Someone recently said that arguments weren't allowed on the Escapist. That person was me, because I needed to start this guide.
Arguments on the Escapist are different from those on something like GameFAQs because on GameFAQs you only get modded for saying Fuck, but any kind of fit of screaming rage directed at another user is fine. Here, the rule are reversed, we can swear as much as we fucking goddamn want, *****, but personal attacks are a no-no.
[HEADING=3]But how do discuss things without personal attacks? I won my lawsuit by comparing the Laundromat owner to Hitler and I got into the debate club when I bit a kids ear off to show him how awesome MW2 is![/HEADING] But you see, the people you attack and insult don't appreciate it. Even though you may have "won", you still overreacted, it's like being proud of yourself for winning a race after you sabotaged all the other cars. And it was a charity race, you heartless bastard.
Anyway, if someone holds a different opinion then you, find out why. Maybe they have different preferences, maybe they were on a budget, maybe they actually are phenomenally stupid and you have a golden opportunity to correct them. Regardless, do so politely. Express your views as your opinion, rather than absolute fact. Learn to use "I like x because..." and "I think blah blah..." so as not to present your statement as fact. People argue about facts, and make up conspiracies about them. Example: the Moon landing.
[HEADING=3]HALP! SOMEONE ACTUALLY DID CALL ME A DUMBASS! [/HEADING] Okay, first, look at they're post, were they joking/being sarcastic? Was there a chance of that? Because if you respond, you have to make sure they can't pull the "I was being sarcastic" card, it makes them win.
Okay, you checked, they weren't making a joke. Now, look at your post, were you, honestly, being a dumbass? Or was there a way they could misread it to make it seem like so? It was unnecessary on their part to call you that, but you may have needed it. Tell them why you thought that, ask them to not call you a dumbass (politely), and call the whole thing off. Maybe even befriend them.
If there was a way to misinterpret your post, figure out if they did so, and quietly correct them. Don't flat out say it, insinuate they may have misread it, and hope they do so. Also, before you do anything, wait twenty minutes and refresh the page, in case they realized the mistake and edited their post.
But if you posted something totally innocuous, like "I have a black lab and a puggle. Ah, Puggle, it's so fun to say." and they called you out on that, saying puggles are devilspawn and such (and calling you a dumbass), don't respond. Those remarks are uncalled for, and that person is a jerk (or troll). Hit the report button on the bottom left (it's the red, in case you forgot your directions) of their post, and watch the mods magically banhammer the shit out of them. This stage is best done with popcorn, or cheetos.
[HEADING=3]The mods gave me attention! Wait, that's a bad thing, how do I take the fight to these assholes! [/HEADING] Simmer down there, sample question writer! The mods, much like police, are good people, but mods are much more Norse influenced. Not only do they investigate reported trollings, they also peruse the forums, looking for any other offenders. They don't play favorites, members with thousands of posts have been banned, so don't think you're hot shit (ew) because you have a Neo badge. That said, you get warnings before any kind of action is taken, and even then the first step is a probation, referred to as being "probed" by me. This is a mark of shame.
Suspension means you can't post for a while, and banning means you get your head hung on a pike for the others to see. If you see someone was banned for a seemingly innocent post, they may have said something in chat, or just been an overall jackass, and the mods banned them for that. The banning will then be attributed to their most recent post, regardless of what it was. Or something like that.
Now, most of the mods are human, and something like 30% of text is misunderstood on the internet because you can't show your tone as easily. If you feel your rant on the decline of Carebears since the death of Snugglebunny was moderated undeservedly, then you may PM a mod (who there is a list of somewhere). (Posting Guidelines [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.116827-These-forums-and-you-Forum-Posting-Guidelines].) -Mod Also, when you get modded a message is sent to you, and that has a link to where you can explain your position. Be civil, the mods work very hard at troll killing.
The Community Manager, [user]Kuliani[/user], is the best person to PM when you have questions of this sort. Or the contact page listed on the system message, which is found here [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/contact/]. -Mod
[HEADING=3] That's all nice, but I want to know some argument tactics, I want to win![/HEADING]
Okay, first, there is no winning on the internet, becauseI said so, damnit! everyone has different opinions, and many have them for irrational reasons. Get that in your head, you can't win, even if you don't play. You can lose, however. All you really can do to prevent that is don't be an idiot, present your argument calmly, and when it's all over, befriend everyone to eradicate hard feelings. And I don't have time to teach you all I know about arguing about things.
[HEADING=3]But what are some good insults? [/HEADING] Insults are bad, the only point they prove is that you're an asshat, and they always hurt the victim. Specifically avoid rascist or stereotyping insults.
[HEADING=3]Huh, can you have a segment where you quickly go over the basics and have a few final things to say?[/HEADING] Indeed I can, sample question writer! It's like you read my mind...
If you want to reply to someone, use the quote button on the bottom right of the post that needs a reply. Don't say "I think SirMuffinface has the right idea" without quoting him, as then Muffin Face is informed, and can read what you wrote and respond in kind if need be.
If you need to answer someone's question in private, click on their name and then click Private message, it sends them a private message. This doesn't mean you can bully people with it, as they can still report you.
[HEADING=3]If you have suggestions for more sections, or other improvements, tell me.[/HEADING].
Watch your place, sample question writer...
Arguments on the Escapist are different from those on something like GameFAQs because on GameFAQs you only get modded for saying Fuck, but any kind of fit of screaming rage directed at another user is fine. Here, the rule are reversed, we can swear as much as we fucking goddamn want, *****, but personal attacks are a no-no.
