What you said wasn’t wrong per se, but I don’t think it’s really relevant to the actual thread topic itself. Because if you think about it, just because somebody uses a snide tone or jabs at another member with certain verbiage, doesn’t necessarily constitute that the moderators are going to alter that members ‘wording’ because another member doesn’t like how they put it in that context over an argument. If there’s a blatant rule violation, [like an insult of some nature or blatant trolling], then sure, the moderators would handle that, but just because somebody uses a tone you don’t like because said member agitated you, doesn’t necessarily mean you need to report it, even though I do realize that the moderators encourage that, even if no action is/was taken.
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Plus, on the flipside, I think it’s easy to take things out of context or misinterpret how somebody was addressing something through text, that’s the downside with not having a face-to-face conversation with people.
Here is my thinking... The OP and a few others in the thread (and maybe more that haven't posted) have noted a perceived increase in the tone of forum posts that come across as uncivil and ruffling forum feathers for the sake of ruffling forum feathers of fellow members. One of the ways to check whether or not there has been an actual increase in incivility, is through forum post reporting. If the members who are perceiving an increase haven't taken the time to file a post report, that tell me the member may have forgotten to file a report, not sure what the actual process involves, filed a report and the staff didn't see just cause to take action, or action was taken but, not every time a report was made by forum member x and forum member x may think that not enough intervention was made (for whatever reason).
If there has been an actual increase in incivility whereby invention of some kind was warranted, post reporting creates a digital trail whereby the staff can look at the stats and see if there is a trend in certain areas of the forum that may require a little more oversight at certain times.
If there has been an actual increase in post reporting whereby many members appear to be knowingly skirting the forum line rules, that alerts the staff to possibly keep a close eye on some forum members and or possibly make internal changes in regards to the adjudication process.
Obviously, we mortals don't have access to the reporting stats but, my post was a friendly reminder that if one sees a post that appears to be uncivil or sees a collection of posts from the same member who appears to be skirting the line every time, then by all means make a report so that the staff can do their part.
Granted, merely making a report doesn't solve all problems nor do it (in and of itself) solve the perceived increase in incivility by some members. However, it is a step in the right direction and that was the point of my original post.
I think the other aspect of perceived forum incivility increase can also be politely handled on a one on one basis at times whereby forum member A responds to forum member B letting him or her know that there was really no need to be snarky or rude, even if said rudeness may not cross the line. This process works but, one has to be careful not to get drawn into a possible fray and to keep replies polite and on point.
The culmination of the things I have mentioned can help keep the forum an inviting and fun place for all members, so long as everyone is doing his or her part to make sure that the friendly atmosphere continues.
