How hard could it be to think before you post?

within the past few years, a lot of people on here have displayed a seriously disrespectful attitude towards others. The site doesn't feel all "buddy, pal" like it use to, and it's just not "fun" anymore. A lot of people are looking for a fight, for the sake of fighting.

I believe that it may be done on purpose, but I will restrain the description the rest of my theory, because I may be wrong and way off base. If it is being done on purpose, I would have to say that it would not be a very ethical way to conduct business.

I would like to suggest that everyone step back and try hard to consider that there is a person on the other side of the screen with feelings and their own experiences that can add their own perspective to the discussions. That used to be what made CoasterBuzz so great.

I'm not going to have a great big crazy argument about this. Let's see who can be civil here.

He honestly thinks people like me and Gonch are here to stimulate arguments and increase revenue.

He also thinks if someone is disagreeing with his points they're personally attacking him. He can't divide the two out. He thinks if someone doesn't like his opinions they're being "disrespectful" which is essentially a product of him playing Mr. Victim every chance he gets and when someone takes him on he gets his feelings hurt and resorts to passive-aggressive nonsense like putting thinly veiled digs in his signature and announcing to the group he has a "least favorite poster" three times in a single thread and then announcing that he isn't going to tell us who it is.

Not a mod or anything but I'll make a motion for someone to close this asap, plz.... *** Edited 7/10/2007 1:22:43 PM UTC by matt.***

I wouldn't mind if my posts were sponsored by Aquafina, Post cereal or even Six Flags.

Unfortunately, 98.5% of them are still only sponsored by DOOOOOIIIIEEEE.

-CO

Just ignore it. If all the 'victims' would just ignore the post they saw as an attack, the thread would continue as normal. Instead of posting a five paragraph response to every little comment, just ignore it. I have been visiting Coasterbuzz for some time now, and I think its exactly the same as it was when I started, I have never had anyone be disrespectful to me in any way.

The problem isn't so much the "attackers", it's the "people with feelings on the other side of the screen" that are taking the internet just a tad bit too seriously.

There are a select few people who don't play nice with others, and even though I don't post all that much, relatively speaking, I'm aware of it. It's even worse this time of year because me and the moderators, who rarely do a lot of moderating in the first place, are out taking vacations and such.

We have a similar problem over at PointBuzz, only worse. Walt and I have talked about just booting a half-dozen people who convey the unfriendly feelings or the constant inside banter that no one cares about. We might just do it too.

Remember... we wouldn't lose any sleep over booting people who we feel don't contribute anything. It takes a few clicks. They're bits on a computer.

Just keep that in mind.

While I agree that there are a couple obnoxes on the site, I never let their remarks bother me. Like you said Jeff, they are just bits. With the exception of Travis and Gator I dont really talk to anyone much, so it doesn't matter.

Dex,

Don't play the whinney victim. I see most people getting flammed here because THEY don't think about what THEY are posting. Yes, there are some looking for opportunity to just lay into someone that says anything ingnorant or arrogant. Mostly the former.

I can say I am guilty of said actions but have gotten my share too. Keep complaining you'll get more. Ignore it or flame back.

We do have some weirdos here though. Some even with multiple personalities...

Some thoughts:

If you're going to state an opinion, say so.

If you're going to state a fact, it better be true or you'll hear about it.

No such thing as a stupid question, most are happy to help if a legit question. But it does help to do some research before hand.

When trolling...admit to it.

When you see trolling, take it with a grain of salt and recognize it for what it is. Most cases it's just out of humor.

And if you do have a real complaint? Don't post a thread saying so. Just go right to the admin email and let them resolve the problem. Sort of a "kill them all and let God sort them out" way of it.

*** Edited 7/10/2007 6:11:43 PM UTC by WildThingNative***

For what it's worth, what few times I've been called-out over statements I've made, I'd like to say thanks. I've become a better researcher as a result.

It always pays to keep an open mind.

I've found that having a thick skin just helps when your throwing opinions out there that might make you unpopular. I could care less what people think of me, because were talking about one aspect of life here at Coasterbuzz. There are at least 20 others things "off-line" that are far more important to me (on a daily basis) than how I'm perceived here.

I agree with what Jeff has said in the past. If it gets that serious, step away from the keyboard for awhile, and go visit a park you *do* like as appose to the ones that send you into a rage on the internet. Posting here *should* be challenging, but it should also be fun and not taken so seriously.

