Why So Nasty? — TB Etiquette

[Frankula]

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.

You can blame it all on computers and smart phones and the anonymity they provide for creating a culture of trolls. This has helped to degrade the quality of the entire human race.

 

[Element Zero]

yes, for some reason, sometimes it does feel like this:

View attachment 3503097 View attachment 3503098 View attachment 3503099 View attachment 3503100 View attachment 3503101 View attachment 3503102 View attachment 3503103

I just love that you picked Kai The Hitchhiker as one of those gifs.

 

[Nevada Pete]

I think it's because as more and more of us qualify for the 'Grumpy Old Gits' club, we realise life is just too short and precious a commodity to be wasting on some of the insignificant issues raised here.

As we near death, we strive to impart the wisdom of our life experience before it's too late.

Also, it's fun rilin' up the young un's.

This:

As we near death, we strive to impart the wisdom of our life experience before it's too late.

Also, it's fun rilin' up the young un's. (Who are usually the ones who pick the fights, by the way. We just finish them).

Myself personally, I do try my best to play by the rules. Sometimes, I'm sorry to say, I am overwhelmed and loose my perspective. This is my shortcoming, and I will do better in the future by flagging the message I am tempted to refute, instead of actually doing so.

 

[Steve]

I can't read all this. Have we done gun forums yet? Go on one of them and say, "XXX is the best gun for metal"..if you want to see fur fly

 

[Herrick]

I haven't noticed this place being any better or worse since I joined in 2010.

 

[foal30]

I like to read old threads and I'm always surprised by the number of banned users. I guess some people just never learned to play nice.

I'd like linkage to the post that was the final straw

 

[socialleper]

I don't really find it to be that polite. There's a whole lot of snark and condescension. I do find that you aren't allowed to curse, which is probably not much of a value add considering the first statement.

It makes people step back from that ledge. On the internet there is a difference between "you are totally wrong" and "you are so #$%&ing wrong." It hits people a different way.
I appreciate what having that buffer does.
I know it isn't all rainbows and unicorns here. I'll admit that I am probably one of the most belligerent people here. I respect the guidelines they have and understand that while things can get heated, it could be SO much worse.

 

[Funky Ghost]

If you're gonna be a Link Removed expect to see a

.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I don't say this sarcastically - I genuinely can't recall seeing a thread turn hostile here. Good-natured ribbing, sure, but never anything outright rude or insulting. This is by far the most consistently pleasant and helpful of the forums I still spend any time on.

I have, lots of times.

..I've no memory of things devolving to the personal..

See above.

Talk Peace.

"Peace doesn't sell." - Milo Bloom (IIRC)

 

[Krisfield]

I stick to one or two areas of TB. It's a big place. Been here 15 years, so I've learnt a few things about TB. I totally respect my fellow TB'er, and as a result TB for me is a very pleasant and hospitable place. Can't speak highly enough of the people that I interact with. I do get criticised now and again, but it's never malicious. TB forever!!

 

[PWRL]

While there's always room for improvement, this is definitely the most civilized forum I've encountered. I appreciate the moderation which keeps it that way, because it does so much to keep this place the refuge and resource that it is.

 

[Mordamir]

Have you ever been on any other forums?





Talkbass compared to the other forums I frequent.

 

[Hundred proof]

There have been some moments ... thankfully it has passed but at the height of the fearful/fearless "movement" if someone asked about a 4x10 they pretty much got pounced upon by the green koolaid faithful. Some of the worst offenders are now banned.

The staff has been pretty good about weeding out trouble makers that get "triggered" by certain things and attacking based on their own bias, one guy called anything vintage trash. There are a lot of fans of old gear and those that love it have their reasons. That person is no longer allowed to post "banned"

So all in all yeah one of the better forums

 

[Skeezix]

There are reasons why some of us do not post very much.
There are reasons why I do not post opinions.
If I invented "X" and someone asked a question about "X"
and I chose to answer that question, there would be people
on this site that would tell me I was wrong and didn't know
anything about "X".

 

[bobdabilder]

I think it's cuz the snowflake culture

I think it's because as more and more of us qualify for the 'Grumpy Old Gits' club, we realise life is just too short and precious a commodity to be wasting on some of the insignificant issues raised here.
As we near death, we strive to impart the wisdom of our life experience before it's too late.






Also, it's fun rilin' up the young un's.

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

I think it's because as more and more of us qualify for the 'Grumpy Old Gits' club, we realise life is just too short and precious a commodity to be wasting on some of the insignificant issues raised here.
As we near death, we strive to impart the wisdom of our life experience before it's too late.






Also, it's fun rilin' up the young un's.

Grumpy Old Gits! I'm in, what's my number?

 

[IamGroot]

The math forums are pretty polite. Anything else would be illogical.

 

[logdrum]

Really? The folks are too polite conservative even (not in a political way) Very boy scouty. I have never seen rude specially. if you stick to the gear forums. Even the pub us still very civil.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I find it pretty calm here on TB, and find some of the arguments actually amusing. What's the age limit of becoming a grumpy old git? I'm 40 now, can I join the club? I'll pick a fight if you don't let me in.

 

[electracoyote]

If you want nasty, go to either of the biggest Les Paul forums. Those guys get your family involved, and your Moms sexual preferences.

That's my take on it. This site is well-moderated; I'm no masher but I've been dinged for things so small I couldn't have anticipated it in a thousand lifetimes. And any healthy discussion is going to occasionally involve controversial opinions. This site covers much more than concrete subjects with strict objectivity as suggested by the OP. There ARE a lot of political and emotional aspects in the music and entertainment arena, it can't be avoided.

I admire the spirit of the OP, but if you're sensitive to vigorous debate and disagreements (a hallmark of the arts), than maybe TB isn't for you. The mods are usually on it with at least a warning when someone edges up to or crosses the line. Perhaps some of us could be a little less blunt, put some sugar on it, but some of us could also grow a thicker skin.