Forum Sensitivity

Well, I was hoping that Billy would step in, but since he hasn't, I'll explain.

He is to blame for the initiating drama. FB's only role is that it was what he used to send me the message. We aren't friends there.

He sent me a message. During the conversation he mentioned that a CBuzzer left because of me and that I was mean/rude. Without knowing who or what that was about, I stewed over it longer than I should have and then started this thread.

Today, Billy followed up to tell me it was Cropsey who had the issue. Cropsey who said he didn't want to add to this thread told Billy it was ok to share this with me:

So after telling me that he didn't mean to offend me, Billy came out here and decided to post what he did in response to me. I don't get that. And the name-calling that his friend does and the harsh words he offers are somehow ok. And you might notice the break in the exchange where only Cropsey's portion is shared.

I sincerely apologize for the drama. This was way more dramatic than it should have been. When I started the thread, I didn't know what the source was. Now that I do, I would have just ignored it.

But I really am glad for the discussion. :-)

Oh, and if you're interested, here is the "mean/rude" thread regarding Bed Bugs.

High five, Carrie! <smack!>

I can't believe how wrong and self diluted everyone in this thread has been!

Ok, that's my post for this year, see you in 2014!

I thought this place was taking on water...

All I know is what I've said all along. Facebook ruins lives.

See, what I don't get is the misperception that we enjoy being mean. We really don't. First off, with very rare exceptions, we aren't mean, and secondly, I think we'd all appreciate the opportunity to discuss our passion without having to put up with people who don't want to do so in a mature manner. When that doesn't happen, we're, in a better word, strict. What I also don't get is the thin skin deal.

Take a look at Mike G. Mike gets ripped to shreds over volleying with a Ride Op over seating. Now, I feel like I'm doing it singlehandedly, but I've kept at it, turning it into a meme (at least for me). What does Mike do? He embraces it because he knows it isn't personal and he has enough of a self-deprecating sense of humor to appreciate it. If I said some completely off-the-wall comment or did something generally regarded as unpopular and people decided it was time to make me the butt of a recurring joke, awesome! Ask my coworkers just how thick my skin is. The memes people have become a part of here pales in comparison to what I'm the subject of at work. They're relentless there, but I know that despite all the jokes, they really care for me and appreciate me. They've outright said it.

If we all had our way here, we'd all be cracking harmless jokes and talking about our passion. Is Coasterbuzz a social clique? Yes! Every online forum generally is to a degree. Jeff, and to a greater extent the community at large, has decided that Coasterbuzz should be the intellectual site for coaster discussion. That's its niche. Compared to a lot of what's out there, this place is like Mensa. You've got to work at it to really become a part of the community, but it's quite rewarding if you put forth the effort.

Also, how people can think Carrie is mean is beyond me. If anything, Carrie's more likely to be in your corner than a lot of people.

Even if she has to lay down the law, though, it isn't personal, and that goes for everyone. My first post drew the ire of Gonch, thereby leading to my second post being volleying accusations of unkindness and general meanness. Now, you may ask that as someone who thinks holding a grudge over an online comment is over the top, why have I not forgotten what happened? To that I say I don't remember it out of bitterness. I remember it because it was followed by a PM exchange with Gonch where I admitted that I misunderstood what was happening and Gonch explained it to me. He had no ill feelings, but he was simply telling me straight how it is. There was no sugarcoating, which I think is what too many people think they deserve. Years later, I remember it as a learning experience and I still appreciate it. It's made me mature in an intellectual sense, at least on here.

I guess people should stop viewing the tough love as punishment and start viewing it as a learning opportunity. If you want to be successful in life, you need to hear how it is without flowers and unicorns softening the blow.

sirloindude said:

Jeff, and to a greater extent the community at large, has decided that Coasterbuzz should be the intellectual site for coaster discussion. That's its niche. Compared to a lot of what's out there, this place is like Mensa.

Whoa, whoa, whoa... thems fightin' words!

Leave it to Carrie to re-open that damn bedbug thread every year, just when people have finally stopped scratching. And for the record, bedbugs are everywhere these days.

