Is it just me, or does it seem like the Alert button is overused lately?

I've been disturbed lately by how quickly the Alert button is being used on threads or posts that a lot of the time don't really seem to be violating the posting rules, but they do seem to "offend" the person hitting the Alert. They then hit the Alert based on their own personal likes/dislikes, feelings, and sensibilities.

Now, I am not talking about posts that are clear violations of the rules, such as blatant personal attacks, deliberate flame-baiting, conservative disrupting, etc. Such posts thoroughly deserve to be deleted. But it bothers me when I see the Alert being used on posts and threads that aren't violations, but that someone may simply disagree with or be hypersensitive about.

I think such hypersensitivity and overuse of the Alert button is not conducive to the purpose of this Board, and I think it makes people uncomfortable about posting anything at all beyond the usual things that almost everyone here agrees with and stifles discussion and debate. I would think that people on DU, of all places, would recognize that, just because THEY may not like a certain thread topic or post, that doesn't give them the right to make that determination for everyone else. You have the choice of whether to click on a thread or not. If you don't like the topic, don't click on the thread, it's just that simple. And if you don't like a particular post, put that person on ignore. It's just that simple, also. But don't make that decision for the rest of us as well. We're adults, and we can decide for ourselves.

When I use it, it is necessary.

How dare you? Hurrumph!

Please feel free to repost your question/concern in
the Ask the Administrators forum.

Thanks.

kaitykaity
DU Moderator

accidently. I was very upset by things
I forgot I said before I realized I said
it and then it was OK.

.....but you seem to know whenever someone hits 'alert'?!? :tinfoilhat:

I've alerted the mods to this troubling situation! :evilgrin: