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Local Authors => Brandon Sanderson => Topic started by: themaladroit1 on September 18, 2008, 03:20:42 PM

Title: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: themaladroit1 on September 18, 2008, 03:20:42 PM
I'm new here. First time on any forum so everybody knows more than me so please feel free to correct my wrongs. Sounds like most dislike (perhaps the very low end of the spectrum) Utopia. I see a few things good in him/his comments. I don't think he should be banned. Seems to me if you don't like his threads, stay out of them. It says who started them. That being said, it seems like people keep going back. Conversation starter, and isn't that the point is to have something to talk about? Not only that, but he seems to bring out very adamant talking. He just needs a little direction methinks. Must be a fan of Brandon's, he found his way here, right?  If his goal is to get your goat, chances are your goat got -- well, got. Maybe, Utopia, if you started a thread or two about the actual books and what's in them, people would let you slide on a few of your more, um, mundane topics? In reading through the various threads, and I'm just using this as an example, please don't fry me, there were a few posters I disliked. Not for any reason, other than I disagreed with them on one thing or another.  That's good. I tend to think better when I not agree with someone rather than when I'm being one of the sheep. Didn't like Ookla (sp?), seemed to stodgy and in love with the fact of being a friend of Brandons. Got to admit he seems very smart though. Miyabi? Didn't care for a lot of posts, hated the name, and couldn't stand the picture. Knew I didn't like him. Guess who was the first to welcome me? Pretty cool.  There's my two cents, maybe ignore his post if you don't identify or agree or think they have anything to do with anything. And maybe Utopia, you can post something more people can get their brains around instead of just going for the knee-jerk, whipcord reaction. Thanks everyone. Hope this doesn't get me banned.  And maybe next time I could actually add something that even remotely has anything to do with Mr. Sandersons wonderful books. Have read MB1 and 2 and Elantris. And two out of three of my sons have read Alcatraz.  I'm going to hit it after MB3. Thanks, all.
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: Comfortable Madness on September 18, 2008, 03:27:28 PM
Hmmmmm......

themaladroit1 = Utopia
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: themaladroit1 on September 18, 2008, 03:36:29 PM
Na, if I was him it would be UtopiaGreen04.  He seems to be name not number challenged. Plus he would love to take credit for that post. It was Awesome!!
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: Comfortable Madness on September 18, 2008, 03:39:08 PM
Ah, well if that's the story you're sticking to I will have to classify you as Utopia's lackey. You have my sympathies....
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: darxbane on September 18, 2008, 06:11:05 PM
I was more inclined to think that this is Utopia's Mom.  How nice to have your mom make an account to defend you.
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: SarahG on September 18, 2008, 06:23:44 PM
And here I thought Utopia was my Down syndrome baby.
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: Chaos on September 18, 2008, 08:49:02 PM
Here's what's bad about Utopia:

Illiteracy - Notice how he brings up topics--especially the abortion topic--and never actually takes part in it. One of the few topics I've seen him reply in is the one where he's asking for free books.

Speaking of free books, he's a hypocrite - Observe:

With all the complaining you have done you could have had it changed a dozen times over.  Why not just do it yourself.  As I said before, not TOO many people have eBook readers.

Who can't afford $359 for a Kindle?  It had a price drop from $399.

And then, another topic (not the only one, mind you):

Quote
Will Brandon Sanderson give away free Mistborn #3 books when the #3 goes on sale, to us fourm posters, as a thank you for being here?

Which leads into...

Complete lack of understanding what message boards are - I wasn't aware that joining forums was something that would... give you free stuff. I really don't think I need to go into a lot of detail there, except to say that something is clearly wrong with you if you believe that. Sorry, but let's get real here.

Plus, he doesn't make "topics" in the traditional sense of a message board topic. He usually does something like pose a question "Will Brandon do [insert whatever]?" and then in his topic, he will say, "Read the topic title." themaladroit, you are capable of making competent topics. You made a topic, then gave your opinion on it, not merely just posing a question and seemingly abandon it.

It's stupid, plain and simple.

Lack of growth - He has not increased in literacy or any of the qualities I have mentioned. In fact, he appears to be degenerating, repeating the same habits that made him so hated when he created new accounts. Normal people, perhaps, would read from what was said to him and grow. Maybe an apology for acting so dumb. He did nothing of the sort, continuing to pose nontopics like "Why was I banned?" No reflection. I thought what separated humans from animals was the capability of reflection. Utopia does not possess this trait.

I'd love to seem him grow, sure. But, let's face it, he hasn't. Get him to post a reflection upon his own actions or something to prove to me he is competent.

