Why So Nasty? — TB Etiquette

[BOOG]

I first came to TB in 2012, and am by no means a frequent flier. Come to get answers from a wealth of historical threads from time-to-time, to poke around when I’m bored — and mainly to browse or buy/sell from the Classifieds. Just bought and sold basses here in the past couple of months — interacted with super people in both cases.

HOWEVER, it seems to me that the tone in a lot of the threads today — versus even 7 years ago — is increasingly hostile, snarky, impatient, and just plain rude. Why? This isn’t a politics forum — we’re talking about an instrument (albeit cool as heck) that produces low notes. Not too controversial...

If people want to start picking passive aggressive fights behind the safety and comfort of their PC or smartphone — CNN or Fox is ripe for this, with plenty of comment threads and fireworks for your entertainment.

How about saving Talkbass for legit questions and answers — attacking the OP less, and keeping it light-hearted and well, simply less...nasty.

I concur!

I’ve tolerated some real...well, I’ll just say, less than friendly comments/suggestions.

For the most part TB’rs are generous with information and guidance. Unfortunately, there’re a few choice veteran inhabitants that feel they have the right to be a ‘D’. Not only is it agitating but, more importantly, I am sure it has chased off more than one potentially valuable new member. It is especially apparent and damaging to a new player or someone with minimal experience seeking information and then getting turned off by the idea and the community.

Mean people and elitists suck.

 

[Biffa]

I think TB is cool and civilised and anyone who disagrees will get a fat lip

 

[wintremute]

I agree with others on here who say it is worse elsewhere. However, I also think that it can be better here.

 

[Dave Leighton]

In my humble and yet often twisted opinion the tone of a thread post as with a text message can be pulled in more than one direction. And ultimately start something with no intention or thoughts that it would go in a south bound direction.

The choice of one word usage over another can send a thread into orbit.

A bit more patience would be nice at times. But I get the frustration over the 10,000th post on "Best Bass For..."

Also not really on board with the whole this site is better than others. I agree that it is but this can come off as justifying a behavior. And before someone decides to crawl up my colon I'm not saying that anyone is justifying anything...

Again I get it. Been on some and am convinced everyone on them are serving hard time...No problem with being civil.

 

[kopio]

All in all, I think TB is a pretty solid forum. There are always some jerks wherever you go, but I tend to ignore them and move on. I have found the community super helpful and quick to respond to genuine bass related questions.

 

[callofcthulhu]

I'll have you know that every one of my posts are just as hostile, snarky, impatient, and rude as they were 7 years ago when I joined.

I take offense to the suggestion that I have ever posted with anything less than 110% snark, and I'll thank you to take hostile accusations like that elsewhere (like Fox News or CNN).

 

[socialleper]

Just Harley vs Honda or Yamaha is enough to cause a fight to break out! Hell, you couldn't pay me to sit on a motorcycle and even I know that!!!

I bet it's the whole US vs Asian company thing.

I get the attraction of them, but I've known way too many people that went down on one. One dude lost a leg. Not worth it.

 

[onestring]

To decipher a stranger's tone is incredibly challenging. Non-native English users, people from different cultural backgrounds, different sensibilities, different educations, ages, skill levels, politics, contrasting humor concepts, sarcasm... it's amazing that people here get along so well.

Sure there's noise, like there is everywhere. Just do regular maintenance on your intake filter and keep your scroll key clean.

I'm on some forums/communities that are way more friendly, but Talk Bass is huge. Users and mods alike should be applauded.

 

[callofcthulhu]

I bet it's the whole US vs Asian company thing.

I get the attraction of them, but I've known way too many people that went down on one. One dude lost a leg. Not worth it.

Wow lost a leg in an internet argument?

Those forums must be intense...

 

[Sixgunn]

I bet it's the whole US vs Asian company thing.

I get the attraction of them, but I've known way too many people that went down on one. One dude lost a leg. Not worth it.

Nah. Just like everything, it's the "my stuff is better than your stuff" thing. Oh, and my dad can beat up your dad!

 

[Biffa]

Wow lost a leg in an internet argument?

Those forums must be intense...

Lol

 

[RichardW]

TB is the only public social media platform that I spend any time on because I find members here so generally supportive and helpful to one another.

 

[socialleper]

Wow lost a leg in an internet argument?

Those forums must be intense...

It was a Fors vs. Chevy argument.

 

[hennessybass]

To decipher a stranger's tone is incredibly challenging. Non-native English users, people from different cultural backgrounds, different sensibilities, different educations, ages, skill levels, politics, contrasting humor concepts, sarcasm... it's amazing that people here get along so well.

Sure there's noise, like there is everywhere. Just do regular maintenance on your intake filter and keep your scroll key clean.

I'm on some forums/communities that are way more friendly, but Talk Bass is huge. Users and mods alike should be applauded.

+1 to all of this.

The normal social cues (body language, tone of voice, etc) are not present, and it's easy to misinterpret meaning in the written text.

I find myself looking over and checking location and date joined info a lot more frequently these days. It can tell you quite a bit and give you some actual context.

I also think that as you are on here longer, you start to see that peoples personalities really come across - some dudes are really just grumpy, some are curt but don't mean any harm, some are very literal, and some like to stir the pot. Being able to recognize those things for what they are and manage your reaction is key.

 

[FenderB]

Golf forums are the worst. So many people with a passion for the same thing, and so much hate for each other.

Plus they have clubs.

 

[Biffa]

This fella needs a slap

 

[bass40hz]

The world has lost its sense of humor...I really have no use for folks without one...and folks without one really have no use for me. I'm ok with that.
Rock on.

 

[IamBF]

There's also a higher collective IQ among bass players, so you'll get far better advice on a wide range of topics than you will on other sites.

Amen!

 

[bass12]

I think people are becoming increasingly impatient and that tact and manners are on the decline. I'm not at all surprised that internet forums have become outlets for people's frustrations. Having said that, I think TB is remarkably civil most of the time. This place really is a unique gem.

 

[hennessybass]

IMO, overall a great community.
I've been here a while an only had one experience (that I recall) where I just said, I'm going to walk away. I was sharing an experience, and there someone who I felt was just trying to stir up trouble - so I said what I had to say, and left the conversation.