Posting Etiquette

[Stephen]

This is probably another case of “I should just say nothing,” but I’ll give it a shot.

I’m just going to point out a dynamic I’ve seen play out may times on the forum.
1. Someone (A) posts something — could be anything;
2. Someone else (B) replies — could say just about anything, although some responders get more of;
3. Someone else (C) thinks what (B) said was: wrong, stupid, inaccurate, misleading, (you get the idea) and let’s (B) know;
4. (B) is offended and thinks they are justified in setting the record straight;
5. Meanwhile, (A’s) original post is buried and (B) and (C), and maybe some other people, go back and forth for pages;
6. And in the end, nothing has changed.
7. Over and over and over again.
Just because something is there doesn’t mean you have to touch it.

I’m sometimes (too often) guilty of this type of behavior — I understand.

I’m just suggesting: Do yourself and everyone else a favor and consider just letting some stuff slide. Maybe it’s not that important.
Just a thought…


Or, this space can be an in-your-face free-for-all, just like the rest of the Internet…


Ok, feel free to flame away!

[fisheater]

Well Stephan, and @Nitram Tocrut I so much appreciate when you remind me to behave like a gentleman.

I think we are all passionate about our skiing, that’s another dynamic at work.

[TallGrass]

I like using purple font to indicate sarcasm or satire,
then again maybe everyone should just learn to code.


A short read is Jeff Bigler's Tact Filter Theory about how "Normal" people talk compared to "Nerds" and how tension can ensue sans understanding. If you interact with engineers or any "analytical thinkers" or intelligent types (who compact their language to say more in less, or even leapfrog ahead without connecting the dots leaving some lost), it can be enlightening.

Leapfrogging is often done by the listener interrupting. While interrupting is seen by many as rude, it is actually appreciated in leapfrogging because the listener is jumping ahead to where they think the speaker is going, and to do that accurate requires both some knowledge and understanding of both the issue and the train of the speaker's thought, thus it is a form of "active listening". The speaker appreciates it because is demonstrates understanding, the listener exerting effort to follow, and a mutual saving of each other's time. If they leap in the wrong direction, the speaker corrects or clarifies which likewise saves the listener from thinking down the wrong rabbit hole.

It has links to another article that mentions...

Four Broad Goals of Language:
* that it be Believed
* that it be Understood
* that it be Remembered
* that it give Pleasure or at minimum that it not provoke hostility
(the above order is in no priority other than to make the acronym B.U.R.P.)
Idea from: Linguistics; Ozark English; "About Cows, and Ozark English Discourse", and it gives varying examples depending on the situation.

To that, and with Bigler's in mind, there is also "that it be Informative." If someone asks, "What size is this nut?" one could reply
"I think if you measure it you will find that a ten millimeter wrench or socket will be the most suitable."
or
"10mm."

[Montana St Alum]

Good points. Also, how would you speak to someone if they were right in front of you?
I'll try to clean up my act!

[Telerock]

In the spirit and tradition noted in the original post; I think B’s suggestion about leapfrogging is rude and inappropriate, and you should learn to passively Liston and wait your turn to talk like an adult.
Haha
Chuckle
Gafaw

[Manney]

Avalanche risk rises with the use of “I” or “you” in a post… or a response to a post. Someone should invent a filter for that.

[lowangle al]

Good points. Also, how would you speak to someone if they were right in front of you?
I'll try to clean up my act!

Exactly, If we're discussing something in person I'll let you know if I think you're wrong. If you get shitty with me, I'll get shitty right back. My STFU speaches are much loader in person then on the internet.

That being said, I've been active on these forums for about twenty years and have only had issues with four guys. I don't start this shit, I don't back down, but I don't hold grudges. If we have a disagreement in one thread, I don't let it carry over to subsequent threads, that's what perpetuates it.

We can't let people say things, that from our experience we know are wrong without challenging it. We all have our opinions, but opinions based on actual experience should carry more weight than ones based on theory and concepts.

[Manney]

Good points. Also, how would you speak to someone if they were right in front of you?
I'll try to clean up my act!

Exactly, If we're discussing something in person let you know if think you're wrong. If you get shitty with , get shitty right back. STFU speaches are much loader in person then on the internet.

That being said, been active on these forums for about twenty years and have only had issues with four guys. don't start this shit, don't back down, but don't hold grudges. If we have a disagreement in one thread, don't let it carry over to subsequent threads, that's what perpetuates it.

We can't let people say things, that from our experience we know are wrong without challenging it. We all have our opinions, but opinions based on actual experience should carry more weight than ones based on theory and concepts.

It reads better when the first person references are replaced with smileys.

[シダル]

There's a specific narcissist who's used multiple aliases to derail threads. Without moderation of trolling, it's unpleasant to participate, flooded with infantile personal attacks.

[bauerb]

lol. this forum is nothing compared to the running forums I frequent on Facebook. if anyone frequents FB, you know what I'm talking about, and it creates perspective. I see nothing on this forum that comes close to FB trolls. and if there are people in this forum trying to be agitators, they are not actually very good at it and should take lessons from full time pro trolls on FB