Google Buzz didn't work out for me. I've packed up and deleted my account.
It's appeal - a forum without portfolio, was eventually it's downfall.
Seldom moderated threads turned easily into flame wars.
The loudest opined with startling arrogance. Trolls roam unchecked, usually justifying themselves with some bollocks about free speech or their horror that 'lilly livered liberals' dare to tolerate and accept, rather than rage against those with different views.
It's vaguely possible to ignore the idiots. You can block them from your own Buzz. However, you are guaranteed to run into them on another thread, since the 'block' feature is really more of a 'try to avoid' feature. Ill thought out and poorly implemented. I'm really not about to start sending PM's to others on Buzz bitching about someone they are allowing to troll their thread. That's effort that shouldn't be needed. Social tools are supposed to be easy.
For me, when earlier today I had personally offensive bile spat in my face, it was a simple decision. There are far better social mediums, where I can concentrate on being social without having to stumble across ignorant, racist, homophobic bigots with a very twisted, aggressive take on the world. Actually, I don't mind stumbling across them - they can be mostly ignored. However, I very much mind when they launch personal attacks.
I don't come on line to be anti-social. I want to engage with people, positively and with respect. I take care to moderate what social media I consume. When a service fails to provide the tools to do this, it stops being social and becomes an irritant.
5 comments:
I'm pretty close to doing the same. The benefits are so negligible and the additional overhead in terms of having more stuff 'out there' and managing followers etc. etc. is not making it worthwhile.
I feel like I can't escape Buzz -- simply having a conversation here in parts of the US and being overheard, or (OMG!) initiating a conversation, is to risk that kind of irrational pseudo-political badgering, just as often devolving into the kind of personal attack you were subjected to (at least for those with the balls to be open about the struggles in their lives).
I had such high hopes for Buzz as a place where I could really get writing again, but it's like it's been hijacked, and engaging is so repetitive and futile and ultimately exhausting. I can be miss-called names by the TV or in person anytime I want -- I just hope I can keep in touch with some of the really great people I 'met' there.
Glad to hear things seem to be going well in your move and all.
Best,
Corrine
Hi Colt,
Just seen this. What a shame! We need more Brits on there to balance things up.
All the best mate and if you come back to Buzz look me up.
Cheers
Thomas Morffew
Hi Colt: We'll miss you, but can hopefully find other forums to connect. Thanks for your thoughtful and heartfelt comment on What Should Allen Do? He booked his flight to Cape Town yesterday.
Enjoy your garden. I hope you were able to see my last two posts of pictures from my garden last weekend.
Betsy Hunter
Hey Colt, sorry to see you go. If you ever feel up to having a chat about how we can handle this problem better, drop me a note via my Profile.
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