an open letter to OT

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

I'm not sure if it is just my life situation, but I, for one (and I know I'm not the only one judging from some IMs and emails I've received), am sick and tired of the level of hate and bile that is being slung in this forum. imho, OT is *not* carte blanche for people to come and dump their hatred in the forum. The lack of civility from a small subset of people has seemingly gotten worse over the last few months. I'm all for free speech, but I think I speak for the majority when I say "enough."

There was a time when OT was where threads from the tech forums ended up because they weren't exactly "tech" : a bunch of Porsche owners who were already members of the Pelican community based on participation on other forums (911 tech, 944 tech, etc). It was not some cesspool where people used it as a bully pulpit for their fringe political/social viewpoints and a convenient landfill for rabid hate.

So, I'll put it to the community to comment, but I propose that we try to dial it back a bit. I really don't like to censor comments, lock threads, or ban people. In the time I've been moderator here, I've banned only one person, removed a few vicious racist comments (and a pic or three), and locked a handful of threads because they were spinning out of control.

And I'm looking in the mirror while I'm typing this too. Over the past weeks I have actually deleted some of my own posts, and *not* hit reply after typing out a response that while I thought it was warranted, in fact would just make things more inflamed. So I'm editing myself. I would encourage others to do the same. And for those that are unable to keep themselves in check, perhaps we as a community can figure out what best to do (other than ignoring them, which is usually my goal).

cheers,
Todd

pwd72s · 07-29-2006, 10:41 AM

I can't complain about you as a moderator Todd. But I agree, this is the forum I come to for fun...not to read that hate is good...

Nobody's position on the issues has been changed here....

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

For entertainment, I read OT. But I've not posted much because the (what could be) interesting threads tend to spin out of control with the same cast of characters digging in on their well worn positions. I think there are or could be some really worthwhile threads and discussions on OT, but I for one am really tired of the lack of dialogue.

If people really need a forum just to spew their hate and/or "I'm right and you are wrong" positions to keep them from going postal in real life, consider an "OT - Political/Religious Rants" forum. Maybe that's a public service in and of itself.

07-29-2006, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nostatic
And I'm looking in the mirror while I'm typing this too.

Better late than never I suppose.

artplumber · 07-29-2006, 10:48 AM

I agree Todd. I too have had to choose to not reply - frankly, not worth the vitriol.

Since it seems that people generally are less vociferous and polarized in person, Pelican probably ought to sponsor more UPM's all over the country. Then we would "all get along".

tabs · 07-29-2006, 10:48 AM

Lets put them on the fking Grill and eat them....would U like yours rare or well done...

Anyway Nostatus thats part of the reason why I said last night.."They know not what they do."

If this little forum is a microcosm of the rest of the USA...then we are in serious trouble...Americans of different political persuasions are no longer talking to each other but over each other and neither side is listening. Look at my comments about a House Divided and another American Civil War...

singpilot · 07-29-2006, 10:48 AM

I always judge how the thread is going to go by the 'baited' title. Is usually slanted so far one way that it will incite a reaction. I have typed replies, and as I am reading them prior to hitting 'send' realize I've been suckered in by a troll. It always seems to be the same trolls.

Maybe Pelican BB could start a troll section where they could be banned 'to'. Then they could vent all their hate to each other, and leave the OT section alone.

I say start banning them.

masraum · 07-29-2006, 10:51 AM

Here, Here! THis place used to be interesting, but these days it's mostly just mud slinging between those of different political or religious ideas.

Moneyguy1 · 07-29-2006, 10:51 AM

And the positions are not likely to change. Too much emotion, too little thought on the part of some posters, with their posts designed to create rancor. Whether such posters actually believe what they post or simply post to cause dissention is unknowable, but I have my suspicions.

I like intelligent debate, and welcome opposing views, if thoughtfully presented. That is becoming a rare commodity lately. Even if one actually asks an honest question, too often they are greeted with labels and insults. Either the result of poor upbringing or of a lack of maturity.

Todd...You are doing a great job.....

pwd72s · 07-29-2006, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tabs
Lets put them on the fking Grill and eat them....would U like yours rare or well done...

Anyway Nostatus thats part of the reason why I said last night.."They know not what they do."

If this little forum is a microcosm of the rest of the USA...then we are in serious trouble...Americans of different political persuasions are no longer talking to each other but over each other and neither side is listening. Look at my comments about a House Divided and another American Civil War...

The voice of experience.

john walker's workshop · 07-29-2006, 10:54 AM

a religious forum. i believe i suggested that waaaay back. throw the political crap in there with it, being that they go together so well, and OT might be fun again.

tabs · 07-29-2006, 10:56 AM

Why PWD you READ what I what I post????? Does this mean I am no longer on your Ignore List..... (sniff sniff I think I'm gona cry if its so!).

livi · 07-29-2006, 11:09 AM

Oh Yes ! I am in violent agreement. Its does not bother me that much, but its annoying when an interesting debate turns sour with bad language and rudeness.

Particularly the political and religious debates tend to hit such low levels its ridiculous. And, as in any society or group of people, a few individuals will generally create more noise than all the rest together.

On the other hand, even if its a nuisance, one can always choose to ignore posts / threads heading for Kindergarten levels.

svandamme · svandamme's Garage

agreed

on-ramp · 07-29-2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by john walker's workshop
a religious forum. i believe i suggested that waaaay back. throw the political crap in there with it, being that they go together so well, and OT might be fun again.

some people might take great offense to that image. you should be banned!

stomachmonkey · 07-29-2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tabs
Lets put them on the fking Grill and eat them....would U like yours rare or well done...

Anyway Nostatus thats part of the reason why I said last night.."They know not what they do."

If this little forum is a microcosm of the rest of the USA...then we are in serious trouble...Americans of different political persuasions are no longer talking to each other but over each other and neither side is listening. Look at my comments about a House Divided and another American Civil War...

True!

pwd72s · 07-29-2006, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tabs
Why PWD you READ what I what I post????? Does this mean I am no longer on your Ignore List..... (sniff sniff I think I'm gona cry if its so!).

I guess you didn't read my post...Both you and CC are off my ignore lists, meaning I no longer have an ignore list. The love you both have for your pets was my deciding factor.

tabs · 07-29-2006, 11:26 AM

I didn't read your post cause your on my.......naw thats never been true...I never had an ignore list...

tabs · 07-29-2006, 11:29 AM

Actually under the "Greatest Leader" Thread I thought of putting down Genghis Khan .....but U beat me to it.

widgeon13 · 07-29-2006, 11:40 AM

Most of the shlt comes from a small number of people, it always seems to be the same *********s whether it's political BS or arguing about the price on an item posted for sale. I find myself not responding to there comments although that was not my initial attitude.

I don't know what the solution is other than to just ignore this samll number of people. Actually someone mentioned a troll BB section, when something gets out of control just move the thread over there and the rest of us don't have to wade through the crap. If you want to get into it with someone on a particular subject then you have to specifically go to that area of the BB.

The troublemakers know who they are and I would expect they get great satisfaction in having that label so I don't expect they will change their attitude.