FORUM REALITIES 101 – A REMINDER

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

With all the feisty topics around here lately, I just wanted to interject something about basic forum realities. Some of you doubtless know this, but (like me) need to be reminded from time to time, while others are new and maybe didn’t realize the extent of what really occurs on forums like this.

Here is goes; basic forum (or internet) reality check 101: Not everyone here is who they claim they are, because you never really know who is actually on the other end of the keyboard.

Yes folks, thanks to the anonymous nature of the internet, there are likely forum members here who are deceiving us as to who they really are. It happens all the time. The trouble is you will probably never know who is real and who is not.

Hey, I could be the president of the United States for all you know (Nah, I’m only Harrison Ford).

In fact, if that isn’t bad enough, I’m also sure that some members have multiple “identities” (forum names) so they can gang up on others and even start an argument with themselves.

Sound ridiculous? It is, but it does happen.

So why am I bringing this up? Because I thought it might be helpful to remember this the next time anyone is tempted to reply to an outlandish remark, or get upset because someone is being nasty to you. You simply can not take anything anyone here has to say seriously, because they could be fooling you as to whom they say they are.

This reminds me of an episode of a TV show called “West Wing”, where one of the main characters (Josh) one day discovers that there is an on-line chat forum dedicated to his political career. Upon reading through the topics, he is compelled to reply to the ridiculous things being posted about him. But his assistant (Donna) urges him not to do it. He does anyway and only ends up fueling an even more explosive flaming. So what was Donna’s reason for Josh not to get involved? “Because some of these people have not taken their medication for a few d

2

Thanks for the tip, MaBruce!

[:0]The possibility of what you’ve indicated above never even occurred to me. With the things that are happening in today’s society, chances are you’re right on the mark.[;)]

I’ve noticed that many young people are being blamed for a lot of the controversies that have occurred on this Forum since December 03, but there are adults that have contributed to “flame fanning”. [V][|(][B)][B)]

If I sound nerdy; so be it but as adults we should continue to “encourage” each other, including the “rabble rousers” and the people that want to be nasty. It’s easy to take take the wind out of their sails by ignoring the “sucker punches”. [^]

[:D][8D][8)][^] I just look forward to continue to exchange modeling ideas, help who I can, and get useful info from the good guys (and ladies) on these threads.

Peace out![:)]

3

MAbruce,

I do agree with you… but… Me, myself and I never argue. [:D] It’s the wife we have fun arguing with.

4

Perhaps this has been occurring, and maybe not. Maybe not all the kids are really kids, and not all the adults are really adults. Maybe some of these are really the same person! You just never know. That’s the point I’m trying to remind people of.

5

Realizing that what I am about to say is to little and far too late and idealistic in nature. But I think we should have had to acknowledge the ground rules for this forum. This would have established certain criteria and may have kept the “flamers” at bay. Again this is idealistic in nature but would have established the tone and decorum of the responses. Some people have recently commented on what a fun forum this is and as good as the Q & A’s are there is room for other non topical comments.

There’s plenty of bandwidth for everyone here!

If you want down right nastiness and flaming my wife tells me Canadian and American Idol is where you want to be as it is full of aspiring Simons!

6

As I start many of my replies, I agree with you all. Now, for myself, I am what I am (Popeye said that) and not trying to hide anything behind my forum name. Anyone can check my profile.This not meant to be taken as a defense. I have however, been misread a time or two and will probably be again and was informed that I had hurt their feelings in one of my replies. He was a teenager and the way he informed me of the fact of hurting his feelings gave me great respect for him. After explaining what I meant in my reply, he understood. We have to remember when we say something on a forum not all read the same message the same way. Also, I try to help the young folks as much, maybe more, as I do us older folks. Yes I often inject a little humor at times, also I’m serious when I need to be. I don’t think this is a black bowtie dinner we are at here but a mess ( southern for a lot) of people, enjoying the hobby of model railroading and the chance to gab with each other here. I’m going to say something here that I believe in and will make no apologies for it. The young people coming into this hobby and forum are just that. Young people. They deserve the respect that we would give anyone. Their ideas or type of modeling may be different then some of us old codgers, but then maybe we can learn something from them if we keep our minds open. Lest we for get we were in their shoes at one time? Maybe got a little of topic here![:O][:O]

7

The main thing to remember is, these forums were set up for discussion of railroading in all it’s forms. If we stick to that premise, then what is there for anyone to get mad at.

8

And don’t forget: the first rule of online debate:
If you need to correct someone’s spelling or grammar during a debate, you’ve already lost. And those are second only to name-calling in proving that you’ve lost.

(I’ll save the more offensive truth, because this isn’t a forum that lends itself to dark humor.)

9

[quote]
QUOTE: Originally posted by MAbruce

With all the feisty topics around here lately, I just wanted to interject something about basic forum realities. Some of you doubtless know this, but (like me) need to be reminded from time to time, while others are new and maybe didn’t realize the extent of what really occurs on forums like this.

