thespian86

After reading a thread, one of which came to insults, I kind of became confused. A person stated their opinion and although it was unpopular it is an opinion all the same. And the fact that this thread became a war zone for insults and trash talking is beyond me. So I guess my question is, How far is too far?

Also, if I were to post like some of the member's in that thread, I would be worried about my membership taken away from me.

What is TFP to you? Maybe it's a way to get stuff off your chest. Maybe you go here for a laugh. I go here to read opinions and share mine. I go here to give support to people who need it.

Why come here to insult? Whats the point of being a member of a site for posting opinions if all your going to do is stir up shit? Listen, I'm almost always the one to stir up trouble in discussions but this was taking it too far in MY OPINION.

Yes, I agree, everyone is entitled to their own opinion but use it in a way that your not insulting people with it. I was part of my Highschool Debate Team and one of the first rules is to use your head. Calling someone and asshole isn't using your head, use the facts not hurtful words.

The fact is that the post bothered me. Some people may know which one I'm talking about but it doesn't matter, it's the general Idea of it.

How far is too far in your opinion and do you think that you should be able to stay on TFP if you take it too far?

Thanks

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kutulu

I think you're a big fuckin pussy (j/k)

Without seeing the thread you're talking about it's hard to really make a judgement about what you're referring to. But in general, there are a lot of issues that people hold onto very tightly. Overall, I think people need to lighten up when they get so riled up about what's on a message board and not get so pissed.

lurkette

There's a fine line between expressing one's opinion and being an asshat. Unfortunately, (or perhaps fortunately, depending on your perspective) where that line falls is open to interpretation. Basically, you can't please all of the people all of the time, and what's offensive to one person is just another person's "brutal honesty." As long as nobody's being personally insulted, the tendency is to let the kiddies in the sandbox fight it out on their own. If you find something that you think crosses the line, feel free to report it or PM one of the mods about it.

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tkkfan

Tell that to some of the moderators...hmmph

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I can't believe I ate the whole thing!

rat

obviously calling someone a "fucking idiot" is a flame...telling them "I fail to see the merit of your opinion due to this1, this2, this3, etc." is something completely different.

disagree with the person, attack the position--don't attack the person because you disagree with the position.

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Menoman

I'd have to say that there are certain things that happen in peoples lives that make certain subjects/situations very delicate. When one of them gets touched on they feel the need to stop the person who has the view.

I understand that theres something controversial about subjects that makes some people get hyped up. So I wouldnt get too upset. Everyone has those little things.

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Memnoch

I have no idea who said this, but I think this quote is just fantastic:

"Even if you win a forum flame war, you're still a loser."

I think anyone who can get angry enough to start spouting insults because of an opinion in the form of text on a computer screen should have their internet connection taken away. Same goes for the people who are feeding the fire, so to speak. We don't need that kind of immaturity to spread.

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water_boy1999

I know the exact thread you speak of. I have a lot of respect for the mods and admins of this board because there is a tremendous amount of material they have to sift through to ensure TFP remains a cool, calm, and collected environment. However, they, like the rest of us, are not exempt from having strong opinions about particular subjects. When those opinions turn to personal attacks about said subject, that's when it has gone too far. I have been a mamber of this board for a while now and have seen some strong words directed at particular subjects. That's fine. I have also seen people booted because they get too personal with their attacks. I think we all just need to look at the face value of each post before we give a return response. This way, we can evaluate what our response will be and how it will affect our fellow TFPers. I know I have made some misstakes in the past, I know some mods and admins have as well. We are all better people after learning from our misstakes.

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Redgirl

I come to TFP to stay in touch with what people are discussing in the world today. I like to hear other people's opinions. However, when things start going to the flamewar dogs, I generally just bow out. It can be funny to a point, but that point is usually passed in like 3 posts.

But I really hate the idea of banning because it can be so arbitrary. For instance, I was banned from Fark and I have no idea why. I think I've posted enough here that you can tell I'm not some trouble maker. Some people just get drunk with power and will ban those that they disagree with. That's not an environment I want to be a part of and I have so far seen nothing like that here.

I would rather put up with some immaturity than to see people getting kicked off for some of the things they might say. It takes all kinds, ya know.

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Blackthorn

It's a colourful world and when some of the colour is silenced it's a bit of a drag (IMHO). Having said that I also think that a couple of quotes from above apply here:

"Even if you win a forum flame war, you're still a loser."

and

"disagree with the person, attack the position--don't attack the person because you disagree with the position."


An occasional jab at someone who fails to let facts get in the way of their opinion is tolerable and if it's done in good fun is something that I personally enjoy. An attack for the sake of attacking is not in good fun and it's usually pretty easy to pick out. I like TFP because there really isn't much of this that happens here.

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bernadette

i think i'm pretty sure i know which thread you're referring to...

and if it is the thread i'm thinking of, then yeah... i made a major faux pas which basically amounted to throwing gasoline on an already burning fire.

generally, i stay far far away from threads like that, because i have no debating skills.

it's just what was being said made me very upset. (words by one particular individual, who obviously did not upset only me).

i don't want to further drag it out.
i just want to say that to some degree i regret getting involved in that thread & i will most definitely be more careful with my words & netiquette in the future.

my usual protocol is to ignore rather than to react.

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animosity

i will not attack a person... i may not agree with you but im not going to bite your head off for it... i myself welcome flames like "youre an idiot" because they are much easier to deflect than a well thought out arguement.

basically ill take anything u can dish out... :-D

analog

I think this can be a fine idea.

No referencing people or instances by name or quote, stick to the topic at hand, and we'll all be ok.

I'd really like to see this come to a good discussion, and I want to let it stay open as long as possible, until the topic is played out to its end.

This thread will have a zero tolerance policy on flaming and trolling. Anything even remotely resembling a flame or troll will be edited without warning.

This could be a good discusion, and we're not going to fuck it up. Ok?

bernadette

TFP to me is very special place on the internet with the most vast diversity of bright & creative minds.
yeah, i hang out a lot in the nonsense forum, but it's not all innane stupidity as some might presume.
i find good wit & fun loving bright people there (in general), people who bring good tidings & creative slants to humor. i feel like part of an online "family" there now. i've made friends who i respect very much.

the creativity forums are also a big draw for me. i admire the fine talents so many people share here.

i don't go anywhere with the intention to insult or stir shit. not online nor in real life.
beng human, sometimes i fall to making mistakes, ill choices of words.
i'll bite my tongue as much as i can, but i am not one to lie down as a doormat.
having said that, mostly i prefer to avoid conflict. and that equates to just keeping my mouth shut sometimes. and again... being human... sometimes i just get a mouthy moment & let it rip...

XO,
the village idiot

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thespian86

Well thats just dandy with me, now that I have alittle support I'd like to mention to Bernadette, this isn't just about that one post but it got me started. I've seen too many good posts ruined by a flame war.

Anyways. Anyone else?

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EX: Whats new?
ME: I officially love coffee more then you now.
EX: uh...
ME: So, not much.