Insulting posts & improper behavior

[bousozoku]

...
Does what people say hurt me, nope. People who throw insults usually have the bigger problems with themselves. It probably doesn't even involve you.

That's particularly interesting coming from you.

 

[xsedrinam]

Right... and who are you calling Ruth?

Those with Ruth would be the "Ruthfuls" --compliments of Skunk

 

[solvs]

For instance, if I called you a dumbass, and you really believed you were, then it's going to hurt.

But what if I'm ok with the fact that I'm a dumbass?

That's particularly interesting coming from you.

Oooo, snap! This is fun.

 

[john123]

This is one of the most irritating threads I've read here in a long time. I've been a member of Macrumors since 2001. My post count isn't insane (mostly because I don't do one-line posts like 9/10 of the morons who visit this site these days; I guess that post count increases the "coolness" factor of some people who have no life), but I've been here longer than most.

Quit being a neofascist censor and learn to accept the marketplace of ideas. Feel flamed a little? Then get out of the kitchen. It makes the site amusing at the least, and frankly, interpersonal exchange -- even when heated -- is productive.

If you ask me, Macrumors should worry about wasteful posts (like the aforementioned 1 liners) in which nothing is said a LOT more than posts that are "flaming," insulting, etc. It's the former that make the threads nearly unreadable. Something more like Slashdot is long overdue...

 

[GorillaPaws]

If you ask me, Macrumors should worry about wasteful posts (like the aforementioned 1 liners) in which nothing is said a LOT more than posts that are "flaming," insulting, etc. It's the former that make the threads nearly unreadable.

I couldn't agree more.




But in all seriousness, I have noticed that the temperment in some posts have become a little more heated of late, pushing the boundry of acceptable debate and flaming/flamebaiting. But by far and away, the volume of junk posts have seemed to be on the rise. Especially the off-topic "I hate this new X release because they didn't update (the completely unrelated) Y" post where the thread is discussing X or the "I hate this new x release because I just bought the earlier version of x 3 weeks ago" post. It's pointless, and wastes everyone else's time. Peope should take the time to stop and ask themselves: "Am I adding something original to this conversation? Am I making a genuine contribution? or am I just whining because the universe isn't revolving around me today?

Oh, and reading smartass comments is the reason I come to this site (esp. from the brits here, I've got UK envy).

 

[Sun Baked]

But what if I'm ok with the fact that I'm a dumbass?


Oooo, snap! This is fun.

I'm glad the poor horse escaped from this line of insults so far.

But, you also don't want to insult the horse either -- by comparing his hind end to some of the members here.

 

[840quadra]

I have posted in a couple of goon squad against "1337 speaking"/misspelled threads recently-- one titled "how dum is the average FPS player " and another one I can't recall and the original posters have gotten really, really huffy-- just like the original post in this thread. I'd hate to be a writing teacher these days. Normally, I'd put a "roll eyes" at the end of this post, but I don't want to give anyone heart palpatations.

Just remember that not everyone here on Macrumors speaks English as their primary language. Jumping in to correct someone with the intent to help them is one thing, but to bash them or berate them for a simple mistake is totally inappropriate.

 

[edesignuk]

Personally I think it's important that...

Yes, if someone's being an ass, then it should be dealt with, and I'd like to think that as long as it's reported you are all happy that we (the mods) do deal with it. That said, you seem to have taken something that's been said to you very much to heart. This is the internet, these things happen. Clam down. Report it. If there is actually something wrong and you're not just overreacting we will deal with it. There's really no need for all this.

But I dunno, if it makes you feel better, fill your boots...

 

[840quadra]

Personally I think it's important that...

Yes, if someone's being an ass, then it should be dealt with, and I'd like to think that as long as it's reported you are all happy that we (the mods) do deal with it. That said, you seem to have taken something that's been said to you very much to heart. This is the internet, these things happen. Clam down. Report it. If there is actually something wrong and you're not just overreacting we will deal with it. There's really no need for all this.

But I dunno, if it makes you feel better, fill your boots...

Homer is too offensive!

J/K

Great points, and I agree. I moderate 2 forums (smaller then MR) and I understand how things can be taken wrong. The biggest key to avoiding issues is, if someone jumps on you, don't jump back on them. Just report it, if you start a war with someone, you both look bad. Posting something on an other thread, or forum in regards to a war or dispute, just draws attention to yourself from the poster you are feuding with, and the moderators.

Like homeboy says, Just chill .

 

[Deepdale]

But I dunno, if it makes you feel better, fill your boots...

