I started contributing to Answerbank almost from its inception many years ago though under several guises dependent on the ISP I was using at the time. Then it was a friendly gathering of the minds full of jocular banter and so very interesting with those in the know passing on their knowledge to those wanting to learn. However more recently it's been hijacked by the more single-digit-intelligence brigade whose sole purpose is to see their vitriolic comments on the screen. It struck home only recently when reading an interesting thread when I came across a comment posted by the thread's author about some troglodyte who'd been stalking them over a mild rebuke he'd given because of an insult they'd inflicted; I won't name them out of the respect they certainly don't deserve but they came back with a comment the gist of which was "so we hit a nerve did we" and the author returned with something akin to "the last 'we' is a giveaway. You sound like a representative of a pack of wolves, snarling, waiting to pounce". He hit the nail right on the head and it was then I realised how far this site has sunk. The sad part is that by far the greater majority are as I remember them, it's only a tiny minority who tarnish it for the rest but this tiny minority have the biggest mouths, the most vitriolic language and who are the most cowardly hostile.
This site should remove the anonymity with which the internet provides them and make their true identities perhaps not prominently on the screen but certainly easily found. That would silence these cowards and hopefully bring it back to the child-friendly forum it used to be.
If any of my students came anywhere close to this degree of hostility and disrespect I'd have them sent down immediately.
By the way you loathesome creatures, have this one on me. I'll be leaving for good this time so stick in as many boots as you like, I won't see it.
You must be wearing rose-coloured spectacles, it used to be far worse, verging on unpleasant. Look through any old thread that's still there, it's an eye-opener. start with your one on Jade Goody.
Ooh, ok, the OP won't see this, but I'll just put my oar in by saying this is one of the sites I first come to when I wake up and reach for my iPad.
Sometimes arguments are aroused, sometimes people feel ignored, sometimes people misread intentions, but also when I've needed someone to pour my heart out to someone has been there, so thank you ABers. I wouldn't want to be without you.
I think you read to much into things. I, for example, use the "royal" "we" in normal conversation, allows annoying friends to ask who else, running joke I suppose. And it's fair enough that some wish to be forceful in their views whilst others simply wish to be social. So long as it doesn't get out of hand, in which case posts are deleted.
Sorry you are offended though. Hope you reconsider soon.