› Forums › Geocaching in Wisconsin › General › Rabble Rousing…to post or not to post?
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Team Deejay.
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09/14/2006 at 12:04 am #1723740
It seems that whenever a topic of discussion comes up that has a difference of opinion there are those who feel the need to jump in and shout foul. Chastising the person for voicing their opinion, remarks about the thread degenerating, comparing it to GC.com forums, calling it a catfight, and even crap. Inevitably someone states their displeasure and makes the remark that it is things like this that keeps them from posting anything in the forums for fear of being someone’s target. Yet that is exactly what they are doing. There are many people out there who have opinions that differ with the majority, yet won’t post because of that very reason. These forums serve a variety of purposes, sharing information, providing a place to ask for and receive help, recognizing accomplishments, to name a few, but also to discuss new ideas and suggestions, and to offer opinions. If some people feel that voicing an opinion that doesn’t fit their outlook is wrong, and shouldn’t be brought up in the forums, then I’m afraid I have no tolerance for them. Disagree with them, express your own views, make your case, that’s fine. But to say that they have no right to express themselves here is simply un-American. The last time I checked, free speech was still a right, even here in the WGA forums. How sad it would be if no one offered new ideas and thoughts, for fear of being labeled a troublemaker.
So the next time your reading thru a thread, and there’s an opinion you disagree with, or a heated debate that doesn’t fit your view thru those rose colored glasses, do me a favor…either offer your views, or move to another thread. Your opinion that this type of discussion doesn’t belong here is invalid.
Now, if someone would like to debate me on this view, I’ll be more than happy to oblige. 😆
~CB
09/14/2006 at 12:39 am #1765623😆 Hey, opinions are like ********, everyones got one, and they all stink! 😆 😆 😆
But seriosly, you are correct. Everyone is entitled to thier own opinion, and should feel free to post it. It’s when name calling and trash talking start, that things go bad.
In this BBS as well as others, it seems that it’s not the original opinion that starts the problem, nor is it the response. It seems it is usually the the response, to the response, if that makes any sense. In other words: Someone states thier opinion, another rebuts, and then then the person who orignally posted gets bent out of shape because people did not agree with them.
NOTE: I did type “usually” as this is NOT always the case. The simple fact is that everyone is entitled to thier own opinion. But on a BBS, as well as in real life situations, if you state an opinion, a popular one or not, you should expect someone is going to disagree with you. And you should be prepared for that. You should not take offense to that. You should deal with that.
Enough said. Now, as my Mother always said… “Lets all kiss and make up” 😳 😆
09/14/2006 at 12:44 am #1765624Well said, I agree and no debate is necessary 😆
The timing is pretty ironic too- just today I witnessed a poster on another forum be called ignorant for posting an opinion on something. Yet, the explanation of why he was ignorant amounted to the other posters opinions on the matter. Then someone made the “this doesn’t need to be discussed here” post, and the topic closed by the OP, or at least the thread derailer who split it into its own topic, then closed it.
We are all free to have and express opinions – to suppress anyone is just wrong. But for me the best part of a forum is to learn from others by discussing things, and getting to see “the other side” of things. Being exposed too/Reading the opposing view should make you think. Discussions can actually lead to people changing their view on a topic, based on what they are presented with in a forum debate. It can happen. It should happen.
That, IMO is what a forum is for. To share ideas, toss out ideas, think outside the box, learn from others, and so on.09/14/2006 at 12:48 am #1765625I agree that people have the right to there opinion what bugs me is all the name calling and such that is what i don’t agree with. truthfully I’m here to have fun and see what other people have to say about a sport i like to do. so we can all disagree some times its the name calling and stuff that we should just leave out of the forum.
09/14/2006 at 1:04 am #1765626Differences in opinion are a great thing. they have made our country what it is. Using different opinions and points of view to reach a solution are the best way to get the best results.
However, when an accusatory nature is taken when trying to express your point of view the only thing that is going to be built is a wall. How is that going to get the best results.
09/14/2006 at 1:08 am #1765627Of course personal attacks have no place in this or any other debate, we all agree there. I never mentioned name calling or personal attacks for a reason, there simply wasn’t any. Go back and re-read the thread in question (we all know which one) and quote me an instance of name calling. Yet I can quote the cries for censorship. Do not defend your actions with false claims.
~CB09/14/2006 at 1:22 am #1765628I always am eager to hear differing opinions…
What turns many away is the ways in which they are presented.
Each person who chooses to voice their opinion, also chooses how to present it.
Well reasoned, concise, accurate, and on-topic opinions are often welcomed with similar responses.
Many stomachs turn foul at opinions expressed as personally derogatory, insulting, demeaning, rude, vulgar or just plain mean.
I urge everyone to take extra time and express your opinions positively. Don’t make the conscious choice to put others down in the name of “expressing your opinion”.
If the writers take the effort to express themselves intelligently and the readers take the time to put the best possible spin on what you’ve read; our forums will remain squeaky clean! or something like that… 😛
09/14/2006 at 2:08 am #1765629CB
I do see your point of view on this one. But while I was reading those posts It felt to me (and only me) that there were a lot of jabs being taken at the BOD. I do not know the history behind all of this as I have only been part of this for a relatively short time. My intent was to try and settle the conversation down a bit. Apparently I did not get the desired effect.
