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I am not dismissing any group of people as drama queens.
However, I am saying SOME individuals have reacted as drama queens, and I think it's disingenuous to deny that. And, I am saying there should be some relatively POLITE means of exerting peer pressure on those folks to try and tone it down, aside from the mods.
Pretty much, if you feel the need to get bent out of shape ("politely" or otherwise) about other people getting bent out of shape, then you're doing it wrong.
Where's the bent out of shape? Unless you think complaining about the term "nerd rage" was itself getting bent out of shape?
The board is having trouble right now. The edition wars have not gone away, and a lot of people say they just don't like the atmosphere around here anymore because of it. And yeah, I can back up that "a lot of people". Check out all the threads on CircvsMaximvs of people leaving because they just don't have the time to filter through all the noise.
The mods can only do so much. If a few individuals are a common source of the negative atmosphere due to frequent overreaction, but they are not technically breaking the rules, shouldn't peer pressure be an acceptable means of dealing with them?
The peer pressure isn't out of some extreme exaggerated emotion. Nor am I saying it should be done right away, or always. I just think it should be allowed sometimes when it is appropriate, because it can be helpful.
Where's the bent out of shape? Unless you think complaining about the term "nerd rage" was itself getting bent out of shape?
The board is having trouble right now. The edition wars have not gone away, and a lot of people say they just don't like the atmosphere around here anymore because of it.
Dude. Relax. It's not worth getting all worked up over this. Take a deep breath.
If the moderators feel a particular word is a source of trouble they can certainly decide to remove it from those allowable on these boards, just like they outlawed the rolly-eyes smiley. Whatever makes their jobs easier.
And your idea of sanctioning vigilantism seems like it would cause even more cliquishness and problems for moderators. That's just silly and a step in the wrong direction.
You'd better hope not. You'd have to give up your tierra.
Did I do that right, Sweetheart?
Utterly uncalled for - AND you spelled tiara wrong.
Please either contribute, or find something else you're interested in. Insults, from anyone, aren't okay.
__________________ - Piratecat, EN World Admin
Currently editing the 4e War of the Burning Sky adventure path. Support EN Publishing, get excellent modules!
Dude. Relax. It's not worth getting all worked up over this. Take a deep breath.
I am not all worked up about it, and I am relaxed. If there is anything in what I have written that implies I am frantic over this issue, please quote it. We're just talking here.
__________________ - Piratecat, EN World Admin
Currently editing the 4e War of the Burning Sky adventure path. Support EN Publishing, get excellent modules!
For what is worth, I also strongly dislike the term "nerd rage". As the OP stated it's quite simply a derogatory term for those who disagree with something that the user is fine with.
The term "nerd rage" is, IMHO, far less offensive than overt put-downs such as "videogamey," "roll-playing," et al. Before we worry about making the term "nerd rage" verboten, we probably need to take a look at more caustic, overt, insults.
The term "nerd rage" is, IMHO, far less offensive than overt put-downs such as "videogamey," "roll-playing," et al. Before we worry about making the term "nerd rage" verboten, we probably need to take a look at more caustic, overt, insults.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric Anondson
I'm fine with nerd rage as a term. It works just fine, and alone doesn't rise to flame baiting status.
Still, the use of "nerd rage" examined in certain tone and context I have seen easily rises to inappropriate flame baiting.
+1 on both of these.
There are, frankly, far more offensive terms bandied about on a regular basis, and the use of those terms is judged case by case.
If we want "nerd rage" to be a flag that says, "Hey, mods, take a closer look," that's fine. But I think preemptive banning of said phrase is not only inappropriate, but should frankly be far lower down the priority list than many other common idioms.
__________________ Ari Marmell
aka
Mouseferatu
--Rodent of the Dark
Give me a way of concisely expressing my distaste for overly emotional exaggerated reactions to WOTC actions. I don't care if the term is nerd rage or something else. But I should be able to, along with others, use relatively polite but clear and firm written public peer pressure to try and persuade people to stop behaving like drama queens every time someone at WOTC does something different from what they did the day before.
Isnt the point of these type of forums to allow an outlet for that type of drama? To enjoy finding others who reinforce our personal preferences, and lock horns with "the other side" ? It seems childish to take "nerd rage" as a serious inflammatory slight. Baiting people is an effective means of hiding a weak argument, and most of us can do it without resorting to popular phrases. But Nerd Rage as a serious inflammatory term? Come on! I mean really, folks, if for no other reason than that I post on a PNP RPG forum, Every time I rage it is by nature Nerd Rage! Cruelty, meanness, or deliberate stomping on feelings is lame and worthy of censorship.
I do not think that "Nerd Rage" is inherently inflammatory. It has a place in reasonable, respectful conversation.
"Nerd rage" doesn't particularly bother me, and I don't think we're going to ban it. Mind you, it can be used as a directed insult - "It's fun watching you overreact. Look at your nerd rage!" - and we have no patience for that sort of thing. But overall, don't expect it to disappear.
__________________ - Piratecat, EN World Admin
Currently editing the 4e War of the Burning Sky adventure path. Support EN Publishing, get excellent modules!
The term "nerd rage" is, IMHO, far less offensive than overt put-downs such as "videogamey," "roll-playing," et al. Before we worry about making the term "nerd rage" verboten, we probably need to take a look at more caustic, overt, insults.
Well, to be fair, it's not like that I like any of those terms...
But, on the other hand, much of what we have to moderate is, in fact, people being disrespectful and/or undiplomatic.
The difference between something being derisive or not is a matter of degree and context. I would be hard pressed to imagine a use of "nerdrage" to describe the behavior of another poster such that it was not either derisive or dismissive and personal.
So, how exactly are we supposed to criticise a point of view or opinion if the very act of criticizing a point of view or opinion is derisive or undiplomatic?
And quite frankly, I do think that some views should receive derision. An attitude of "all viewpoints are equal and should be respected" is all well and good - until someone comes along and says, "The earth is flat," with complete conviction.
So, how exactly are we supposed to criticise a point of view or opinion if the very act of criticizing a point of view or opinion is derisive or undiplomatic?
True critique and critical analysis can be done without being derisive or undiplomatic. Many folks simply fail to put in the small amount of extra work required.
Quote:
And quite frankly, I do think that some views should receive derision.
Whether or not a view "deserves" it is not material. Derision is simply a lousy tool for these environs.
You see, derision is an emotional tactic, an implicit assertion of authority - intimidation, bullying. Derision basically says, "I am more important than you, so I will make you feel bad, and you will stop saying such things."
On the internet, it is very difficult to intimidate someone into shutting up. If the target does not recognize your authority, you fail, and typically polarize the conflict further, rather than resolve it. It turns a rational discussion into a contest of egos.
So, not only is it a weak rhetorical tactic in general, but it tends to make arguments worse.
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