Arrogance - Of course, being illiterate and hostile tends to make you enemies on a forum... well, which is for a very literate author. He is arrogant in his beliefs (of ignorance, apparently, because of the lack of growth), shown by this topic. (http://www.timewastersguide.com/forum/index.php?topic=6066.new#new) Read it. This is not an intelligent person we are dealing with, but a person who is steadfast in his ignorance to the point of inanity.

People like him do not go away. He's been banned twice and he keeps coming back. Ignoring his topics does nothing. We've tried to get him to be better, but after the fifth inane topic, patience tends to be worn a bit thin.

At that point, after he was shown to be utterly hopeless with positive reinforcement, I hoped that some very negative comments could perhaps pierce his skull and make him see how ignorant he truly was. Rather than feeding the troll, I said.

Quote from: Me
See, we feed the trolls, but we feed the trolls knives, so it all works out! The troll gets to eat, and we get to see its stomach eviscerated. Problem solved!

Honestly, prove me wrong. I would love to be proved wrong here, that there is some hope in Utopia. Unfortunately, it appears to fade away across the horizon...
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: Shrain on September 18, 2008, 09:01:10 PM
He's been banned twice and he keeps coming back. ...
Four times now, actually, thanks to a moderator with super ninja monkey assassin priests--and a knack for hunting down IP addresses. ;) I just hope we can be UG free. Trolls like him should be loaded onto a stinky trash barge, launched into space, and sent on a long, slow trajectory towards the sun to suffer a fiery death. Oh, and did I mention the troll-eating monster hidden amongst the rubbish? It has one eyeball and loves the taste of troll.  ;D
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: GreenMonsta on September 18, 2008, 09:13:54 PM
I could see why a newcomer might feel this way. Listen don't think that we as a community have it out for anyone. Utopia dug his own grave many time. There were a few of us who in the beginning of Utopias time here did cut him slack and asked the others to do the same. We left it alone of a long enough time. The problem with a Troll is that they don't care. They really don't care what the other posters have to say or anything about the general conversation. All utopia was good for was a short laugh while attempting to figure if anyone could be that dumb, after we would post replies that amused us. The whole problem is that this is a forum for Brandon Sanderson. We don't come here to act stupid and see what others think, we come here to talk theories and see what others think. There are even other parts of the forum where he can post stupid things but he decided to post here and eventually people got sick of it.
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: Chaos on September 18, 2008, 10:14:29 PM
He's been banned twice and he keeps coming back. ...
Four times now, actually, thanks to a moderator with super ninja monkey assassin priests--and a knack for hunting down IP addresses. ;) I just hope we can be UG free. Trolls like him should be loaded onto a stinky trash barge, launched into space, and sent on a long, slow trajectory towards the sun to suffer a fiery death. Oh, and did I mention the troll-eating monster hidden amongst the rubbish? It has one eyeball and loves the taste of troll.  ;D

Yeah, I just thought it was twice because he made two more accounts. Honestly, when he numbers his account names, it makes it pretty easy to determine how many times he's done it.

And curse him for having multiple IP addresses!
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: sporkify on September 18, 2008, 10:36:50 PM
What if he's going to, say, his local public library to troll?  Or maybe he's stealing internet...
I think that banning trolls is ineffective.  Mocking them relentlessly, however, does discourage them.
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: GreenMonsta on September 18, 2008, 10:49:30 PM
Disagree, While mocking them is fun they as Trolls often feed of the negative things we say and that drives them to say even stupider things just to rile us up more. Although I do enjoy our responses to Utopias idiocies I think I would rather have Utopia shut up or start posting properly. Both of these possabilities seem unlikely.
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: sporkify on September 18, 2008, 10:54:23 PM
You must realize that there's an art to mocking trolls.  You must do so carefully while always keeping the high ground.  If they get a handle on you, then, as they say, they'll drag you down to their level and beat you through sheer experience. 

Ultimately, if you can avoid feeding them the tidbits they thrive upon while mocking them constantly, Trolls leave.  Remember they have the attention span of a two year old AND they're on the internet.
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: GreenMonsta on September 18, 2008, 11:01:04 PM
Or we could resort to constant PM bashing and save everyone else the trouble of having to read it on the threads.

