Why the hate?

[thedungeondelver]

I'm inspired to think of an old SNL skit from the early '90s with Damon Wayans being interviewed by Nora Dunn - she doing a sort of pre "The View" one-woman talkshow hostess, and he as Louis Farrakan.

"People say the Nation of Islam are hatemongers. That we promogulate hatred of other races and present a hateful attitude. Nothing could be further from the truth. And I hate that."

 

[Graf]

If people post on the boards then they are giving up a lot of more normal activies.
I.e. you're basically fairly intense about the game if you post here.

PLUS
Generally people aren't analytical. They have an opinion they come here to get affirmation. Of course someone else doesn't have that opinion; often one or both parties can't think do much logical thinking.
So you see lots of circular arguements, people repeating themselves, people restating the other person's arguement into something it wasn't so they can "win".

The inclivity is a fundimental side effect of the sort of people the internet attracts.

In the aggrigate you'll have lots of people who are poorly adjusted in real life and seeking to vent their frustrations; this is, of course, much healthier than other alternatives. But it can make the boards a bit odd from time to time. Especially if someone with negativity to burn latches on to a thread you're participating in.

 

[haakon1]

For the most part this is one of the most polite message boards anywhere!!

I concur. Would you like some tea, sir?

 

[BroccoliRage]

If people post on the boards then they are giving up a lot of more normal activies.
I.e. you're basically fairly intense about the game if you post here.

PLUS
Generally people aren't analytical. They have an opinion they come here to get affirmation. Of course someone else doesn't have that opinion; often one or both parties can't think do much logical thinking.
So you see lots of circular arguements, people repeating themselves, people restating the other person's arguement into something it wasn't so they can "win".

The inclivity is a fundimental side effect of the sort of people the internet attracts.

In the aggrigate you'll have lots of people who are poorly adjusted in real life and seeking to vent their frustrations; this is, of course, much healthier than other alternatives. But it can make the boards a bit odd from time to time. Especially if someone with negativity to burn latches on to a thread you're participating in.

Bravo! Well written, and stating my opinions, indeed. The only part I disagree with is 'giving up normal activities'. I'm sure lots of folks have extra curricular activities they attend, and still post here. This may be my own inference, but an implication of that part of your post seemed to imply that everyone here lacked a social life. If that's my own inference, I apologize. I'm not trying to put words in your mouth, here.

Basically, during the winter, my internet activity spikes. Once summer comes along, I'm out enjoying life. I start school this fall, too. MY gaming tends to fal off a little, too, as noone is really interested in going outside to drive anywhere. The winter is my writing/netsurfing/beer season. I'm probably not alone in this.

But otherwise, I agree with everything you said, entirely.

 

[thedungeondelver]

I concur. Would you like some tea, sir?

Blarrr! Tea is overhyped leaf-steeped crap! Hot water is still loved by all people who drink hot beverages!

 

[BroccoliRage]

Blarrr! Tea is overhyped leaf-steeped crap! Hot water is still loved by all people who drink hot beverages!

Hot water is the one true beverage, newbie pissants!!!!

 

[thedungeondelver]

Hot water is the one true beverage, newbie pissants!!!!

my hat of tea for 2 know no limit

 

[BroccoliRage]

my hat of tea for 2 know no limit

I remember when that quote originated here, I laughed so hard. It's interesting to see that the comedy of it has survived for almost a year now

Hot water no know limit!

 

[Treebore]

I haven't really seen "hate" on these boards. That is far too strong a word. I think if we help each other to control ourselves we'll find these boards even better.

So when we see people "losing it", instead of jumping in and insult them further, just post "Hey guys, your losing it. Take some time off, take some deep breathes, cool down. Come back when your confident that you can have a discussion rather than a fight. Fighting is not what these boards, or our hobby, is about."

I mean we are all here because we love this game, irregardless of edition we all play some variant of D&D, and I would think we do it for fun. So why come here and lose our tempers and get ticked off?

I have been guilty of it in the past. I have been making a concerted effort to remember we all love this game, and just because we differ in our opinions about which rules work or not, doesn't change the fundamental fact we all love playing this particular RPG.

So why should I be angry with anyone?

So that is why I try my best to avoid "arguing". I actually find it more of a challenge to debate, which is formallized arguing with manners required.

So maybe more of us should adopt my rule of debate. If I am getting the point I wouldn't be willing to sit down with the people I am debating with and share a meal at the next GenCon, then I need to back out of the argument. So I do. I'll go a day or two without posting in that particular thread until I am confident I can go back to it and be civil.

I think we should start policing ourselves and help each other to do that. If people get so hung up on arguing that they can't stop, even when asked, then the mods can step in and ban them for a while. Force them to calm down and learn to be civil. If they can't learn, then they get banned.

This may be a 3E board, but that doesn't mean we should exclude people who play another edition or iteration. The uniting "force" of this board, and any D&D board, is our love for the game. Not the incarnation of it that we play.

 

[BroccoliRage]

I haven't really seen "hate" on these boards. That is far too strong a word. I think if we help each other to control ourselves we'll find these boards even better.

So when we see people "losing it", instead of jumping in and insult them further, just post "Hey guys, your losing it. Take some time off, take some deep breathes, cool down. Come back when your confident that you can have a discussion rather than a fight. Fighting is not what these boards, or our hobby, is about."

I mean we are all here because we love this game, irregardless of edition we all play some variant of D&D, and I would think we do it for fun. So why come here and lose our tempers and get ticked off?

I have been guilty of it in the past. I have been making a concerted effort to remember we all love this game, and just because we differ in our opinions about which rules work or not, doesn't change the fundamental fact we all love playing this particular RPG.

So why should I be angry with anyone?

So that is why I try my best to avoid "arguing". I actually find it more of a challenge to debate, which is formallized arguing with manners required.

So maybe more of us should adopt my rule of debate. If I am getting the point I wouldn't be willing to sit down with the people I am debating with and share a meal at the next GenCon, then I need to back out of the argument. So I do. I'll go a day or two without posting in that particular thread until I am confident I can go back to it and be civil.

I think we should start policing ourselves and help each other to do that. If people get so hung up on arguing that they can't stop, even when asked, then the mods can step in and ban them for a while. Force them to calm down and learn to be civil. If they can't learn, then they get banned.

This may be a 3E board, but that doesn't mean we should exclude people who play another edition or iteration. The uniting "force" of this board, and any D&D board, is our love for the game. Not the incarnation of it that we play.

hmmm. also valid.