A Few Internet Reminders
by Rebecca Rollett on Nov 12, 2010 10:04 AM EST
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PrintThere was a bit of a controversy in the comments of one of my posts, which boiled down to the interpretation of an offhand remark by one of the posters which, at face value, seemed to demean those who didn't share either the poster's political (in the broad sense) views or the poster's gender. After getting hassled a bit about this, the poster made the following comment:
...when people get mad over something so clearly a joke, what else can you say?
Just to be clear, I am not picking on the above poster at all. It just seemed to me that it offered a good opportunity to gently remind our community of the realities of internet life. When I first became involved in the internet community life, it was on a site that was about choral music, for choral musicians. Hard to imagine people getting their panties in a twist because someone preferred, say, the Brahms Requiem to the Charpentier Messe de Minuit, but some of the frequent disputes were over stuff that inconsequential. This was absolutely baffling to me. But after studying some of these bizarre disputes, I isolated the problems:
1. On the internet, one is completely lacking the ordinary cues of social discourse - facial expression, tone of voice, body language, etc. Emoticons are an attempt to duplicate them, but have only limited effectiveness, and in fact can be very useful for a sort of passive-aggressive type behavior in which one says something obnoxious and then adds "j/k" or : ) This is scarcely confined to the internet, of course - it happens in real life, too, but it is harder to get away with.
2. On the internet, people cluster to discuss topics that they care deeply about. This has two unexpected effects. First, it brings together people who would in most instances never meet in real life, and these people may have little or nothing in common otherwise, especially in terms of what I will call for lack of a better term 'cultural understanding.' The people I hang out with in person tend to have similar upbringing, education level, and expectations about social interaction as I do. I suspect that this community is much more diverse. The other thing that happens is that naturally the people that cluster together on the internet on these sorts of sites feel much more strongly than the average person about the subject they have gathered to discuss. This is scarcely unprecedented in real life, but probably doesn't comprise the majority of people's social interactions.
3. The internet reduces personal accountability. Combined with the difficulties outlined in my first point, this means that things can be said (or appear to be said) that probably would not be said in person, or at least not said in quite the same way. Knowing that fact also leads people to assume the worst, thus bringing me to my final point, which is that
4. people appear to have less tolerance for what they assume is an insult than they would in real life. I suspect that the main reason for that is that there is no imperative to get along with people in the way that there so often is in real life. You may not like someone much, but you have to work with them, and so you find a way to overlook, rationalize, or otherwise deal with occasional remarks that seem to be insulting or obnoxious. At least if you want to keep your job. You may not like your hairdresser's political opinions, but you like the way he/she does your hair, so you just let it roll over you. And so on.
The corollary to my points is obvious.
#1 - Don't assume that everyone understands when you are joking. Even if the regulars do, you never know who else is reading, and really, is there any point in offending random people that you might quite like if you knew them in person? And don't use emoticons, sarcasm font, j/k or whatever to insulate yourself from the consequences of making a snarky remark. We've all been guilty of that, or at least most of us, I suspect, myself included. Sometimes the temptation to be funny overrides the necessity to be kind, and I hereby vow to stop.
#2 - Don't assume that everyone shares your culture and values. This is a very hard thing to overcome, because you're dealing with your base assumptions about life/people/social interaction, and it can be pretty hard to realize that one's base assumptions are not universal values, or even to know what they are.
#3 - Don't say something to someone on the internet that you wouldn't say in person. That isn't going to remove all conflict of course, because some people are much more blunt and/or confrontational in person than others - see the previous point. But for the sake of the health of this site that we all love, it never hurts to think twice, or ten times, before saying something offensive. People have different opinions about things. Even if someone else is wrong, and that can actually be proven in a scientifically precise way, that doesn't thereby make them the necessary target of anger and/or ridicule. Compassion, perhaps - I'm thinking of, say, Bengals fans now : )
#4 See what I did there? But back to point #4, if we all were to give each other the same benefit of the doubt about what would seem to be an obnoxious remark as we would give our best friend or ourselves, we would be offended a great deal less often.
To answer in advance those of you who say 'what's the big deal, it's the internet,' I respectfully disagree. Fifteen years ago, maybe. Today the internet is a primary, if not the primary, source for social interaction for a great many people. This requires some effort from all of us to make this community remain an awesome place to hang out. I love hearing all of your divergent viewpoints, partly because they are divergent. You will never learn anything new if everyone around you agrees with you.
And a final reminder/rebuke - we can hardly complain about trolls on our own site when we troll other people's sites. If someone is misguided enough to be a fan of another team, especially of a team that is a primary rival of ours, simple compassion for the fact that they were apparently dropped on their head as an infant should dictate that we are kind to them, rather than making fun of them. And remember that when you go on another site, you are representing not just yourself but all of us. You may not want to believe that, but it is true. Just Say No to trolling!
Love, momma
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Reccing this.
I’ve seen variations of it at almost every site I frequent, but it’s always useful and often overlooked. My experience with the internutz is long (I started out at a site called “Silicon Investor” in 1995, a stock investment site and much, much more) and the same issues have always been prevalent. Play nice, kids, and you’ll bring in more nice kids.
