Is the is it normal community going downhill?

I'm sorry if I was one of those people who didn't help you. I think, however, that you could try and not see the replies you got as personal attacks. I've had that happen too and was just as upset as you. Sometimes when we make ourselves vulnerable on a post that is important to us it makes us more sensitive to the lack of care of some and rudeness of others as if it were directed at us personally, but IMO it is not. It's just part of us being human and sometimes not being able to see beyond our own problems... Also, you should consider how your story came across. If it wasn't taken seriously perhaps it meant you should have rewriten and tried again.

Hi all. It actually seems from my perspective that things are going well lately. I'm getting less complaints and feeling a generally positive vibe. But, if there's something else we can do to keep improving, I'm all ears and happy to hear feedback like this, esp. if others also feel the same way. Thanks

I disagree with you. I have been here for years, having breaks every now and then, and I can say without a doubt that the percentage of trolls has decreased significantly and the percentage of caring people has increased. I don't know in which "internet" do you live, but having trolls is a common occurrence. We always had trolls here and we are going to have them forever probably. Even serious and caring users make trollish comments every now and then. And that brings me to my next point...

While the main attraction of this site is its members helpfulness, you have to remember that no one here is getting paid for this. This site is not (and should not be) replacement for psychological therapy. We are just normal people, without training or sense of responsibility; so you are asking for more than we can give. And there also is so much drama in this site already, that a funny and innocent troll comment can really light up the day in some way. I think that some users take so much time helping so many people, that they also deserve to have a laugh every now and then. Among all the trolling here, I would say that 90% of it is not really ill-intended. Just remember that behind every username there is also a person that has their own life and is not obligated to solve your problems.

I also think that if you truthfully had a relatively serious issue, you shouldn't expect this site to solve it. You should do real therapy or talk to someone in person about it. I wouldn't even say that this is the best site to get "advice", I think the premise is quite simple: "is it normal or not?". I at least, never expect advice from anyone, I expect mostly opinions on the topic. I would even go further and say that you can even take those trollish attacks as the advice itself: you probably didn't convey your problem properly. And again, I can only say that it will be better for you if you get help from a professional or from a person that truly cares about you.

It seems alright here to me. Don't leave because of one particular incident. There are always things in life that didn't go how we wanted or expected. The best way to live a happy life is not to have a huge reaction to them but almost to learn how to shrug it off and hope things are better next time.

If you still need help and you ask your question in this post, I'd be reasonably confident that people will give you their considered advice.

You've got nothing much to lose by at least trying. So, what about it? Give people a chance to make this better?

I actually agreed with you. But fingers crossed, IIN seems to be on a bit of an upswing.

I also once had a story I deleted, after being viciously attacked. It was my very first story, and I am a sensitive person at heart and some of the comments made me bawl because they were just so mean and thoughtless! I felt extremely hurt and personally attacked, when really I shouldn't have taken their comments so personal.

I quit IIN for a little while after that to nurse my emotional wounds, but ended up coming back. These people don't know me; they have not lived though my freaking life, so perhaps they would do the same thing in my situation.

I get sad when older members decide to leave. Being fairly new, it is like having bricks underneath me being removed. I also become sad when the older members leave because of trolls. They hurt sometimes. Bad. But if you leave, it's one less of you, the type of person, I think, who genuinely cares about what they type, and more of them! Hopefully "them" doesn't include me.

My curiosity is killing me. I don't think I am familiar with the story you mention or who you are but feel like it's not my place to ask at this moment.

Other users already hit the nail on the head on other topics regarding your post so I shall not be redundant! Take care.

:( don't go, you'll turn out to be someone I like I just know it.

As for you're post.

I'm sure for every sarcastic comment there was someone who wanted to help.

I've seen countless posts in which I feel massive amounts of empathy for the op and I find myself wanting to comfort him/her and make the problem go away but I don't type anything, because it's on a subject I know nothing about, sometimes giving advice on somethin you know nothing about can be very harmful.

Also I'd like to apologize if I added to any of these remarks, I do sometimes write sarcastic answers but not really on posts in which people need help, I don't think anyway, doesn't sound like me but I can be an asshole sometimes so there's that

Lastly, there was something I had on my profile a while ago and I've only just noticed I haven't put it back up, it said something along the lines of " if anyone is feeling down or maybe feels like they need to talk something through or even wants to talk about the most stupid things, feel free to send me a message"

The offer still stands

When I was going through trouble I was a little too anxious to just message someone and talk, just friendly idle chatter or seeking advice and I don't want anyone else feeling like that. luckily someone very kind helped me out alot ( you know who you are and thank you :) )

Please don't go. Your comment could be the one in a thousand that makes all the difference. Assholism is kind of like advertising. The more there is, the less you notice it.

Just comes to the point when people on here are becoming less empathetic to others, and I kind of see their position.

All people want nowadays are happy responses. A pat on the back and a chip in the chin with a "it's all going to be good, be a good person". Some people are caught up in their whole quest for being seen as a moral person that it clouds their judgement, and some of the people that can't be bothered giving "genuine" advice rather than telling people everything will be ok, have just given up all while wanting to stay on the site, which has led to some being sarcastic and so on.

As a relative newbie on here, I honestly think it sometimes has a lot to do with how someone posts. To ask for help with a post so poorly written and disorganized that it is obvious the poster didn't even bother to proof read their submission, is just plain lazy and disrespectful of those from whom the poster is asking for help.
If the poster doesn't respect the community, how can the community respect the poster?

I'm still able to shart at will so everything is fine

I havent seen many trolls lately im not sure what your talking about. I think Peter finally got banned. Alot of the trolls are getting banned now.

I demand freedom of speech.

Op is a nazi, and a "poor me" manipulator.

I'd say I'm a vet... Well more like an Iraq war vet than a Korean war vet, if you catch my drift, but I've been on IIN a while - on and off - and it seems pretty good right now.

You're never going to get some immaculate, troll-free forum of people loving and caring for regular and stranger alike. Considering anybody in the world can stumble in off the metaphorical street, it's pretty tame round these parts!

Don't hate, appreciate.

I always try to help :(

if you want legit advice try going on other forums where topics are more defined ie. relationships etc.... this isnt a social media site where you network with people so what do you expect? this site is more of an all in one bizarre questionaire so go to google or fucking talk to someone irl about your problems. Jesus people now cannot live without the internet, it's a wonder how My parents and grandparents did.... for fucks sake

:)

Can you tell us which story that was? Even if you have deleted the story some of us might remember it, and I think it would be really useful to know as an example of what you're talking about.

I know what it's like to make yourself venerable on a post on this site, and to see comments on the post that make you feel sad and angry. Sometimes I see people do this on other people's stories, and that makes me sad and angry too. I know people who are more than capable of giving help but make the choice to hurt people rather than help people. I don't think that is acceptable, and it makes me sad for them. Some people in this thread are trying to make excuses for these people, and I don't think that is acceptable either. I have probably made these hurtful comments before, out of neglect to remember than an anonymous OP is a real human being, but I'd rather be a hypocrite than be wrong.

I'm not talking about people who like a joke. There are a lot of those here and I definitely appreciate them :P But even if they have a caustic sense of humour, the thing that sets them apart from trolls is that they know when to switch it off.

I'm really sorry you've had the experience that made you feel this way.

heading uphill, really slowly but surely, and taking me with it :)

OP's one of these IIN I get head aches an have blured vision and piss blood, is that normal? And expects a serious fucking answer.