Since I am a therapist, people’s behavior on the internet really interests me. As the long-time member of several internet communities (remember newsgroups? I do!), I have seen some really bizarre stuff. But the one I seem to have the most trouble with is the control-freak-forum-owner-on-a-rampage. I have been watching one over the last week, whose behavior is consistently rude and intolerant. Her latest action was to kick everyone off the forum who does not wish or is not able to communicate in English (she had several thriving forums within the forum who were mostly non-English speakers). Her reason? Because she could not understand what they were saying, and someone criticised her in Spanish. She was so neurotic about knowing what was being said, she ran each and every post through an on-line translator. And then announced that people could no longer speak foreign languages on her forum. A forum that uses the word “World” in its title, is not really of the world, I guess. As expected, the foreign-language speaking folks were mightily offended and upset–not so much because they couldn’t speak their language, but that they are not trusted to do so! And that is offensive.

This woman has a long, long history of intolerant behavior. She kicks people off her forum for the tiniest infractions. She appears to be a bitter and lonely person who probably has little power in her real life, and thus wields it heavily on her message board.

The thing she does not understand is that a message board is only as good as its members. You can have all the cool stuff in the world, but without the members, the board is nothing.

The other part of this equation is the members who put up with her. Though there are alternatives to this board, some people continue to stay and even praise her for her “dedication”. They are like people caught in an abusive relationship–afraid to leave, because they know once they do, they will never be allowed back. Putting up with maltreatment on an internet forum is silly–we all get enough in real life, I am sure!

So anyone who knows me, knows what a rocker chick I was when I was younger. I still am, in my heart. I was out tonight with some friends, and we were listening to a bar band that was playing a lot of songs I know, which got me to thinking about all the concerts I have seen in my lifetime. You could not grow up in Cleveland without rock being part of your soul. Well, my sister did, but she is a freak anyway, that lover of John Denver, Air Supply and Enya.

Here is my list–share yours!

Paul McCartney (6 times-Pittsburgh 89, Cleveland 90, Detroit and Cincinnati 1993, Anaheim 2002 and 2005). The Cleveland show was the most special to me–maybe because he was in my hometown but also because 80,000 fans were rocking out to “Hey Jude” with lighters held aloft. And Paul singing “Let It Be” on a hot July night with the rain softly falling was a spiritual moment. The 2005 Anaheim show was wonderful as well–I had 12th row seats For me, there are Paul McCartney concerts and then there are everyone else.

U2 (2 times-Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim CA) Any U2 tour is great, I felt the Elevation Tour was especially so. 

Ringo Starr (2 times-Blossom Music Center, Cleveland, OH) 2nd row for a Beatle! Ringo’s concerts are terrific fun and lots of great music!

Pretenders (Blossom Music Center) Chrissie Hynde in her hometown, Cuyahoga Falls (immortalized in My City Was Gone). A great concert by one of my all-time favorite bands.

Elton John (Blossom Music Center). This was in his Captain Fantastic days, before he started singing all that Disney shit.

Michael Stanley Band (5 times, Blossom Music Center) A band much beloved by Cleveland and the Heartland but not big elsewhere. I smoked my first cigarette at one of these concerts!

Midnight Oil (Nautica Stage, Cleveland OH) I hear that Peter Garrett (lead singer) is now in the Australian government. Too bad, he could whirl around on stage like a dervish and wrote some excellent, meaningful songs. 

Badfinger (Cleveland) I really love this Beatles-related band, and I am glad I got to see them. Pete Ham was long dead, but the other members were all there.

311 (Blossom Music Center)

World Party (Blossom Music Center) I liked this band–whatever became of them?

Souixie and the Banshees (Cleveland Agora) The Agora is a legendary concert venue and I am glad I got to go there a few times. Souixie and the Banshees were a very cool band, arty and punky.

10,000 Maniacs (Blossom Music Center)

Ziggy Marley (Nautica Stage) It was here I saw the biggest joint in my life. It was like the size of a rolled up sock. 

Breathless (Cleveland Agora) One of the first concerts I attended. Breathless was a Cleveland band that achieved a good deal of popularity with their song “Takin’ it Back”.

Donnie Iris (Blossom Music Center)

Indigo Girls (Portland Zoo) A fun, laid back concert. I never saw so many Birkenstocks in one place.