Think before thy posteth...

[yoitisi]

A very simple request for everyone posting on CA, and especially for those of us who post in the lounge. By its very nature the Lounge is a place that gathers all sorts of threads and posts, some more random and/or useless than others but in general on page 2 the original topic has been butchered already. It's a place to hang out in and have fun in, or to post emotionally laden stuff, and it's easy to overstep peoples boundaries (it's the Internet too, after all).

My question to everyone therefore is to please think before you make a post. Consider what you are writing and how it might be read by others.

This is a public place, and though it's the Internet it does not mean you have a right to act like (be) a dick on here, or to be dumb and stupid. In case you hadn't noticed, potential employers, collegues and friends are out here too. You don't want them to see your drunken puking pictures on Facebook, you don't want them to see you insulting entire halves of the population either.

I am fully aware that this thread is probably not going to help at all but I felt like posting it nonetheless, in the hope one or two of you stop and think for a second.

Also, it's probably way too much text for the lounge...

[Nrx]

and i was just about to delete my last post in that thread, was like a slow motion train wreck :(

[yoitisi]

and i was just about to delete my last post in that thread, was like a slow motion train wreck :(

It wasn't just that particular thread really, it's the general approach to the Lounge that some people have that frankly amazes me sometimes. I just felt like putting it out there in the faint hope that doing so once in a while actually helps...

[t i m]

Know what stinks even more, replying to a guy on page 2, not reading what's on page 4, and having your post be the last before a thread closes....doh!

But yes, a little discretion can go a long way.

[Slash]

Plus, this is CA, we know where you live!

[Elwell]

Rule #1: Don't be a dick.
Rule #2: You're probably not as clever as you think.
Rule #3: People who are as clever as they think often enjoy being dicks to those who ignore rules #1 and 2.
(Note to self: See rule #1.)

[Black Spot]

I like the idiotic threads that sometimes appear. We're human and it's nice to see it show even when I don't agree.

[LORD M]

Nice put. Are you going to sticky this?

[Aphotic Phoenix]

Nice put. Are you going to sticky this?

I think there are enough stickies for people to ignore already. -_-

[yoitisi]

I like the idiotic threads that sometimes appear. We're human and it's nice to see it show even when I don't agree.

I don't mind some of the silly threads really, they can be very inspiring sometimes. There's always a certain number of misfires for each good silly thread but I can live with that. It's the posts were people 'accidentaly' insult others or where they are actively looking for a fight that get on my nerves.


I think there are enough stickies for people to ignore already. -_-

Yeh I just felt like putting this out there for a bit. Though, I might clean out the stickies in here a little, combine a few etc. when I start the restructuring of the main forums too.

[Choob]

Hear hear.

I personally love some of the comments you guys come out with, but some can be too random, and just plain weird.

Overall, I quote the wise words of Samuel L Jackson...

http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww113/President_Choob/515-samuel-l-jackson-read-the-mutha.gif

[Black Spot]

It's the posts were people 'accidentaly' insult others or where they are actively looking for a fight that get on my nerves.

We need a fight forum, but we won't talk about it. Maybe something like this (http://community.livejournal.com/efw/).

[GriNGo]

We need to close the lounge!

[JessiBean]

We need to close the lounge!

Then it will just spill over into the forums where the actual cool stuff happens.
Keep the junk in the junk drawer.

[thesaint]

Exactily, but there is not only junk here in the Lounge. Besides, the Lounge it's a good place to go when you are stressed :D

And this is probably the only place where you get the opportunity to use this awesome emoticon: :asspat:

[Ilaekae]

If I actually think before I post, I may never post again...

[Anid Maro]

Consider what you are writing and how it might be read by others.

I do say this is excellent advice for writing or saying anything anywhere.

Also consider whether or not you should even participate in the conversation, just because there is a religious/political thread doesn't mean you must post in it. That's advice from my own mistakes. I'd participated in far too many such threads in the past here and even watched posters get banned from the Lounge over them, and I can't say any of us were any better off for the experience.


Rule #1: Don't be a dick.
Rule #2: You're probably not as clever as you think.
Rule #3: People who are as clever as they think often enjoy being dicks to those who ignore rules #1 and 2.
(Note to self: See rule #1.)

I've been at both the receiving and giving end of rule #3, and as Elwell notes if you're dishing out with rule #3 you'd be better off with rule #1. After all the other two might also apply.

