What's going here? Re: attitudes

R

RKnight

Joined
Jan 11, 1999
Messages
537
There's been some friction over the last few months. No secret.

Everyone enters here with there own attitude and outlook (bias). Subject to change frequently since we're human.

Everytime someone says something a little out of line or there's an argument, the whiners bitch and moan.

Then they post a reply about how appalling it all is and why don't people just pass instead of responding, but they somehow feel the need to respond instead of just passing. They don't take their own advice.

I am personally not as offended by the contraversy as much as the chiding responses (you shouldn't say that, or I just want to come here and have a good time) and the editing/deleting of posts. (although sometimes deletion of threads is necessary for the good of the forum)

Clearly there is more than one type of personality here. Are we to be subject to the lowest common denominator? Is there not room for everyone?

Just as the whiners have their place here so do others (those who are opinionated and raise issues, or have experience to impart).

For someone to assume that they are the supreme authority on what is and is not acceptable behavior is BS (as long as it's within the rules of the forum). We got this far without such restriction. And we're growing, which raises new issues, how to manage it all?. Are we going to shut out those previously acceptable for the sake of growth?

I used to think this place would expand forever. I now think it will flatten out somewhere. In spite of the increasing registrations, only a few of us are here all the time, most well known by now. And I think I detect fewer posts by those who were here at the beginning.

If there is no room for controversy even arguments (who should not hurt those not involved) this place will stagnate and become boring beyond imagination.

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Regards,
Ron Knight

Yeah I'm crazy, but what do you want me to do about it

[This message has been edited by RKnight (edited 04 November 1999).]
 
There is only a few individuals who do not know how to behave. They might have some problems in public so they are trying to compensate here.

About 2 years ago I worked for US company and before I started I had to sign an agreement how I was going to behave. That I will not do this, this and this.... I was very surprised - I have not seen such a thing before (people should know how to behave, shouldn't they??).

I guess there are people who have to do something "bad" at least once a day. And since they cannot do it at work (home, school) they do it here.

It is easy to find out who they are - and I suggest - just IGNORE them.

David
 
Call me a whiner I guess. The problem is not with people arguing or being controversial, but when they resort to name calling and insults. This is a forum for discussion and maybe even arguments. Some people just can't seem to have their opionions contradicted without taking it personally. I would love to read some good arguments regarding the merits of this and that. I don't have time to read childish fights. If I wanted that kind of entertainment I would go to the nearby playground or watch more pro wrestling.

RKnight if I were to stoop to this level I would merely retort by disparaging your heritage, intelligence, and social graces. That would be pointless and get us nowhere. I don't even know you. As adults we should be able to disagree without getting personal. That is what I am doing here. There are several forum members who I do not care for. I keep it to myself.

I'm all for lively discussions as long as it stays on the subject of knives. Flame wars are just plain boring and repetitive. If you've seen one you've seen them all. I'm done whining now.

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Paul Davidson

Them:"What's that clipped to your pocket, a beeper?"
Me:"Uuh....yeah, something like that."


 
Yep, I am very shocked to see just how thin skinned some people are.
 
I agree that it's important for people to have a very wide latitude to voice their opinions and I abhor censorship as much as anyone. Yes, some people are too thin skinned. But this is a private forum with rules and the rules should be observed because they are there for a reason. If everyone is permitted to hurl abuse at people they don't like, instead of addressing the substance or the merits of the argument they disagree with, then you don't have a forum for discussion, you have a puerile, stupid spectacle. A forum like this depends for its success on attracting and keeping people who are of substance and of experience in the knife community, whether they are dealers, artists, manufacturers, collectors or whatever. That also attracts advertisers and a broader audience. It also improves the profile of the knife community, which is not unimportant, given the significant legal and political challenges facing the knife community. Why would such people participate in this forum if every time they make a post they are subjected to inappropriate name calling and abuse? Beingchallenged on your views is one thing;being insulted in vile or idiotic terms for your motives or personality is something else, and very much over the line.
There are ways to rip someone to shreds politely and intelligently, without breaking any rules, and without giving anyone legitimate cause to complain that they've been abused. That is different than namecalling and vulgarity. Having a few fair rules shouldn't stifle debate at all.
I think matters are assisted greatly if members respond when someone crosses the line to help the moderator and maybe even head a deletion or thread closing off before it becomes necessary. It doesn't always work, but I have seen some improvement in the behavior of at least one member as a result of some member posts, I think.
And if there is a closed thread OK, although it's regrettable. Closing a thread
or deleting a post is better than editing, in my view. I don't think I'll elaborate on that here, but I think it's better to tell someone his participation isn't welcome because he broke the rules rather than actually alter what he said.Ididn't complain when the name of my childhood judo instructor, Frank Hata****a, was edited, although I probably should have done so privately by email.
Anyway, the forum is only as good as the participants and restricting members' freedom should be done very, very cautiously and as little as possible. But the truth is that the web is a big, big place full of people who do not necessarily operate in good faith, and they should not be permitted to spoil an important resource for everyone. Most houses have different rooms for different purposes and functions. When someone uses your living room as a toilet, he's gone beyond the bounds of free speech. If it's your house, you have the right to show him the door.
 