EDIT:
what are the odds that the e-mail address he posted is a real address. I mean I have an address that I don't use that could easily be used for the soul pupose of bashing this Troll. What do I care if he starts sending it e-mails I dont use it.
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: Reaves on September 19, 2008, 12:21:56 PM
once you actually start sending emails, that means he's getting to you  ;)
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: GreenMonsta on September 19, 2008, 12:49:24 PM
Yeah but in reality I don't care. I spend alot of time at work on this site and between like 9 and 10 at night no one posts all that much so why not. He can feel good about himself by feeling that hes getting to me and I can feel good about the things I say, we all win.
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: kevinpii on September 19, 2008, 02:30:14 PM
I can see this guy is a huge problem, I think it is hilarious listening to all the insults people are dishing out. this guy makes the most stupid insulting comments I think I have ever heard on a forum but the best way of making him go away is to just ignore him. im sure we can all tell its his topic before we even open it no matter what name he uses so maby if we just leave him alone he will go away. I guess its like they say arguing over the internet is like running in the special Olympics, no matter who wins your still retarded.
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: GreenMonsta on September 19, 2008, 02:50:24 PM
Your right in that respect. Brenna is working on the issue and has asked us to stop posting in his threads so that she can delete them.
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: Loud_G on September 19, 2008, 03:06:40 PM
Your right in that respect. Brenna is working on the issue and has asked us to stop posting in his threads so that she can delete them.

I've been wondering why that wasn't done earlier. I haven't really had a big problem with the guy, mainly because I am very choosy about what threads I read (especially in Brandon's forum because I haven't read Mistborn 2 yet).

When I was a moderator back in my writer's forum on runboard, we deleted stupid spammy topics whether they had replies or not :) 

I don't see a problem with banning the guy, but I'm not sure all the insulting is helpful. It doesn't look good (especially, as we've seen, to newer posters).
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: themaladroit1 on September 25, 2008, 03:37:51 PM
So. I'm not Utopia. And after I got banned for just stating a few things I'd been thinking aboout, I'm leery of even speaking the name.  Yep, banned. Read my original thread. Really I don't think it was ban worthy. Just stating a few things. Guess I didn't know the whole story on the Troll, I guess is what you call people like that. Anyways, ya'll know how to make a person feel welcome. Not really sure it was worth all that to get back here, but thanks Brandon, for replying back to my email so quickly. I really appreciate it. And thanks to you too, Brenna, for getting me back on.  Hopefully everything is cleared up now. I just came here 'cause my family are all fans of the books. I can hardly wait for Hero and my sons are on edge for Alcatraz 2. So just thought I'd say hello and see if I can't stay on the forum for more than an hour this time :D
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: SarahG on September 25, 2008, 03:41:25 PM
Welcome back.  I know the admins were trying very hard to get rid of Utopia, so I'm guessing they just overstepped a little.  I hope you'll continue to post and enjoy all the Mistborn-talk!
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: themaladroit1 on September 25, 2008, 03:42:54 PM
By the by, I really didn't mean to EVER sound like a Utopia sympathizer. Just free country and all. Course I'm new and not really sure what all other things he'd done--annoying to be sure--and I'm sure he deserved it. Thanks again, and maybe I can really add something to this forum now that I have everything straightened out. Although I wouldn't hold my breath. One can hope. Thanks.
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: themaladroit1 on September 25, 2008, 03:45:11 PM
Why, thank you, SarahG. I'm sure that was it. Glad to be back. And nice to meet you.
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: Brenna on September 25, 2008, 03:54:23 PM
Welcome back, and I hope you have fun on the forums.  Make sure you check your PMs--I've sent you one to help you get started! 
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: GreenMonsta on September 25, 2008, 04:21:02 PM
Yeah welcome back guy. Look forward to seeing you on the boards
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: happyman on September 25, 2008, 07:30:29 PM
The thing you have to understand is that utopia was tolerated for a while before his inability to learn became clear and his posts became more inflammatory.  Most were just stupid, but some were getting rude and inducing flames and anger.  He was a classic example of an internet troll, except that the receiving audience was slightly more sophisticated than many forums and tried not to let him get away with it.

If you're willing to hold a decent, civil conversation, I welcome you here.
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: Peter Ahlstrom on September 25, 2008, 10:51:53 PM
I am extremely skeptical that they are different people.
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: VegasDev on September 25, 2008, 11:07:32 PM
I am extremely skeptical that they are different people.

