The Contingency Plan/Exit Strategy

SGR · 07-17-2022, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

I bloody hate writing on my phone, including texts and whatsapps.

I'm a millennial and I can't stand typing on my phone. Granted, I'm in the tech industry, so I'm accustomed to a keyboard, but I can't fathom how so many of my generation are perfectly comfortable with it. There's not enough haptic feedback to be a true replacement for a keyboard. I actually use Google Messages as my SMS app so that I can use the web version of it on my computer to send texts with a keyboard.

I think the discussion overall we're having here is a productive one and one that we probably should've had properly a while ago, and once again Trolls, I just wanted to extend my appreciation for all the work you've done in getting a replacement set up. Even if we don't use it any time soon (or at all).

Quote:

Originally Posted by ribbons

Thanks everyone for your comments and I do agree with all of you to a great extent. Apologies if my post seemed overly negative (this is why I don't banter much, because I'm not very good at bantering!). I actually have mixed emotions about this whole discussion. My point was that there was quite a corrosive atmosphere here for many years - and I think once that problem took root and was allowed to fester for so long, members bolted and we became the much smaller community existing here today.

You're too nice! You've got nothing to apologize for. Your point is a valid one. Toxicity and spitefulness will drive some new (and old) members away, to some degree. In the early days of the internet (think late '90s), people would communicate crassly and often times vulgarly. There were much fewer rules than there are now. To that extent, we carry on the tradition in some ways here. Other parts of the internet are more strict in their moderation approach, some subreddits even having rules about not being mean to people.

If every member on here was as nice as you, we'd certainly be a more welcoming place, no question about it. But on the other hand, a little antagonism now and then livens this place up and even if emotions get involved, it sometimes results in a more productive or interesting discussion. I guess there's a balance and a trade-off with it, ya know? I guess what I'm saying is that I wouldn't want our moderators to crack down on members being mean to each other - at least not with passing snide remarks you know? If it got to the point where it was sustained and continuous targeting of a member, that would be another story. I think I'm rambling a bit now, so I'll just leave it there.

EDIT: As others have noted, Marie interjecting in threads that are getting heated/personal with "Don't be a dick" and not outright threatening to ban people is probably a good balance, and that's we seem to be at now.

rubber soul · 07-17-2022, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ribbons

Thanks everyone for your comments and I do agree with all of you to a great extent. Apologies if my post seemed overly negative (this is why I don't banter much, because I'm not very good at bantering!). I actually have mixed emotions about this whole discussion. My point was that there was quite a corrosive atmosphere here for many years - and I think once that problem took root and was allowed to fester for so long, members bolted and we became the much smaller community existing here today.

No he doesn't. I also noticed a positive turn when you became a Mod, Marie. You keep things in line without being a spoilsport, as TH said. And you are honest and fair and an extremely decent person (which I've been the lucky beneficiary of more than a few times in the past).

Exactly. I actually left here twice because of the toxic atmosphere, the second time being especially so bad that I even started a goodbye thread to make my point. Anyway, I also think Marie is the big difference. She'll give you some leeway, especially in the political arena, but she doesn't mess with personal attacks like they would have here before her.

So, never leave us, Marie. We really need you

ribbons · 07-17-2022, 01:43 PM

*** Googles haptick feedback *** Thanks for that, SGR!

And yes, thanks once again to TH for creating the alternative forum (and who knows what that forum might grow into), which took a lot of hard work. No surprise there, though, as TH is one of the most active and industrious posters here - he does so much to keep this place alive!

ribbons · 07-17-2022, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubber soul

Exactly. I actually left here twice because of the toxic atmosphere, the second time being especially so bad that I even started a goodbye thread to make my point. Anyway, I also think Marie is the big difference. She'll give you some leeway, especially in the political arena, but she doesn't mess with personal attacks like they would have here before her.

So, never leave us, Marie. We really need you

I'm sorry that happened to you, RS - and I'm very glad you reconsidered and returned here.

And happy to see Marie getting the well deserved recognition here. We love you, Marie!

ribbons · 07-17-2022, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGR

You're too nice! You've got nothing to apologize for. Your point is a valid one. Toxicity and spitefulness will drive some new (and old) members away, to some degree. In the early days of the internet (think late '90s), people would communicate crassly and often times vulgarly. There were much fewer rules than there are now. To that extent, we carry on the tradition in some ways here. Other parts of the internet are more strict in their moderation approach, some subreddits even having rules about not being mean to people.