And if you find it somewhat therapeutic to post pictures, then float your boat. I previously acknowledged that I felt moderators do more than an adequate job, but there is room for improvement.

Trust me ... the incident is over, it did not prove fatal and I will still get paid next Monday. By now there should be widespread acceptance that Mac Forums draws more than its fair share of -- gentle here, don't want to cause any more wings to start flapping -- those who abuse their privileges.

 

[bousozoku]

This is one of the most irritating threads I've read here in a long time. I've been a member of Macrumors since 2001. My post count isn't insane (mostly because I don't do one-line posts like 9/10 of the morons who visit this site these days; I guess that post count increases the "coolness" factor of some people who have no life), but I've been here longer than most.

Quit being a neofascist censor and learn to accept the marketplace of ideas. Feel flamed a little? Then get out of the kitchen. It makes the site amusing at the least, and frankly, interpersonal exchange -- even when heated -- is productive.

If you ask me, Macrumors should worry about wasteful posts (like the aforementioned 1 liners) in which nothing is said a LOT more than posts that are "flaming," insulting, etc. It's the former that make the threads nearly unreadable. Something more like Slashdot is long overdue...

Once again, please report problem posts. We don't have the time to search every thread for problems.

 

[edesignuk]

And if you find it somewhat therapeutic to post pictures, then float your boat. I previously acknowledged that I felt moderators do more than an adequate job, but there is room for improvement.

I wasn't questioning you specifically on how you think we do our "jobs". But thanks for your semi-approval (and yes, the occasional image to lighten the mood does "float my boat").

Trust me ... the incident is over, it did not prove fatal and I will still get paid next Monday. By now there should be widespread acceptance that Mac Forums draws more than its fair share of -- gentle here, don't want to cause any more wings to start flapping -- those who abuse their privileges.

If it's over then why all this drama? I know the incident, since I obviously see the reports, quite honestly you're making a mountain out of a mole hill. I agree that what was said shouldn't have been, but what's done is done, it wasn't much, it's been deleted. It's over. If anything/anyone else gets your goat report it and we'll deal with that too.

 

[Deepdale]

Quit being a neofascist censor and learn to accept the marketplace of ideas.

Talk about a left-field comment. Why would I need to be a neofascist censor ... we already have Republicans in high places. FYI: I love the exchange of ideas.

 

[Deepdale]

I agree that what was said shouldn't have been, but what's done is done, it wasn't much, it's been deleted. It's over. If anything/anyone else gets your goat report it and we'll deal with that too.

Thank you ... I will ... the end.

 

[john123]

Once again, please report problem posts. We don't have the time to search every thread for problems.

But bousozuku, you've missed my point. I don't *WANT* to report problem posts. You weren't around here back in the day...but there was a time when this site operated very, very differently than it does today. The user group/membership was small, Arn was the only really active moderator, and people said whatever they wanted. One-liners were few, people sometimes flamed (for fun), and it was amusing. When it went really, really too far, the issue was escalated, and the user was warned/banned...but that was RARE.

This report-happy mindset chafes me. I don't want to deal with reporting someone for being mean. This isn't third grade. I'd much rather have a te-to-te, whether public in the forums or private via private messaging, than going to tattle to the hall monitor.

 

[Lacero]

That's particularly interesting coming from you.

I'll just take that as a compliment.

 

[bousozoku]

But bousozuku, you've missed my point. I don't *WANT* to report problem posts. You weren't around here back in the day...but there was a time when this site operated very, very differently than it does today. The user group/membership was small, Arn was the only really active moderator, and people said whatever they wanted. One-liners were few, people sometimes flamed (for fun), and it was amusing. When it went really, really too far, the issue was escalated, and the user was warned/banned...but that was RARE.

This report-happy mindset chafes me. I don't want to deal with reporting someone for being mean. This isn't third grade. I'd much rather have a te-to-te, whether public in the forums or private via private messaging, than going to tattle to the hall monitor.

That's nice. Things have changed. If you don't want to change, don't complain.

 

[edesignuk]

This report-happy mindset chafes me. I don't want to deal with reporting someone for being mean. This isn't third grade. I'd much rather have a te-to-te, whether public in the forums or private via private messaging, than going to tattle to the hall monitor.

Well, I hate to tell you, but times change. MR is obviously so much bigger than it once was. Once upon a time everyone would have known everyone, and digs at each other would have been taken with a pinch of salt, and in good humor. But with a big audience comes more people who are (for whatever reason) easily offended - as proven by the existence of this thread. If you don't want to report things, fine. Someone else will probably end up doing it when arguments get out of hand.