Aha! I see that the editing of my old sensei's name was automatic and not done manually. His name was Frank H A T A S_ H I_T A. Did that get by the censorship program?
That's the man's name, for g-d's sake. Gee whiz [did "whiz" make it through?], there's a huge difference between scatalogical references or expressive expletives and inappropriate vulgarity or boorishness. Execrable computer censorship program!
 
I have no problem with argumentative posting. I find most of it entertaining and humorous, and if someone focuses on me I simply assume there is a humorous intent and respond in kind. When BF is no longer fun for me, I will quit stopping by. HOWEVER-unless it becomes a forum about how to conduct oneself in a forum, and not about knives, I don't see it as much of a problem.
BTW-I am outspoken and opinionated, I freely admit. I do not, however, use these personality traits as an excuse to be rude, obnoxious, or abusive.
 
We had a saying when I was a kid (many at work would claim I still am), and you probably had this saying too - "sticks and stones can break my bones but names will never hurt me!" Hey you sensative types, quit behaving like babies and grow up a little. Though not too much since we are talking about big boy toys on this forum. Just avoid the threads you know will upset your refined sensibilities.

Be forwarned name callers because I'm rubber and your glue, whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you.
 
ptpalpha - your last sentence sums it all up. Well said. I feel all of us want telligent debate. One of the best ways to learn.

[This message has been edited by Gus Kalanzis (edited 05 November 1999).]
 
Yes, Gus, that is it exactly. I think some of you miss the point. I am not offended by name calling, when directed at me or at someone else. I've been called worse names than have ever been printed on this forum. I have also ripped people into tiny little pieces, verbally and otherwise. The fact is that reading rants online is BORING. I open a thread expecting to gain some knowledge and instead I have to wade through pages of BS. If people want to tirade against each other, then there is email for that. The least they could do is start another thread called "Here is the thread that I trash so and so in", then I would know not to waste my time opening it. It would also make it easier for the moderators to delete it.
wink.gif


------------------
Paul Davidson

Them:"What's that clipped to your pocket, a beeper?"
Me:"Uuh....yeah, something like that."


 
I have seen a lot of threads where the flaming comments and responses are formed in the heat of the moment.Later on these same participants end up apologizing for their rash statements.Maybe it would be helpful to take some time before making an angry,derogatory response to cool down and express their opinions in a more positive manner. I personally don`t post an emotionally charged response without giving it a day to think about what I want to say.This ends up with me making my point clearer and with less fire and smoke.
I don`t object to disaggreements,that is a good way to learn why someone thinks the way they do. But body slams don`t belong here.
If that makes me a wussy then so be it. You are what you eat!
David
AKTI#150
 
I have noticed a few negative comments from time to time. My personal opinions on matters usually only matter to me. I haven't always been this way but that is the way I have evolved. What knowldge I share, I share freely and with honesty. I am not always right but then I am still learning and have not separated all the chaf from the grain. I do enjoy visiting this site and I hope that it continues to be a learning experience for all of us. I read the comics for amusement. These are just my thoughts. I hope all have a good day and God Bless You. Ray Kirk
 
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