If every member on here was as nice as you, we'd certainly be a more welcoming place, no question about it. But on the other hand, a little antagonism now and then livens this place up and even if emotions get involved, it sometimes results in a more productive or interesting discussion. I guess there's a balance and a trade-off with it, ya know? I guess what I'm saying is that I wouldn't want our moderators to crack down on members being mean to each other - at least not with passing snide remarks you know? If it got to the point where it was sustained and continuous targeting of a member, that would be another story. I think I'm rambling a bit now, so I'll just leave it there.

EDIT: As others have noted, Marie interjecting in threads that are getting heated/personal with "Don't be a dick" and not outright threatening to ban people is probably a good balance, and that's we seem to be at now.

Thank you so much, SGR! You make a lot of sense as usual - it's all about the balance between the spice and the sugar here

and your contributions are one of the best examples of that balance. You are very level-headed and witty and kind, plus a very good writer - I've often noticed that! Glad to have this opportunity to tell you so. Thanks again!

And just for the record, I hate posting on my phone too, and do that very rarely.

SGR · 07-17-2022, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ribbons

Thank you so much, SGR! You make a lot of sense as usual - it's all about the balance between the spice and the sugar here

and your contributions are one of the best examples of that balance. You are very level-headed and witty and kind, plus a very good writer - I've often noticed that! Glad to have this opportunity to tell you so. Thanks again!

And just for the record, I hate posting on my phone too, and do that very rarely.

Aw, thank you! You keep that up and you're gonna make me blush.

**Marie Monday** · 07-17-2022, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGR

You're too nice! You've got nothing to apologize for. Your point is a valid one. Toxicity and spitefulness will drive some new (and old) members away, to some degree. In the early days of the internet (think late '90s), people would communicate crassly and often times vulgarly. There were much fewer rules than there are now. To that extent, we carry on the tradition in some ways here. Other parts of the internet are more strict in their moderation approach, some subreddits even having rules about not being mean to people.

If every member on here was as nice as you, we'd certainly be a more welcoming place, no question about it. But on the other hand, a little antagonism now and then livens this place up and even if emotions get involved, it sometimes results in a more productive or interesting discussion. I guess there's a balance and a trade-off with it, ya know? I guess what I'm saying is that I wouldn't want our moderators to crack down on members being mean to each other - at least not with passing snide remarks you know? If it got to the point where it was sustained and continuous targeting of a member, that would be another story. I think I'm rambling a bit now, so I'll just leave it there.

EDIT: As others have noted, Marie interjecting in threads that are getting heated/personal with "Don't be a dick" and not outright threatening to ban people is probably a good balance, and that's we seem to be at now.

I agree entirely with this. And I'm glad you bring these things up, ribbons, that's a good thing to do. I think we all just try to find the balance by gauging what each member likes and what they can handle, at least that's how I moderate and I notice that's how others post too. So that's why talk between Charles and jwb would be less heavily moderated than interactions with naive new people, for instance. But if new people notice the rougher interactions between others some of them may still be put off. (And of course if I ever make a mistake in what someone is comfortable with then please tell me)

also, I do think it's possible to make snide remarks or be impolite now and then without being toxic, so the former is no excuse for the latter. A line should be drawn between the two and it's good when people point out when they feel that it gets crossed.

Trollheart · 07-17-2022, 03:40 PM

What we need now is for Batty to break in with a "****ing gays!" comment to level out all the niceness. Still, in the meantime, here is a unicorn.

What? I said it was a unique horn.. you try buying one, then!

**Marie Monday** · 07-17-2022, 03:44 PM

oh ps. I did type out an entire journal entry on my phone today so I what's y'alls excuse

The Batlord · 07-17-2022, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ribbons

No he doesn't. I also noticed a positive turn when you became a Mod, Marie. You keep things in line without being a spoilsport, as TH said. And you are honest and fair and an extremely decent person (which I've been the lucky beneficiary of more than a few times in the past).

Like a less nakedly authoritarian WWWP.

07-17-2022, 03:40 PM	#128 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,994	What we need now is for Batty to break in with a "***ing gays!" comment to level out all the niceness. Still, in the meantime, here is a unicorn. What? I said it was a unique horn.. you try buying one, then! __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018*

07-17-2022, 01:43 PM	#123 (permalink)
ribbons Music Addict Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,265	* Googles haptick feedback * Thanks for that, SGR! And yes, thanks once again to TH for creating the alternative forum (and who knows what that forum might grow into), which took a lot of hard work. No surprise there, though, as TH is one of the most active and industrious posters here - he does so much to keep this place alive!