Is CC becoming a victim of its own success ? ?

[Gerry Attrick]

I find myself sympathetic to both sides of this argument. I have posted myself a couple of times about the un-necessary personal attacks which seem to be part of Peanut's gripe. I have been subject to this on a couple of occasions, one notably for offering technical advice with which my attacker did not agree. To me the only sensible response is to ignore the attack and move on. However I do think this type of post has become more prevalent over the last few months, particularly in P&L, so I long ago excluded P&L from my new posts list.

On the other hand, it is easy to become over-sensitive to posts which do not concur with your own point of view, and frustration can provoke a less than logical response. I don't think there can be a solution to that by the forum, that is down to the individual, but the of such responses can do something about it:

1. Toughen up.......as I've said before, the forums are virtual worlds frequented by people we've never met or are likely to meet. Why take offence over a perceived slight from such a person.
2. Take a few days away, as has been suggested. I do regularly and it helps maintain my interest.
3. Read and post only in the forums with which you are comfortable.
4. If someone enters an irrelevent comment in a "serious" thread, why get wound up? The only person getting stressed is you. Ignore it and move on. Bear in mind that the "flamer" may only have wished to inject a little light-heartedness into a heavy-going subject.

One other thing, when your thread does not develop the way you hoped, remember that once posted, you will have no control over it, so there is no point in berating posters who in your opinion are not treating your topic with the reverence you think it merits. That is the nature of forums....and a good thing too IMHO.

Rambling over.

 

[yello]

(Don't tell peanut, but I was be facetious! Shhh!)

XmisterIS, I believe it is that kind of comment that peanut is talking about. Ask yourself, in all honesty, how does it help? It only fans flames and there really isn't a need to do that.

Peanut posted a concern he has and wanted the comments of others. He didn't ask to be ridiculed or belittled. I think people have expressed similar concerns in the past (not the same one, but similar) so it's not unusual. I'd hold my hand up as someone that has voiced about CC not being exactly as I'd want it. But therein lies a part of the problem, and I realise it.... it's not my forum. So the problem's not the forum's, it's mine. I'm looking for too much.

So I need time away from CC now and again. It's not my one-stop shop and never will be. I'd agree with others, taking a break helps. Lowering your expectations definitely helps! And I genuinely mean no slight by that!

 

[Shaun]

I've already made it perfectly clear that the classic bike poll was tounge-in-cheek and that an existing sub forum would be adequate until interest levels suggested otherwise haven't I !

Hmmm, I certainly didn't get that impression reading the thread, but maybe I missed something.

I thought that my post was clear but perhaps not as clear as I thought
I was referring to the past 6 months or so . It seems like membership has quadrupaled in that period, which is fantastic but there is certainly a lot more flaming imo.

Actually, re-reading your OP I've possibly made the same mistake as many others - I read "non-cycling" to mean the non-cycling areas of the forum, whereas I think you mean people.

So yes, perhaps I missed the point a little!

I'm not alone in noticing this and there was another thread some time back about this which co-incided with a member (or two?) being suspended I believe.

I doubt anyone was suspended for saying what they think - I'm usually pretty open minded and like to try to take something positive from feedback, regardless of how it is presented.

Did the suspensions possibly prompt the feedback?

As for trying other forums I find that a rather patronising remark Shaun, which is not like you. I have little doubt that I have been working with computers considerably longer than you have having started as a systems anaylst in 1975. (man from Uncle main frame computers)
I currently have over 20 forums tabbed on my browser which I visit frequently.

Patronising, why? I think it's a rather sensible idea.

Comparing CC with other forums allows you to decide for yourself whether you prefer this place more or less than others. It gives you an idea of the content and management style of other places, and in turn allows you to balance that against how things work here.

In addition, you can observe whether flaming, as you put it, is a common feature of most all forums and not something that is exclusive to CC.

If you want to be able to do something positive about it, the simplest thing you can do is report posts / posters.

If you see a person flaming a thread, click on the red triangle (on the left under their user profile) and report it to me and the mods. The same goes for any thread you feel is getting pulled off-topic or hijacked.

This way if one particular person is doing it, or one particular forum is prone to this behaviour, a pattern will be evident and we can do something about it.

Cheers,
Shaun

 

[peanut]

I think you should calm down a bit. It's an internet forum not real life. Perhaps it's you not it that's the problem.
I, like Steve A and probably many others, also take time out now and again. Try it

we probably come here for very different reasons you and I.

You probably have different expectations.

I notice that you like to breeze in now and again and make some humerous quip or other and breeze out ..thats fine.I like your style and humour .

I on the other hand use this forum for a different purpose . I have different interests and expectations than you .
I possibly have a more 'serious ' interest ...discussing and resolving technical problems, researching issues to give advice etc.

Each type of posting requires a different appropriate response. I'm not suggesting humour ,sarcasm, etc doesn't have a place I am suggesting that there is currently too much flaming going on, on threads that have a more 'serious' topic for want of a better word.

 

[Auntie Helen]

I haven't particularly noticed flaming of threads in the more technical forums (Accessories, Kit etc, Know How, Recumbent & HPV), it seems more something that is to be found in Café and P&L. But I quite like the amusing asides in Café and P&L as, after all, they are non-cycling parts of the forum. I don't stray into Commuting so can't comment on that but do you find flaming in the more serious areas, Peanut?

 

[jonesy]

we probably come here for very different reasons you and I.

You probably have different expectations.

I notice that you like to breeze in now and again and make some humerous quip or other and breeze out ..thats fine.I like your style and humour .