Here is goes; basic forum (or internet) reality check 101: Not everyone here is who they claim they are, because you never really know who is actually on the other end of the keyboard.

Yes folks, thanks to the anonymous nature of the internet, there are likely forum members here who are deceiving us as to who they really are. It happens all the time. The trouble is you will probably never know who is real and who is not.

Hey, I could be the president of the United States for all you know (Nah, I’m only Harrison Ford).

In fact, if that isn’t bad enough, I’m also sure that some members have multiple “identities” (forum names) so they can gang up on others and even start an argument with themselves.

Sound ridiculous? It is, but it does happen.

So why am I bringing this up? Because I thought it might be helpful to remember this the next time anyone is tempted to reply to an outlandish remark, or get upset because someone is being nasty to you. You simply can not take anything anyone here has to say seriously, because they could be fooling you as to whom they say they are.

This reminds me of an episode of a TV show called “West Wing”, where one of the main characters (Josh) one day discovers that there is an on-line chat forum dedicated to his political career. Upon reading through the topics, he is compelled to reply to the ridiculous things being posted about him. But his assistant (Donna) urges him not to do it. He does anyway and only ends up fueling an even more explosive flaming. So what was Donna’s reason for Josh not to get involved? “Because so

10

This thought has crossed my mind on occasion. As for me, I have only one name, but many moods, as I have demonstrated in the last few months. I do not require that every post be entirely about trains, though trains are the purpose of this forum.[8D]

11

If every psot where to be about Trains, no one would be here right now, take my word for it.

12

[:(!] So what do you expect everyone to do there MaBruce, point fingers at one another or call each other names ? I think not!!! Yes, unfortunately there are some who would stoop very low. But if anybody has any sense , we would be able to see through that kind of guff, and learn to disregard it, and press on. Hopefully cooler heads will prevail as they have in the past !!!

13

Maybe I’m naive [:I], but I can’t imagine that anybody would want to use a false identity, or multiple identities, for these forums. This is a hobby! We’re supposed to be having fun, aren’t we???

I understand that there are places where controversial topics are discussed, or forums where you would just as soon your wife didn’t see you visiting [:O], but please, this ain’t it! [soapbox] So that’s my [2c]

14

Don Cameron-

The thing is, yes, it’s a fun hobby, but for some people, getting on a random forum or chat room and hogging all the attention by submitting outrageous or flaming posts is, in itself, their hobby. You would hope that such persons would, over time, be convinced to give up that “hobby” for a better one, i.e. Model Railroading.

15

Thanks for reminding me - time to take my medication.

16

You are right. I could be a serial killer. [:-,] But I’m not.
I’m just a sad younger gentleman who finds joy in model railroading.
I am who I say I am.

And I don’t like confrentation. Online or in real life. [:(]

17

yip

18

I pretend to be cool on this site, but I’m not cool in real life. I’m sorry I lied. Can you forgive me?[:I]

19

One doesn’t need to explore the whole planet to realise that some folks are a little weirder than others and are entertained by sources beyond the understanding of most of us. Age has little to do with this. Sorry Don, but your naivete is showing, the internet means all and sundry get in.

Doccm9, I agree with your spelling and grammar comment but not for argument sake, but just out of common decency. As MABruce said we don’t know who is at the keyboard and assuming that everyone has English as a first language is rudely arrogant.

Writing in CAPITALS can be annoying but although unlikely these days, for those of you who don’t remember, early Apple ]['s didn’t do lower case.

As KevinstheRRman suggests there will never be RR only discussion boards, we have more to share than just trains. When controversy raises it’s head however, Easyaces gave us the ultimate answer “disregard it and press on” If you wrestle a pig you won’t win, you’ll get stuff on ya and the pig is the only one enjoying it.

20

Several points here:

First: Grammar, spelling, punctuation and typographic attention are NOT OPTIONAL. This is a written medium. Clear expression of ideas and points require standard english. How much respect should I, or anyone, have for careless illiteracy? In my view none at all.

Second: Topical structure is not a suggestion. It is a rule of the forum. Abide by it or go elsewhere. Saying, “If you don’t want to read my post don’t read it”, is the logical equal of saying, “If you don’t like the rubbish I leave on the street take a different route.” Its intentional bad manners.

Third: The idea all forum posters are deserving of equal respect is, to me, silly on its face. Here all anyone knows about anyone is between the margins. Forums are a pure meritocracy. If what is written over the signature is ill expressed, off topic, poorly spelled, ill puncutated and tendentious what should I conclude other than the poster is a hopeless AND lazy twit? And weight his views accordingly.

Fourth: In my view the TAMR set is certainly welcome here, as they have no forum of their own. I continue to suggest a separate forum sub-section for their use. However, as it doesn’t yet exist, the adults need to understand younger posters tend to “run off the rails” (railroad metaphore here) from time to time and require a bit of guidance. Of course, such guidance should be a reminder not a rebuke. If they are, as is often asserted, the future of the hobby wouldn’t we all prefer a polite and knowledgable future?

Lets all remember a soft word is always preferable to a barb.

Randy