Is this forum actually that "rough"?
 

Time and again I've seen this forum described as 'rough' or 'volatile'. I have to say that I don't see it. It isn't exactly a utopia full of people being nice to one another, but there's nothing really insane going on here. The worst offenders (other than myself when I am provoked) are generally Cure and Peanut, but they're like kittens compared to the guys on forums I have frequented.

On the other site I use I see people use terms like "f-ggot", "******", "sand n!gger", "queer" etc. German posters are referred to as Nazis and German sports stars as "posterboys for the Aryan Brotherhood". Italians are called wogs. Now most of this is in jest but I still dislike it and it makes me more uncomfortable than anything on here.

The other evening a Portuguese guy told me to jump off a bridge because of an opinion I have on sport. And he meant it too.

Generalising somewhat, I'm putting it down to Europeans being more aggressive and open than Americans. I've noticed that most North Americans online are actually quite polite, at least the ones I have encountered. I mean most people here will do anything to avoid conflict. I like that and it's good, so this forum isn't as rough as suggested, in my view.

EDIT: perhaps the lack of political and religious talk makes this place calmer. But there's not much of that on the forum I use and it is still very volatile.

The 'Drome's reputation is highly exaggerated. But I think many don't read the forum rules about sections like the Video Game section, where they have different rules then the rest of the board. And there are a lot of people here that do speak from the liver and don't cuddle their opinions.

And since they where mentioned, honestly. Through my time on the forums I haven't seen anything that makes Cure or Peanut look like the people you'd expect from their reputation. But, then again. I did manage to make a newish member quit over a debate about My Little Pony...

Yeah, people go way over the top. This place really isn't that bad at all for aggression.

Cure and Peanut were just examples, but they have done awful things.

Yeah, it is pretty rough here. A few years ago, I never would have joined this place. I prefer much smaller, tighter-knit communities than large ones like this. Large communities are frequently under-staffed and it turns the place into anarchy, and I've just never been a fan of anarchy on the internet.

I like being able to talk politics and religion, honestly, but I'd never invite the discussion in a place with as big a member base as this. Also, it doesn't help that this forum actually has a lot of people fitting the neckbeardy stereotypes.

The internet is, always, gonna have problems with arrogance...people are raised one way and many feel comfortable maintaining themselves with arrogance, because they're not comfortable with any kind of in-your-face diversity, they lack the humility to accept their lower position in such a diverse world. Which is why I'm very invested in the arts, where people experience diversity with less arrogance because the diversity is more subtle. Like, how people accept parts of other culture through culinary arts, like eating Chinese food or how people learn to accept other cultures through art, like Anime.

But, humility needs to be expressed, both ways. We need to acknowledge that, with some, it takes time for them to decline in their arrogance and not just attack that person with personal attacks. Not everyone can grow at the same rate, some people need to be more invited into being accustomed to the community, while others can fit-right-in. Meaning, don't let the words that people speak out, in anger or arrogance, be taken seriously...that's more of a reflection of their background, on how they've been accustomed to communicating with others. Eventually, or hopefully, they become more accustomed to the community.

Basically, what I'm saying is that you don't treat people like criminals because they talk or act like one. That part of a person is a reflection of their environment (you treat the environment to change the qualities of talking and acting like a criminal), not the basic human qualities that are natural to us all, such as the feeling to being wanted, accepted, loved. If we treat those shared human qualities with equal respect as those who don't act like criminals, then, those qualities will reflect and overshadow the qualities that have manifested from their terrible environment.

Basically, I'm paraphrasing Patch Adams, in case, you think what I'm saying is bullsh!t.

Had to google 'neckbeardy'.

Erudite. Your posts are always appreciated, Derek.

I don't think this place is THAT bad at all. Yeah, there are times where drama will hit, but that's to be expected on the Internet and when we have people who are passionate about certain things. Best thing to do is either steer clear of it or ignore it if possible.

I like this place a lot. It's not by any means perfect, but never had any issues so far.

It's a shame we're not allowed to discuss politics and religion, though. You'd expect a message board with a lot of adults to act more civil and respectful in serious discussions like those.

This forum is entirely tame. I honestly wonder how long some of you have been on the internet. On this forum it seems like people think disagreements are equal to "flaming" when its not at all.

There are other forums where people regularly insult each other (not to mention take shots at religion, nationality, and all that) and get away with it.

Besides some of you take things too personally. I've been on the internet since 1998, nothing phases me any more.

Rough, no.
Unwelcoming? At times, yes.

The influx of Tumblr types is worse. "Neckbeard" types may get snippy over geek stuff but at least there's no social/political crybaby crap with 'em.

Are you really starting this again? Checking out immediately.

I don't think it's "rough" at all. When we get into politics/religion/belief systems, I think it devides most people here because they can't accept an opinion, so maybe it's better not to get into it.


Peanut and Cure are cool in my opinion. They're just really passionate about games.

I agree. I like Peanut and Cure. Along with basically everyone else. This place can get out of hand, but it's not as bad as some forums.

I wasn't having a go. I was just saying that you're examples of more unpredictable characters on here. You've done very questionable things but I even say that you're like kittens compared to other guys I have known.

I love kittens so I'm alright with that.

Generally age 30+ overweight white straight men that behave in the creepiest, most socially-inept of matters. CyberCubed is a textbook example. Misogynist fedora-wearing MRA types are another type that get lumped into that category but I think those people are their own monster.

I disagree, if only because the Tumblr types we've got here aren't anywhere near the worst that site has to offer. Have we seen any transfat faekin with a preference for sproutself pronouns?

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Well thankfully I'm not overweight, so I don't fit that example. I'm so glad there were never any fat people in my family, it spared me from getting those genetics.

Exactly. People disagree and debate things incessantly, and that's the way a board like this should be. That's why I enjoy, to some extent, whiny members like CyberCubed. They spark debate and interesting discussion.

I think it's funny how people consider such disagreements to represent the 'Drome as a whole as "rough" or whatever. It's a forum, people. Wouldn't it be such a boring website if everyone got along happily forever? This place has a lot of great people, and it's too bad that people don't realize that just because we disagree about things all the time.

Case in point: I used to be a big Lego Bionicle fan, so I also frequent a Bionicle board called BZPower. Generally, on that board you're always expected to be a very positive person who would never, ever have a mean idea towards the franchise or anything related to it (it's at heart a forum for kids, so that makes sense, I supposed). Well, I disagreed with someone one day and was told how "caustic" I was by another member. Well, actually, he was thanking me because because I made one "caustic" post and apparently "toned it down" in my later posts (I really hadn't; I just wasn't being so blatant about my less-than-popular opinion). I find that place to be very boring, since all the threads are essentially just small talk with very, very little solid debate about anything.