Which gets you put on ignore too. Non-trade chatter is non-trade chatter, and yours takes up no fewer lines of real estate for being about the rules than theirs does being about random junk.

So. It's my space too. If I'm trying to use the trade channel for trade and I can't because someone else is abusing it, they are going to hear about it. Why should I allow my trade channel to be hijacked by idiots?

Besides. I write for a living. I'm good at turning the tide on those who just want attention by insulting people in trade.

Well, it's either that, or I'll join in the fun and fire off a few excellent jokes myself.

I guess I'm just not sure why we let a few people ruin something for everyone else? If I'm willing to take on the Trade Channel for a bit and run off the idiots, so what? If you don't want to listen to me vent in Trade, turn it off. It's not like you'll be getting anything done in there anyway.

By not ignoring it, you're contributing to it. Which means you're part of the problem, not the solution.

Ignore it.
Heck, slashIgnore it.

Don't fall to the Dark Side, Luke. Do not be tempted with hate.
-E

Well, it's either that, or I'll join in the fun and fire off a few excellent jokes myself.

Pro tip: don't describe your own jokes as excellent.

Oh, really Dan? That's, um, your "pro tip"?

Gee, thanks for the help. Now tell me, Dan, how have you managed to hold on to your position during this time of recession?

I've been wanting to make a career move. What exactly do I need in order to dispense advice online in a professional capacity? Is this like a 4 year degree field? Do you get dental? How do vacations work? Do you work for a particular company, or are you a freelance advisor? Are you salaried?

While you're obviously a highly-paid and skilled professional, I'm not personally familiar with your qualifications. Perhaps you could link some references? Maybe some other happy customers you've advised? Also, where are you legally qualified to dispense advice? Certainly you have to be registered with the states you work in. There must be some sort of board certification process or something. Does working in multiple states cause a problem at tax time?

I did look you up online, but could not find your company's website. You should probably have that listed in your post, along with a phone number. How else are you going to drum up business? You really need to advertise. I could help you with that, if you're looking to make some professional connections. My rates are very competitive.

Now, I don't have to pay you for this tip, right? To be fair, I did not solicit your services in this matter. While I'm more than happy to paid for critiques of my online postings, I will not be strong-armed by the Internet Advice-giving Mafia!

I am still a little confused. Are you a "pro" because you're qualified to give out advice, or because you're a comedian explaining how I should describe my jokes? You definitely are funny, either way!

The thing is, you are not running the miscreants out of trade, you have zero ability to do that, you have zero power to do that. Most of those sorts of posts just ramp up the madness. Your rants are a self-indulgent way of making yourself feel powerful, but that feeling is an illusion. The rest of us have to suffer another irrelevant line obscuring the good part of the trade channel so you can have some sort of personal gratification - exactly like all the other inappropriate posts - so stop doing that.

"Stop doing that"

Really? Just a command? No common courtesy? No polite reasoning? So authoritative.

Yeah... so I'm not likely to "stop doing that" just because you say so. That was not even an attempt to help. It was inflammatory and insulting. It was meant to demonstrate aggression over another person. It was... how did you say it? "A self-indulgent way of making yourself feel powerful."

Now that you've been educated on the correct ways of dispensing comments on a forum, perhaps you can put your new-found skills to use on that trade channel.

I'm so glad we had this little chat.

Dear Worcester,

Please continue your diatribe.
I wish to see the levels of pettiness you can achieve.

Love and hugs.
x

Dear Iry,

I'm humbled in your presence. My my own pettiness could never dream to reach the superb levels you've demonstrated here.

Well done sir! I applaud your skill, your excellent powers of debate! I am beaten soundly by your pettiness! Noble victory!

Dear Iry,

I'm humbled in your presence. My my own pettiness could never dream to reach the superb levels you've demonstrated here.

Well done sir! I applaud your skill, your excellent powers of debate! I am beaten soundly by your pettiness! Noble victory!

Pro tip: Pseudo-intellectuals are easy targets for trolling, as demonstrated.

So by your own posting and definition... that would make you... a professional intellectual troll?