Although I've yet to see anyone get the best of Elwell. :)

[ShotgunTony]

A very simple request for everyone posting on CA, and especially for those of us who post in the lounge. By its very nature the Lounge is a place that gathers all sorts of threads and posts, some more random and/or useless than others but in general on page 2 the original topic has been butchered already. It's a place to hang out in and have fun in, or to post emotionally laden stuff, and it's easy to overstep peoples boundaries (it's the Internet too, after all).

My question to everyone therefore is to please think before you make a post. Consider what you are writing and how it might be read by others.

This is a public place, and though it's the Internet it does not mean you have a right to act like (be) a dick on here, or to be dumb and stupid. In case you hadn't noticed, potential employers, collegues and friends are out here too. You don't want them to see your drunken puking pictures on Facebook, you don't want them to see you insulting entire halves of the population either.

I am fully aware that this thread is probably not going to help at all but I felt like posting it nonetheless, in the hope one or two of you stop and think for a second.

Also, it's probably way too much text for the lounge...

this sounds great in theory, but honestly if this was perfectly adhered to the only person that would ever post in the lounge would be jason manley

now i dont know about you guys but i have come to accept that the lounge is just generally where people come to be assholes and try to show each other how much smarter they are than each other, and i would gladly continue to accept that if people would keep their shitty comments and asshole egos out of forums that are actually useful and meaningful , like the wip section and the critiques forums.

i would much rather hear someone expressing their opinion that girls wherever are ugly or worthless or whatever nonsense has everyone all flustered , than go to the critiques forum and see someone post "you suck " without pointing out what was wrong or give any useful solutions to fix it.

but seriously if you get all butthurt over one persons opinion maybe you shouldn't be online.

[yoitisi]

...but seriously if you get all butthurt over one persons opinion maybe you shouldn't be online.

\w/

I was not replying to any case in particular in here, I was saying this out loud in general as I see way too often people just drop all and everything on here without thinking it might actually offend someone. Sometimes it's better to keep your opinion to yourself, or to consider how to write it down properly before posting.

The whole 'dude, it's the Internet' or 'it's the Lounge' approach is also not something I consider an excuse to just drop all manners, though it's been used plenty of times. I just hope this post can make a tiny bit of a difference for the time it's around, though I have no illusions it actually will. If no-one opens his/her mouth about it it certainly won't help, at least.


Then it will just spill over into the forums where the actual cool stuff happens.
Keep the junk in the junk drawer.

While I totally agree that the Lounge should stay if only to catch all the junk off of the rest of the forums (and for the occassional awesome thread in here), this still is not an excuse to just abandon all manners and start flinging poo around in here.

[squidmonk3j]

Rule #1: Don't be a dick.
Rule #2: You're probably not as clever as you think.
Rule #3: People who are not as clever as they think always enjoy being dicks to those who ignore rules #1 and 2.


Fixed.

[daestwen]

i would much rather hear someone expressing their opinion that girls wherever are ugly or worthless or whatever nonsense has everyone all flustered , than go to the critiques forum and see someone post "you suck " without pointing out what was wrong or give any useful solutions to fix it.

How about just treating people with the respect that you would if you were talking to them in real life? Is that really so hard?

CA isn't 4chan, it's not anonymous. Most people here are actually very easy to track down, for a reason - trying to get work, trying to make a name for ourselves. I know it's just the lounge but there are a few people on here that I would *never* hire based on their attitudes here, so maybe keeping that in mind is a good idea.

There is never a good reason to be disrespectful, whatever bullshit excuse you want to give about letting people be assholes here so they don't have to be elsewhere.

If you really, really want to act like an ass, go somewhere where you are anonymous, rather than where your professionalism is on the line.

[dierat]

i have come to accept that the lounge is just generally where people come to be assholesI dunno about you, but I find that statement very depressing.

