It's been so weird lately with all these crazy posts going on right now! What's up with that?

Now when I see new members start posting, I am somewhat suspicious that they are a current member posting under an alias and building their "credible" post history so they can later unleash some rage on someone without fear of people discovering who they REALLY are. LOL

Does anyone else feel a weird state of uneasiness? The dynamics here are so different from just six months ago.

I just wanna look at pretty cakes.

And I have 24 more posts than you...now 25...you better catch up...LOL

I agree Cakepro. I have been reading the forums for a couple of months now trying to learn different techniques as well as trying to get to know the collective group (it is hard for me to just jump right into a forum but I am starting to come out of my shell lol) This is a wonderful website and I am truly grateful for it. On the whole, I do feel 99.99% of the entire group is awesome, not only in their decorating abilities but in the information, suggestions, and encouragement they so freely share with everyone. Their willingness to share is amazing. So when I go into a thread that has turned sour, I definatly(sp) am not going to contribute.

Yes, those were the days.

LOL, I shall catch up with you, Irene - I shall!!!

And the dynamics six months ago were totally different than the dynamics from six months before that.

I'm mainly a lurker but have started posting more lately. When ppl have replied they have be nice and super informative. I agree thou! I just want to look at preety cakes!

I want to look at pretty cakes too but I really want to learn. I have been baking (not just cakes) since I was 8 years old. I come from a long line of women who baked, in Ireland you just had to!

I am not here as long as some and longer than others. I have learned so very much. I learn by questioning and sometimes I feel like I will be shot down right where I am sitting just because I choose to question, well I still will!

I have noticed that things are getting a bit "clicky" around here lately and I am (IMO) putting it down to maybe younger people joining. The reason I feel this is because some people only seem to post to each other even though the post is for all (hope that makes sense). It reminds me of my kids and how they have their own little "clicks" and groups of friends, that mentality I guess.

People my age don't really go on that way. I think my generation are more about broadening our circle of friends as opposed to confining ourselves to a "select" few!

I do think that the mods are very laid back here and maybe fewer "spats" would occur if they were nipped in the bud a little sooner.

Having said that it's no harm, the more the merrier!

I think a lot of things tend to go in cycles and maybe CC is in a post-holiday grumpiness cycle or something. I just try to ignore the mean people, focus on the fabulously talented people on this site and enjoy all the great cakes.

I'm quickly becoming a CC addict, tho, and fear I'm in desperate need of a 12-step program!

I've been around here going on 5 years and I have noticed that people are getting more hot headed and the subjects are those dreaded 2 you should always stay away from...Religion and Politics...When I open a thread and it turns ugly I click out on to the next thread..I can't be bothered!!! Maybe I'm getting to old!

It's an ebb and flo thing. When I first joined there was some hot times, so I posted very little. There was also a group that was real nasty about peoples photos. (Hence the reason I have never posted any)

Then there was a kinder gentler time, and then not again, then there was again. It is a large group and these things will happen.

Shelle_75 - your beehive cake is SO cute!

I know someone earlier said to stay away from politics, but I just have to point out that when Barack Obama said that people were "bitter," he really got criticized for it.

Well, there has been a lot of bitterness on here lately -- let's just sweeten everything up with more cakes and frosting!!!!

I first joined in the days of Squirrelycakes et al and they could not have been a nicer and more welcoming bunch. The board was a lot smaller then though and I think the bigger the group, the more bad apples you will have. I also remember a couple of members getting kicked off this board for what, IMHO, was a lot less reason than some of the unbelieveable things I see happening so frequently now! If that was deemed to be the accepted level of civility back then, then there are several members here who also should have been long gone as they are always starting/stoking the fires that all too frequently burn here. Just my opinion.

Bring back Squirrellycakes, I miss those times!

We need more Cake Love.......

I love CC! I'm the same way as many of you. I just stay away from the negative posts. Here's my thought on the subject: We are on a cake website. Who gets mad over CAKE? Our favorite thing in the world??

