Thread: Mass Debators

Curse that edit button.

The title, of course, should have read

MASS DEBATORS.



Cheers
Simon

As you all know, I am new here.
I assumed that the recent conflict with members leaving was because of prior differences on here, otherwise it seemed an irrational level of emotion over something trivial....to me.
I just don't get it.
As someone new, I find the General Chat 'controlled' and pretty unfriendly, I find it to be, well, stifling in political correctness.
It isn't so bad I would leave.
It is the cliche-iest site I have been on, I just assume it will take time for people to get to know me and get accepted.
I don't mind a good stoush, so long as it is productive, or laced with humour.
I have recognized some 'types' from the article Mass Debators<good one by the way> but am reluctant to make permanent judgements because it is easy to get it wrong with text.
I often have been very misunderstood so....it is easy enough to do.

As you all know, I am new here.
I assumed that the recent conflict with members leaving was because of prior differences on here, otherwise it seemed an irrational level of emotion over something trivial....to me.
I just don't get it.

As someone new, I find the General Chat 'controlled' and pretty unfriendly, I find it to be, well, stifling in political correctness.
It isn't so bad I would leave.

It is the cliche-iest site I have been on, I just assume it will take time for people to get to know me and get accepted.
It isn't the atmosphere I would choose if it were my forum, but it isn't mine.

I don't mind a good stoush, so long as it is productive, or laced with humour.
I have recognized some 'types' from the article Mass Debators<good one by the way> but am reluctant to make permanent judgements because it is easy to get it wrong with text.
I often have been very misunderstood so....it is easy enough to do.

Interesting read Simon with some interesting proposals.

Had an interesting experience on another forum I'm a mod on recently where Admin banned a user, turned out they were a cyberstalker
Already been banned on various Nth American boards.

just like the 'real' world, you get all sorts in cyberspace.

I thought that Tango51's comments about the General Chat being cliquey and controlled and politically correct interesting being the point of view of a relative newcomer.

I've been here for a while now and I know that it took me some time to summon up the courage to get involved. A bit like breaking into a circle around a camp fire. When I joined the active membership was probably about 100 now it is 25 times that! Different dynamics.Certainly the Moderators have had to adjust to the growth.

We have some fun here generally but on the odd occasion things get out of hand. The "troll" factor doesn't seem to have increased 25 times thankfully.

Originally Posted by abaddonxi

Thinking about the turmoil on the forum lately, I remembered this article,

http://www.informationweek.com/share...leID=199600005

which is uncanny in its similarity to what is going on here.

Have a look.

See what you think.

Report back.

Cheers
Simon

Excellent post. Thanks. Disemvowling sounds like a good strategy if it can be automated.
Trolls? Yep, we certainly have them here. They're like employees, most are fine but you always get a few at either end of the scale, being deadwood at one end and psychos at the other.

IMHO there's only a few people on the forum that get in to these arguments and fewer still that take them to the extreme, so we should be careful not to make out that the problem is bigger than what it actually is. Also, it seems to me too that they're repeat offenders.

I assume I use the same strategy as most, in that when a thread descends to the point of nastiness or argument for arguments sake, I stop bothering with that thread.

Re the "politically correct" comment: I can't say I've seen it but I understand how it could appear that way. My view is that there's a lot of AULRO users who go out of their way to be polite or to politely correct someone. I see nothing wrong with this provided everyone's allowed to state their views politely, no matter how crazy they may be.

Originally Posted by WhiteD3

I assume I use the same strategy as most, in that when a thread descends to the point of nastiness or argument for arguments sake, I stop bothering with that thread.

You're right. Last few months, whenever I see certain people entering into a thread in general chat, as far as I am concerned it is dead - not worth wasting my time reading inane comments.
Some of the intelligent, clever, subtle, witty humour on this site is pure gold. It's what makes the site unique I reckon. Thinly shielded bigotry and aggression posing as humour is just mindless and immature. That belongs elsewhere.

Lately Ive noticed more and more objective criticism spill into a text brawl (Ive been guilty myself ) I regret that I have lowered myself to this standard as I know better and 99% of the time dont get into frivolity
I have had a bit of a bad run as of late and have let it flow onto others within the forum (My deepest apologies)
Its good to have read this and I have a better understanding of why these things happen .I usually keep good counsel with myself and the way I address others as I dont like to be known for being a wally (its not becoming)
and sooner or later people just ignore the fact your there
I hope AULRO and the vibe of the place gets back to what it is an awesome place for knowledge and to meet likeminded people that love Land Rovers
I for one wouldnt like to be banned or for that matter not have anyone to go out for a drive in the bush with as it would suck bigtime

Cheers Ken