As of an hour ago from my posting this question now, someone posted quite a few questions and within the past hour has become another "Benedict Arnold." I hope you're OK whomever you are.
This site's FAQs say that "Benedict Arnold" becomes the avatar for anyone who has left the site.
But it seems we have a Benedict Arnold who is an active member. His(?) questions suggest maybe a broken heart, maybe in song lyrics. Or maybe something much more internal, a breakdown. Without knowing what happened, it's hard to know how to respond. Maybe The Samaritans or Lifeline could help.
It's tricky negotiating this place.
It has a kind of sub-culture, a style, a flavor. It seems like irony rules, and sarcasm is kool. So no hope there as a salve for loneliness.
Some replies, not abusive, can still leave a burn like a Carolina Reaper chilli - hard to chew and swallow, let alone digest. Impossible to reply to if one suspects the answer might be more of the same.
I might become another Benedict myself if it keeps going like this.
For now, I've decided to stop being me and be anonymous. Safer, I hope.
This post was edited by Benedict Arnold at May 25, 2018 6:09 PM MDT
Hang in there, Really? I understand where you're coming from. I've come to feel pretty much "OK" most of the time on the site and I've remained true-to-myself, still, in my responses. I've been able to find a comfortable-most-of-the-time niche for myself. (Sometimes I do lose it, though.)
Since a child, when I first heard it, I've tried to live by the Golden Rule -- and even when interacting on the site here -- "Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You." I fail doing that at times, too. :) It's another thing I have challenges with in life -- knowing that what others choose to do is out of my control.
But, like I said, I hear you. :)
This post was edited by WelbyQuentin at May 26, 2018 1:00 PM MDT
Element 99 