 

[Blue Velvet]

...but there was a time when this site operated very, very differently than it does today. The user group/membership was small, Arn was the only really active moderator, and people said whatever they wanted. One-liners were few, people sometimes flamed (for fun), and it was amusing. When it went really, really too far, the issue was escalated, and the user was warned/banned...but that was RARE.

That was then... this is now.

Personally, I'm glad that this sort of license to flame is barely tolerated now. It's such a corrosive form of discourse and the line between 'fun' and insult is easily overstepped, leading to bitterness and resentment.

 

[john123]

Quit being a neofascist censor and learn to accept the marketplace of ideas.

Talk about a left-field comment. Why would I need to be a neofascist censor ... we already have Republicans in high places. FYI: I love the exchange of ideas.

Nooooo, you love the exchange of ideas as long as they don't piss you off and make your blood boil. Or as long as they don't hurt your "feelings." See your reference to the "spelling and punctuation goon squads." That's a perfectly valid criticism of a post -- poor English makes posts difficult to read, which is to the detriment of everyone participating here -- but you've classified that as a situation where the "target" user should report the commenter. That's BS.

It really tickles me to read your comment here that you "love the exchange of ideas" when clearly, you don't. Ideas are not always substantive comments. They also encompass rhetoric, even rhetoric that you might find offensive or not pleasing to your sensibilities. There are some instances where it perhaps goes beyond free speech (consider the debate in the courts over hate speech), but Supreme Court justices on both sides of the aisle would probably drop their jaws upon reading your post.

I also think you're using a political paradigm that doesn't exist anymore. Censorship is fascist. You may call yourself a leftist -- geez, I am definitely left of center -- but I don't see you as one. When you squash free speech, you have a lot more in common with the right. One of the things that I hate about rhetoric-giddy people on the left is that they substitute rhetoric for action. They say that your discourse shouldn't include X (X being any number of things, from normativity on down the line), and that serves as the filler for their arguments rather than distilling the issues down to what matters.

The ultimate irony is that your original post, deepdale, was as denigrating in any. Just because you didn't use swear words doesn't make it any less so. Flowery language doesn't let you get to be the magical moving target. You threatened certain types of posters here (kind of funny, given that you're not a mod and have no right to do so, nor any enforcement power). Then you threatened Macrumors, mandating that if they didn't follow your suggestions, you would "not have a long-term relationship with [them]." (There are enough users, so I doubt any tears would be shed if you decided to leave.) And then the snyde friends and family remark at the end...

At the end of the day, the best defense is not tattling to a moderator. It's defending yourself intelligently. If I call your post stupid, moronic, or clueless, you have the option of backing it up. If you do a good job, people will notice. That's how it works. Further, what's wrong with me calling your post stupid, moronic, or clueless? If I called a post intelligent, ingenius, and insightful, would that get a warning too? Of course not. Because it's *nice.* But not every post fits those three i-word adjectives. Many are stupid. Many stupid posts by a single user kinda lends one to believe that the user in question may also be stupid. That's life. There are smart people, and there are stupid people. I feel like you missed that important lesson somewhere along the road of life.

 

[Lacero]

I don't know about the regulars, but it's the newbies that seem to always hook onto my words and beat me up with them. I guess I'm an easy target.

 

[john123]

Well, I hate to tell you, but times change. MR is obviously so much bigger than it once was. Once upon a time everyone would have known everyone, and digs at each other would have been taken with a pinch of salt, and in good humor. But with a big audience comes more people who are (for whatever reason) easily offended - as proven by the existence of this thread. If you don't want to report things, fine. Someone else will probably end up doing it when arguments get out of hand.

This is fascinating. In a span of about 10 minutes, three independent mods make the "times change" argument. If the user base has grown and is more sensitive, that's fine. But that still doesn't explain very well why censorship should reign. And, it still doesn't address the fundamental issue I raised in my first post in this forum, which is that the real problem is precisely the prodigious quantity of posts that makes the forums nearly unreadable.

This used to be one of the most enjoyable sites on the net for Macheads. The 1940s-Germany approach here is disheartening to say the least.

 

[edesignuk]

This is fascinating. In a span of about 10 minutes, three independent mods make the "times change" argument.

No, 2 moderators did.

These forums are not heavily moderated in the slightest, stop being so sensitive. If things here have really got that bad, go else where.

Sincerely, the Nazi moderators