Uncivil Forums

Loki

Loki

Joined
Mar 23, 2000
Messages
740
Over the last few days I’ve noted several threads that have wandered off topic and devolved into shouting matches and name calling. I’ve seen the same shameful stuff happen on other knife and related forums. What is it about these forums that seems to bring out the worst behavior in some folks? And all over knives? I know opinions can be strongly held and egos easily bruised. There are well made knives and real junk out there. But gosh all we’re talking about are simple tools. I fear the end results are that good knowledgeable people eventually leave never to return and newcomers get their fill of the BS and look elsewhere for answers.
 
Near the bottom of every post is a link for "report to moderator." When you see behavior you think is out of line, click there and report the problem to a moderator.
 
I hear you, it's my pet peeve, too. There are things I truly believe, and I wouldn't dare say here, it's just not worth it. It's a hobby.

For example, I bought several Emerson knives and used them for two years. Nothing broke, it just wasn't "my knife." I tried another company's tantos, and while they were better, I went to a traditional double-bevel clip point. It simply worked for me. I would never say that on the Emerson forum; it might be misunderstood, it might inadvertently pick a fight. For some reason if you say 'brand-X is better for me' there will always be those who take it as an insult.

Same with a selection in self defense. I used to buy infection control and barrier protection for a medical office. I took the classes on blood-borne pathogens. I wouldn't use a knife or any other contact weapon if I could remotely avoid it. Charge me, get closer than 21 feet, kiss the hollow-point.

That's not a comdemnation of anything or anyone. It's MY choice. However, I'm careful when I say it.
 
It isn't knives, this forum is in fact one of the more civil ones on the internet. Go to usenet and an unmoderated newsgroup if you want to see arguments degrade rapidly.

-Cliff
 
It does get annoying, certainly. I wonder if the alternative is desirable, though. As long as people are willing and ready to shout at each other or go out in the parking lot and punch each other in the nose, then we haven't bred out the traits that got the human race out of the dirt and on the moon.

If there were no contention, would anyone get their back up and set out to prove that their idea was better? I wonder. Maybe someone's sitting at home reading all this stuff and beginning to get an idea for a knife that will satisfy almost everyone.

Everyone has opinions, though, and look how many members here are willing to bite their tongues and not feed the flames. If a thread's turning ugly, it's just too easy to hit "next", and find something more mellow, I think. :)
 
Gollnick,

I just did that, we'll see what happens. I am really disgusted by that thread.

Ichabod,

I agree with you completely. I recently had a very disappointing experience with a very expensive production knife, but just don't know if it's worth it fighting the flamers. No pun intended. As for the hollowpoints, I wholeheartedly agree!!!
 
Yes, I've noticed occurrences like this, including (unfortunately) on a thread that I started recently. :( It's just juvenile behavior. People who cannot express themselves as adults, and let their emotions get in the way of their thinking. It's quite sad.

It's a lot easier to just shut up, and get off the computer. Go do something else! Cool off, and then post something if you want to, just don't post garbage. These forums are absolutely WONDERFUL for the treasure trove of information they provide, in addition to being a wonderful place to get lots of other information (guns, among other things) and just talk issues out.

It's sad when a SMALL group of people ruin this with their childish behavior.

Drjones
 
Reporting questionable post or questionable behavior to the
moderator, for me, brought the retort that I needed a thicker
skin and the moderator(s) completely ignored that the threads
in question displayed a negative pattern.

Basicly, the request for review and /or intervention was ignored.
So don't count on reporting to do much good.

The end result is threads that rapidly go off course and folks leaving
with a bad taste never to return.
 
It's just like driving in cars. Once people are removed from face to face contact they loose their humanness and common curtacy. I doubt people would act like this if they were waiting in line at the bank or grocery store. When I post, I try to envision that everyone reading it is sitting in the same room as I am. That way I try not to get too carried away on topics that I might find emotionally charged.

S.
 
It's true that some people overexpress their opinions, but I don't think the moderators need to get imvolved, other than a reminder to us all to stay civil -- unless the personal insults and the threats start. Other than that, welcome to the human race!
 
Originally posted by Mike Turber
The "Civel Unrest" will happen. It is how WE deal with them that sets US apart :D
Click to expand...
This is well said, it seems these occurances happen on regular cycle, then "old timers" say "it isn't like the old times," etc. This response by longer standing members is understandable and perhaps necessary to express, however, the adolescent attitudes (not only or always in adolescents) now are permanent feature of 'faceless" internet. This is why it is best to evaluate forums like this by its highest qualities, not lowest common denominator.
Martin
 
I think this is actually one of the more civil forums. When flare ups happen, I think it's unwise to squelch it too quickly. I've found that that will drive people away just as quickly when they're not allowed to have their say, no matter how strongly worded their post may be. The one post I think we all know about had arguments aplenty, but both sides did have their points. It's not like anyone was trolling with flames. Besides, I think the people involved, the worthwhile ones, can take it and don't need the rest of the forum to babysit them. Thick skin on a knife forum...hmm... maybe there's wisdom in that.
 
Tightwad,

That's really too bad. It's not the squelching of free speech, exchange of ideas, or even getting mad at each other.

It's the foul (and unnecessary) language and personal attacks that I find most disheartening.

I have seen several forums degrade into this kind of nonsense, and they are no longer in existence. This forum is valuable in the information that people can derive from it, and it is quite a shame to see it degrade into utter junk.

No matter who is right and who is wrong, there are good and bad ways for expressing ourselves, and some of the posts have been unforgiveable. It is a shame.
 
Foul language and personal attacks are destructive, yes, but to the thread, not the forums as a whole.. Leave it, forget it, let the children blow off steam, and go on to discussions with better companions.

Or enjoy the flames :D
 
Hey Loki..

Shut the Phuck up!!

Who asked you Anyway???

Just kidding..:) :) :) :)


ttyle

Eric...
 
I kind of think it is funny to see how heated an arguement can get over the stupinist things. I have never understood why some people get so angry at another's opinion that they have to start flaming. If I like a knife and you don't there is nothing wrong with that. You probably have darn good reason not to like the knife. And even if you don't, so what? I have always believed that you don't sweat the small stuff and believe me this is small stuff.

Would I ever think of leaving BladeForums because of these flame wars? Not a chance. I have way to much fun here. If someone wants to call me names, I could not care less. When things degrade to where there are only threats and name calling then it is time to tell the children to play nice and lock the thread down. This doesn't happen often and with all the great threads I hardly even notice the problem ones.
 
"it isn't like the old times"
Click to expand...

It couldn't be, we are not like we were back then, we have all learned quite a bit during the last 3 years. My old man use to talk constantly about wanting to go back to the old country. Fair enough, but the more the more I talked to him, the more I realized he wanted to go back there as a young man. Memories are nice, but, you have to put them in perspective. We use to get excited about everything - we were all newbies. Now some of this stuff is old hat.

If you really want to see what a flame war is then go back and run a search on Mad Dog Knives. We use to have some real free-for-alls. Even there we had some positives. The amount of information gathered together by the formites on both sides of the debate was outstanding. I am sure we busted a couple of paradigms on those threads.

The place is fine as it is. If you are getting alot of heated debate you are probably hanging out at Whine and Cheese way too much. I see very few heated flame wars, and when they do pop up we are usually good at putting them out.

n2s
 
Heh... I caught your idea. If I go into the spyderco forum and say spydercos are not for me, I would get flamed so bad that I'd have to sit in Dante's Hell to cool off.
One thing that I believe Phil001 course taught me well is to reconstruct a person's argument the best way possible. I used to be a hot head and I'm less so now.
 
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