I on the other hand use this forum for a different purpose . I have different interests and expectations than you .
I possibly have a more 'serious ' interest ...discussing and resolving technical problems, researching issues to give advice etc.

Each type of posting requires a different appropriate response. I'm not suggesting humour ,sarcasm, etc doesn't have a place I am suggesting that there is currently too much flaming going on, on threads that have a more 'serious' topic for want of a better word.

peanut, if your posting record was entirely free of posts that others might consider provocative, argumentative, or even offensive, then your complaint might carry more weight...

 

[peanut]

Comparing CC with other forums allows you to decide for yourself whether you prefer this place more or less than others. It gives you an idea of the content and management style of other places, and in turn allows you to balance that against how things work here.

Cheers,
Shaun

the reason I started the thread was because I felt there had been an increase in flaming generally throughout CC over most of this year.

What goes on on other forums is completely irrelevant. other forums are run by different people with different policies rules etc and different membership. I can't see how any specific parallel can be drawn.

On a general level yes I'm sure that one might notice a different level of flaming being tolerated . What relevance this has I'm not sure. I was commenting on CC and inviting comment from other members.

If I had a direct critism of the way this forum was run I would direct my observation to you privately , I do not . I think this is an excellent forum .
That said the level of flaming lately has become a concern to me and I wished to comment on that .

Given the level of flaming, abuse, personal attacks, swearing and other disruptive and unacceptable behaviour tolerated from Bonj , Youngun and others this year I find it inexplicable that my reasonable observation and concerns should attract such criticism

 

[Aperitif]

'peanut' - why have you got 'expectations'? Why can't you dip in and be nourished (maybe not satisfied but) from what you read within, and then move on to one of your many other fora?(and enjoy the 'expectations' there...) Maybe it is a question of mentality...I dunno.

 

[peanut]

peanut, if your posting record was entirely free of posts that others might consider provocative, argumentative, or even offensive, then your complaint might carry more weight...

we were not discussing provocative or argumentitive posts although I accept that in exasperation I have been guilty of the occasional rude or sarcastic comment, however we were not discussing this we were specifically discussing flaming

show me a single post that I have made that could be considered flaming or disruptive or non-constructive.

 

[peanut]

Oh - one other thing.
'peanut' - why have you got 'expectations'? Why can't you dip in and be nourished (maybe not satisfied but) from what you read within, and then move on to one of your many other fora?(and enjoy the 'expectations' there...) Maybe it is a question of mentality...I dunno.

maybe its because we are all different Aperitif. I don't come here to receive I come here to give . That is my predeliction

If we all had the same interests and expectations wouldn't life be tedious and dull

 

[SavageHoutkop]

Having had a quick skim of this thread, and looked at the side-thread that Shaun posted to -

(1) could we have examples of said flaming? otherwise everyone's just going to comment about their 'feeling' rather than looking at a particular example you are referring to?
(2) on the thread that Shaun posted a link to; where Arch has been accused of not reading what is written - if you hadn't used 'like everything else on Cycle Chat, anything new and useful or enthusiastically proposed is shot down in flames by the armchair knockers who sit on their flat bottoms, do nothing and critisize others for their efforts and interests.'. By starting with 'everything' you will get hackles up - a good piece of advice is never to use 'never' or 'always' when describing people's behaviour. There could have been a less confrontational way to state your view.

(and yes, noted that the thread I mention in (2) above is not one you started this thread for; but since the conversation has swung that way...)

 

[peanut]

I'd hold my hand up as someone that has voiced about CC not being exactly as I'd want it. But therein lies a part of the problem, and I realise it.... it's not my forum. So the problem's not the forum's, it's mine. I'm looking for too much.

So I need time away from CC now and again. It's not my one-stop shop and never will be. I'd agree with others, taking a break helps. Lowering your expectations definitely helps! And I genuinely mean no slight by that!

I think thats a very valid point Yello . Perhaps I am expecting too much . or rather I am being unrealistic in my expectations.

I suppose if these conversations were happening face to face in the office or pub then there would be a little more respect shown and less barracking but on the net ....well one can be abusive, argumentative,sarcastic, disruptive inconsiderate etc without fear of embarassement or repercussion.

I respect others .I respect their rights, their privacy, their freedoms, their possesions etc and I expect nothing less than the same respect in return . When that fails to materialise then look out

 

[Theseus]

(1) could we have examples of said flaming? otherwise everyone's just going to comment about their 'feeling' rather than looking at a particular example you are referring to?

I would like to see examples of the alleged flaming as well. It could be that I don't visit the forums or threads that they are on, but I can't recall any that have been bad enough for me to take note of.

 

[peanut]

I would like to see examples of the alleged flaming as well. It could be that I don't visit the forums or threads that they are on, but I can't recall any that have been bad enough for me to take note of.

I think first you should look up the definition of 'flaming' in this context . perhaps when you understand the meaning of the word you'll see more evidence of it without the need for specific instances being pointed out.

I mean no critism Touche just that I think some folk have a different understanding of what flaming entails

 

[Rhythm Thief]

actually XmisterIS you are exactly the sort of person I am talking about on this thread. You are incapable of reading what is written, understanding the point and posting something which is relevant ,appropriate and adds something constructive to the thread.

This was intended to be a serious discussion about something I believe is important and a serious issue ie flaming. You and others on CC just see it as another opportunity to flame and post your silly drivel.

I don't think that's fair. CC would be a dull place indeed if it was reserved solely for serious topics with no light hearted diversions every now and again. I see the threads - serious or otherwise - as more like a pub conversation, in that they evolve as they go, often splitting up into two or three separate conversations. I don't think you can seriously describe what anyone is doing on this forum as "flaming".