Compliment" ignore-lists in signatures

I’ve been noticing some people on here have actual lists of names in their signatures—people they’ve put on ignore. It just makes me wonder, what's the point? 😕

Don't get me wrong, I’m not saying we should ban those signatures, and honestly, maybe I shouldn't even be complaining since nobody (at least from what I can see) has bothered to put my name on their list. And hey, maybe this isn't even the right place to bring this up since it doesn't technically break any rules or mess with moderation, but it just looks tacky. It feels unnecessary. I really don't get why someone would want to brag about who they're ignoring in their signature. To me, it feels kind of rude and petty to air that out in public. You should probably just keep that stuff to yourself...
So, if anyone reading this actually has an ignore list in their signature—why? What are you trying to achieve? Has it ever crossed your mind that it just makes you look a little foolish?

Morgan Brown4 said:I’ve been thinking lately about how some users include a list of people they've blocked right there in their signatures, and I can't help but wonder—what's actually the goal there? 😕

Now, just to be clear, I’m definitely not suggesting we should start banning those kinds of signatures, and I suppose some might argue I shouldn't even be complaining since nobody (at least from what I can see) has gone out of their way to put me on their list—so maybe this isn't even really a topic for this specific thread, given it doesn't touch on the actual rules or moderation policies. But honestly, it just feels a bit tacky and unnecessary to me; I truly don't see any real reason for someone to flaunt a list of people they're ignoring in their signature, and I feel like it's actually quite rude and impolite to broadcast that publicly, when it seems like something that should probably just stay to oneself...
So, well, if anyone who keeps an ignore list in their signature happens to read this—why do you do it? What is the point? Has it never occurred to you that it might make you look a little silly?

I guess it's probably so the people being ignored know where they stand so they don't waste their time trying to reply. 🤔

I’ve never really viewed it as bragging, more like just providing a bit of helpful information.

I find that incredibly silly too.

You put some people on your ignore list.
I did.
And that’s that...
Why even highlight it in your signature? Unless you're just broadcasting your own insecurities to the world.

But...
Aside from being foolish, it doesn't actually break any forum rules.
So all that effort was pretty much for nothing.😁

It all boils down to deep-seated complexes and that kind of thing...

I posted about a girl I actually slept with once
Just so I don't have to read all this junk about myself and my 😁

Morgan Brown4 said:I’ve noticed some users include a list of people they've blocked right in their signatures, and I have to wonder—what’s the point? 😕

To be clear, I’m not advocating for banning these signatures, and some might argue I shouldn't complain since nobody (as far as I can tell) has added me to their list—so perhaps this isn't even a valid topic for this thread since it doesn't involve actual rules or moderation. Still, it feels tacky and unnecessary. I don't see the need to flaunt an ignore list in a signature; honestly, broadcasting who you're avoiding feels a bit rude and unprofessional. Those things should stay private.
So, if anyone reading this actually uses their signature to list ignored users: why? What is the goal here? Has it never occurred to you that it just makes you look foolish?

Since you specifically asked for a response from someone with an ignore list in their signature to satisfy your request...
It wasn't even a list, just one "colleague."
John Doe was acting as a moderator on a thread where I was most active, and since I couldn't officially block him as a moderator, I decided to use my signature instead.

I don't view it as bragging or a sign of insecurity.
At the time, it was simply an act of defiance.

PS. I find it quite rude and intrusive to scrutinize other people's signatures and air such matters publicly; those details should be kept to oneself.

And judging someone's "intelligence" based solely on one thing—like a forum signature—without understanding their motives or the context behind it is a true display of wisdom.

☕

neonviper92 said:And honestly, jumping to conclusions about someone being "stupid" based on just one single thing—even if it's just some random guy's signature without actually looking at their motives or the context behind it—is definitely not what I'd call wise.

Someone once told me back when I was moderating that even the most level-headed people on a forum can be easily baited by one single troll.
I ended up telling him not to waste his breath and to just put that person in his public ignore list right there in his signature.

It actually worked, because it freed up that decent user to spend more time having actual, meaningful conversations.

On one hand, putting an ignore list in your signature might look like you've lost control, but I’d much rather admit defeat than blow my afternoon arguing with hyperactive jerks.

Makes sense.

It’s honestly a pretty smart way to signal to someone that you aren't interested in getting into a back-and-forth with them, mostly just to dodge the drama and keep your own sanity intact.

So, after dealing with a ton of warnings and bans, I finally decided to just put a few people on my ignore list, and honestly? It’s been such a breath of fresh air posting here since then. I didn't bother putting them in my signature because I don't see the point, but hey, do whatever works for you. One thing that really bugs me, though... I feel like I get flagged or banned all the time for stuff that falls under "moderator discretion." But weirdly enough, those same mods don't seem to have any discretion when someone on my ignore list starts coming for me. Since I can't even see their posts, I can't report them. It feels like the mods are always siding with John Doe, while I end up getting slapped with a warning the second I snap back at someone I've already blocked.

Nathan White29 said:Honestly, it feels like the moderators don't have the same sense of judgment when some random user I've already put on my ignore list starts coming at me. Since they're blocked, I can't even see their comments to report them. It always feels like the mods just side with those specific people, and if I were to snap back at someone I'm ignoring, I’d probably get slapped with a warning instantly.

To be fair, it's actually way better when you don't even see the nonsense, rather than reporting it only to have absolutely nothing happen.

