Incivility on the forums.

[MerricB]

Please see this thread:
http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=142875

Please look at Phoenix's and (especially) Waldorf's responses.

I spend a lot of time trying to find out things about what's coming up from Wizards and sharing it with the rest of you. I also like most of the products that Wizards make. Not all, but most.

More and more, I feel that this is a crime on ENworld.

I don't mind people disagreeing with me. I do mind it when people are rude, and that is happening more and more. Because I try to hold to the line of no personal attacks, I can't respond.

I am extremely frustrated by this.

Yours sincerely,
Merric Blackman

 

[Morrus]

Err, Merric, they're not referring to you! They're referring to the products.

 

[MerricB]

I know that, Morrus - but that's not how it comes across.

 

[Morrus]

Well, if you know it, surely it does come across that way. Otherwise, how would you know it?

Sorry - pedantry aside, I really don't think those people were, or intended to be, rude to you. They're merely expressing their opinion of the products. With luck, they'll see this thread and confirm that!

 

[IronWolf]

Hey Merric! I always appreciate the information you bring to the board about WotC, always much better than press releases and such with a more personal insight and touch. I wouldn't let either of those two people get you down, when I read the thread I only thought they were bored with the upcoming WotC products, by no means slamming you.

Some people just don't like the big company, whether it be in the RPG market, computer market, software market, retail market, etc. Anytime one posts in favor or information about any of those they are bound to see the anti-big company person post something in a thread echoing their feelings.

In either case, try not to miss the positive comments in the threads you start regarding WotC. You are our official optimist after all!

 

[MerricB]

I'm sure I'm frustrated at least partly because of other things that have happened; this was just the trigger for a (short) rant.

(oh, and Australia's dismal showing in the 2nd Ashes Test so far...)

See my reaction to Mercule's post, who does say "Meh!", but with a lot more actual content and commentary.

 

[Umbran]

Hm. Those were uncivil? Highly disagreeing, perhaps, but uncivil? Not one name called, or foul word, or questioning the intelligence (or parentage) of the speaker. While it's clear they don't agree, I don't see what wasn't civil about it.

But then, I grew up near New York City - where the state bird is a hand gesture.

 

[Poster Bard]

I am extremely frustrated by this.

Don't be.

 

[William Ronald]

Merric, don't let this drag you down. I did not see the comments as personal, but typical of something I see at a few other sites -- disdain. I think the disdain was for the products, not for you. Just remember that some people will never be satisfied.

Of course, people will have different opinions. However, I think Mercule's comments at least gave me some understanding of the reasoning behind his position as opposed to some other comments in the thread.

As for civility, I think that EN World sometimes suffers bouts of incivility every few months. I think we have to remember that when we post, that the person we disagree with is a human being like ourselves -- with distinct opinions, beliefs, and feelings. I believe that if you want respect, you should give it in turn. (I would argue that those who are uncivil lessen themselves, and do themselves a disservice by not considering the opinions of others. I have gained insights from many different sorts of gamers on these boards. So, I think that while everyone has a right to an opinion, an informed and articulate opinion at least helps me understand other people. As a corollary, I know of no one on these boards who should not be treated with the respect that I wish for myself. Maybe Waldorf and Phoenix have something important to say, but failed to fully articulate their opinion.)

 

[diaglo]

yeah, i think Waldorf and Phoenix basically don't see anything in the new products which would interest them.

it is a comment just like any of the other ones. positive or negative. i don't think they are directed at you personally MerricB