What is going on here? I don't know what is going on in this forum but seems lately there have been a number of personal disputes going on. A large number of them for no apparent...

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

I don't know what is going on in this forum but seems lately there have been a number of personal disputes going on. A large number of them for no apparent reason. Also a lot of personal attacks on individuals, including me. I have dropped out of a few threads because of it.

This forum use to be fairly peaceful. You could ask a question and get a straight forward and reasonable answer, in wording a beginner could understand if that is what was requested. Lately that does not seem to be the case. There have been a lot of snide remarks made for no reason and it has been scaring away a lot of new members, making them afraid to even ask a simple question. This forum wasnt that way before so what is happening? It shouldnt be that way, it wasnt that way when I joined. Some of the language that has been used lately is also totally uncalled for scaring away new members also.

Come on gang, whats going on? I have noticed quite a few active members haven't been responding to questions and I am assuming this has a lot to do with it.

Jim D

EstherP

oldtool2 wrote:

I don't know what is going on in this forum but seems lately there have been a number of personal disputes going on. A large number of them for no apparent reason. Also a lot of personal attacks on individuals, including me. I have dropped out of a few threads because of it.

(....snip....)

Come on gang, whats going on? I have noticed quite a few active members haven't been responding to questions and I am assuming this has a lot to do with it.

Jim D

Some are snide remarks, some are just short and to the point. Don't forget that we cannot see body-language or hear tone of voice in the messages here.
As to members (active or otherwise) not responding - don't forget that we're in August, many people away for holidays, going out for day-trips or weekends and if their weather has been half as nice as ours over the summer, they won't be spending much time behind the computer.

(Even this message could be interpreted as "reading you the riot-act" or "giving you a possible explanation" - depending on the tone of voice you imagine with it).
EstherP

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

oldtool2 wrote:

I don't know what is going on in this forum but se... (show quote)

I'm with you, Jim, but then you know the old story... in every barrel of apples, there must be s few bad ones. Enjoy the good ones and move on, eh? I try, (but sometimes I weaken too), to completely ignore the type posts you refer to. The more one responds to them, it's just throwing another log on the fire. It doesn't take much intelligence to insult someone or be crude. There may be a few like that, but thankfully, most on this site, I find very welcoming and helpful. Ignore the others. Happy shooting.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

oldtool2 wrote:

I don't know what is going on in this forum but se... (show quote)

I agree. Believe it or not, it was much worse months ago, and many people were either ejected or left on their own.

As you say, there is no reason for being rude and attacking other members. If you don't like what someone asks or how he asks his question, you can ignore it. It's a shame that some people have left after a short time because of rudeness and attacks.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Take the GOOD .... overlook the BAD....!

ncshutterbug

I agree there is too much disregarding of sensitivity. I think we have a few tough guys who can't play well with others. I have also noticed more than a couple who seem to think everyone is from the same area they are and it's ok to put down other nationalities with jokes, remarks or insinuations. This forum covers the whole wide world and we all deserve respect.

tramsey Loc: Texas

I have a list of trolls that I completely ignore whether they create a new thread or say something in someone's. Then there is a section I am very careful in and that is the 'General Chit Chat' section. That place can get kinda ... rowdy once in a while. Sometimes they remind me of a bunch of two year olds. I ignore them and go to some other thread. But like Jerry says it used to be a LOT worse, but still we are suppose to adult (over 55) we should act like it. Some people have a hard time with that and just are trolls, to be ignored. Happy troll hunting :thumbup: :thumbup:

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

ncshutterbug wrote:

I agree there is too much disregarding of sensitivity. I think we have a few tough guys who can't play well with others. I have also noticed more than a couple who seem to think everyone is from the same area they are and it's ok to put down other nationalities with jokes, remarks or insinuations. This forum covers the whole wide world and we all deserve respect.

Right! But I would use the term "bully." Being tough is OK; being a bully isn't.

DigiKid

It's interesting and sad at the same time. Many think that that Photography is a science with empirically right and wrong but I consider it an art and while there are some rules that most share, it is subjective. Some Elitists think that they are "better" than someone else, because they have certain brand equipment. These "Elitists" think they have better answers and are often rude in te way they present them.

Usually, in my personal opinion, these are just people that need to feel that they are better than you.

Please forgive my rant. I am done .... for now LOL

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

imagemeister wrote:

Take the GOOD .... overlook the BAD....!

i.e.
any political thread started...

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

oldtool2 wrote:

I don't know what is going on in this forum but se... (show quote)

I agree and disagree. I see have seen simple discussions turn ugly for no apparent reason. At the same time I seen people who have given frank and truthful answers to questions attacked for being rude or insensitive. To me the idea that if you can't say something nice then don't say anything at all is rubbish. I agree, responses should never be personal but there are times when a frank and maybe unpleasant answer is warranted or needed. The knowledge and wisdom shown on this forum is outstanding and I am constantly learning new and useful things that help me to become a better photographer. I am not offended or feel threatened when someone says to me that my idea, thought process or suggestion is baloney and wrong as long as they tell me why. I think that the responses to this issue are likely to be generational based and that the younger generation is much more touchy feelly than us older folks. And then maybe not.

DigiKid

I agree Charles, but I think that an intelligent person can find words that are truthful and not hurtful to exoress your opinion.

An extreme example might be, "Your picture is crap" might be your opinion of the truth, but a more intelligent thoughtful way, might be to state that it is out of fucus, or the colors are not natural, you can find a thousand ways to tell someone that you don't like their picture without resorting to rude.

crimesc324 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

I also agree. New participants probably don't know about the topic search capabilities or old threads of previous answers to similar questions. Lets try to remember that we were new and naive once too. give them the benefit of the doubt, point them, grasiously, in the right direction. If they can't seem to grasp the concept after 1 or 2 attempts then, just don't fuel the fire with any kind of answer or acknowledgement

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Ok as one who bites back when attached I am stating that from this thread on I will NOT bite back, I will NOT have a go at anyone else, BUT lets see just how long it takes for someone to attack me again.

As for new people not knowing about the search facility, surely pointing it out AND adding a link to the answers for their questions helps, many from over there simply say "use the search" I add links

I will remind people of this thread in about 48 hours

If people dish it out are you supposed to just take it.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

JR1 wrote:

If people dish it out are you supposed to just take it.

Passive resistance? :D

When people have made unkind remarks to me, I just dropped that thread. I figured maybe they were having a bad day. Problem solved.