Sam Green73 said:It’s honestly better to just look the other way than to report something and have absolutely nothing happen.

You know, there's a lot of truth to that. Sadly, it feels like a pretty common occurrence on this forum.

velvetmoose9 said:Makes sense.

It’s a decent way to signal who you aren't willing to engage with, just to dodge conflict and protect your own peace.

Are you going to tell me you're acting like Trump when he decides which reporter gets to
get an interview? 😬
My take? If you sign up for a forum and jump into the fray, you need to be able to handle a counterargument, no matter how idiotic it sounds. Otherwise, just be a lurker—read what interests you and move on.
The way things are going, it looks like you want to be some big influencer spreading your views, yet you refuse to even consider anyone else's. Sure, it's tough when you're dealing with users who aren't exactly top-tier conversationalists, but that's just life.

Look, I’m here to actually dive into a real debate, not waste my afternoon watching people go in circles with arguments that never evolve

A counterargument is only useful if it actually brings something fresh to the table
Once I've already dismantled the same old point a couple of times, I really want to see someone throw a brand-new perspective my way
I’m hungry for some actual new ideas here

Jack Ward82 said:So you're basically saying you want to act like Trump when he decides which journalist gets to
get an interview 😬
If you ask me, if you've gone through the trouble of signing up for this forum and you're actually jumping into the debates, then you should be able to handle a counterargument, no matter how stupid it might sound to you. Your other option is to just be a lurker—read whatever catches your eye and call it a day.
The way things are going, it feels like you want to be this big influencer, pushing your own views while refusing to even give anyone else's thoughts a second glance. I get that it’s tough sometimes when you're dealing with users who aren't exactly the brightest conversationalists, but hey, that's just life.

I look at this forum like my favorite local dive bar (well, specifically the kind of place where I can hang out with my PDFs).
I come here for that rock-and-roll vibe and the music (just don't play any country!), having at least two kinds of draft beer on tap (one definitely has to be a local craft, even if it's just a standard Budweiser), plus maybe ten other varieties, at least four or five solid whiskies (Scotch, Bourbon...), some top-tier local spirits, great coffee, capable bartenders, and clean restrooms stocked with paper towels and liquid soap...

The thing is, the same crowd I love hanging out with comes to this bar too—people from all walks of life, different jobs, different backgrounds, and different beliefs, but we all get along fine. We exchange ideas, or sometimes we just sit there in silence, enjoying a beer with a thick head of foam.

But, here's the kicker: because of those exact reasons, certain other groups also show up to this same bar—groups that, for whatever reason, I find totally unpleasant or undesirable to spend time with. It doesn't really matter why.

With people like that, I'm not sitting at their table, and I'm not even grabbing a spot at the bar next to them.
I don't want to look at them, and I certainly don't want to listen to them.
And they probably don't want anything to do with me either.

But, because of the good drinks, the atmosphere, and the soul that this pub has—we all end up in the same place.
We tolerate one another thanks to that one common denominator (the bar).
Sometimes, staying silent is its own way of communicating.
And honestly, sometimes it's the best way.

I see a post from Jack Ward82 right after mine—since he just got put on my ignore list, I’m pretty sure this one is aimed at me.
Look, man, here’s my two cents: if you’re going to sign up for a forum and jump into debates, the least you can do is actually read and process what people are saying. If you can't manage that, then honestly, don't even bother replying. I specifically put you on ignore because talking to you had become a total waste of breath. In that thread about COVID conspiracy theories, I mentioned at least three different times that I don't buy into that stuff, yet you kept ignoring me and acting like I was part of the conspiracy crowd. How long am I supposed to put up with that kind of attitude? It’s nothing more than childish rudeness, plain and simple. So, you're on ignore now—feel free to be as rude as you want to the void.

Don't bother replying, since I'm not reading your posts anyway. Unless someone quotes you, like they did here.

Did you seriously just reply to him—when he’s supposedly on your ignore list? 😵

Nathan White29 said:I just noticed a post from Jack Ward82—who I recently put on ignore—popping up right after mine, so I’m assuming this is aimed at me.
Look, my honest take is that if you’re going to sign up for a forum and jump into discussions, you should at least make an effort to actually read and comprehend what’s being said. If you can't manage that, it’s just rude to keep replying. I specifically put you on ignore because talking to you had become completely pointless. In that thread about COVID conspiracy theories, I mentioned at least three times that I'm not a conspiracy theorist, yet you kept ignoring that and insisted on grouping me in with the crazies. Honestly, how much longer am I supposed to deal with that kind of disrespect? It’s nothing more than basic, childish rudeness. So, enjoy being on the ignore list and feel free to be as obnoxious as you want over there.

No need to reply, since I don't bother reading your posts anyway. Unless someone quotes you, which is clearly what happened here.

There's an old American saying for this: "You missed the entire field." 🍿

The guy actually quoted my post in his response.

So, if you felt personally called out by that... 🕺

And it's pretty funny—curiosity clearly trumps an ignore list, judging by how much our colleague here is rambling. ☕

Basically, you just proved why the thread title makes sense—you're basically bragging about your own block list. 😈

Drew Ross2 said:Wait, did you actually just reply to him when he's on your ignore list? 😵

Your comment makes zero sense.
Because...
Every single time someone quotes a person on your ignore list, you still see the quote!

And so you simply choose to continue ignoring me, I suppose? It seems you have no interest in engaging in any meaningful dialogue through an intermediary 🙄

Go tell Dad to pass me the salt 😬