Community warned - link anyone who needs it to that blog post of mine.

When he breaks the law, invoke the law's punishments. When he harms the community, make sure the majority community is warned. Ultimately we can't force safety on people. We can't expect a savior - in any context, really. Illumination is the best (and imo only real) defense.

Had people been alerted in a cogent way to his propensity for deceit and villainy earlier on, there wouldn't have been as much opportunity for him to manipulate people. If people hadn't been acculturated and habituated to relying on an external enforcement (that was never equal to the task in the first place) then they might have been more careful about revealing damaging information to a stranger based solely on his apparent niceness.

There are still those who advocate for Bruce. There are those who feel he was treated unfairly, and to them I extend the freedom to associate with him as they please. That's the hard cold world of reality - something that will, by hook but more likely by crook, will invade the internet no matter what we do.

Social networks like tribe.net - like it or not - are a major part of the future of human interaction, and - like it or not - what we do now, what we demand now, will factor in to what takes shape in the future. I suggest we be as strong and aware as possible, and learn *not* to expect overlords to clear up messes for us. I suggest that Bruce is actually a very frightened and weak person that, alone, can be handily dealt with by any single strong person. Calling on TOU Guy weakens us. Demanding "safety" ensures a loss of power. Personal power being sacrificed for the illusion of security is a mistake.

Bruce is simply not a big deal. He's a bug.

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There needs to be an adverse consequence suffered by the people who abuse the complaint system. My proposal would do that and would restore a sense of balance.
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I agree here.

I also see Wild's point; I hope you didn't think I was trying to blame the victims, Wild.

I do think that people need to be more aware of what we're exposing ourselves to by being involved in online communication. You have to take steps, cultivate responsible defenses, and be aware on those occasions that you feel like letting those defenses drop with someone.

Strangely, I'm starting to get the sense that those of us who seem to get accused of online shit are actually the most popular targets for stalkers, harassers, and personal-info sifters.

[deleted: angry rant to the effect of "I am getting too much flak for other people's behavior"]. Which is total bullshit.

You know what?

I'm getting pissed off again. The good old days, the crazy days, the all-or-nothing days.

[deleted more ranting]

Best answer ov tha day.