A word about the Twitter (X) trolls

[mark]

Spam Bot. A piece of software designed to re-tweet or perform certain actions messages based on content, frequently used to amplify hate speech. They are also programmed to make subtle changes in the response to appear human rather than machine, they create hashtags which get picked up due to their large numbers which then show as trending and as more human readers see and comment it takes on a momentum of it's own.

If you examine the accounts sending these out they frequently post about similar subjects, often based on racial or ethnic hatred or other extreme right wing issues, this is their function. They use language designed to trigger an emotional response, and they can be very good at it.

Of course there are some people for whom this is what they believe in, for them I have a mix of sympathy and disgust, they have gone down the rabbit hole and I don't know whether to try and drag them out of it or pour concrete down the hole.

Things you can do:

At the most basic just block them so you don't see or interact with them anymore, report them if you wish even though it feels at times like the reports get ignored, while the subject matter might not trouble Elon's conscience much the spam bot issue does, for that the more a suspicious account is reported the more chance it will be dealt with.

Ensure your own devices are malware free, change passwords and don't re-use them on different systems, this helps prevent theft of email account details which can be used to create fake accounts.

Consider making your Tweets protected, which means that only those who follow you can read them, this stops the bots from picking up on what you have posted. This step may not be appropriate for everyone however.

If you are techy enough to be already aware of these things I apologise for taking up your time but not everyone is and I am trying to help those that are not.

Stay safe folks, there is a genuine hockey community out there who knows when to drop the partisanship and stand together as hockey fans instead of supporting individual teams, this is one of those times, this is why we can come together at play-off weekend and celebrate without fighting each other.

If you are one of those who still "hate" the Panthers, I feel sorry for you and hope you get help somewhere, in the mean time the rest of us will remain happy when we win & gutted when we lose. Because that's the way it should be.

Mark

[wakefieldsteelersfan]

One of the things that's really been bothering me is that the footage circulating online was mobile phone footage recording from the webcast, sickens me to think that the footage was more than likely uploaded by either a Steelers or a Panthers 'fan'.

[mark]

One of the things that's really been bothering me is that the footage circulating online was mobile phone footage recording from the webcast, sickens me to think that the footage was more than likely uploaded by either a Steelers or a Panthers 'fan'.

Yes I saw footage like that from a Steelers fan, I did challenge him as to why he thought it was ok to which he replied "why not". Clearly not someone I'm going to think much of. The post was reported, not much else I can do.

[smbmetal]

I’ve not seen the footage and don’t want to but on a slightly related note, in my company I deal with the US a lot and some of those guys are Penguins fans.

They brought it up today on a call as they know I go to the odd game. They have seen the footage and their opening line was “from the footage we’ve seen it looked like he put his foot up on purpose”.

Another reason not seek out the footage. One angle does not by any means show the whole incident. Even though I wasn’t there and haven’t seen it I said there is no way on this earth that was done on purpose! Never in a million years!

[Jayboy]

They couldn't be further from the truth, I have seen edited version of the footage of just the collision.. And unfortunately seen it live, and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind it was a complete 1 in a million freak accident.! And anyone saying different in my opinion hasn't the first clue what they are talking about, and/or have some alternative agenda and that really does boil my pee

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

[Doom]

I'd no intention of watching the incident after Saturday night, but I was having a read of some of the comments on Twitter and somebody had put it on in the corner of the screen, so I did catch it briefly and on a very small image.

Based on that I can understand why people who don't know better are pointing the finger, because it really did look like some sort of kung fu kick out to the side.

Logic though tells me it wasn't deliberate. All ice hockey players know how dangerous this would be, there was no benefit to Petgrave on the play because it wasn't in a dangerous area, to my knowledge he's never done anything like that before, there was no animosity in the game and by doing that motion he would be putting himself in danger of losing his balance and having a nasty fall.....There was absolutely nothing to gain from it (ie. No motive).

The only plausible reason is the one given by the Panthers players who were in close proximity, he caught the skate/leg of another player and that threw his balance off. I know when I'm slipping I'm all arms and legs trying to keep my balance and I'm not travelling at 15mph.

I really feel for Matt, because he's probably hurting enough with what has happened, but to have some of the accusations thrown at him (some of a racist nature) is terrible.

I'm sure the people who matter are giving him the support and backing he needs and hopefully we'll see him on the ice again in a Steelers shirt.

Regards

Doom

[mark]

The edited , slowed down and zoomed in version distorts the context as it removes MP's movements before where he is clearly moving towards a different player, it is only after contact is made and and edge lost where he spins towards AJ.

[Doom]

The edited , slowed down and zoomed in version distorts the context as it removes MP's movements before where he is clearly moving towards a different player, it is only after contact is made and and edge lost where he spins towards AJ.

That's the problem Mark, people are judging without the full video and the knowledge of how an impact and lost edge can change momentum.

I'm guessing when the police do their investigation, which is quite right under the circumstances, the testimony of the Panthers players will be crucial.

For me it's 100% a horrible accident.

Regards

Doom

[smbmetal]

All I say is it’s amazing how many experts of ice hockey I’ve met this week.

Funny though, when I ask them if they were at the game or even watching the stream, the answer is a big no.

Then I ask, how many Steelers games they’ve seen and funnily enough that starts and ends with 0.

They’re even experts on Matt Petgrave, cause they’ve read all the comments on social media so they all must be true.

I no longer have a tongue due to all the biting of it!

[wakefieldsteelersfan]

The edited , slowed down and zoomed in version distorts the context as it removes MP's movements before where he is clearly moving towards a different player, it is only after contact is made and and edge lost where he spins towards AJ.

That's the problem Mark, people are judging without the full video and the knowledge of how an impact and lost edge can change momentum.

I'm guessing when the police do their investigation, which is quite right under the circumstances, the testimony of the Panthers players will be crucial.

For me it's 100% a horrible accident.

Regards

Doom

Luckily they will also have access to video of a far higher quality than what's floating round on social media too (possibly from more than one angle) to base their findings on. On the night I thought it was a freak accident and even after unfortunately stumbling across the footage im still of the same opinion.
I'm not a big user of twitter, but I hadn't realised what a cesspit of a platform of vile hatred it's been allowed to become until this week. Closed my account for good.