the degeneration of a forum

[Labyrinth]

Here's a genius idea for all the people who complain about there being low content threads:

Write and post better ones instead of expending time and creativity in meta-threads such as this.

[sub]This has been an Escapist Public Service Announcement.[/sub]

 

[theklng]

I agree, but I'd like to amend your statement. You're right that it's a reflection of the world, but if you were to stand in front of someone, unless you're a very bold or very rude purrson you wouldn't tell them, "You're just a liberal commie bastard you fucking asstard ******! Your mother sucks donkey cocks at the walmart and you're going to burn in hell!". In the real world, even the most disgusting of us realise and apply some level of decency when dealing with other people. But on the internet, where we can hide behind the veil of anenemity(sp?), all bets are off. Say whatever you want without fear of consequence. There will be no reprimands, no punishments, and obviously where in the first senerio whoever you're talking to can wind up and hit you so hard they knock you into next weeks dentist appointment, behind the screen, there is nothing to threaten you. So people forget they then need to be mature and reasonable, and from there they start to pick fights and act out, and when they stop thinking, then they start posting things like "Hey, what did you eat for breakfast today?" because there's been no need to show anything more than that.

Rereading all that, it feels a little convoluted, but I think I got my point across.

no, it does get the point across. splitting the text up wouldn't hurt, but it works nonetheless.

there are of course two sides to that point. on one hand, you get a large portion of people exploiting it to vent their frustration or are otherwise malcontent. but on the other, you get to reach out to people in the furthest corners of the world (and in the furthest corners of their minds; some people are very introverted and wouldn't speak up, whereas the internet is a perfect place for them to put out their own knowledge); and these may have crucial knowledge in a specific field that could catalyze science, technology or otherwise and bring us one step closer to whatever it is we're searching for.

i of course agree with your statement. i think you meant to say what i meant to say with the second part of the statement; that it is a reflection of the thoughts of the average cosmopolitan.

 

[Labyrinth]

I'm re-opening this but fair warning that if I continue to see more flames I'll be locking it.

 

[Nigh Invulnerable]

Let me tell you something, this website is home to one of the most intellectually driven set of forums on the internet. I have yet to find even a single forum on any other site that can compete with the content of this site.

may i ask what general group of users you fall into? are you just a "gamer" or do you have a more specific circle of interest on the internet?

me being a programmer as well as a designer i have seen much better forums out there; but with a much smaller populace. the escapist forums are huge in comparison, but the amount of quality over the years has gone down.

I'm a member of precisely 3 forums. The Escapist (obviously), Enworld (D&D related), and Revolver magazine. Of the three, I'd have to rank the level of intelligent discussion here as the lowest. Perhaps it's just the nature of each forum to attract a certain audience/age group, but I think the Escapist has a much bigger group of youngsters than the other forums I'm on. Basically, King, you're hanging around a bunch of middle-schoolers and high school kids (mostly) and then complaining that they don't know anything about Jungian psychology or whatnot. What do you expect?

 

[Nigh Invulnerable]

Here's a genius idea for all the people who complain about there being low content threads:

Write and post better ones instead of expending time and creativity in meta-threads such as this.

[sub]This has been an Escapist Public Service Announcement.[/sub]

Huzzah for a mod summarizing my feelings in a concise and civil, if somewhat sarcastic manner! Sometimes meta-thought is useful, but it's also a good way to get a case of rectal-cranial inversion.

 

[theklng]

Perhaps it's just the nature of each forum to attract a certain audience/age group, but I think the Escapist has a much bigger group of youngsters than the other forums I'm on. Basically, King, you're hanging around a bunch of middle-schoolers and high school kids (mostly) and then complaining that they don't know anything about Jungian psychology or whatnot. What do you expect?

i'm not sure age demographic has as large an impact as interest demographic really, although i don't argue that most of people here are in their teens. and while it's true that i shouldn't expect too much from people, it shouldn't hurt to try. after all, these people aren't your average high school material - they're the geeks (albeit the geek stereotype has become much more commonplace these days). based on that stereotype, it should be enough grounds to gather more intelligent discussion... at least in theory.

snip

i generally don't reply to threads i don't find i can contribute to on an understanding level - that is, i don't contribute if i don't have a moral or lesson in my statement. granted it might wrapped in humor or sarcasm, but it's a lesson nonetheless.

what i don't get is how e.g. some of the posters in this thread get to flame, troll or otherwise derail threads that at least have some potential for growth. the resulting flaming gets the thread locked, the time put into creating said threads is wasted and humanity goes a step back in the everyday evolution.

