The Problem: a Conversation

 

We need to do something about this. It’s just terrible how no one is addressing it. Those people are just hanging around saying trashy things about people.

     They don’t even pick up after themselves. They just go on and on, letting their words pile up around them.

You know, they don’t really need help, they’re just trying to get attention.

     Just ignore them. If you respond to them they’ll get the attention they want and they’ll never go away. It’s like fishing. They’ll just keep coming back to the same spot.

Here’s the thing: they know that NextDoor is the perfect location for getting all the attention they want. Why would they leave?

     I heard they can get 500 hits a day just by complaining on NextDoor.

500? Really? Wow! 

     Yeah, I read it someplace. Or my cousin told me.

Perhaps we should focus our attention on connecting these people with the services they need, like volunteer work or therapy.

     For Heaven’s sake, people like you are what makes this problem keep on going. They don’t need empathy, they need to get out of town. 

The police know all about those complainers. It’s a scam. They don’t really care about the community, they just like the attention that comes from complaining. Really. It’s, like, a coordinated ring of attention-seekers.

     There are places where it’s illegal. I bet it’s nicer there.

You don’t know what it’s like to be them, wandering aimlessly looking for attention, doing anything to get their next hit. We should put ourselves in their shoes.

     If they have so much time to go online they should get a job or go pick up trash.

There’s no need in our community for anyone to plant themselves on NextDoor and do nothing but gossip and complain. Don’t let anyone tell you different.

     My attention is valuable. I’m not just going to give it away to some scammers on NextDoor.

*****

I knew there would be a day when I would regret signing up with NextDoor. Yesterday was that day.