The "This is my last post" Syndrome

[HAL]

Why do people say "this is my last post", and then ignore what they said? Is it some form of attention getting trick? I've seen it time and again over the years.

Why do they do it? Any thoughts?

This is my last post on this particular thread since plainly I'm not getting through to quite a few of you. One last link fot you.

^^^ didn't happen

This is my last post.

^^^ didn't happen

I'd like to say thank you for all who welcomed me here, but this is my last post.

^^^ didn't happen

I'm sure I could find more examples

[Nick]

This is my last post on this subject.

I guess maybe it is common courtesy.  When leaving someones home you say, "so long".  It's rude to just walk out.

[HAL]

This is my last post on this subject.

I guess maybe it is common courtesy.  When leaving someones home you say, "so long".  It's rude to just walk out.

Nick - they don't leave the forum or thread, respectively, though. They keep posting after they say "this is my last post".

Why?

[Nick]

This forum is addictive.  As hard as it is to go away you always come back.

[Nam]

I didn't post here for a month. I only came back 'cause I like to argue/debate by nature and two of the websites I've been members of up to 10 years or over 10 years are going through issues, one another stupid inane upgrade and the other seems to be withering away.

I tried other atheist websites but either you're a moderator/administrator there or they just aren't terribly active. So, I felt little choice in coming back here but when the upgrade is finished at the website I've been a member of for 11 years, I won't be here as frequently as before, or now.

Oh, and so we are clear on what I think of you: you're a prick.

-Nam

[Death over Life]

I didn't post here for a month. I only came back 'cause I like to argue/debate by nature and two of the websites I've been members of up to 10 years or over 10 years are going through issues, one another stupid inane upgrade and the other seems to be withering away.

I tried other atheist websites but either you're a moderator/administrator there or they just aren't terribly active. So, I felt little choice in coming back here but when the upgrade is finished at the website I've been a member of for 11 years, I won't be here as frequently as before, or now.

Oh, and so we are clear on what I think of you: you're a prick.

-Nam

Have you checked out reddit? I found out there are far more posters there than just about every website combined, and they seem to have a better selection of theists in their boards for giving better debates than the ones that usually come here, with a select few exceptions of course.

I still hail this site as the greatest atheist website however, and has the greatest forum. At least with WWGHA, you get kcrady, Parking Places, Quesi and a few other brilliant minds who haven't left us yet. The atheist forum on reddit was imo, a little off-putting due to how childish/trollish the ones there tend to act all the time.

[HAL]

I didn't post here for a month.

So that's what "this is my last post" means to you? Oh that's right, I just remembered in another thread you said you didn't go to college.

Oh, and so we are clear on what I think of you: you're a prick.

You think I'm a prick? Get in line. 

[Nam]

Death Over Life,

I don't like reddit, they're setup is nonsensical to me. Anyway, it's not the "theists" I enjoy debating as much it is the fellow atheists.

-Nam

[Death over Life]

Death Over Life,

I don't like reddit, they're setup is nonsensical to me. Anyway, it's not the "theists" I enjoy debating as much it is the fellow atheists.

-Nam

Ah. Then reddit is a horrid place then! Can't blame a guy for trying to help. 

[Quesi]

I've repeatedly sworn (to myself, not on the forum) that I would not post again on any pedophilia / pornography / child abuse threads. 

And since I have been unable to keep my promise to myself, I'm glad I never put my intentions in writing. 

[magicmiles]

Why do people say "this is my last post", and then ignore what they said? Is it some form of attention getting trick? I've seen it time and again over the years.

Why do they do it? Any thoughts?

It's really not that surprising. If you genuinely feel that you have no more to contribute at a certain point it seems courteous to me to advise others of this, lest they be frustrated that you don't respond to further discussion in that thread. And then, if you continue to read through a thread as I am sure many do and something comes up that you badly want to respond to, it would be a case of 'biting off your nose to spite your face' by refraining, really.

Who really cares? It's a discussion forum. People change their minds all the time.

As for it being some sort of attention seeking attempt - I don't see how it is any more of an attention seeking attempt than, for instance, this thread.

[HAL]

It's really not that surprising. If you genuinely feel that you have no more to contribute at a certain point it seems courteous to me to advise others of this, lest they be frustrated that you don't respond to further discussion in that thread.

Uh-huh.

And then, if you continue to read through a thread as I am sure many do and something comes up that you badly want to respond to, it would be a case of 'biting off your nose to spite your face' by refraining, really.

