Yesterday's Most Active Posts

I've frequently mentioned that I'm baffled at which threads get traction and gain lots of engagement. That is especially true in the case of yesterday's leader in both replies and views. The thread, titled, "One of them is lying to me - the cleaners or the neighbor", was posted in the "Off-Topic" forum. In a fairly lengthy post, the original poster explains that her neighbor's daughter — apparently a drug addict in recovery — allegedly smelled marijuana coming from a car belonging to the original poster's house cleaners'. The cleaners are said to be Mexican and possibly undocumented. The original poster texted this accusation to the cleaners who reacted by calling it racial profiling and racist. The cleaners strongly denied the allegation and cancelled the original poster as a client. The original poster doesn't know whether to believe her neighbor or the cleaners.

My reaction was, "who cares?" The cleaners have quit. Even if they were guilty, the problem is solved. Move on and find something that actually matters to worry about. But, obviously lots of DCUM posters did care as the thread reached 13 pages in just a few hours. I only found out about the thread because of repeated reports and a thread in the "Website Feedback" asking if the original poster is a troll. I have no evidence of that and I urge those who think she is to simply ignore the thread. I promise you that the fate of the world does not hinge on this poster's veracity.

Just about every word of the original post was picked apart in the responses. Many focused on the original poster's description of the cleaners as "Mexican", calling that racist (it explained the racial profiling allegations). Others saw prejudice in the original poster's obvious affinity for her "nice", "middle class", presumably white, neighbor which contrasted with her description of one cleaner as "not very motivated" with a "stone wall face expression". Others asked why the original poster cared if the cleaners smoked pot in their own car. Many posters suggested the neighbor's daughter was the pot smoker, given her history of drug use. The original poster proved very combative and eager to engage in a verbal slugfest with those critiquing her which simply increased the outrage of those responding. So around and around the thread went, and continues to go. But, really people? This is how you want to spend your time?

My apathy was not relieved by the thread that was second in both number of views and number of replies yesterday. That thread, posted in the "Elementary School-Aged Kids" forum, was titled, "Birthday party rudeness WWYD". The original poster describes hosting a birthday party at which the guests were 10 year old boys. The invitations had not specified that this was a drop-off party, but the original poster assumed that was implied. When one mother showed signs of planning to stay at the party, the original poster ushered her out with an offer to get a "to go" box for food. The mother than grabbed her son and they both left the party. The OP asks if she should apologize to the other mother. I haven't read the thread other than to glance at a few posts. But, there seems to be a near consensus that the original poster was quite rude. I did notice a defender here and there. But, I just can't bring myself to slog through the 10 pages to learn more.

A thread titled, "Stop rewarding with pizza or a potluck, it's toxic" and posted in the "Jobs and Careers" forum was third in number of replies and fourth in views yesterday. The original poster appeals to employers to stop providing food as a reward to employees and to give money or time off instead. Again, I haven't read the thread which is eight pages. But, looking at responses here and there, it looks like many posters appreciate the food. In response, those posters get accused of being fat and lazy. Other than that, it looks like this is a pretty nuanced discussion that could provide some food for thought (ha, see what I did there?) for posters on both sides of the debate.

The thread that was fourth in replies and sixth in views was posted in the "Political Discussion" forum and titled, "Fetterman - Oz Debate — anyone keeping tabs on this?" Despite this being a thread that interests me, I haven't had time to read it. Some posts were reported so I read a few posts while addressing those. In addition, I've skimmed a few pages. Obviously, the thread is about last night's debate between John Fetterman and Dr. Oz who are running for the open US Senate seat in Pennsylvania. Despite my limited attention to the thread, I think I am safe in saying that the bulk of it is focused on whether Fetterman's recent stroke has left him unable to perform the functions of a senator. As far as I can tell, Oz's statement that the decision whether to have an abortion is best left to the woman, her doctor and local political leaders didn't get much discussion. That is somewhat surprising.