A year may have passed, but I still have deep emotional scars from my tribble infestation. You insensitive b*stards.

Excuse me...that's status hungry meanies with a social disorder to you!

High five!

I have found that posting here is cheaper than paying for my S&M. It's thrifty to shop around for those types of things.

I thought you were done til 2014...

Carrie J. said:

I just had to quote this because it is now the new greatest thing ever posted on CoasterBuzz.

I honestly want to enlarge, print, frame and hang it in the entryway of my home.

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Break Trims said:

I thought this place was taking on water...

And this is so subtlely hysterical that I fear it's going to go over everyone's heads. Absolutely brilliant. Seriously everyone, go back and look at those two posts in a row - then give Break Trims a vote up for that one.

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As far as the butthurt, being mean and drama...

sirloindude said:

My first post drew the ire of Gonch, thereby leading to my second post being volleying accusations of unkindness and general meanness. Now, you may ask that as someone who thinks holding a grudge over an online comment is over the top, why have I not forgotten what happened? To that I say I don't remember it out of bitterness. I remember it because it was followed by a PM exchange with Gonch where I admitted that I misunderstood what was happening and Gonch explained it to me. He had no ill feelings, but he was simply telling me straight how it is. There was no sugarcoating, which I think is what too many people think they deserve. Years later, I remember it as a learning experience and I still appreciate it.

*wipes tear from eye*

I can't say it any better than this. I know I'm the 'dick' around here. I don't care. I'm not changing because some pillow huggers felt bad when I talked at them. What's even funnier is that I'm not actually being a dick and I'm sure WAY more folks than Justin who I've talked to online and in real life outside of the forums can easy attest to such.

I appreciate a matter-of-factness, a no bull**** approach. I'm possibly the least pretentious person you're going to meet. Just because I disagree with you, think you're wrong or your ideas make no sense and tell you outright doesn't mean I don't like you or I'm being mean. In fact, it probably means just the opposite - I respect you enough to engage.

I still don't understand where it's this community's problem to adapt rather than the individual user's problem to find a community better suited to their sensibilities. That's an entirely a foreign concept to me. That's not how life works. And if you're running away angry because I (or anyone, really) told you to get the hell over bedbugs, then you're not the type of person who enjoys or thrives in this kind of environment. No biggie. It's only a biggie when that person goes all drama queen and can't understand why everyone didn't bend over backwards for them. If you don't like it, walk away. Everyone will be cool with your decision. We don't harbor nearly the amount of animosity that the haters do, yet somehow the regulars here are the 'mean' ones.

Yeah, we're the problem.

It's not hard. CoasterBuzz is what it is - an internet coaster dork forum that means so little in the big scheme of things that the idea of getting upset over what people say here is more sad than anything.

Walk away. It's fine, really. Not everyone has to get along and not everyone gels with everyone. It's life. I don't log off and cry myself to sleep. You shouldn't either.

*High Five*

Well if you deflect away attention as the "dick," I'm gonna be this guy since I get the ad revenue:

About 6-8 years ago I was at SFNE and mentioned to this person, who I was talking to in line, that I usually go on coasterbuzz. He then rolled his eyes at me(or some similar gesture i don't recall exactly) like I go on the immature coaster site. I believe Coasterforce was the site he was trying to convert me to.

Due to having no life in college the past 2 years I have not posted much at all lately. Whenever I do check in I have noticed that Jeff and the other moderators are far more relaxed with the rules. I have seen topics that start with "EST" last longer for example. On a side note I do not see the problems with those topics. As long as people explain why they like something it can be an interesting conversation in my opinion.

Relative to other coaster forums I think this site is far more mature; maybe 6 to 8 years ago it could be stated otherwise, but definitely not now. If/when I tell people I talk on coasterbuzz, I feel like I talk on(relative to other coaster sites) a mature and intelligent coaster site.

High five, Eric!

I'm really looking forward to BeastBuzz now. (smile)

I just gave Break Trims a +1. Not because I understood the joke, but rather because I feel compelled to do everything that Gonch tells me.

High Five!

Now send me the contents of your bank account.

Funny, that's the same thing my ex-wife's lawyer said.