Then why say it at all? If you can't mean what you say, if you can't stand by it, then why trust anything else the person says on the forum? It seems to me if a person says "This is my last post!!!" and then can't even control themselves in that regard, I have little trust in what they say about any other tougher situation they describe in their lives.

Who really cares? It's a discussion forum. People change their minds all the time.

Yea it's a discussion forum. Brilliant observation there. And guess what - I'm discussing why people say things they don't seem to actually mean.

As for it being some sort of attention seeking attempt - I don't see how it is any more of an attention seeking attempt than, for instance, this thread.

How does one differentiate the "attention seeking" threads form other kinds? By your standards each person starting a thread is seeking attention. Are you also seeking attention by responding to an attention-seeking thread?

[magicmiles]

Then why say it at all?

I explained why. And your response of "uh-huh" was just awesome, might I add.

If you can't mean what you say, if you can't stand by it, then why trust anything else the person says on the forum? It seems to me if a person says "This is my last post!!!" and then can't even control themselves in that regard, I have little trust in what they say about any other tougher situation they describe in their lives.

I don't see it that way. It doesn't reflect upon a person's honesty at all, unless they intend to keep posting at the time they advise they're pulling out. You might suspect that of someone but i don't think its reasonable to.

How does one differentiate the "attention seeking" threads form other kinds? By your standards each person starting a thread is seeking attention. Are you also seeking attention by responding to an attention-seeking thread?

I don't think its controversial to suggest that every single post made is attention seeking, to a degree. Who doesn't want a response to what they've posted? I think its un-neccesarily judgemental to point to certain posts as being more attention seeking than others.

[Nam]

I consider this an "attention-seeking topic when you specifically target certain people. Have you researched in all the topics on this forum where others may have said the same thing? Have you researched all your posts to make sure you haven't?

You point out 3 specific people? Why those 3? 'Cause they are the most recent, or is it actually for a different reason? It seems, to me, you specifically target certain people on this website to personally fuck with, and even after you've been shown, in some instances, breaking website rules: you apologize while laughing about. Why apologize at all? I mean, you know as well as most others here you're mainly untouchable. You could start a plethora of topics attacking specific people like Frank, myself and a few others, and most likely nothing will happen to you.

Perhaps it's 'cause you helped build this site, or you still have friends in administration who will protect you. Or maybe it's none of those. But you know what you can do, and you gladly do it 'cause you know you'll get away with it. You have before, why wouldn't you now?

-Nam

[HAL]

I explained why. And your response of "uh-huh" was just awesome, might I add.

Thanks.

I don't see it that way. It doesn't reflect upon a person's honesty at all, unless they intend to keep posting at the time they advise they're pulling out. You might suspect that of someone but i don't think its reasonable to.

Oh sure it reflects on their honesty. Look -

Mister X: "This is my last post!!!"

HAL: "Why, can't you defend your stupid assertions? LOL!"

Mister X: "What! wait a minute ..."

See? Mister X made a dishonest post. Even you should be able to understand that.

I don't think its controversial to suggest that every single post made is attention seeking, to a degree. Who doesn't want a response to what they've posted? I think its un-neccesarily judgemental to point to certain posts as being more attention seeking than others.

Seeking a response to a post is mostly looking for information - not attention. As in this thread - I'm looking for information about people who say "This is my last post!" and then fail to follow through.

[magicmiles]

Oh sure it reflects on their honesty. Look -

Mister X: "This is my last post!!!"

HAL: "Why, can't you defend your stupid assertions? LOL!"

Mister X: "What! wait a minute ..."

See? Mister X made a dishonest post.

For a start, just leave Mr X alone. If he wants to move on why goad him? Does that reflect well on you? if you see it as a deliberate attempt to dodge then point it out by all means, or report it for a moderator to address.

It isn't dishonesty. In your example, its poor discipline. On other occasions it might be that a new angle was introduced, and that prompts a change of mind. Changing your mind is not dishonest. As I said, it can only be considered dishonest if Mr X never intended for it to be his last post. You can suspect that but you can't say it for certain.

Seeking a response to a post is mostly looking for information - not attention. As in this thread - I'm looking for information about people who say "This is my last post!" and then fail to follow through.

Well I guess it comes down to semantics. You won't get the information from another poster unless your thread first gets their attention.

[HAL]

For a start, just leave Mr X alone. If he wants to move on why goad him? Does that reflect well on you? if you see it as a deliberate attempt to dodge then point it out by all means, or report it for a moderator to address.

