Some words from a discouraged gamer
Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2004 2:40 pm
I'd like to say a few things about the state of the forum...
I'm well aware that eventually, this thread, like every other thread I've read, will be flamed, trolled, shoved off topic, and become just as ugly in the end.. But.. I'm going to say it anyway, as after this, I'd rather slam my hands in my car door repeatedly before subjecting myself to this again by posting any comments about anything, yet feel a need to at least comment on this before I wash my hands of this entire fiasco in general.
Somewhere along the line, it seems that a good many people have forgotten that just because someone has a different view point on any given situation than them, that does not make them any less of a person with valid points and opinions. A good number of threads here that I've read start with reasonable posts worded as well as the poster can, stating that they have a problem with X Y or Z.. One or two may post and agree, one or two may post they disagree.. sometimes reasonably/coherently/maturely, sometimes not - on both ends of the spectrum. Poor wording may be the cause on some, but definitely not all, and from the general tone (and repeated basic sentiments over and over in many different places) of many, it's purely intentional. Things escalate from there... name calling, intentional topic changes, more name calling, irrelevant 2 to 4 word posts, you name it..
It turns from what someone (at least sometimes) intended to be a civil conversation into a pre-school teacher's nightmare - the half-hour right before nap time.
Yes, I myself was goaded into at least a little, and I am honestly ashamed of myself because of that. I allowed a bad day in general coupled with an abrupt, undesired, unforseen -as in, if I had known this would ever happen in the future, I would have not chosen some of my skill routes- and unasked for "feature" to color my mood period for the day.
I applogise for my degeredation of character in a few of my previous posts right now.
I suppose what I am getting to is this: People will always disagree. How you choose to word that disagreement defines you as a person to everyone who happens to see/hear, no matter what venue you choose to display said disagreements. If someone doesn't like something that you do like, or vice versa.. LET them for christ's sake people. Just because I don't like something you do, that does not make me or you some heinous villian that must be absolutely stomped into the ground with all haste.
Turning even ONE persons stated dislikes/likes/opinions about anything - whether it be butter or jam on toast or who should be the next president - into a bickering, name calling, mud slinging, slam fest is not only counter productive, it reflects upon this entire community in general. And that reflection at this point in time is rather .. frightening.
Contstrucive posts are lost rather quickly because of this problem. That is a major issue, and creates even more work for those like Cerest. Opinions on issues, whether cheering them on, or pointing out a percieved problem, ARE indeed constructive, if they are kept on track. The ugliness does nothing but a disservice to everyone, not just those you disagree with.
Also, as a final side note.. The forum population - as in how many people read .. or even bother to *post*, does not reflect upon a game's population numbers, give a real # basis for any polls, broad covering opinions, etc. There is a rather large gaming population in general that actually only plays the game. Forums hold no interest for them, and in thier entire time playing any single game, they may never bother to come read what a small portion of thier fellow gamers have to say, or ever bother with posting a comment themselves. I was one for many years, and thanks to the generally disturbing reading in pretty much every game forum I've stopped by to read when bored (it's not just here that this has been a problem, but here *was* the first time I ever bothered to post anything), I will be one of those silent gamers yet again.
I'm sorry for taking up your valuable time to thrust my unwanted opinions on any of you, but I do hope that maybe at least one person reads this, and if not agrees.. at least understands.
I'm well aware that eventually, this thread, like every other thread I've read, will be flamed, trolled, shoved off topic, and become just as ugly in the end.. But.. I'm going to say it anyway, as after this, I'd rather slam my hands in my car door repeatedly before subjecting myself to this again by posting any comments about anything, yet feel a need to at least comment on this before I wash my hands of this entire fiasco in general.
Somewhere along the line, it seems that a good many people have forgotten that just because someone has a different view point on any given situation than them, that does not make them any less of a person with valid points and opinions. A good number of threads here that I've read start with reasonable posts worded as well as the poster can, stating that they have a problem with X Y or Z.. One or two may post and agree, one or two may post they disagree.. sometimes reasonably/coherently/maturely, sometimes not - on both ends of the spectrum. Poor wording may be the cause on some, but definitely not all, and from the general tone (and repeated basic sentiments over and over in many different places) of many, it's purely intentional. Things escalate from there... name calling, intentional topic changes, more name calling, irrelevant 2 to 4 word posts, you name it..
It turns from what someone (at least sometimes) intended to be a civil conversation into a pre-school teacher's nightmare - the half-hour right before nap time.
Yes, I myself was goaded into at least a little, and I am honestly ashamed of myself because of that. I allowed a bad day in general coupled with an abrupt, undesired, unforseen -as in, if I had known this would ever happen in the future, I would have not chosen some of my skill routes- and unasked for "feature" to color my mood period for the day.
I applogise for my degeredation of character in a few of my previous posts right now.
I suppose what I am getting to is this: People will always disagree. How you choose to word that disagreement defines you as a person to everyone who happens to see/hear, no matter what venue you choose to display said disagreements. If someone doesn't like something that you do like, or vice versa.. LET them for christ's sake people. Just because I don't like something you do, that does not make me or you some heinous villian that must be absolutely stomped into the ground with all haste.
Turning even ONE persons stated dislikes/likes/opinions about anything - whether it be butter or jam on toast or who should be the next president - into a bickering, name calling, mud slinging, slam fest is not only counter productive, it reflects upon this entire community in general. And that reflection at this point in time is rather .. frightening.
Contstrucive posts are lost rather quickly because of this problem. That is a major issue, and creates even more work for those like Cerest. Opinions on issues, whether cheering them on, or pointing out a percieved problem, ARE indeed constructive, if they are kept on track. The ugliness does nothing but a disservice to everyone, not just those you disagree with.
Also, as a final side note.. The forum population - as in how many people read .. or even bother to *post*, does not reflect upon a game's population numbers, give a real # basis for any polls, broad covering opinions, etc. There is a rather large gaming population in general that actually only plays the game. Forums hold no interest for them, and in thier entire time playing any single game, they may never bother to come read what a small portion of thier fellow gamers have to say, or ever bother with posting a comment themselves. I was one for many years, and thanks to the generally disturbing reading in pretty much every game forum I've stopped by to read when bored (it's not just here that this has been a problem, but here *was* the first time I ever bothered to post anything), I will be one of those silent gamers yet again.
I'm sorry for taking up your valuable time to thrust my unwanted opinions on any of you, but I do hope that maybe at least one person reads this, and if not agrees.. at least understands.