetic people in my opinion.

 

[Rapunzel]

If warning other members about said stalker, then I guess I'm guilty.

No. You're not guilty. I had several people warn me about said stalker, but the warnings came across as petty squabbles. A told me not to talk to B. B told me not to talk to A. It was very petty and very confusing.



It was only when I asked your opinion and you laid it on the line, told me exactly what was going on, that I realised how sneaky and devious that person was. I really appreciated your honesty and also your opinion on how to deal with that person. I came out of the whole situation much better, overall, than a lot of other people. I'm really glad you took the time to explain what had actually happened rather than just make generalisations as so many did. Thankyou.