it's an interesting aspect viewing meaningless posts for the sake of relaxation. admittedly it doesn't work for me (it makes my blood boil); however, in order satisfy my curiosity i'll have to ask you elaborate on the process that goes through in your mind.

also (and this goes for everyone), please stop using "it's the internet" as a valid excuse for any concession about low-intelligence, malevolent exploiting of people or other malcontent. if we take the statement that the internet is the reflection of the thoughts of people, we should find the same amount of intelligence, the same amount of bad behavior etc. as we do in the real world. it's a sort of prejudice really, thinking that every person on the internet has malicious intent.

on a side note, i am glad that the moderators took my appeal to reopen the thread as i think it could blossom into something more meaningful than "what is your favorite x". or at least it would be nice with a change from the monotony of current threads and threads to potentially come.

I find it interesting that so many people seem to feel insulted at the OP. It isn't as if he is calling anyone out by name. The reactions of some show me the attitudes they have to the forum. I don't know, it's just interesting, is all.

i don't get it either. apparently if you create a thread for the suggestions of betterment of a forum and call out what the problem is, the problem's creators might come around and badmouth you just for the sake of it. it wouldn't be half as bad if they just had some reasoning behind what they said.

 

[theklng]

It's been this way for awhile, it annoys me as much as it does the OP, but I think the Escapist mods have decided to go ahead and allow a bit of monotonous, pointless threads on the grounds that they figure a popular forum is better than an intelligent one.

Just like the plight of gaming these days.

*cough* Sorry, did I just say something?

these were my sentiments exactly. my question is then, why not have both? wouldn't it technically be a win/win situation in that you could attract more people to the site as well as have a place for different sorts of people? like it has already been suggested, a serious discussion forum would in no way harm anyone.

 

[similar.squirrel]

There has been a marked decrease in actual discussion threads, but I think it's cyclical. People will eventually get bored and start to posit their ideas again.
I don't mind either way. Reading about others' problems and/or hygiene habits makes me feel slightly better about my life.

 

[The Rockerfly]

Yes, yes, yes everything is getting worse and worse, ohes noes
Look if you think that threads these days are stupid, change them
Don't whinge and ***** on how shit it is
Either that or stop letting nostalgia control your hands on the keyboard

 

[theklng]

Yes, yes, yes everything is getting worse and worse, ohes noes
Look if you think that threads these days are stupid, change them
Don't whinge and ***** on how shit it is
Either that or stop letting nostalgia control your hands on the keyboard

don't reply if you don't have anything constructive to say. i don't "whinge and *****". read the goddamn posts following op instead of just crying out some random derogatory statement just because you don't like what is being said.

So you're making a place for people to post ideas that don't fit into any thread but are good enough to deserve being said?
Why don't they just make a thread?
Sounds like you're milking for replies.

i was trying to make a spot where people could discuss more serious matter without being jumped and judged by people for saying their opinion. i was trying to create an environment where people could come off as more educated and speak up on issues more important issues instead of just always asking about your favorite item.

and what is this, "milking for replies"? i thought you created threads in order to get input from other users. if you by "milking" mean that, then yes i am "milking for replies".

You know Necroswan got baned for something very much like this, tread carefuly when insulting the community, but lets get on topic.

You complain that the forums getting worse yet you don't even bother to capitalize properly, if you really think things are getting worse then use the report button and try to be better yourself, thats what I do. Like Fire Daemon said, simply saying there is a problem doesn't solve anything.

i didn't insult anyone!

and how is grammar the root of all evil in this context? i'm talking about content; semantic not syntax. grammar was never the problem, and i never stated that.

the problem is that this kind of "getting worse" isn't something the moderators can amend, since it's not something that is against forum regulations per se. it's a degeneration of topics, and content in those topics. had you read the thread, you would see that i (as well as a few others) have suggested some constructive feedback. like the creation of a serious discussion forum contra the off-topic forum. that way no people would encroach on each other's turf, there wouldn't be threads like these and everybody's happy.

it isn't complaining, it's raising awareness of something that is a problem. if i am "complaining", then environmental activists are "complaining" about the environment. i am asking people suggest actions to take and help solve something that you cannot solve alone.

 

[The Rockerfly]

Yes, yes, yes everything is getting worse and worse, ohes noes
Look if you think that threads these days are stupid, change them
Don't whinge and ***** on how shit it is
Either that or stop letting nostalgia control your hands on the keyboard

don't reply if you don't have anything constructive to say. i don't "whinge and *****". read the goddamn posts following op instead of just crying out some random derogatory statement just because you don't like what is being said.

