A thread for DUers that are MIA

[Orrex]

17. Well, I should clarify.

In broad terms, there are two categories of GBCW posts:

1. Sincere farewells from people whose circumstances require them to leave, whether it be health- or family- or job-related. These DUers post to explain their subsequent absence so that people won't worry about them disappearing suddenly. Such messages are usually well-received, with words of encouragement and a standing invitation to return when conditions permit. Sarcastic responses in threads of this kind are rare and are often sharply criticized for their rudeness in that context.

2. Petulant door-slamming from someone with an axe to grind. GBCW messages of this kind are chock full of criticisms about DU, its structure, the membership in general, unnamed members in particular, the jury system, the culture, etc. They cite old grudges or complaints about how the atmosphere has gotten so toxic that it's not worth the effort, and so on. These often come across as solicitations for (and wind up becoming) ego-massaging love-fests from the GBCW DUer's fan club ("Don't go!" "You're better than that!" "Don't let the haters win!" "Don't give into the purge!" "DU will be worse without you!" and the like), and as such they also elicit a bunch of snarky "don't let the door hit you" responses. This is the popular format for serial GBCW-ers who soak up the praise upon exit and then soak up the praise again upon their return.

In short, a GBCW post garners exactly the kind of response that befits the post and the departing member's history. A positive member exiting on a positive note will typically receive a positive and supportive goodbye, while a polarizing DUer who uses the GBCW post for one (temporarily) final gripe-fest will receive a polarized response.