Bbs Pms

[lerkfish]

Every so often I experience what I term "BBS PMS", where in some bbs or another (where I don't moderate) I get entangled in some debate and I simply end up saying stuff I regret later. It's not like I flame or try to get in a fight, but if one comes along, I respond to it (when normally I'd try to avoid such conflict). This tends to be in cycles, and it might last a whole day or two days...and then I really shouldn't be posting because I'm more prone than usual to misunderstanding someone's post and overreacting to it.
I'm not proud of this, but it does make me ponder about the message board world in general and the dynamics thereof.

websites have been made to talk about the different kind of "net warriors" there are and such, but I'm interested in the "Gaia" approach to a message board.
For example, I've witnessed boards that have been robust and enlightened, then a small number of rabblerousers come in and start enough constant friction that the earlier adult conversations start getting replaced by flamebaiting and flamewars at the drop of the hat.
I've also witnessed boards where personal attack is taken to a high art, and only the most ruthless feel comfortable, until the balance is shifted and only those who possess a thick skin can remain.
On the other side of the coin, I've seen boards intentionally started as flame boards that reached their own equillibrium and calmed down overall.

It almost seems as if change is inevitable, based on size. As the board grows, and more and more posters come to it, stratifications begin to occur and eventually lead to some sort of problem.

I just wonder :

1. how to avoid these stratifications, or if not...
2. how to integrate them peacefully or redirect their energy productively...

OR this thread could also be for just sharing war and singe stories of experiences at other boards which displayed a certain interesting group dynamic.

As much as possible, speak in general terms when identifying the boards (or don't identify them if possible) but speak specifically about the type of dynamic or problem that happened and what you observed or your views on it.

(now, have I sucessfully overexplained this topic!?! I think so!)

[Craig R. Arko]

Tactical nuclear armaments? ;) Then maybe the mutations will be a positive development.

[sbur]

I don't know Lerk. I think it's kind of like a coral reef. If you have good solid base of pretty and harmless fish, eventually they will attract the predators. It happens everywhere, not just message boards. I think you're right about there being a connection with size.

On the other hand, some people are just never happy. They thrive on conflict. Without mentioning the board, the initials KH come to mind on the last point. Even when you are nice and agree with their point, they swoop in and rip you apart for no real reason.

As to the PMS, I think we all do it. Or at least I tell myself thaty everyone does so that I don't absolutely hate myself. :)

I don't think you can avoid the predator phenomenon either. I think you just have to do what the fish do....adapt to the environment or move on to blue-er waters.

[maxelson]

Very interesting topic. One that, when posted in other places, would see the same results that you describe. I will respond here.
I like sbur's analogy of the reef. Perfect. Good hustle, kid. Those of us who know the personality that sbur describes will get a certain chuckle- one that is not unjustified.
Now, I must admit, I have been on both sides of that fence. My earlier days at another board were rife with counter attack. I always tried to be polite but at the same time, lethal. There are elements of both personalities in me, though latelty, I find that, Entlike (and how's that for a geek analogy), I must be truly roused before the warpaint goes on. But once it IS on...
I will generally get so far in and then be backed off by someone else or, in some cases, myself. I almost always apologize for my rudeness, regardless of my respect level of my target.
Sounds pretty cold and brutal to put it in these terms.
Eh, best to admit it. Sometimes, it is a game. When it is, I try to keep a certain flavor to the retors, i.e. nothing TOO brutal or personal or overtly cruel. I do have my little triggers, though, as do we all. Topics of "moral rectitude" will generally get me fuming and I have to work to keep a well trimmed ship.
As we see other "refugees", I wonder if this place will maintain its civility?

[Craig R. Arko]

Originally posted by maxelson

... As we see other "refugees", I wonder if this place will maintain its civility?

It will. See griffman's 'Purpose of this forum' thread at the top of the list. We take that stuff pretty seriously around here.

[sbur]

Maxelson: You can call me Scott. Sbur sounds too.....I don't know. It's my email address, so it keeps my life simple to use it where ever possible.

[maxelson]

Glad to hear it. I have no issue with the terms and conditions. As we know, however, some simply enjoy the art of disruption. In fact, there are personalities elsewhere who, when banned, simply create new accounts (old tactic). In the case of another forum, the mods finally gave up. FUlly reinstated the character who now romps unabated. Oh, the fun.

[maxelson]

Originally posted by sbur
Maxelson: You can call me Scott. Sbur sounds too.....I don't know. It's my email address, so it keeps my life simple to use it where ever possible.
You got it, Scott. With me- Max, Mark... maxman, Laertes, Deflores, Barabas, Titus, Ferdinand, Vindice, Heironimo- whatever suits you.:D I got this whole Elizabethan Tragedy thing about me today. Ah, well. It's a theme.

[sbur]

Maybe you are lamenting the tragic turn of events at the-bulletin-board-that-cannot-be-named.

(I guess I'm in a PMS mood as I only seem to be contributing to the negative energy surrounding this particular topic :) )

On a more positive (for TBBTCBN) note, I do miss some of the more general political/religious discussions but don't have the energy or time to wade through the latrine for a few lost pearls.

[maxelson]

Well, there's the BE HERE NOW thing. Pop something up.:cool:

[Phil St. Romain]

I help moderate another board besides this one and have my own as well on my web site. Those who are there to disrupt are promptly bounced off the boards, generally after a warning by private message, or if the post is too inappropriate, right away. What's amazing is how attached some are to their nicknames; they can come back under another, but they really want their primary nick reinstated.

It only takes a couple of bad apples to ruin a discussion. That won't be allowed to happen here, as Craig noted. Disagreements with others is OK, of course, as is venting frustrations about OS X. But we all know when things move from that to axe-grinding, trolling, and flaming. Allowing this to go on seems to have the result of driving the good contributors away, and that's just not fair to those who come to a forum seeking feedback or a discussion with someone who has wisdom and experience.

All five moderators here are very committed to maintaining the integrity of this message board. We all read most of the forums daily and we discuss among ourselves potential problem areas, and what to do. Troublemakers need not apply; they'd be wasting their time.

Phil

[Andrew LaGow]

What drives me nuts is when one or two people somehow hijack an entire forum through their sheer vicious relentlessness.

And it's so easy to get drawn in to their little traps, too. You try to make an argument or mention a particular injustice and somehow the entire nature of the conversation gets turned around to suit their ends. If there is karmic justice, then perhaps this tainted forum would implode, but there's always someone new to take the bait. And I'm an awful example--I was posting on this forum off and on for a year and still waded in. Sigh.

As for nicknames, man I'd love to get rid of mine--especially since I think my younger son has now decided baryonyx is no longer his favorite dinosaur--but I think I'm stuck with it.

I must admit, however, that as a newbie I made such an utter ass of myself on one board that I changed my nick and started fresh. I've tried to be a good boy ever since.

Andy

[AKcrab]

Oh man, now I feel bad about the title on my post, and alas it is too late to edit it... Thank you all for not giving me the "Welcome to the coat room, thanks for showing poor taste." bit.

I was actually hoping to drum up a bit of interest in my post, as the coat room seemed to have a bit of a moth-ball odor about it.

Now, to try and stay on topic.
Respect for administrator authority must be maintained. I believe the forum community as a whole must help the moderators by passive assistance. Someone steps over the line, don't flame back, perhaps don't reply at all. Just contact an admin.

I don't know how the other board lost decorum, but it sure left a bad taste in my mouth.