[HEADING=3]But how do discuss things without personal attacks? I won my lawsuit by comparing the Laundromat owner to Hitler and I got into the debate club when I bit a kids ear off to show him how awesome MW2 is![/HEADING] But you see, the people you attack and insult don't appreciate it. Even though you may have "won", you still overreacted, it's like being proud of yourself for winning a race after you sabotaged all the other cars. And it was a charity race, you heartless bastard.
Anyway, if someone holds a different opinion then you, find out why. Maybe they have different preferences, maybe they were on a budget, maybe they actually are phenomenally stupid and you have a golden opportunity to correct them. Regardless, do so politely. Express your views as your opinion, rather than absolute fact. Learn to use "I like x because..." and "I think blah blah..." so as not to present your statement as fact. People argue about facts, and make up conspiracies about them. Example: the Moon landing.
[HEADING=3]HALP! SOMEONE ACTUALLY DID CALL ME A DUMBASS! [/HEADING] Okay, first, look at they're post, were they joking/being sarcastic? Was there a chance of that? Because if you respond, you have to make sure they can't pull the "I was being sarcastic" card, it makes them win.
Okay, you checked, they weren't making a joke. Now, look at your post, were you, honestly, being a dumbass? Or was there a way they could misread it to make it seem like so? It was unnecessary on their part to call you that, but you may have needed it. Tell them why you thought that, ask them to not call you a dumbass (politely), and call the whole thing off. Maybe even befriend them.
If there was a way to misinterpret your post, figure out if they did so, and quietly correct them. Don't flat out say it, insinuate they may have misread it, and hope they do so. Also, before you do anything, wait twenty minutes and refresh the page, in case they realized the mistake and edited their post.
But if you posted something totally innocuous, like "I have a black lab and a puggle. Ah, Puggle, it's so fun to say." and they called you out on that, saying puggles are devilspawn and such (and calling you a dumbass), don't respond. Those remarks are uncalled for, and that person is a jerk (or troll). Hit the report button on the bottom left (it's the red, in case you forgot your directions) of their post, and watch the mods magically banhammer the shit out of them. This stage is best done with popcorn, or cheetos.
[HEADING=3]The mods gave me attention! Wait, that's a bad thing, how do I take the fight to these assholes! [/HEADING] Simmer down there, sample question writer! The mods, much like police, are good people, but mods are much more Norse influenced. Not only do they investigate reported trollings, they also peruse the forums, looking for any other offenders. They don't play favorites, members with thousands of posts have been banned, so don't think you're hot shit (ew) because you have a Neo badge. That said, you get warnings before any kind of action is taken, and even then the first step is a probation, referred to as being "probed" by me. This is a mark of shame.
Suspension means you can't post for a while, and banning means you get your head hung on a pike for the others to see. If you see someone was banned for a seemingly innocent post, they may have said something in chat, or just been an overall jackass, and the mods banned them for that. The banning will then be attributed to their most recent post, regardless of what it was. Or something like that.
Now, most of the mods are human, and something like 30% of text is misunderstood on the internet because you can't show your tone as easily. If you feel your rant on the decline of Carebears since the death of Snugglebunny was moderated undeservedly, then you may PM a mod (who there is a list of somewhere). (Posting Guidelines [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.116827-These-forums-and-you-Forum-Posting-Guidelines].) -Mod Also, when you get modded a message is sent to you, and that has a link to where you can explain your position. Be civil, the mods work very hard at troll killing.
The Community Manager, [user]Kuliani[/user], is the best person to PM when you have questions of this sort. Or the contact page listed on the system message, which is found here [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/contact/]. -Mod
[HEADING=3] That's all nice, but I want to know some argument tactics, I want to win![/HEADING]
Okay, first, there is no winning on the internet, because
[HEADING=3]But what are some good insults? [/HEADING] Insults are bad, the only point they prove is that you're an asshat, and they always hurt the victim. Specifically avoid rascist or stereotyping insults.
This has become incredibly common on the internet, and it's kind of okay to say something you did was "retarded" as long as no one with mental handicap can hear you, using it in public or on someone else is NOT cool. I know people with severe mental issues, and it's debilitating for both them and their family. Many of these people work hard to get jobs and overcome their handicap, and their families are incredibly supportive, and they work very hard to help them.
The Special Olympics is one of the few places they can go and have fun without being ostracized for being weird, and the families have a chance to talk with others who struggle to support similarly functioning individuals. I know your a rebel for saying "Har har, winning at internet is like winning at special olympics, you still retarded", but be careful whose nearby.
The Special Olympics is one of the few places they can go and have fun without being ostracized for being weird, and the families have a chance to talk with others who struggle to support similarly functioning individuals. I know your a rebel for saying "Har har, winning at internet is like winning at special olympics, you still retarded", but be careful whose nearby.
[HEADING=3]Huh, can you have a segment where you quickly go over the basics and have a few final things to say?[/HEADING] Indeed I can, sample question writer! It's like you read my mind...
If you want to reply to someone, use the quote button on the bottom right of the post that needs a reply. Don't say "I think SirMuffinface has the right idea" without quoting him, as then Muffin Face is informed, and can read what you wrote and respond in kind if need be.
If you need to answer someone's question in private, click on their name and then click Private message, it sends them a private message. This doesn't mean you can bully people with it, as they can still report you.
[HEADING=3]If you have suggestions for more sections, or other improvements, tell me.[/HEADING].
Watch your place, sample question writer...