Why should I leave him alone? He entered the forum of his own free will. Goading people isn't against the rules, so why shouldn't I goad him if I want to goad him? Maybe I'm goading YOU right now?

goad:

something that encourages, urges, or drives; a stimulus.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/goad

There's not a thing wrong with goading a person. Sometimes that's the only way to get any sense out of them - to keep pushing - goading them. You ought to know that by now having been a member for a while.

It isn't dishonesty. In your example, its poor discipline. On other occasions it might be that a new angle was introduced, and that prompts a change of mind. Changing your mind is not dishonest. As I said, it can only be considered dishonest if Mr X never intended for it to be his last post. You can suspect that but you can't say it for certain.

Most times it's dishonesty, because I know the person's posting history, and I can tell when a person is disciplined enough to stop if they want to stop. Usually it's a dishonest statement used to get sympathy for a piling-on or other world view that they got pummeled about by other members, so they have a hissy fit and say "This is my last post!!! Wah wah wah!!! For example Nam's claim of his last post. That's dishonesty sure as I'm typing this. He's disciplined enough to stop, but wanted attention for his woes on the forum.

You won't get the information from another poster unless your thread first gets their attention.

That's deep thinking magicmiles. Pretty soon you'll be debating with the Big Boys, I'm confident of that.

[Nam]

There's a difference between goading someone for information, and out right attacking them, even in the guidelines of the rules. When you do that to specific people for your own satisfaction: it ceases to be goading.

-Nam

[HAL]

So Nam - tell magicmiles and myself - were you dishonest when you said "This is my last post" or were you undisciplined?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[Nam]

Explain how I wanted attention? I mean did I come to this website, post a topic announcing I was back? No, you did. How is that mew seeking attention when it's you creating the topic(s)?

You don't care what the 'why' is, you just want to inflict discourse 'cause you find it humorous.

-Nam

[Nam]

So Nam - tell magicmiles and myself - were you dishonest when you said "This is my last post" or were you undisciplined?

Inquiring minds want to know.

I explained why I came back already. Believe it, don't believe it. I give a shit.

-Nam

[HAL]

Explain how I wanted attention? I mean did I come to this website, post a topic announcing I was back? No, you did. How is that mew seeking attention when it's you creating the topic(s)?

You don't care what the 'why' is, you just want to inflict discourse 'cause you find it humorous.

You didn't answer my question. I guess you're just undisciplined then.

[magicmiles]

Most times it's dishonesty, because I know the person's posting history, and I can tell when a person is disciplined enough to stop if they want to stop. Usually it's a dishonest statement used to get sympathy for a piling-on or other world view that they got pummeled about by other members, so they have a hissy fit and say "This is my last post!!! Wah wah wah!!! For example Nam's claim of his last post. That's dishonesty sure as I'm typing this. He's disciplined enough to stop, but wanted attention for his woes on the forum.

Oh, so you've just answered your own OP question then. Looks like maybe you weren't confused it at all - just looking to get on the soap box.

I, Ron Knee, salute you.

[Nam]

That was a response to another post, you moron.

-Nam

[HAL]

Oh, so you've just answered your own OP question then. Looks like maybe you weren't confused it at all - just looking to get on the soap box.

Yea that's my opinion. Can't I offer my own opinion to a question I ask?

Nam, I know what I'm responding to, and you still didn't tell us whether you were dishonest or undisciplined. Which is it? It's either one or the other, in either case you have soured your reputation (as if it needed any more souring).

[Nam]

My reputation? According to those who regard me as having a reputation, they all seem to agree I am an asshole. So, how that sours my reputation, please explain? Unless I am unaware of a separate reputation, and if so, please explain?

-Nam

[HAL]

My reputation? According to those who regard me as having a reputation, they all seem to agree I am an asshole. So, how that sours my reputation, please explain? Unless I am unaware of a separate reputation, and if so, please explain?

I'll attempt to explain when you answer my question. You're avoiding it at all costs.
You still didn't tell us whether you were dishonest or undisciplined when you said a while back "This is my last post."

[Nam]

I can't help you don't like my answers since they don't satisfy your ego.

-Nam

[Nam]

I have noticed, now and in the past, you seem to manipulate the conversation you're having with a person to side with you even when you're wrong. Whether you're correct about me being "dihonest" or "undisplined" I find to be irrelevant to such an opinion.

Your Jedi mind tricks won't work on me.

-Nam