Members being officious

How do you guys deal with members who tend to post things as fact rather than as their opinion?

We have a member doing it. I am leaning toward believing that she is doing it to cause problems, but it is not really breaking any rules.

But I am tired of dealing with her, so if any of you have had any experience with gently admonishing a member about something like that, I would surely appreciate your wisdom.

 

I would just post saying "Really? Are you sure? I read x in x that says different, where are you getting more information?". Maybe after a few threads of people asking her for citations she'll be more careful.

Then again, it could possibly be deliberate. Asserting something that isn't true is a favorite tactic of some people. The louder and more often they state something is true the more people they get to believe them.

 

Turn it into a debate of what is right and I am sure it will spark some activity instead of any negativity hopefully

 

Can you provide an example?

 

Haha I love it^^^

I do the same thing say I have read something elsewhere that begs to differ - and just let the ball roll with the debate.

Sometimes I do it just to get the ball rolling and sit back and watch - haha I feel like the wicked witch from the wizard of oz - Fly my Pretties - Fly hahahahaha

 

Hopefully you have some other members who will take issue with anyone posting incorrect 'facts.' Or posting opinions as facts. If you encourage polite debate and allow forthright members to air their own positions this person will be outed repeatedly. People won't take her so seriously. And it won't be your job to straighten her out every time. Hopefully.

 

problem if you wind things up

the risk of course is that the (wound up) thread then moves off topic based around a tiny part of the contentious post(s) rather than the original thread.

this then is unfair to other members who see an interesting thread but on reading it find it has gone off on a wild tangent

fully agree with asking them to link to or say where they get their information from. You could even say " it wasn't from that fat bloke down the pub was it?" to indirectly give your opinion if you feel like it.

 

I tactfully ask for sources or to link to a reputable source of information instead of relying on anecdotal evidence.