So you're making a place for people to post ideas that don't fit into any thread but are good enough to deserve being said?
Why don't they just make a thread?
Sounds like you're milking for replies.

i was trying to make a spot where people could discuss more serious matter without being jumped and judged by people for saying their opinion. i was trying to create an environment where people could come off as more educated and speak up on issues more important issues instead of just always asking about your favorite item.

and what is this, "milking for replies"? i thought you created threads in order to get input from other users. if you by "milking" mean that, then yes i am "milking for replies".

You know Necroswan got baned for something very much like this, tread carefuly when insulting the community, but lets get on topic.

You complain that the forums getting worse yet you don't even bother to capitalize properly, if you really think things are getting worse then use the report button and try to be better yourself, thats what I do. Like Fire Daemon said, simply saying there is a problem doesn't solve anything.

i didn't insult anyone!

and how is grammar the root of all evil in this context? i'm talking about content; semantic not syntax. grammar was never the problem, and i never stated that.

the problem is that this kind of "getting worse" isn't something the moderators can amend, since it's not something that is against forum regulations per se. it's a degeneration of topics, and content in those topics. had you read the thread, you would see that i (as well as a few others) have suggested some constructive feedback. like the creation of a serious discussion forum contra the off-topic forum. that way no people would encroach on each other's turf, there wouldn't be threads like these and everybody's happy.

it isn't complaining, it's raising awareness of something that is a problem. if i am "complaining", then environmental activists are "complaining" about the environment. i am asking people suggest actions to take and help solve something that you cannot solve alone.

Yeah I did have something constructive to say, lots of people have been here a hell of a lot longer and they aren't complaining
Theres nothing really to not like about what you said, there are just so many flaws. For example, "why don't you create better topics oh high and mighty", "It's just nostalgia talking" and finally "Do you have any proof that it's going downhill"
Yeah and there are a lot of good topics too, theres always been lots of bad topics, chances are you are going through some bad threads lately
You are complaing even if you are trying to raise awareness at the same time
Now listen to what other people are saying, including people who have been here for longer, mods and people with reasons to their opinion and not just say "It's getting worse"

 

[Shoto Koto]

XKCD on social decline

http://www.xkcd.com/603/

Yes... If you really are that annoyed about it you wouldn't be here would you? If you're so much better than the rest of us it's no-one else's responsibility to change how things are but YOURS. As goes for anyone else who is unhappy with the way things are. Just try not to drag the rest of us down with you whilst you try, and lets face it probably fail, to change things.

 

[SamuelT]

I can see the point you're making, but having a massive discussion about the heavy subjects is a good way to get a lot of strife in the community. The 'informal' threads are there to get to know the person behind the username. Granted, there are a massive amount of them, but that isn't per sé a bad thing.

And there aren't that many subjects to have a meaningful and edjucative message without having a very limited audience. A topic on quantum physics and their relation to bigger things aren't that light a read. (I'm sure I'll be wrong and that many Escapists will know everything of Quantum Mechanics.)

I'd say look up the subjects that interest you and leave the rest to their own preferences. The entire community picks its interests and everyone's happy. (Or as much as possible)

 

[Knight Templar]

You know Necroswan got baned for something very much like this, tread carefuly when insulting the community, but lets get on topic.

You complain that the forums getting worse yet you don't even bother to capitalize properly, if you really think things are getting worse then use the report button and try to be better yourself, thats what I do. Like Fire Daemon said, simply saying there is a problem doesn't solve anything.

how is grammar the root of all evil in this context? i'm talking about content; semantic not syntax. grammar was never the problem, and i never stated that.

My point was that if you wish this forum to become better then you should become better. You don't even bother to press shift yet you wish to tell others how to act, don't you see that as a bit wrong?
Maybe that's why everybody is getting this "High Horse" impression.

 

[theklng]

My point was that if you wish this forum to become better then you should become better. You don't even bother to press shift yet you wish to tell others how to act, don't you see that as a bit wrong?
Maybe that's why everybody is getting this "High Horse" impression.

i don't think a grammatically correct forum is better, nor did i state that. if it were for me, i'd not care how people typed. i don't wish to tell people how to act either, i want those few that are able to have proper discussions to show them here; not judge them on their spelling ability.

you couldn't miss the point more even if you tried.

 

[Markness]

So the community is stupid because they cannot come up with topics, and you feel this needs to be brought to our attention but you do not make valuable topics?

Hypocrisy!

The accusation is invalid as the former portion of your first sentence is incorrect.

What this community needs is less what is your favourite x and they pop up, and failing that, less people posting on them. The reason the intelligent threads don't stick around is because they are quickly drowned out by the other stupid threads that get 10 posts a minute by people merely listing their favourite foods as if anyone cares.

Note: If something doesn't put me down quickly I'm going to start some kind of petition thread.