I think that's part of the problem though, in that for some people, a Web site is most of what they look forward to.

I actually most look forward to band practice so I can whine even more with a melody and rhythm backing me up...

I'll admit that I am a pretty sensitive guy. CoasterBuzz is a website for discussion and I can take opinions that differ from mine just fine and with respect. I really like it when someone offers a different perspective than my own because it helps me to understand the topic better. It not *what* people say, but *how* they say it.

But a lot of the times those differing opinions have little hints of personal attack inserted inside of them. "Stop your whining" is considered to me to be a personal attack. "Why don't you go to a park and get off the Internet" is a personal attack. Those are the not-so-hurtful things people say. Adults that I know don't act that way when speaking to each other.

I normally visit CoasterBuzz about once a day. It used to be one of my favorite pass times after a long day at work. I do have a life outside of my computer, even though a few people have posted big, long, clever, made up stories stating otherwise the past few years.

Maybe one of the biggest problems for me here is that people don't clarify who they are talking about when they are personally attacking someone. I really have a very hard time figuring it out. I still don't know if Jeff's post was about me or someone else. The fun of "punching bag dexter" is over anyway, warning or not.

And I realize that I have been guilty lately for a lot of the banter about opinions and respect lately. That's why I started this topic to get it out in the right thread.

Posts above will show the attitudes of some people quite well. You can easily see who disagrees with respect. matt. seems to be trying to talk everyone into something like a politician, while Playa seems to be trying to get on my nerves by continuing an opposing view in another thread in the General Buzz section in some kind of attempt at humor. I honestly don't find that a nice way to post.

Thanks to everyone who has given a respectful reply and advice. All I want is for people to think about being friendlier around here, myself included. I'll not be posting as much, which should make things less interesting. Believe it or not, it's for my benefit.

...In my humble opinion (lol).

*** Edited 7/11/2007 4:36:16 AM UTC by dexter***

I know this is almost as old as a certain zombie thread about screen names...but does anyone remember the Theory of Nobody?

-CO

^No, I do not remember.

Also, I think your mood when you go to read and post also has an affect. If you are in a bad mood, you may think someone is attacking you when they are not. One other thing...by simply reading what someone is saying and not hearing it for yourself, some people have problems detecting sarcasm. You just can't hear the tone in which they would be speaking this to you and I think sometimes people have a hard time of determining this.

Hey Dex, my personal favorite is "Get over it". The people that use that one seem to think that is THE definitive end to an argument. I always enjoy a good laugh when there's a good debate going on and then someone who thinks he/she/whomever is far superior to everyone else comes along and says "Get over it".

And BTW- this happens everywhere there's a message board, so I am not singling any particular one out.

Ray P. *** Edited 7/11/2007 8:58:10 PM UTC by ProgRay***

I've said it plenty of times:

It's never personal.

Read it again. Learn it, live it, love it.

If it were, can you imagine the scene at CB events when everyone gets face-to-face. ;)

I don't say a single thing here that I wouldn't say to anyone in person. The beauty of the whole thing is that I (and presumably others I've met) aren't exactly into debating the business practices of amusement parks outside of forums like this. (thank God)

There's a difference between 'fight' and 'debate' or 'discussion' in my world, Dex. I haven't had a fight with anyone on Coasterbuzz...ever. A fight is personal. (and if you think my 'debate' is a 'fight' - God forbid you ever see the fight :) )

But a debate or discussion? Love 'em. Yes, I'm often looking for them. Yes, I want an intense back and forth with opposing viewpoints. Call me crazy, but I enjoy thoughtful, intense discussion.

CoasterBuzz is hardcore. No doubt about it. If you want happy fun time mindless retort full of 'me too' posts - there are plenty of places to find it.

I'll stick with having to constantly up my game in order to hold my own with some very intelligent people who throw out brilliant ideas much of the time. I'll stick with CoasterBuzz. :)

I think you're a dick, Gonch.

---

Jeff said:
I think you're a dick, Gonch.

---

I think in my years of typing "beat me to it" on message boards this might be the most frustrating one.

My version was going to be "To bad you're a jerk in real life, too, Gonch" so I guess you win because yours is a bit funnier, anyway.

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Jeff said:
I think you're a dick, Gonch.

---

I think you're a dick too.

Lord Gonchar said:
Jeff said:
I think you're a dick, Gonch.

I think you're a dick too.

LOL. Good thing it's NOT personal, otherwise we'd have a dick fight on our hands. ;)