(no subject)

[stitchwhich]

I noticed, again, something that periodically puzzles me. Why do people who walk away from an organization in disgust continue to stay on that organization's social media and feel driven to post replies that play the "I walked away specifically for that (or this) reason" theme?

If you quit, why are you bothering to read the group's discussions? When I quit being a part of an organization, as I did with the Boy Scouts, for example, I leave their social media pages too. It doesn't make sense to take the time to read their discussions.

The only thing I can think of is that those 'quitters' really didn't want to leave the group and are looking for some way to fit back in, for something to inspire them to overcome their memories of the bad in the hope that there will be a new something good.

Comments

[medievalbooks]

Sorry, look at those folks as drama queens, who feel the need to spoil other folks fun. And a re borderline trolls. Don't feed the trolls. People within the organization should fix that which is wrong with it and I listen to them and interested in their opinions.

[baronessekat]

I agree with Medievalbooks.

I see it as they need to constantly justify their walking away. People they know still participate, even enjoy, the activity so they need to follow until they can go "there, that's why I left and I am going to point out and remind everyone of that" so that they can feel bigger.

[danabren]

I have no idea, but those folks are annoying AF.

"I quit attending X organization's events..." (whether it be SCA or con or whatever activity)

Another favorite "I live in another country, and can't attend ..." Well, it's nice that you have an interest, but jeez.

[hrj]

I think for some people it's the equivalent of leaving a bad relationship but still regularly dropping by their ex's blog or fb or twitter feed. Some part might be "are you missing me?" some part might be "OMG I needed a reminder of why I left" and some part might be "this person was a significant part of my life for a long time and reasons for that involvement still exist and I'm conflicted about the whole thing even though leaving was right."

Why go our of your way to trash an organization you left? Perhaps to remind yourself why. Perhaps to justify your actions to other people (especially if you have a sneaking suspicion that no one noticed' you're gone). Perhaps from a genuine sense that the things that were bad for you may be bad for others who haven't connected the dots.

I'm not saying that there aren't people who are simply in it for the ant-hill poking, or to stir up drama, or because they get off on hating on things. But I think there's a big component of such actions being a dialogue the person is having with themself. Like the people who respond to, "Here's a cool idea!" with "Here is an exhaustive number of reasons why that idea won't work for me." (Which is a different matter from, "You should do X!" and "Here is an exhaustive number of reasons why X won't work for me.")

[cellio]

Some quitters gotta gawk and snipe.

And some quitters struggle with *actually* quitting. Whether it's drama ("I'm quitting", except they don't), or stalking, or a genuine desire to see if it gets better so they can return -- hard to tell. Stack Exchange often has rage-quitters who are all rage and no quit; I think some of them thrive on the attention.