Bullying [was Re: To whoever hacked into my Database]

[Steven D'Aprano]

On Tue, 12 Nov 2013 17:19:43 -0800, Ethan Furman wrote:

> On 11/12/2013 03:27 PM, Ian Kelly wrote:
>> On Tue, Nov 12, 2013 at 2:59 PM, Ethan Furman <ethan at stoneleaf.us>
>> wrote:
>>> Every time he uses foul language against somebody he's acting like a
>>> bully.
>>>
>>> Every time he reposts questions and ignores answers he's acting like a
>>> bully.
>>>
>>> Every time he declares that what he wants is the most important and so
>>> he is going to ignore our culture and the topic of this forum/ml/ng he
>>> is acting like a bully.
>>>
>>> If you haven't seen those posts, I have.  Now you know.
>>
>> Per Wikipedia: "Bullying is the use of force, threat, or coercion to
>> abuse, intimidate, or aggressively to impose domination over others.
>> ... One essential prerequisite is the perception, by the bully or by
>> others, of an imbalance of social or physical power."
> 
> So even though he is being verbally abusive, the fact that he's not
> standing over me with a stick makes him not a bully?
>   We'll have to agree to disagree on this point.

Is "bullying" the new "terrorism", which in turn is the new "socialism"? 
That is, a meaningless term of opprobrium used on anything you don't 
like? That's what it sounds like to me.

Nikos has practically no power in this community. He's one person, 
friendless in this community, with no social standing. His position is 
way down the bottom of what little pecking order a bunch of geeks has. 
Nobody looks up at him for guidance or for hints as to what sort of 
behaviour is acceptable. He has no Python know-how to withhold from those 
he doesn't approve of (or inclination to help others). He can't even 
force anyone to read his comments. I say this not to make him out to be 
the victim here, he is at least equally responsible for the position he 
is in, but to highlight the absurdity of claiming he is "bullying" 
anywhere here.

Just because (generic) you are annoyed by Nikos, or even if your feelings 
are hurt because he called you a bad name or insulted your dead mother, 
doesn't mean you are the victim of bullying. Claiming the badge of 
victimhood for mild annoyances and hurt feelings is one of the least 
admirable parts of the politically-correct crowd, please don't emulate 
them.



-- 
Steven