[quote="Mike Zaun" post=357559][quote="Adam" post=357551]Mike, if you really want to form a strong community, just unblock everyone. We're all on the same team. #sjubb is a mess, but there aren't 50 accounts on there worth blocking. I have 190K followers online (tech YouTube channel) and never blocked anyone, because they'll just make new accounts and double down. I read awful comments daily, but I don't engage and 99.9% of the time they get bored and I never see them again. Just simply ignore them and they'll go away. You need to have thick skin on social media because otherwise the trolls will come for you. I agree there are a few trolls on #sjubb.
Some of the criticism towards you is also valid. 95% of the time you're fine, but you do get angry and during those times you are very frustrating to deal with on Redmen and Holy Land (I don't follow you on Twitter but I'm aware of a few Tweets you shouldn't have sent out). You can't make an account claiming to represent St. John's fans and then block a large portion of the fanbase. What if fans are interested in reading the interview you just promoted on Redmen, but can't read your Tweet because you blocked them? That's not actually a "what if" question because it just happened, and we're too niche of a community for that to happen. It's a new era so now's a good time to unblock everyone and live up to your stated mission. That, or just post the interview in full here.[/quote]
Just genuinely curious, what's an example of "getting angry"? Maybe years ago, can't see it recently. You make some good and fair points but it just becomes exhausting after a while. I'm also very aware of tweets that many, many others shouldn't have sent out, however I don't jump down their throats. It's selective criticism and an obvious double-standard. If someone just jaywalked in front of a cop and then you try doing the same but get a ticket, would you not be annoyed? Just asking for some consistency. If one random SJ fan on twitter tweets at a recruit no matter how positive, condemn them too, because that's the standard you've set (not you personally, just critics). I believe there's an account Redmen News among tons of others which I actually enjoy...they do a great job. They privately messaged Tabor on Instagram. Didn't see one soul condemn that, rather celebrate it. People should just get past their biases and be consistent all around. TBH I'm actually more forgiving than the other person I share the account with regarding blocking. You just have to consider the fact that after spending literally thousands of your own money and countless hours of effort, it's hard to allow time for trolls and those clearly looking for trouble. If you're blocked and truly feel it was unwarranted, feel free to get in touch. Some of you have afforded me a second chance and of course I will do the same. Just wish some of the critics saw how much we've done behind the scenes before casting stones.[/quote]
It was a few months ago so I don't remember what you were angry about, but I do remember it happening on both here and Holy Land in 2019. It was not just me pushing back but also others. To your credit I think you've been fine these past several months, but there hasn't been much to stress out about this summer either.
No, I haven't been blocked by you on Twitter. My main point is that you have a nice following on Storm Surge but I don't see it as a true "fan page" the way I would for something like Mullin's Hood (or whatever he has rebranded it to). Rather it's a "St. John's fans approved by Mike Zaun" page. Your primary goal is to promote St. John's basketball, but you only share information with those you deem worthy. In other words, it's in part a power move to divide the fanbase and get more people on your side (and away from those you feud with). That may not be your intention, but it can come across that way.
Think of it this way: businesses don't block people unless they are harassed to the point where they absolutely need to. Less viewers/customers means less exposure/engagement/money. If you are being harassed non-stop then fine, block away, but blocking people for critiquing you isn't good. Some of these critiques are things people see as harmful to St. John's (such as interacting with recruits). I seriously doubt there are 50 Twitter users harassing you and I'd bet a large portion were genuine critiques from people who just want the best for St. John's.
As for you feeling there are double standards, that may be the case, but you've also A.) built up feuds with a lot of people over the years and B.) have a fairly large fan account which states "Our Mission Is To Unite, Support, And Promote the St. John’s Mens Basketball team. #sjubb." If people feel excluded from that then they will get more frustrated with you rather than the random troll account with 20 followers.
Anyways, it's your Twitter so you can do what you want with it. The only reason I'm bringing this up is because you directed Redmen posters to your Twitter but some users here were blocked from viewing it. If you just posted the interview in full or unblocked everyone, then we could have been discussing the interview itself rather than arguing for the past few pages (it's a nice interview btw).
Some of the criticism towards you is also valid. 95% of the time you're fine, but you do get angry and during those times you are very frustrating to deal with on Redmen and Holy Land (I don't follow you on Twitter but I'm aware of a few Tweets you shouldn't have sent out). You can't make an account claiming to represent St. John's fans and then block a large portion of the fanbase. What if fans are interested in reading the interview you just promoted on Redmen, but can't read your Tweet because you blocked them? That's not actually a "what if" question because it just happened, and we're too niche of a community for that to happen. It's a new era so now's a good time to unblock everyone and live up to your stated mission. That, or just post the interview in full here.[/quote]
Just genuinely curious, what's an example of "getting angry"? Maybe years ago, can't see it recently. You make some good and fair points but it just becomes exhausting after a while. I'm also very aware of tweets that many, many others shouldn't have sent out, however I don't jump down their throats. It's selective criticism and an obvious double-standard. If someone just jaywalked in front of a cop and then you try doing the same but get a ticket, would you not be annoyed? Just asking for some consistency. If one random SJ fan on twitter tweets at a recruit no matter how positive, condemn them too, because that's the standard you've set (not you personally, just critics). I believe there's an account Redmen News among tons of others which I actually enjoy...they do a great job. They privately messaged Tabor on Instagram. Didn't see one soul condemn that, rather celebrate it. People should just get past their biases and be consistent all around. TBH I'm actually more forgiving than the other person I share the account with regarding blocking. You just have to consider the fact that after spending literally thousands of your own money and countless hours of effort, it's hard to allow time for trolls and those clearly looking for trouble. If you're blocked and truly feel it was unwarranted, feel free to get in touch. Some of you have afforded me a second chance and of course I will do the same. Just wish some of the critics saw how much we've done behind the scenes before casting stones.[/quote]
It was a few months ago so I don't remember what you were angry about, but I do remember it happening on both here and Holy Land in 2019. It was not just me pushing back but also others. To your credit I think you've been fine these past several months, but there hasn't been much to stress out about this summer either.
No, I haven't been blocked by you on Twitter. My main point is that you have a nice following on Storm Surge but I don't see it as a true "fan page" the way I would for something like Mullin's Hood (or whatever he has rebranded it to). Rather it's a "St. John's fans approved by Mike Zaun" page. Your primary goal is to promote St. John's basketball, but you only share information with those you deem worthy. In other words, it's in part a power move to divide the fanbase and get more people on your side (and away from those you feud with). That may not be your intention, but it can come across that way.
Think of it this way: businesses don't block people unless they are harassed to the point where they absolutely need to. Less viewers/customers means less exposure/engagement/money. If you are being harassed non-stop then fine, block away, but blocking people for critiquing you isn't good. Some of these critiques are things people see as harmful to St. John's (such as interacting with recruits). I seriously doubt there are 50 Twitter users harassing you and I'd bet a large portion were genuine critiques from people who just want the best for St. John's.
As for you feeling there are double standards, that may be the case, but you've also A.) built up feuds with a lot of people over the years and B.) have a fairly large fan account which states "Our Mission Is To Unite, Support, And Promote the St. John’s Mens Basketball team. #sjubb." If people feel excluded from that then they will get more frustrated with you rather than the random troll account with 20 followers.
Anyways, it's your Twitter so you can do what you want with it. The only reason I'm bringing this up is because you directed Redmen posters to your Twitter but some users here were blocked from viewing it. If you just posted the interview in full or unblocked everyone, then we could have been discussing the interview itself rather than arguing for the past few pages (it's a nice interview btw).
Last edited:
