I think we're ending up with a lot more causes than solutions to the problem. I'm actually trying to find ways to unify the community not keep it divided.
Originally Posted by rockerrick
The problem with any solution proposed is that it requires at least a heavy majority to participate. As someone who has spent much time in a moderating capacity on many types of boards and communities much more brutal than this one has ever been, I can tell you that the "reality" is that many people do not treat their behavior on here as real. They can close their browser and go back to real life any time they want to. The problems arise when their emotions get in the way of their ability to do that. Unless you task the moderators with putting everyone on a really tight leash (which I don't recommend for a number of reasons), you're going to have people taking things personally, and retaliating in kind. To most people, their "board persona" is just that. It's an avatar with a smart mouth (or a dumb one depending on who you are talking about
)). It has very little grounding in reality.
For someone like me, it is easy to ignore the crap. Maybe it's experience. Maybe it's maturity. Maybe it's that I am comfortable enough in my own skin not to give a rat's ass what someone's cartoon caricature said about me or someone I know (or don't know). I'm not worried about how "Cyrick" is viewed on these boards. That doesn't mean I am going to run around crapping on other people's posts, thoughts, reviews, etc... In fact, just the opposite. In my reality, this is a diversion, not a focal point. It's entertainment. Perspective is everything, and probably the most lacking quality of the drama posters.
As far as solutions? I would say if you feel the need to call someone out or make a personal attack, do it privately. Odds are, if you feel that strongly about your need to do it, you probably know them well enough to contact them directly. If you are doing it solely to hurt someone, think about why you are doing it and what it will ultimately accomplish (nothing).
Perspective is your friend. If you have the capacity to put things in the appropriate context and think a little bit about the bigger picture, life (real or fantasy) becomes much more enjoyable. Don't sweat the small stuff. It's not worth it.