OTC

MillerCross

Expecting genuine communication and meeting others halfway is not 'really high'.

Even in the internet?

My point was not that OTC is specifically better than the WoW forums, but that I have seen similar or worse opinions/behavior on other "general topic of discussion" type forums in various internet communities that I've frequented.

Yes, and even then, there are bad discussion forums within TvT itself that you could easily argue are worse than OTC, but that's not the problem.

The problem is that OTC shouldn't be like this. They shouldn't discuss such relevant subjects with that level of callousness and disrespect for other people's opinions. 

Elbeem

I do agree that it shouldn't be like that, and wish it were overall better quality.

I also have to agree with GMH, though, in that some areas of OTC can be very interesting and informative, even to the point where I can think of few other places where I can get a similar or higher quality of information about a subject all in one place. The Egyption/Middle Eastern Protests thread is the shining jewel of the forum when it's not being beset by Troll Posts or Major Tom's anti-UN/NATO rhetoric.

glennmagusharvey

Okay, maybe it's that I don't have to do moderation work for it.

Or the fact that I don't really get frustrated when people espouse really stupid opinions on the internet.  I just chalk it up to "stupid people gonna stupid" and leave it at that, generally only asking myself what practical purpose would be served by my arguing with someone.

So it's more like this:

Situation 1: People are arguing about the Israel-Palestine situation again.  Some people think Israel is being unfair, some people think the Palestinians are being unfair, some people think Israel is the spawn of the devil, some people think the Palestinians are the spawn of the devil, some people think that both sides are spawns of the devil and should be eradicated with an atomic bomb.  Topic (1) does not really interest me, (2) is not one where I have expertise, (3) is not one that I can help resolve, and (4) is not one that can be influenced by an internet discussion anyway.  I just yawn and walk away.

Situation 2: People are arguing over whether Barack Obama is eligible to be POTUS and about his birth certificate.  Topic does interest me (U.S. politics) but the arguing may be really stupid--you have the sensible people citing all the right things (for example, citing his mom being a U.S. citizen, citing Snopes, etc.), but a few holdouts continue to argue endlessly that everything could be forged and a conspiracy or something.  Do I have something snappy to throw at such people impressively, to make my point very convincingly to a theoretical noncommenting audience but without looking (too) condescending?  If so, I post it.  If not, is there any danger that someone on-the-fence about this issue might fall into the side of the non-sensible people?  If so, I will work to argue with the crazy people in order to convince the fence-sitters (NOT THE CRAZY PEOPLE THEMSELVES) of my point.  If not, I don't really give a crap.

Situation 3: A thread about climate change.  Sensible people are arguing that it's happening and that it's anthropogenic, but some other people are citing denier arguments, and others are making a point of throwing their hands up in the air and declaring that the whole thing is a mess and they don't want to bother with it until it's better sorted out.  This being an issue that I both care about AND am informed about, I ought to (assuming I have the time) go into here and argue against the deniers and support the sensible people (often clarifying their points) in an effort to convince the fence-sitters and the I-don't-wanna-deal-with-this people of the facts of this matter.  This is when I'll get into a thread and slog through stuff and gigantpost and keep on putting up a fight, sometimes long after other people have stopped.

Of course, this all presumes that I actually bother to wander outside my watchlist.

Bee

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=13177025320A01540100

Best thread on the forum.  I wish I was kidding but I'm not.

MillerCross

Seeing as how I can't really think of any ways that extra heads would be useful for committing violent crimes, I'm going to have to say there isn't anything in particular I'd do.

guh

...Make out with it, I guess

more guh

also, the OP's handle pretty much speaks for the whole thread, really 

AHR

Those are the only two bad posts.

And one of them is from Tongpu. 

Evergreen

I didn't read much of that thread, tbh, my outlook changed as soon as I saw that the OP was a red-named, avatarless newbie. Usually you can't expect much out of such people no matter what they're saying or where they are in the forum.

MillerCross

Those are the only two bad posts.

There are others. I just decided to bring just those two up

Of course, it'd be just up to 4, but my point is simply that even the inane threads get bullshitastic responses. And that's something that, you know, shouldn't happen.

But I'm in IJBM, so I'm basically calling the kettle black. So I'll stop.

Vivi

More like the greyish-brown pot calling the kettle black.

Iaculus

So, anyone catch the tail-end of the 'Immigration is Anti-White' thread before it went under?

Did Shichibukai finally admit to having a swastika tattooed on his forehead?

Crimson

^I keep the hell away from OTC, so I wouldn't know this, but WHAT?!

Chagen

Okay, Shichi is for certain not a Neo-Nazi.

Possibly a White Nationalist, but not a Nazi.

glennmagusharvey

I'm not certain this isn't drama importing.

(That's an honest comment.)

Anonus

Gossip counts as drama importation?

ninjaclown

No worries, GMH. This discussion started here, it's only importing when we bring it there, in his face.

Vivi

And we would never do that cause who wants to go into that?

ninjaclown

I may have mentioned this already, but that place is full of avatar-less people. I don't mean to imply they are less trustworthy, but I don't really listen to people who don't think a few seconds is worth getting an avatar. Also, I can't help but feel they don't plan on staying long, and they all start looking like the same person.

Vivi

WMG: Every person without an avatar is the same guy.

Nyktos

Specifically they are all Clarste.

Shichibukai

Did Shichibukai finally admit to having a swastika tattooed on his forehead?

-checks-

Nope, absolutely not. 

Well, perhaps I had it coming. Not much I can do about that, now.

Nova

Well, considering how racist the thread was from conception, I'd say that was a valid question.

Shichibukai

I think peoples' conception of "racism" is overblown. Colour me a racial protectionist, not a white supremacist or any other sort of person who believes it's ok to lynch or otherwise mistreat people because of their skin colour. If that makes me "evil", what hope do I have? 

To make it absolutely clear, I don't wish to import said drama here.

ninjaclown

That's good, because if you say anything like that here, we would have to take appropriate measures.

Shichibukai

Guess so. Certain issues hit my berserk button. I evidently have political opinions which alienate most of my friends. I should've known, they are in eternal conflict. People like myself would be wise to keep more controversial views and friends/acquaintances separate unless said friends reasonably tolerate said political views. Damn.

-shrug-

vandro

I have to politely disagree, while racism is something that I consider overblown, I take issue at the thought that racial purity is to be expected, it just makes race divides grow stronger. Also, in my view, no matter how hypocritical, a view that hinges on being even just a bit intolerant doesn't deserve tolerance. What we should do is to learn to accept racial and cultural differences and allow us to integrate better in society by way of this acceptance.

glennmagusharvey

Wait, what exactly is your view on race and racial purity, Shichibukai?

Shichibukai

^^ Surely a just view should also be consistent. Hypocrisy undermines said lack of tolerance for whatever you define as "intolerance". 

^  If I give the wrong answer, do I get the banhammer? =/

(Just being paranoid for obvious reasons)

glennmagusharvey

There is no wrong answer since this is a discussion.

ninjaclown

Personally I don't really care what your opinion, but as a forum we have a duty to ensure this is a fun place where people can just hang out and talk about things, meaning we can't and we won't tolerate anything that makes others feel uncomfortable at best and feel threatened at worst. It's really not hard for one person to ruin anyplace for everyone else if the rules aren't enforced.

That said, I hope you enjoy the place like anyone else.

glennmagusharvey

Also, opinions don't threaten people; actions threaten people.