I've followed this thread with a disappointing sense of deja vu, because it reminds me of other cases where an online community goes down the toilet. Is anyone here old enough to remember when usenet was relevant and information-packed?
Have others seen a bar, a social group, even an AA meeting go downhill? It's the same dynamic:
1. People hear a core member express concern and take it personally.
2. People recognize the problem, feel impotent, blame the victim
3. The quiet, less-committed majority see the writing on the wall and leave the sinking ship.
Slinky: I don't think betty's issue is simply her discomfort at vermeer's comments.
Billy: defending Vermeer as "honest" is missing the point. What has "honest" got to do with "fuckpig gook"
Advertisers: I've had two first hand comments:
2007: "sister of a very popular now retired girl says, ug are the best: the nicest, most reliable straightforward customers come from there"
2010: very successful owner of three NYC massage places: "I was interested in UG but the tone f the propel there just got to me. There are many assholes in this industry on every side of the fence, but I find I can be successful without working with assholes. Don't need the bad energy distracting my focus from what matters: keeping my customers and my girls happy.