A Plea to Long Time, Level-Headed Members Who Still Post Here

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Also, OT seems to be a place where newcomers are not welcomed, because they're not a part of the established "in" clique, no man.

Take one look at the very recent Paul phenomenon and tell me that's true.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

... the handful of posters who've made it less enjoyable to have reasonable discussions ...

Which of these responses (see below) is less conducive to the continuation of a 'reasonable discussion'?

RESPONSE 1

How so?

The courts are right on this.

RESPONSE 2

Please do explain, I'm up for a good laugh.

The courts are right on this.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Which of these responses (see below) is less conducive to the continuation of a 'reasonable discussion'?

RESPONSE 1

RESPONSE 2

The second response.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

The second response.

Responses like that are very common and always have been. Do you think responses like that should be against TOS?

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Responses like that are very common and always have been. Do you think responses like that should be against TOS?

No its not.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

No its not.

Responses like that aren't common?

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Responses like that aren't common?

Sorry, I meant its not really breaking the TOS. It is of course unnecessary.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Sorry, I meant its not really breaking the TOS. It is of course unnecessary.

I didn't say it is in violation of TOS. I asked Steven if he thinks it ought to be.

As for unnecessary, yes. But I can't think of a single regular OT poster who isn't guilty of a similar response at one time or another.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Responses like that are very common and always have been. Do you think responses like that should be against TOS?

No. My issue here is that there is so much antagonism that bleeds from one thread into the next and there are some who habitually antagonize or harass other members while adding nothing to the discussion, often times without any provocation other than one member doesn't like the other. Although I've learned to deal with it, it has driven away a lot members who have less tolerance for such juvenile behavior.

[chri'stina 190]

Thinking back 3 years ago, I am pretty sure OT was similar as to today. The differences might be which members were posting more. Some are still the same, some are different. Certain members really bugged me back then, and either they are gone and new people have filled their places or the same are here. I also have liked certain members the whole time too. If I think back like 6 years ago when I first joined, I waited awhile before going into OT because I found it slightly intimidating. Not because of politics and debates, but because the people there seemed to already be getting to know each other so well and I didn't know them at all. I warmed up to it eventually. I have been debating topics on VJ since probably the fall of 2004 - so that was there back then too. I remember the threads after Bush was reelected, lots of anger and lots of bickering between members(hey I was probably included in the bickering since I voted for him and was tired of reading the whining hehehe).

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

No. My issue here is that there is so much antagonism that bleeds from one thread into the next and there are some who habitually antagonize or harass other members while adding nothing to the discussion, often times without any provocation other than one member doesn't like the other. Although I've learned to deal with it, it has driven away a lot members who have less tolerance for such juvenile behavior.

When you have a bunch of people who hold each other in such utter contempt, that's going to happen. I don't see how you get around it.

After all, what is "Please do explain, I'm up for a good laugh.", if not a demonstration of absolute contempt for the other posters opinion?

When you have this level of contempt for fellow posters, you're not going to be 'level headed' with them because in your mind you don't believe they deserve it.

I find many current posters on OT quite contemptible myself, and I honestly don't believe I could ever be 'level headed' with them. And I'm not the only one.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

When you have a bunch of people who hold each other in such utter contempt, that's going to happen. I don't see how you get around it.

After all, what is "Please do explain, I'm up for a good laugh.", if not a demonstration of absolute contempt for the other posters opinion?

When you have this level of contempt for fellow posters, you're not going to be 'level headed' with them because in your mind you don't believe they deserve it.

I find many current posters on OT quite contemptible myself, and I honestly don't believe I could ever be 'level headed' with them. And I'm not the only one.

Its understandable to let emotions get the best of us sometimes, but shouldn't we try to always return to a neutral level headedness?

[chri'stina 190]

Its understandable to let emotions get the best of us sometimes, but shouldn't we try to always return to a neutral level headedness?

Right. But I think some people aren't capable of doing that, or even want to do that, and they begin to grate on others until they ruin their chances of getting any respect. Imo.

[ValerieA 350]

Its understandable to let emotions get the best of us sometimes, but shouldn't we try to always return to a neutral level headedness?

There are a number of posters in OT that don't know or care about the rules of debate.

[john_and_marlene 162]

Steven,

People move on from VJ, that is a proven fact. I have not personally seen evidence of a departure to the upper threads, only VJ departures. Either way, OT is what it is. Some choose to participate and some don't....

Anyway, I wish you the best.

William.

First, I am my own evidence of departure to the upper threads--a long long time ago.

Second, what effort was extended to prove the "fact" of migration from VJ rather than a retreat from the OT forum?

You now have seen evidence of at least one departure to the upper threads vs. moving on from VJ.

However, if the demeanor from OT continues to spill over into the upper forums, I may depart. Can I then call it a "proven fact" that even departures are because of the loss of control from OT?

Edited May 24, 2010 by john_and_marlene