I just had a good laugh when I saw this thread, not because it's true, although it certainly is, but because I totally picture my husband saying this 5 or so years down the road when my daughters and I are all pmsing at the same time.....and we're all libras. We're so alike, that poor man is going to have to hide out!

I have been coming here a long time as well, and if it wasnt for many CC's, I never would have gotten the courage to start my business, and such. There has always been some "mean" people on here (some of them has scared away some really nice people too...a few I miss very much!) Some days seems harsher then others. I think there is a tendency among all forums, not just cake forums to do flaming and bashing, as people can hide behind their handles. I choose to ignore most of it. (the only time I took real offense on here and had to actually stop reading the forum for a while because it was just so upsetting was when everyone was bashing the overweight partner on that wedding cake show. I thought it was cruel and the worse case of prejiduce I have ever seen. )

Just remember some people really enjoy bringing up a rucuss and causing problems and the only to really squash it is to not react to it..ignore them and they will go away.

Unfortunately, it's not just on this board. I'm seeing a lot more defensive and hostile attitudes everywhere. On the Net and in "real" life. I wonder if the increasing stress about the economy has anything to do with it? I think that when stress levels increase people tend to get defensive and aggressive more quickly.

So now I'm going to go bake everybody some chocolate chip cookies. We can all use them (internet cookies have no calories!)

We try to afford everyone the opportunity to express their opinion. However, we do watch all forums and moderate those we feel get out of control; but once again, everyone has their own opinion of what they think in regard to a subject matter. When topics tend to get too far off of what the topic was suppose to be and turn to the negative side, we sometimes will lock those threads. We delete a thread when it prohibits CakeCentral's rules or policies.

Anytime you feel something needs to be looked at, by all means, please report the post and we will look at it. Please do not take it personally if we do not lock the thread. However, we will definitely review the thread and take each and ever reported post into consideration.

I know when I've heard some folks have been banned, it has surprised me as I couldn't recall seeing anything "that bad" from them. But I also don't pretend to know everything that may have been going on behind the scenes.

I come to CC to be inspired by all of your lovely work, to sit in awe of all your talents, and to occasionally get some help, (which members have always been gracious enough to give me). I like to come, kind of as an escape...like a little "me" time. When I am on this site, I don't have to cook supper, I don't have to fold laundry, I don't have to check homework.....just me, the computer, and the great people here.

With that being said, and not that I believe this is an excuse to be nasty, but our country is not exactly the same country it was 6 months ago. Thousands of people are losing their jobs, their homes, and all sense of their security everyday. I am sure these things take a toll on people and unfortunately, they may be taking it out on the wrong people and in the wrong way. Again, I DO NOT think this justifies poor behavior, but when I run into someone that is less than pleasant, I try to think about what MIGHT be going on in their private life, and try to understand these are frustrating, scary times for many people.

Just my 2 cents.

I really love CC, the help and tips I have learned here have made me so much better and I am forever grateful. One day I read a post that was mean and ugly, and while I can usually just ignore them, this one really touched home for me and upset me more than anyone could know. I didn't respond, b/c I don't want to add fuel to the fire, but it hurt me badly and I couldn't log on for weeks. Finally when discussing it with my husband he helped me put it in perspective. When you put this many people together (especially mostly women) and there are so many personalities with strong opinions, and while some can be just vicious and mean, most don't realize how their words affect others. No one knows what is going on in my life, and what I have experienced, and I don't wish it on anyone. So now I come and I post very rarely, I lurk, and if I see nasty posts I try to quickly click out before it upsets me. I wish everyone could just be a little more understanding and accepting of everyone else, but with this many people there will always be a few...

Lets just ignore the bad and keep on with great cake!

I definitely agree that the falling economy, job loss, home loss, war, etc., has taken a collective toll on everyone. No excuse for rudeness, but I think some people are feeling very desperate about their lives. I was just thinking of this song as I was reading this post..............

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one


Simple lyrics yet very moving. I hope someday we'll all be here to see this accomplished. Just "Imagine" that..................

Also...........I still believe that the good members outweigh the bad members on this site. It's a great place to hang out with people that we have so much in common with. Thanks for that!