Quote:
Originally Posted by als463
I also looked forward to reading something from MC, KS, and DrPhil.
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All right. My $0.02, for what they're worth:
I think threads like this rarely have the desired effect. Even when motivated by a sincere desire to improve things, they tend to come across as patronizing and preachy. People do not usually respond positively to what can come across like pontification. So the result is that more often than not threads like this produce the opposite of the desired effect. This is a fairly foreseeable outcome.
I think that is particularly true when legitimate opinions are minimized. For example, to ask that someone with a differing opinion not be called a "sock-puppet" or "troll" diminishes the valid criticisms of real sock-puppets and trolls by dismissing those criticisms as "you just disagree with/don't like them."
I also think it is particularly true when someone suggests
in any way that others aren't living up to the ideals of their fraternity or sorority. I learned that the hard way many years ago. Judgmental observations are rarely appreciated.
Yes, many here go overboard sometimes, me included I'm afraid. But sometimes the harshness is, if not polite, understandable. The actions of some posters have taught others not to take everything at face value, or to recognize signs that something isn't on the up-and-up.
No, it's not always pretty. But I tend to think these things have a way of working and evening themselves out, and the best way for that to happen is through dialogue -- challenging specific posts that one thinks are out of line and letting the community, with moderator assistance when necessary, police itself.
Passive-aggressive threads like this, on the other hand, fan the flames and become part of the problem.