[ShotgunTony]

you can look over my post if you want but i never said it was right, i never said it was acceptable. i just said it is what it is, you cant blame me for that.

and you somehow find a way to associate me with the ridiculous post in here, really think back to what the last thread i posted in before all this was and what i posted was. i bet 98% of you cant without using the database to look it up for you.

i fully agree with the original idea proposed here, i have left these forums for long periods of time ive deleted older accounts because of how people act on here.

and its not just the random newcomers acting like assholes either it seems like once a person gets a postcount between 1000 and 3000 post they stomp around acting like they own CA and being dicks because nobody with a lower post count is going to do anything but agree with them. (i made this new account to test this whole theory and when it proved valid i gave up posting on here for the most part.)

and it makes me sad , it really does. because the people of massive black work so hard to make this place great and hundreds of new people come here every day, every one of them has the potential to learn from this site yet most are chased off by the "your post count is low so you dont fucking matter" attitude.

this site has alot of great features and alot of great people but in the end its like sifting shit with your hands to find diamonds.


i honestly hope on the next site they ditch having a visible post count and get rid of the ranking system. it serves no positive purpose.


and i seriously doubt ill ever have trouble getting a job in my chosen field

[Choob]

and it makes me sad , it really does. because the people of massive black work so hard to make this place great and hundreds of new people come here every day, every one of them has the potential to learn from this site yet most are chased off by the "your post count is low so you dont fucking matter" attitude.

Hear hear.

I personally never use my postcount against people, or try to intimidate them. My latest idea is to comment on everybody's work in the DSG and other activities, not just the good ones, because the others are trying, and crave any recognition or help. Even acknowledging their existence and recognising that they took time out for the activity is a good enough thing.

Even if it makes my hands bleed, I'm gonna keep encouraging these guys to get better, try harder, and go for their goals, even if everyone else is better.

I don't agree as much with your rant on the rankings and postcount getting abolished, at least this site has the thanks system, so we can see who's posts are useful.

;)

[chaosrocks]

If kitty stops posting I quit
:P

a little civility is never out of line
you know...golden rule and stuff

I think of it as Manners
but then Im hopelessly old fashioned.
and about post count? um
that isn't any thing remotely related to what matters

but service to the community is. and does.

[yoitisi]

... I never said it was right...I just said it is what it is.

...

I replied to it earlier by saying that the reasoning that posting crap in the Lounge is okay because it is the Lounge, is not a valid excuse and never was. Your resignation to people using it as their toilet is therefore regretable. All I am asking is for people kindly not to post their worst crap in here anymore, as I refuse to sit back without at least trying to do something about it.


...really think back to what the last thread i posted in before all this was and what i posted was. i bet 98% of you cant without using the database to look it up for you.

You're doing a great job in making yourself known out there, I must say.

More to the point, I think that everyone can make mistakes now and again. However, there are a few people out there who stand out like a sore thumb with their online behavior and believe me, those will be remembered. Again though, I'm asking for people to try and behave a little more respectful towards each other in general, not just to hide their worst garbage. If you insult someone or are disrespectful towards someone, that person will certainly remember you.


...and its not just the random newcomers acting like assholes either it seems like once a person gets a postcount between 1000 and 3000 post they stomp around acting like they own CA and being dicks because nobody with a lower post count is going to do anything but agree with them. (i made this new account to test this whole theory and when it proved valid i gave up posting on here for the most part.)

and it makes me sad , it really does. because the people of massive black work so hard to make this place great and hundreds of new people come here every day, every one of them has the potential to learn from this site yet most are chased off by the "your post count is low so you dont fucking matter" attitude.

While I agree this can happen now and again, I've yet to see the "your post count is low so you dont fucking matter" attitude on here really. Also, if it gets really out of hand there's always the 'report post' button, or moderators or admins are within reach of a PM.

[ShotgunTony]

...


You're doing a great job in making yourself known out there, I must say.


.

oh is that what im supposed to be doing.

see when i used to come on here i thought it was about learning new things and helping people where i could, now i see i was doing it all wrong. i should have been more worried about being popular and getting famous all along. i wish someone would have told me this sooner.


PS: chaos your badass ,,, jadefoodog

[ShotgunTony]

see rule#2

[magicgoo]

Just don't close this thread and every other one when things get "out of hand." The LOUNGE doesn't have to be serious business. It's fun. It's random. It doesn't have to do with art. I agree with ShotgunTony. People can get so emotional over others' posts. If it bugs you, just stay away from it all.

I hate the closed threads feature because it conveys the idea that no one is entitled to their opinion, no matter how stupid. Who are these gods of moderation that can't handle a stupid topic? Lighten up. If people want to not think about their user names associated with their ridiculous posts, that's their right. The only reason a thread should be closed is if it directly attacks another user or their race, beliefs, religion, etc.

