In recent years the internet has become a tool for research. We have all seen the optional surveys, but that is only one way to collect data. One of the problems with surveys or questionaires is that people tend to think through what thier response will be. They may exagerate, try to be overtly polite, politically correct or socially desirable.

We observe cause and efffect all the time, but do we really need a real cause to illicit a actual effect?

I have been posting on this forum for a couple years. In that time I have watched the same group of profiles whittle away at others until they either get banned, stop posting or just tip toe around topics they might otherwise engage in. Then I have watched them dance on the graves in a strange sort ritual of way.

In some instances; like with he case of "Oak" it seemed more like hunting than discussion. Now I know the first thing someone will say about this is that irish/Oak etc had 3, 4 ,10 profiles over time. Why did she do that? Could be she wanted to be a part of rather than a outcast. Could be she thought perhaps if she changed her name, her approach, her topic content that just maybe she could be accepted or it could be that she just wanted to prove she could break that ridiculous cyber barrier.

Four days ago I sent 4 messages out randomly to profiles that have engaged in baiting or mocking behaviors against others. I implied that they may have participated in inappropriate exchanges " stalkerish" At first I was kind of bumed out that I hadn't even gotten the slightest nibble, but then last night one of them not only bit but many of the supporting profiles jumped right in there. So then I flagged one of the most prominate leaders to see if the LJW moderator would respond. Then I flagged the whole blog with a explanation of why I felt it was inapproriate; I even used the term "stalkerish" as I had in the messages and as the profile included in the title.

I checked back throughout the day to see how the discussion was progressing. I watched as the initiater continued to defend her/his right and I saw profiles that I haven't seen for a long time coming out like ants at a picnic. *I even saw profile challenge the majority. I saw the names of former profiles and real names being posted in a attempt tp finger who was to blame. I saw them justify and rationalize targeting others. The most important thing I saw was myself and others freely discussing rather than defending on subjects all day long all over the board. Yep all in all it was a good day on the LJW forum.

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I noticed something that might be missed by many in the obituary section of the news this morning. William Jennings Bryan Jr. crossed over yesterday. I did not realize he lived in Lawrence Kansas. William jennings Bryan's father was well know in political circles. The legacy of the Bryan family is permently inked in history. What I find intresting about this is that he lived out his years in the state of intelligent design.

http://pages.prodigy.com/QJNT72A/grpf1944.htm

http://www.nndb.com/people/088/000044953/

William Jennings Bryan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaWikipedia

http://www.geocities.com/salem501/iWilliamJenningsBryan.html

http://projects.vassar.edu/1896/bryan.html