Quote: When someone comes along and acts in an insulting manner, it is natural that we get upset.
It is definitely natural to get upset. But in this case there's nothing to be gained by letting him know he upset you, kwim? I mean, that was his intent-- to push everyone's buttons. There was no real issue with him-- he wasn't really sex-starved, unhappily married, or anything. He was doing this for amusement. And when I said it was kind of funny, I was thinking of the content of some of his posts-- really off the wall! If it weren't so mean, it would be fun to run rampant through some online community saying whatever you feel like-- it would be the equivalent of streaking!
Picture this: Marvel comes on the board and posts... claims his wife left him because he finds sex disgusting. A few people reply nicely, then Marvel gets weird. Immediately ALL replies to his threads stop. We treat him as if he were invisible. If we treat him as invisible (unlike RL) he IS invisible. THAT would have been even funnier than what really happened!
You also wrote
Quote: It is precisely on anonymous BBs that people can push our buttons most effectively.
I would correct that to read they can push our buttons with impunity, unlike IRL because as you point out, they are cowards. But internet button pushing doesn't have to be all that "effective." Just aim your pointer at that little box with the x in the upper right hand corner of your window. Poof! They're out of your life!
The reason I asked him how old he was was that I thought maybe the "17" in his name was his age!
Edited to add: The reason you don't see the point is because you are a kind, sensitive, intelligent man.