That's because you are too stodgy and in love with the fact of being a friend of Brandons.  ;)
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: Chaos on September 25, 2008, 11:12:56 PM
Well, I for one never thought themaladroit1 was Utopia, because themaladroit could write effectively. That's good enough for me :D

Sorry if I sounded mean to you personally--it wasn't.
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: themaladroit1 on September 25, 2008, 11:23:00 PM
I am extremely skeptical that they are different people.
Well, not much I can really do to change your mind at this point. I just wanted you to know that my statement about stodgy and Brandon's friend wasn't really meant as an insult, more it was meant to convey that first opinions formed of a person by just reading a post are sometimes very far from the actual.  Meaning, just because I thought you sounded stodgy didn't mean you were and after reading a few more posts and your profile on the itroduction page I've come to see that you're--at least you sound--very intelligent and probably somebody who would be nice to be friends with. I'm not here to make enemies, just learn or be enlightened on some of Brandon's books.  I actually e-mailed Brandon a long time ago about the word maladroit and I'm pretty sure he knows I'm not the one to remain unnamed. Seems a leopard can't change his spots and I hope just by the fact of me being me that you'll see I'm a completely different person. Course, everyone's welcome to their own theories/opinions.  This might be better off as a PM but I'm still kinda trying to find my way around this thing.  Hope nobody is frustrated with me posting in, perhaps, the wrong place to be posting.  I couldn't figure out how to just reply to Ookla personally if anyone has any helpful hints it would be much appreciated.
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: Peter Ahlstrom on September 25, 2008, 11:44:01 PM
Try using fewer lines per paragraph (it's easier on the eyes), and try not to go around saying how you hate people's usernames—in your supposed very first post.

You're not writing exactly like UtopiaGreen, but you showed up the very day he was banned the second time, and he seemed to be the only topic you cared to write about. Allay our suspicions by being nice, reasonable, and having opinions on other subjects.

Your introduction thread post helps, though. It contains information that UtopiaGreen is unlikely to be capable of making up, based on our experience with him.
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: themaladroit1 on September 26, 2008, 12:11:17 AM
Boy, seems to me you're determined to take things the wrong way. Although, more paragraphs, easier on eyes, thanks.  If you reread my original post it says that I didn't like a person's user name, but I was, once again, using it as an example as to how one might come to assumptions over a person w/o knowing anything about them.

I then went on to say that that person who I used strictly as an example of how one may not like something just by reading it and that as it turns out the one I formed an--totally and completely wrong--assumption of a name because that person was the very first person to welcome me to the forum. Therefore, I was trying to explain how sometimes either a post or just the reading of a word could be so far off from the actual. Make sense?

I'm saying just from reading the user name Miyabi I formed an inaccurate assumption because as it turns out, after being first welcomed by said person, that he is very obviously a very AWESOME person. So, if what I posted was taken in any way the wrong way I would like to offer my heartfelt apology to Miyabi and say if offense was taken to me using you as an example it in no way was meant that way. Thus,  I offer my humble apologies. Was rather meant as a compliment. You were the first to welcome me to the forum, so I thought I might use it to make a point. Never meant anything by it.

I would like to say, again, sorry, if I have given offense where none was intended.  Same with Ookla, obviously intelligent so I thought--and I really did think I had thought this all out well--that you were one I could use as an example. I guess in the future I'll keep any names out of the equation when trying to offer up a point. Especially where a Troll that is more despised than I had realized is concerned.

I respect your opinion, but am thinking it's not one to be changed very easily.  So at this point either I am or I am not the big U word.  This will be my last post on this subject, too many other great threads to comment on than to try to change peoples minds that may already be made up and unwilling to change them. I am what I am and it's not who you think. Thanks for your kind words btw Chaos, much appreciated. I think I'm going to try and concentrate on other things from here on out.

Maybe I should become a writer, I sure do write a large enough tome just in passing :P
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: Peter Ahlstrom on September 26, 2008, 01:04:05 AM
I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt now, and if we can all leave UtopiaGreen behind us I think that will be best. :) The evidence we had was circumstantial, but at the time there wasn't any counterevidence and we were frustrated with ban evasion. That isn't the case now, so, welcome.
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: Spriggan on September 26, 2008, 01:18:08 AM
They're not the same people so knock off all the accusations and harsh tones.

Utopia was from San Diego and this guy is from Colorado
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: Chunky Monkey Sr. on September 26, 2008, 03:03:53 AM
So let it be written...so let it be done!
Title: Re: The all encompassing UtopiaGreen1-10 thread
Post by: Comatose on September 28, 2008, 12:22:28 AM
I missed most of this situation I think, when I last knew the troll, he was still on his first account, I return, to find four utopias, and this topic, wow.  Good riddance, is what I have to say, the guy was annoying.  Ièm going to miss laughing at his post though, of course I think I may have missed the more offensive points (as well as earning fell points for the comebacks) oh well!