Lately, things are a bit hostile in the forum!

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

Everybody has there own idea of what things are worth, some of us that have been in the hobby for a while usuall ask half of what items are worth new. Then there is the fact that everyone has there own opinion weither right or wrong but the hostility is just the way this world seems to be going.

Yah....hostility everywhere

Originally Posted by Nano

I hear ya raied I was recently told via pm that I have no business being here cause I don't currently have a tank. Among other "nice" things. The way I look at it is if you don't feed into it people just quit. Theyre desperate for any interaction be it positive or negative. I just try to ignore it. I may banter back once or twice but then I think are they worth it? No they aren't.

Ops that sucks

I try to resist from posting in controversial posts but sometimes, my posts itself becomes controversial

Originally Posted by Nano

I blame video games

That's a positive! I miss mario days!

[Nano]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Reporting such things to staff might be a good idea. Then staff can get hostile too

Yeah but banned people don't stay banned so I'm not concerned about it

[ScubaSteve]

Hasan-man, it is seasonal. If I was a better coder I'd be able to root thought the archives to show the "temperature" of the forum with time. It does seem things tend to boil over certain times of the year. Maybe the changing weather has people's panties in a bunch?

I think this is also an Internet effect. It's much easier to be a total dink from behind the anonymity of a keyboard. Had a ****ty day? Really easy to vent online at someone, give it a try! Seriously, it's a lot easier to talk **** at someone when you're not looking them in the eyes, you don't have that same mental filter that says "Hey, maybe I shouldn't say this" or "Hmmm, this might sound harsh". Unfortunately this is pretty common on the Internet, and our beloved forum is no different.

Debate is fine, and even encouraged - that's how we can root out some interesting discussions that can further the hobby. Unfortunately there are a few that drag it down to petty name calling because they think their thoughts are the only way, or they are misinformed and battle to the end over information they didn't stop to question, or have some weird need to always be right... The list goes on. The fact that people send out threatening PMs (and I've got them before too) is pretty sad.

We're lucky that we don't have a totalitarian forum like some other Reef Centered sites out there but there are certainly a few members around here that make that system a valid argument.

[ScubaSteve]

This is a pretty good video that I think should be a requisite to watch before being allowed on the forum

[mike31154]

Interesting vid, but this is 'saltwater'.... well, for the most part anyhow...

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

Then there is the fact that everyone has there own opinion whether right or wrong but the hostility is just the way this world seems to be going.

I think there is a lot to this, although it is not necessarily bad. When I was a kid (and grew up in a small town), if you questioned "authority" (or experience), you were considered disrespectful.

I think that has now changed, and the internet has had a lot to do with it. Kids growing up are a lot more informed, and encouraged to question and seek new knowledge. And with social networking, your sphere of friends and influence has greatly increased.

That has led to more communication, but less face to face, and with twitter, texting, et al, shorter snippets that are more to the point, and less on the tact side.

Personally, I think this is good. When you are online, you leave a record of what you say, and that forces some accountability. You can't get away with BS and maintain credibility.

Unfortunately (but maybe entertaining), one of the consequences is more "online drama". People are quicker to take exception, and shoot back online. In person, those same people would be a lot more reserved in what they say.

Anyway, that is just the way it is, so I guess we just need to accept and adapt...

[Proteus]

We have all experienced this issue. But while I may have come off harsh myself it not the case. Text has no emotion. We take the post depending on our mood and depending in the subject.

There are a few on here that are very passionate about what they say and while they may be blunt with certin threads like tangs they may also be very generous with help toward new members but still blunt. Thanks to the Internet everyone is a 300lb bad guy who is going to tell you how it is.

Myself I don't have alot of friends due to work and family so I consider this forum as my group. Lol. Yeah I know. " loser".
But being said that I try not to be mean or harsh and would expect a MSG back if some one felt such

[Dearth]

This is a tame forum compared to some I've been and post on regularly...wanna see hostile try posting this on a site like RC or Nano Reef then get out Kiens popcorn get an armchair and watch the ensuing fun and fireworks we are definitely more reserved than our neighbours to the south.

[Coralgurl]

Originally Posted by Dearth

This is a tame forum compared to some I've been and post on regularly...wanna see hostile try posting this on a site like RC or Nano Reef then get out Kiens popcorn get an armchair and watch the ensuing fun and fireworks we are definitely more reserved than our neighbours to the south.

This is sooo true. I'm on another forum not reef related and it blows my mind what some people think is appropriate to post. We are truly Canadian on this site and for the most part, a very friendly bunch

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Coralgurl

This is sooo true. I'm on another forum not reef related and it blows my mind what some people think is appropriate to post. We are truly Canadian on this site and for the most part, a very friendly bunch

Very true indeed. I have some American friends, and some have noticed and even admitted to me that Canadians are more friendly and tolerant.

Maybe it has something to do with the unhappiness that comes with their failing image of being the world's greatest...