THD
The above comments are based on “my interpretation” of the thread in question.
09/14/2006 at 2:26 am #1765630I can usually sit the fence and see both sides, but sometimes I sway ( No thanks to horomones LOL) But seriously. It is not always easy to remain level headed. I have learned too, to NOT answer something that has erked me, that same day. Give it time to cool down, think about what I want to say, THEN type it out.
I admit it!!!…..I had not always done that, but it has been a learning experinence over the past yr. OK if someone comes off the walll with something absolutely NUTZ, like “Lets make all caches in Wisconsin, Nano’s, then steal and throw away all those caches that aren’t” THEN I might become a bit irrate.
Listen to all sides THEN make your well thought out decision on what to say.
09/14/2006 at 3:32 am #1765631First of all, my reply wasn’t directed at you THD, so please don’t think I was referring to you, as I was not. There may of been an accusatory tone to the posts, and they may or may not of been justified. That is another matter all together. However, certain BOD members certainly didn’t go out of their way to suggest otherwise. If “jabs” are being taken at the board, it would seem to me the issue should be addressed, and not swept under the rug. Your intent to “settle the conversation down” is exactly the point I’m trying to make here. And exactly what was your desired effect?
I believe jeremy’s quote from another thread said it best.And sometimes it is best to publicly address the Board (by posting something in the public WGA forums). Stirring up a hornet’s nest sometimes can cause the Board to jump into action… in some cases without this public prodding they’d be inclined to sit on their hands.
A little “jabbing” at the Board members is hardly name calling or becoming the GC.com message boards.
~CB
09/14/2006 at 3:37 am #1765632One problem about message boards is that the postings are made without vocal inflection or facial expressions, so that something posted in jest can be interpreted as an attack and something posted as a suggestion can be interpreted as a demand. There are several types of posts that can start firestorms (I think all of them are displayed in the thread in question).
- Sarcasm (This almost never has the effect the writer expects)
- Statements implying a person’s motives are “less than pure”
- Statements expressing disrespect for another person
- Statements implying that someones volunteer efforts “are not good enough”
Typically, it is not the content of peoples argument, but the tone of the commentary that causes the problems.
09/14/2006 at 1:16 pm #1765633@Team Deejay wrote:
One problem about message boards is that the postings are made without vocal inflection or facial expressions, so that something posted in jest can be interpreted as an attack and something posted as a suggestion can be interpreted as a demand.
this is One of the largest issues for sure.. thanks for bringing that up again. If I am being sarcastic, I at least try to put a “ROFLMBO” or SOMETHING to note I was only joking.
PS don’t mind at all if people poke fun at me, `cause I usually do the same to myself! 😉
09/14/2006 at 1:50 pm #1765634@Commander Bob wrote:
Of course personal attacks have no place in this or any other debate, we all agree there. I never mentioned name calling or personal attacks for a reason, there simply wasn’t any. Go back and re-read the thread in question (we all know which one) and quote me an instance of name calling. Yet I can quote the cries for censorship. Do not defend your actions with false claims.
~CB“Someone” called “someone else” “Chicken****” in “the thread in question”, so I wouldn’t quite say it was 100% personal attack free.
I don’t think that was in response to a call for censorship, it was merely a request to take a well-warranted discussion out of a thread for which it was off-topic, and start a new thread so it could be discussed properly.
09/14/2006 at 2:34 pm #1765635I disagree entirely…. 😉
Seriously – I was on another forum – dog related – when things began getting too personal. Not involving myself, but other members – some who I thought highly of, others, well… not so much – BUT regardless, it seems that when some people with strong opinions get online, their behavior returns to the level of grammar school – at best.
People forget that we come online and to forums to enjoy ourselves and talk to people with similar hobbies, and interests. Its a shame when someone feels so strongly about an opinion or idea, that they refuse to listen to someone elses ideas. Or, that they insult them…
I just removed myself from the dog forum I spoke of – it became unenjoyable for me. When its just fighting, and no discussion – members lose interest.
09/14/2006 at 5:13 pm #1765636@Cheesehead Dave wrote:
@Commander Bob wrote:
Of course personal attacks have no place in this or any other debate, we all agree there. I never mentioned name calling or personal attacks for a reason, there simply wasn’t any. Go back and re-read the thread in question (we all know which one) and quote me an instance of name calling. Yet I can quote the cries for censorship. Do not defend your actions with false claims.
~CB“Someone” called “someone else” “Chicken****” in “the thread in question”, so I wouldn’t quite say it was 100% personal attack free.
I don’t think that was in response to a call for censorship, it was merely a request to take a well-warranted discussion out of a thread for which it was off-topic, and start a new thread so it could be discussed properly.
Come on Dave…let’s not take it out of context! I never called you “chicken” anything! I called your idea “chickenshi#”…see, here’s the post:
Talking about the logo and the design that you showed everyone is NOT derailing the topic. Asking me open a new thread providing my opinion is being chicken shi#. It’s hiding from why this has gone on so long…As you can see, Bob beat me to it. And where has it gotten him? NO WHERE! The same people are still crying foul, and the same people are still hiding. So…
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