Part of the issue, I think, and one I’ve been guilty of myself, is the immense negativity surrounding each candidate. Most of the arguments seem to be against a candidate rather than for a candidate, which is to be expected in an election with so much to attack and so little policy to discuss.
In the future, it may be best to keep heated debate to the roleplay threads. We have an unused Feducci HQ thread and a place for propaganda there already, both of which have seen little use despite the heated discussions here. It would give people the chance to train their rhetoric and have fun debating while keeping a fourth wall between the debate and the debaters.
I assume that those who are generally upset by debates indeed try to stay away from the dedicated to it. But:
People start more and more such threads, and post propaganda in threads unrelated to the election.
Some of us really enjoy debates, and enjoy exchanging view points with others. But a small vocal minority express themselves in the debates using vicious rhetoric, belittling and patronizing others and their choices.[/quote]
Well, in regards to the first point, that’s just to be expected during election season. It’s a big event with a lot of participation and competition, so of course people are going to talk about it. It’ll die down in a few weeks.
I remember back when they reintroduced Seeking, the forum was full of posts about that, and it bored me to tears because I wasnt interested in it. But I accepted the fact that sometimes, due to various circumstances, the board is going to be full of threads dealing with stuff I’m not interested in, and that’s not wrong and it doesn’t need to be stifled. It’s a temporary situation and I can tough it out for a while until the fervor dies down.
I agree that dragging election arguments into non-election threads is uncalled for though. edited by Kukapetal on 6/30/2017
[quote=Azothi]In the future, it may be best to keep heated debate to the roleplay threads. We have an unused Feducci HQ thread and a place for propaganda there already, both of which have seen little use despite the heated discussions here. It would give people the chance to train their rhetoric and have fun debating while keeping a fourth wall between the debate and the debaters.[/quote]Thanks for pointing that out! I am fairly nonplussed as to why we need a gazillion threads all over the forums where the same things are discussed over and over again. I really think this stuff would best be kept to the Fabularities section.
[quote=Isaac Zienfried]It’s like you guys hate fun or something.[/quote]That’s a pretty terrible answer. It’s also the common answer of every internet troll when being called out for anything. "Chill out, we’re just having fun, you’re overreacting/hypersensitive/imagining things." It’s called gaslighting.
There is no universally valid definition of what constitutes "having fun". When someone tells you that your behaviour is annoying/distressing to them, your job is to listen and reflect and try to do better.
I think this community can and should do better. Election season shouldn’t be an excuse for some people to put on their worst behaviour for two weeks every year. edited by phryne on 6/30/2017
It would behoove you to peruse the entire thread before replying. Just a tip for the future.
[quote=phryne]
There is no universally valid definition of what constitutes "having fun".[/quote]
That, we agree on. I should point out, however, that you should consider your own words a little more carefully before taking a haughty and indignant attitude toward the fun of others, when it wasn’t targeted at those who found it objectionable.
See, this is why I say you should read the entire thread, because
Part of being civil is seeking not to fray anyone’s nerves, but another part is to restrain momentary indignation and seek better understanding.
EDIT: Also, gaslighting, really? That is by far the most personal, offensive, and uncalled-for line posted yet, which is more than a little ironic. Not to mention entirely out-of-context, hyperbolic, and off-base. edited by Isaac Zienfried on 7/1/2017
I wonder if the assumption is that supporters of one campaign will never look at threads dedicated to another? Because reading about plants to “ally against the …campaign” or “get together to mob only agitators from the … campaign” is sure to encourage a pleasant mood overall.
[quote=Ragnar Degenhand]I wonder if the assumption is that supporters of one campaign will never look at threads dedicated to another? Because reading about plants to "ally against the …campaign" or "get together to mob only agitators from the … campaign" is sure to encourage a pleasant mood overall.[/quote]Zee-ship fuel can’t melt Nevercold Brass beams!!
This thread about not getting too snippy about the election has grown to be one of the snippiest election threads. I’m closing it until I, or someone equally jaded and capricious, decides you can be trusted to have threads again.