[alesoun]

Good evening, Jadefood, and how are you?

No, wait........ my post count is WAY too high for me to talk to you. :P

Long time no see! (And it's still hard to get me to shut up) ;)

[ShotgunTony]

see rule#2

on that note ill see everyone when they launch the new site. that last post only validates what i was trying to exspress. i simply tied to exspress an opinion of my own and it just gets dumbed down to insults and personal attacks. good job of sticking to the idea of the original post all of 5 minutes.

aparently the post i posted this in response to got deleted

in addition hey there aleso i miss all the irc chat nights with you guys
maybe soon ill have time to stop back by

[yoitisi]

Magicgoo: As said earlier in this thread, I have nothing against the random and fun posts in here really. The thing I was asking in here was for people to stop and think about their posts and replies and how they might be recieved before actually posting them. If they opt for provoking or insulting someone, at least do so with the full knowledge of what you're actually doing and the effects it might have.

I'm usually hesitant to use the close thread option too, but sometimes it's simply to prevent any further harm to be done to everyone involved. Think of it as breaking up a fight between kids on the playground. The Internet takes away all restraints people might have in real life, generally.

Also, ShotgunTony:


...but seriously if you get all butthurt over one persons opinion maybe you shouldn't be online.

That was your first post in here. How did you think it was going to be interpreted by me, as the person starting this thread?

Anyway, it seems reality has already overtaken the original idea behing posting this thread. Oh well.

[daestwen]

I hate the closed threads feature because it conveys the idea that no one is entitled to their opinion, no matter how stupid. Who are these gods of moderation that can't handle a stupid topic? Lighten up. If people want to not think about their user names associated with their ridiculous posts, that's their right. The only reason a thread should be closed is if it directly attacks another user or their race, beliefs, religion, etc.

It's not about stupid topics, stupid topics are fine. I never close threads on politics for this reason, because obviously no one is going to agree and people get mad, but that's fine.

I close threads when things happen in them that would be totally unacceptable in any sort of real-life environment. I'm only speaking for myself here, not the other mods, but we don't need stuff like that here, I'm sorry.

It has nothing to do with 'gods of moderation' - pretty sure every single one of us are mortal and sometimes go overboard or take things too personally or have certain biases to certain things.

Objectifying women and homophobia happen to be my two tipping points. This is the kind of stuff I would never put up with in person and I'm not going to put up with here. There are moderators for a reason, to do just that - moderate. I'm not stopping people from having opinions, but there is a time and a place for everything, and sometimes the place just simply isn't here. That's when a thread gets closed (or if it's spam).

All of the mods and admins are volunteers here, and as such we work. We all put a lot of hours in this place. In that sense, this is a working environment for us. If there is stuff I wouldn't put up with in the workplace, there is no reason to put up with it here.

[Aphotic Phoenix]

Drama?
In my lounge thread?
It's more likely than you think.

Sorry, yoitisi...I couldn't resist. I am sorry that your thread has been derailed into...whatever this strange argument this has become. Your intentions were good, but it's hard to say anything without ruffling some peoples feathers apparently.

For the record, while I won't ignore the interesting psychological effects that post count can have, I've never felt discriminated against even from day 1. That is much less prevalent here than other forums, and I'm sorry, but anyone expecting to walk into a new community in real life or on the internet should know that respect is something that is earned via participation, not a instant gimme.

[alesoun]

Hah! I saw that post before you edited it, Jade.

And I cried......

It's all too easy to misrepresent yourself on the internetz. (Which is what I think Yo was trying to point out) :)

[ShotgunTony]

Hah! I saw that post before you edited it, Jade.

And I cried......

It's all too easy to misrepresent yourself on the internetz. (Which is what I think Yo was trying to point out) :)

no way you were always one of my favorites i that post was meant for someone who i guess deleted their post. i didnt expect many people on here to remember me but its nice that the ones that count did.

also yoitisi i didnt take it personally im well aware i could post " i hope everyone is having a wonderful day" and if its in the lounge someone will inevitably find a way to argue with me (or anyone else) based on that statement.
but how people reacted didnt surprise me . however i thought the irony of it was well worth pointing it out.

