Bad manners when posting

singist · 21 Mar 2009 at 11:15

I've thought about posting this for a while but hoped that I wouldn't need to as I know it will be a flame fest for those I speak of.

Why must one group be so arrogant, self-righteous, hostile, patronising and downright rude to people?

The last few threads dealing with some contentious issues seem have been targeted by the wizard of Oz and his sycophantic band of followers in such a way as to discourage any real civil discussion; even a moderator chose at one point, to modify a thread title because he felt that it was inaccurate; if that is a new policy move, I can see the mods being extremely busy.

I understand that some subjects provoke heated debate but when one thread moves from a civilised posting including the caveat "Whether you believe it or not is entirely up to you" to "You're not majick (and he's our resident nutjob)" and shortly thereafter, "I want to see articles/videos/books/whatever claiming that Obama is working for the "new world order" and planning to usher in a "one world government" - DATING FROM THE VERY YEAR THAT HE BECAME A SENATOR." it sort of sets the tone of what will follow.

There are quite a few barbed epithets contained within the various threads. If you don't agree with something, fine, but the condescending insults and nit picking pedantry really only side track the discussion.

helpimcrap · 21 Mar 2009 at 11:19

Because they're so small/unimportant they need to feel they are better/bigger/more important than the rest.

I can't say i've seen the examples you speak of or the posters you say misbehaving.

Ma'am · 21 Mar 2009 at 11:23

You mean attention seekers?

Sonea Fifer · 21 Mar 2009 at 11:25

helpimcrap said:
I can't say i've seen the examples you speak of or the posters you say misbehaving.

Neither can I to be honest - I'd say these forums are extremely well moderated, its also good to see family friendliness promoted so much. Yes there probably are one or two individuals posting who are out to deliberately antagonise other individuals.

At the end of the day everyone is entitled to their own opinion on each and every subject posted here and life would be pretty boring if we were all the same

helpimcrap · 21 Mar 2009 at 11:26

Ma'am said:
You mean attention seekers?

someone say Fox?

j/k

helpimcrap · 21 Mar 2009 at 11:29

There are times when people can be zealous for the fun of it but on the whole the forums are a lot better than others due to lack of swearing/no personal attacks etc which means you have to be more polite than you would normally.

SiD the Turtle · 21 Mar 2009 at 11:32

It gets out of hand sometimes. But that are faaaaaaaaar worse forums on the Interweb.

Raikiri · 21 Mar 2009 at 11:34

singist said:
There are quite a few barbed epithets contained within the various threads. If you don't agree with something, fine, but the condescending insults and nit picking pedantry really only side track the discussion.

While you have a point, it isn't entirely necessary to respond like that you have to remember they're replying to people who think the world is flat and run by giant lizards. Reasoning doesn't work with people like Magick.

Also, what's wrong with this?

singist said:
"I want to see articles/videos/books/whatever claiming that Obama is working for the "new world order" and planning to usher in a "one world government" - DATING FROM THE VERY YEAR THAT HE BECAME A SENATOR."

Asking for evidence to outlandish claims isn't exactly bad manners, or should we believe everything random attention whores shout about on the internet?

chrisd · 21 Mar 2009 at 11:34

singist said:
I understand that some subjects provoke heated debate but when one thread moves from a civilised posting including the caveat "Whether you believe it or not is entirely up to you" to "You're not majick (and he's our resident nutjob)" and shortly thereafter, "I want to see articles/videos/books/whatever claiming that Obama is working for the "new world order" and planning to usher in a "one world government" - DATING FROM THE VERY YEAR THAT HE BECAME A SENATOR." it sort of sets the tone of what will follow.

That was a perfectly reasonable request. You seem to be the one wanting to stifle discussion.

Ma'am · 21 Mar 2009 at 11:38

I'm a mod on a far smaller forum than this. What I would clamp down on in 'my' forum can go unmoderated on this and vice versa.
It's inevitable that a forum such as this, with such a large membership, will attract people with a vast array of ideas, standards etc.
I steer clear of the young, opinionated twerps whose only intention is to create an argument for the sake of it.
Each to their own......

singist · 21 Mar 2009 at 12:00

chrisd said:
That was a perfectly reasonable request. You seem to be the one wanting to stifle discussion.

Firstly, Ask the guy who made the film, not the guy who posted a link saying it was interesting.
Secondly, why shout?
Thirdly, I don't want to stifle debate, just a little courtesy from people who hold a different view.

Raikiri said:
While you have a point, it isn't entirely necessary to respond like that you have to remember they're replying to people who think the world is flat and run by giant lizards. Reasoning doesn't work with people like Magick.

Also, what's wrong with this?

See above.

Asking for evidence to outlandish claims isn't exactly bad manners, or should we believe everything random attention whores shout about on the internet?

See, you just did it too ..... "random attention whores" ...... or did you mean Alex Jones? in which case, you may have a point but if you mean the poor ******* who posted the link as interesting and got a load of **** for his/her trouble, then why be so rude?

Raikiri · 21 Mar 2009 at 12:03

I meant Alex Jones, David Icke et al.

singist · 21 Mar 2009 at 12:06

Raikiri said:
I meant Alex Jones, David Icke et al.

My apologies.

Nitefly · 21 Mar 2009 at 12:10

There are a few regular culprits, but I wouldn't let them bother you.

Some forums are far worse than OCUK for this and, on the other side of the spectrum, some forums are so happy and twee whenever you call someones bluff or disagree you are labled a troll (yes, I am apparently the resident troll on another forum, believe it or not).

mr tommo · 21 Mar 2009 at 13:39

Ive noticed there are some really serious people on here.

It just seems there are people who can't wait to put somebody down to make themselves feel better or something. Everyone should cheer the hell up a bit!

Zefan · 21 Mar 2009 at 13:48

singist said:
stuff

Who cares?

p4radox · 21 Mar 2009 at 13:55

I think the only bad manners come from people with outlandish claims who then completely ignore requests to provide evidence. Not only do they ignore these requests, they then go on to insult those requesting the evidence and claim that they're being harassed.

The alternative to these serious and repeated requests for evidence is to simply ridicule certain posters as nutjobs rather than engaging the in debate. But this would surely be far worse.

On the topic of the thread renaming: I don't see a problem with this. The moderators have a right to do whatever they please with the forum. It's not a democracy. They also have a responsibility to reduce the likelihood of all-out flame wars - which often occur as a result of someone claiming something that isn't true, misrepresenting the truth, or flat-out lying. Editing a thread title for accuracy is perfectly reasonable.

Sankari · 21 Mar 2009 at 13:56

Cool, I have a "sycophantic band of followers". :cool:

I wonder who they are? :confused:

uv · 21 Mar 2009 at 14:02

Zefan said:
singist said:

stuff

Click to expand...

Who cares?

that gave me the giggles

p4radox · 21 Mar 2009 at 14:05

Most of the bad manners occur in the Graphics Cards forum. I can hardly believe what I'm reading in there sometimes. At least the prospect of all-powerful lizardmen polarises opinion for obvious reasons. ATI v nVidia really brings out the worst in some people.