I've decided to take a temporary leave of iin.

It's a shame you feel that way, and I'm sorry that we have made you feel unwelcome.

I feel like most stories where the OP is accused of being a troll are not questions where the OP is looking for a solution to a problem but them just spouting off negative opinions. I could be wrong, but that is the impression I get.

I also feel that while commenters should give the OP the benefit of the doubt the community has a responsibility to not abuse that trust. Just as people can troll with mean comments, people can troll with fake stories and there certainly is a lot of fake stories. No commenter wants to pour their detailed thoughts into a response to an OP who is just acting "for the lulz". I suppose what I'm trying to say is that it isn't just the troll commenters that are to blame but the trolls who make the troll posts which create an atmosphere of reasonable suspicion.

"...a place that was meant to be a sanctuary of sorts..."

I agreed with that part though. I have seen that decline, but it was like 2 or 3 years ago and there is nothing we can do it all boils down to management's greed (all sites are like that, just look at what youtube's become). It went form being site with a fairly close community of acquaintances, to more polarized between trolls/spammers, and those who have formed sort of cliques or whatever. No offense but I think you are probably part of the latter. if you use this site just what it's for, not social networking, there is not so much drama as you're making. That said it is also meant for very general help. if you have anxiety and allthat you might want to go to a more specialized forum that is not so open to the general public (ie. trolls and douchebags).

This site can be disappointing at times. I hate to see the OP attacked because they are in a vulnerable state, despite the increased anonymity. They are pouring their hearts out, yet they can't win the crowd. I hardly ever see an OP get even one thumbs up. Sometimes it's like commenters deliberately disagree with them and provoke them until they show their demons. When the demons come out it looks as if the OP deserved the negativity, but before then it's just a normal post that probably shouldn't go that far. We're supposed to give our opinions about others' situation, but it seems more and more people are exploiting those situations for some sort of power trip. I do criticize people here, I think most of us do and I think we love that aspect on both ends, both to criticize and to be criticized. However some of us are thoughtful and constructive and others are speaking out of their asses. I have made bold statements about people here that I regret as well and I apologize to anyone I've hurt.

I haven't been in your situation, but perhaps you have become too attached since you started here so young. I think taking a break from here is normal for any reason. Hopefully when you come back you can see it in a better light because you seem like one of the good ones.

Hey! I hope I'm not too late to say goodbye. I used to use this site under the name kingsleycrowne, you might remember me. I had the biggest internet crush on you! Seriously you're awesome and I'm sad to see you go. You're one of a kind and a truly unique talent. You were always respectful and made funny or introspective comments. Your personality is far beyond what the sum of your years entails. I truly hope you return. All the best avant-garde.

I'm not here enough anymore to know the inside scoop really, but I hope that when you do take a break that it does you some good. I hope you can find yourself and be a positive and happy person. I'm working on that myself too :)

Gosh that was like a suicide note. Leaving a website is like running away from home these days.
It's the same on facebook.

While I understand your feelings I'm somewhat amused that you've disclosed joining the site illegally as a minor. Herein I feel, lies some of the problem. It is 18+ for a reason. I in no means intend to belittle or disrespect teenagers, but the fact is they are not emotionally developed yet. Sites like this, hell, the internet in general, require a thick skin. And I don't think its healthy for someone to place their adolescence and emotional development into a site which random people can be misleading, or use humor and sarcasm in a way that's taken out of context.

Please try and connect to the real world and have human experiences based on more physical interactions with the world. Not to be condescending, but it's what you need. It's what you need for growth. Maybe in time you can return to the site when you are hardened to the world. I think leaving is a very good idea for you and I wish you well.

I feel like I'm somehow living in a bubble because I don't really notice the hate that happens here. Before I came to this site I saw it, I saw how some helpful sites can decay into bitter cynicism and cruelty. However, I don't believe that this site has turned into that, and as long as we have some good users on here (Dom180 and Short4Words) just to name two, then this site will be free of judgement and a refuge for people who want help.

If you want to leave I think it is understandable; however, I don't think you're leaving for the right reasons. I think you should wait, perhaps your post carries reverence because it speaks to the other users who feel how you feel, who see the decay happening to IIN. I don't want you to leave here though because you feel that it is getting worse, websites, like people, have their bouts of meanness, but that's the thing, they don't last. Believe me I have seen helpful sites turn to bad before, that's why I love IIN, because it isn't as much of a craphole as you think. Compared to other helpful websites where people could reply to posts, this site is not that bad.

I think that maybe you need to focus on yourself a bit more. You say that you feel like you can't speak anymore out of fear of judgement, but honestly that's just one of the consequences of saying an opinion, people will disagree with you, and some might do the opposite and agree. But you can't let the few bad apples dissolve the power the good ones have on this site. Eventually the bad users will leave or realize that they aren't funny and perhaps try and give good advice. Honestly that's all that you can really hope for, that a person will try to be helpful.

If you feel that this is best, and I'm not judging you on your choice, I sincerely wish you good luck and hope that you'll become a better person (whatever that is to you). I may not know who you are, and I would like to in all honesty, but for whatever good this site has done to you then I hope that you would focus on that before you leave. Don't dwell on the negatives please, because I think that if you're going to leave then you should leave with your head held high and try to remember what this site was created for originally and how for awhile, according to you, it did help people and was a sanctuary for society's outsiders.

Peace.

really? avante garde? well thats sad . any how come back soon!

It is unreasonable and illogical to expect anyone to behave 'normally' on this site.

You have someone who has difficulty understanding what 'normal' is, asking other members, who have the same problem, to judge him/her on a personal issue. How is that ever going to work the way you expect it to?

At best, you could hope to find the answer in a conceptualized state. Read a bunch of comments (they're all just assertions and interpretations) and try to find a consistency in them. Perhaps polls are the only realistic solution for a site like this. Posters should have the option of allowing comments, as on YouTube.

Yeah i can certainly see how you feel that way, and I'm leaving too actually. Because with the hacker, stalker ex and her loser friends, it's just become a shit waste of time. Maybe it always was though i suppose. There are a couple of good people here and I wish them luck. -Tommy, king of all cats.

I took a break for a while and came back with a new username. Some comments REALLY hurt me. Even now I'm not here that often.

If anyone happens to know who I am, I understand why some people disliked me and I apologise. It was wrong to accuse the trolls and rude people of starting fanbase wars just because I stated an opinion not everybody agreed with. I'm still mad at that one troll (who I don't think posts here anymore) but I shouldn't have even made assumptions about him without enough info.

Okay, I sorta went off on one there. Anyway it's normal OP but try not to care too much what random strangers think. I've stopped caring, it's just that the troll insulted me about a very sensitive subject. Oh well...

I love this site, but I decided to take a permanent vacation from the member chat. Call me biased, but I don't feel as though new members are welcomed in there.

sorry but I didn't realise it was that serious...

I take breaks all the time, so I'd say normal. Been on and off this site for about 5 years.

There used to be a lot more people on it back then.

It's normal to want to take a break from something that depresses you, yeah.

Shit happens. It's not like you are obligated to be here. Just take a break.

Would you mind disclosing your identity? I'm curious.

Good luck.

Don't let the door hit your ass on your way out, OP.

Do NOT disclose your identity.

Hi. Are you still alive?

Avant-Garde, is it you who made the post? Is there any way we can get in touch/stay in touch if you decide to leave this site? You are a nice person as a psychonaut and probably avant garde fan. We could exchange emails.

No. Get on everyday or DIE

Did you paint that?

Sometimes I have been an asshole on here but it's because I try to make people think. It's not that I want to be mean but I sometimes feel like someone has to be mean to open peoples minds. I am still learning the right ways to do that though. I have a hard time understanding why some people get upset so easily.

Bye./

I know right. I get those comments as well. I'm guessing since we are all humans we think differently. Some decide to be judgmental and insensitive. While others choose to helpful and supportive. That's how it is on here. There is always a troll on every site we go.