[chaosrocks]

i have no problem with stupidity.. thats what the lounge is for. I can't abide pointless meanness, ignorance and personal insults as a form of communication. Primarily because as a form of communication Insults and prejudice are really inefficient. and rather tedious.

and allesoun dear ....who CAN I talk to? hi Jade

[alesoun]

You WERE talking to me earlier.

Facebook is doing my head in......

Actually, I have no problem with banter on here. But banter should have some boundaries. Banter is funny, not personal or nasty, and it should be light-hearted.

On the other hand, misunderstandings are rife on the net. Meh, who knows?

[Arshes Nei]

Everything in moderation. I don't think yoitisi is saying you can't have fun, but you do realize when it's public you might want to second guess in case the person you probably don't want to offend is reading that day.

Unfortunately, this argument is circular due to its nature lol.

[alesoun]

Jade, if I was ever to get a tattoo, you'd be the man to do it, but, like I've already said, I'd get halfway through it and change my mind.

Damnit! I'm soooo fickle (and let's not get into cowardly) :P

[Ilaekae]

I'm changing my socks now...

[Sorknes]

There's a difference between being just stupid, not think before you post, and offending parts of the population here I think, and I can think of several threads I'm quite happy is closed and slowly falls into oblivion, and some that I maybe don't see quite why was closed.

There's always several shades of grey, in this thread as every other. ;)

[Sorknes]

Oh yeah.. just a reminder... if you go into a thread and you actually expect certain views or stupidity or behaviour... you'll often find it. Sometimes a post written is not exactly meant as it is interpreted by some... it's a written medium, and you won't always see what lays behind, and if your mind is already set on that this and that person means THIS, you won't see it any other way...

Maybe think twice before replying to something you find incredibly offending as well?

Yeah, I've fallen into that trap myself several times. It comes with not seeing people face to face as you "talk" to them. :)




... Or you can just go... thinking before talking is like wiping your ass before shitting... And get people not thinking before replying to you. ;)

[ShotgunTony]

Jade, if I was ever to get a tattoo, you'd be the man to do it, but, like I've already said, I'd get halfway through it and change my mind.

Damnit! I'm soooo fickle (and let's not get into cowardly) :P

if you ever did we would have to colaborate on some crazy painting. if you havent seen my new stuff go check it out www.shotguntony.com

[~Faust~]

I found that it kind of helps not pressing the "Post Quick Reply" button after typing. Of course I can't always restrain myself from doing that. But I'm improving!

[the_jos]

I have one easy rule when posting on the internet.
I ask myself: "will saying this in front of someone else result in a punch in the face or a kick in the groin?". If the answer is yes or maybe I probably don't post.

But that's not the entire story. I tend to avoid certain subjects because I know man people can't handle my opinion on them and I often don't feel like explaining my thoughts in detail. Also, the moment I feel I get annoyed or irritated by someone I will take a break and get back at another time. I've seen my share of flame-wars on the internet at the past and it's just too easy to react on wrong assumptions or because emotions play up.

When looking at freedom of speech and freedom of expression it's impossible to see them without their historical context.
Just stating them as "I can say whatever I want, whenever I want" isn't what freedom of speech and freedom of expression are about.
But then, if you disagree with this feel free to speak and express :)

[kidult]

Yoitsi - Bummer, you started a post in the lounge about people posting crap and its turned into a typical lounge post. Even worse i opened up a bunch of lounge posts, with this one the 1st and every post i checked out was what you were talking about.:yayca:

[OmenSpirits]

funny thing, anything I'd post on the net, I'd say the same to your face.

makes things simple. I've common sense, I use it.

[Black Spot]

It might be a good idea for the mods to rate those who help and add to the forums art wise. I have a high post count because I like to natter so I’m quite happy for people to see my insignificant babble for what it is.

[chaosrocks]

I have a high post count because I work to help ca and run a weekly activity. for any one who wants to know, I am a mod, and a couple other things. and I got that way by putting in a couple years of pretty steady active participation as have most of the other mods and admins.

And, for the most part staying out of the lounge. (except the WDELL thread which is my weakness). CA is a fantastic place to learn and improve your art and your abilities to communicate your ideas. as well as a fun place to hang out. most of the lounge stuff is a waste of time , although some folks find it a welcome occassional diversion... so It's all good.
and Jade.... my tattoo needs revision.... whee do you live again?