Total Chaos Vs. Closely Watched Order
CaCa
Join Date: 2003-06-12 Member: 17319Members
Join Date: 2003-06-12 Member: 17319Members
in Discussions
<div class="IPBDescription">...a differing view on forum behaviour..</div> I was trying to figure out on which forum, this one or the "Off Topic", I should post a very trivial question, and so I went about reading the FAQ of this forum...
as I was reading it and nodding my head, consenting at this and that rule, suddenly I just thought:
"Why, really, the need to 'control/monitor' discussions?
Why limit the extent to which we can actually see what people <i>really, truly</i> think/feel about this or that, no matter how violent it gets?
Why not go all the way and take advantage of these 'impersonal mediums' such as we have nowadays to really know how low or how noble or sick or perverted or confused, etc... people really are?"
This I thought, to which I now add:
"Why not have a place where you can really be how ye are, conceptwise, without worrying about physical posture or even danger or those kinds of things that might get in people's conversation's or opinion's way in real life?..."
...after all, these're just letters from strangers... right? <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
(nah, I <i>know</i> they're not just letters, that wuz just a lame attempt at a lame joke, which I could delete but I'll leave it there anyway... why not...)
ok, gittit on, then...
as I was reading it and nodding my head, consenting at this and that rule, suddenly I just thought:
"Why, really, the need to 'control/monitor' discussions?
Why limit the extent to which we can actually see what people <i>really, truly</i> think/feel about this or that, no matter how violent it gets?
Why not go all the way and take advantage of these 'impersonal mediums' such as we have nowadays to really know how low or how noble or sick or perverted or confused, etc... people really are?"
This I thought, to which I now add:
"Why not have a place where you can really be how ye are, conceptwise, without worrying about physical posture or even danger or those kinds of things that might get in people's conversation's or opinion's way in real life?..."
...after all, these're just letters from strangers... right? <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
(nah, I <i>know</i> they're not just letters, that wuz just a lame attempt at a lame joke, which I could delete but I'll leave it there anyway... why not...)
ok, gittit on, then...
Comments
So, in the interest of discussion that is both fiery yet contained enough to be useful and productive, we have certain rules. Rules that have been broken, which has led to the restricting of I think 10 members from this forum so far, and 1 from all of the forums when he questioned his restricted member status.
Plus as sky very rightly said we discuss matters that are important and sometimes it can feel like a personal attack. Now I know I've never meant to offend anyone here but just recently (and quite rarely) I've left one discussion for fear that I might over step that line of decency (now that <b>is</b> rare!) and I've had a mod edit a post where I worded somethings far more aggressively than I ought to have done. Now I still stand by the things I said originally but even though they were attacks on the opinions instead of the person sharing them it was still too much (just <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->) and I'm (mostly) glad it was edited.
Outside rules must be relied upon when people can't apply restraint without them. Yes it would show how sick some people could be, I'm very aware of what people are capable of and that isn't the reason why I'm here.
(Now that he's banned, I guess I can change my sig).
I rarely see a moderator use his powers to make a thread worse. I'd say that the moderators are a net positive force on the forums.
Without admins / mods, things would only move from order to chaos; and quickly at that. It's no fun to just continually flame people over and over.
~ DarkATi
Same reason why we need moderators in general: Otherwise, we'd be overrun by the asshats. They might not outnumber the sensible people, but they out-shout them with ease.
Now for the content of actual real posts... thats all up to the person who owns and operates these forums. That person obviously doesn't like whatever he/she prohibits from being posted. He could say "no posts with the word balloon or pictures of balloons in ANY thread at ANY time." and it would stand. That person owns it... that person can change your title to "I wear pretty pink dresses" and then ban you from ever posting again. He paid for that right... you didn't.
These forums seem to have a decent set of rules... yeah i don't agree with some, but I enjoy the people who post here. So tough. In fact the only thing i would like changed is the Smiley face limit... 3? THREE? NAZIS!!!! O-:<
<!--emo&::gorge::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/pudgy.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='pudgy.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--emo&::gorge::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/pudgy.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='pudgy.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--emo&::gorge::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/pudgy.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='pudgy.gif' /><!--endemo-->
this wuz just a thought that "popped in there" (like Stay Puft) n' I thought I'd just bring it...
ah well... mods can now close this thread, I guess...
The reason why Disc is so HEAVILY moderated is the same reason why there is no Unmoderated section (you see these on a few forums where instead of fighting trolls they just let them post what ever they want in a specific forum).
However if you also hang out on those forums you will see that the fights that go on in nomods land seeps into everything else. Personal fights cary over, a general lawlessness sorta seeps outa that area.
so if we WERE alowed to persue discusions however we wanted, you would see this seep into the rest of the forum (you actualy still do see it some times, but not as often as it could be).
this wuz just a thought that "popped in there" (like Stay Puft) n' I thought I'd just bring it...
ah well... mods can now close this thread, I guess... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
One thing I want to mention, this really isn't a 'public' area. This is a private place. You aren't standing in the equivalent of a park, this is more like someones home.
this wuz just a thought that "popped in there" (like Stay Puft) n' I thought I'd just bring it...
ah well... mods can now close this thread, I guess... <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
One thing I want to mention, this really isn't a 'public' area. This is a private place. You aren't standing in the equivalent of a park, this is more like someones home. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
I wouldn't say home.
I would say it is more like a rec hall or something.
One of those private/public deals.
The point is you are on someones territory so they can ask you to behave in any manner they see fit.
"public/private" kinda place? lika a school? <!--emo&:0--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wow.gif' /><!--endemo-->
"public/private" kinda place? lika a school? <!--emo&:0--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wow.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
A lot of "pleasure" people get from flaming is others seeing their craftywork though. A "Hah! Beat that" and getting the ego boost from it. This is why almost never do you get messages in your inbox saying "You suck" or something far more extentuous.
People have a need to vent and to get a reaction from someone, be it positive or negative. This is why I think flaming forums are an excellent idea, however they need to be in a place where flaming forums are the only forums on that site. I know many times I come home from managing one of the highest volume restaurants in my area and I want to show someone where to stick it, but often find myself playing NS to shoot things instead and not work with a team, simply because it illicits a reaction and I am getting what I want from it. "Why aren't you going to the waypoint? Why are you knifing that RT? You just gave away our position!" I've **** them off, and it made me feel better.
Granted, it isn't a great idea, and is counterproductive to the game, but it's gratifying knowing other people are seeing your handywork crumble their efforts. You can't achieve the same thing playing Quake3: CTF or whatever. Granted, I have only done that to a team once, but it was because it was one of the most difficult days at work.
Yes, personal attacks are the last avenue when the other person has proven they're right. Whether you want to go down it or not, and how you respond when someone has, is your choice. Meet me in IM, I respect the forums.
"If you desire peace, you must prepare for war."