Of course, no site is successful without its share of a$$holes, much like every hockey team needs a goon or two.
My heros have always been Steelers...
You'd be surprised Momma how oblivious many people are of "obvious" courtesies.
We all need a personal “refresh” or reset every now and then. Thanks for the reminders.
Anyone who prefers the Charpentier Messe de Minuit to the Brahms Requiem is an idiot.
by Thoroughbred of Sin on Nov 12, 2010 11:34 AM EST reply actions
:-)
Sorry, a poorly timed joke considered the subject matter of your post. I couldn’t resist.
Seriously though, well put. I think we all run into these problems on the internet, and a lot of the time it’s not necessarily anyone’s fault; it’s easy to forget how much of communication is visual and verbal when you post something online. Often posts made with the best intentions wind up offending someone for reasons you couldn’t have imagined. Thanks for bringing this up.
by Thoroughbred of Sin on Nov 12, 2010 11:39 AM EST up reply actions
nice...
"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Nov 12, 2010 1:37 PM EST up reply actions
The embarassing part...
…is that I’m a music graduate student that works in my University’s choral library, and I’d be hard-pressed to tell you anything about Charpentier. Sounds like someone should spend a little less time watching Steelers games and a little more time studying?
by Thoroughbred of Sin on Nov 12, 2010 4:45 PM EST up reply actions
I can scarcely throw the first stone
about the study vs. Steelers time! But Charpentier is definitely worth checking out. If you are prejudiced against period instrument/HIP performances, though, you’ll have to get over it, because not only are all the recordings you are going to find of French Baroque rep in general going to be HIP, but the repertoire doesn’t even work played modern style. It is by far the most style-sensitive repertoire I can think of. Which is not a diss on it all – I love it. But it was largely neglected for many years because there are so many performance practice issues that are required to even be able to play it. Take the unmeasured preludes of the various Couperins, for instance. Here is a Youtube performance with a rather blurry picture of the first manuscript page – you can see what I’m talking about.
Sorry – this is sort of in my area of expertise, so it’s hard to shut me up about it…
"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Nov 13, 2010 11:46 AM EST up reply actions
love the poast momma!
"In Hoc Signo Vinces!" (With this as your standard, you shall have victory!) -Constantine I
by Webslasher81 on Nov 14, 2010 2:40 PM EST up reply actions
rec'd it
"I understand this is a violent game. It's the only place you can hit somebody and not go to jail. So you understand that it's a privilege to play this game." Danny Clark
Great Post
You are a compassionate, caring and intelligent person with good insight – in my opinion.
Good ol' Momma layin down the law
I often have to push the cancel button on posts when I think about how they’d be taken. funnily enough I just deleted a bunch of jokes that I was writing that I realized would be taken wrong… maybe you’re making a difference, momma. :)
by Chicago Steeler on Nov 12, 2010 12:23 PM EST reply actions
cancel button
I probably cancel 1 in 10 posts because I realize they may well be taken the wrong way.
"I don't mind being a symbol but I don't want to become a monument. There are monuments all over the Parliament Buildings and I've seen what the pigeons do to them."
"Canada is like an old cow. The West feeds it. Ontario and Quebec milk it. And you can well imagine what it's doing in the Maritimes."
Tommy Douglas
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Nov 12, 2010 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
Me too -
which makes it all the more astonishing how much stuff gets through my filter, doh…
"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Nov 12, 2010 1:38 PM EST up reply actions
this is an immutable truth….. “If someone is misguided enough to be a fan of another team, especially of a team that is a primary rival of ours, simple compassion for the fact that they were apparently dropped on their head as an infant should dictate that we are kind to them, rather than making fun of them.”
I'm your huckleberry
#3 – Don’t say something to someone on the internet that you wouldn’t say in person.
This was all you really needed to say.
There are WAY too many e-tough guys out there. So brave when rattling off insults on their keyboard.
Great post!
Some people think football is a matter of life and death...I assure you, it's much more serious than that."
-Bill Shanky
Oh, but you know me, Blitz -
why say 10 words when 1000 will do? lol
"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Nov 12, 2010 1:39 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, but few people put those thousand words
together so eloquently and elegantly.
My heros have always been Steelers...
Thanks, my dear -
and thank you to all of you for putting up with my mommaishness… If that’s a word…
"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Nov 12, 2010 1:43 PM EST up reply actions
True.
Maybe it’s time to update the glossary.
"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Nov 12, 2010 1:54 PM EST up reply actions
It was a great read
and needed to be said, thanks.
Some people think football is a matter of life and death...I assure you, it's much more serious than that."
-Bill Shanky
Maybe some of the people on here who try to completely annihilate a new poster for “posting things in the the wrong place” should read this post.
Hines always tells us he's trying to knock somebody's soul out of their body. - Ike Taylor
And yet I too was guilty
of pointing out to some poor neophyte that their post was more correctly a comment on the numerous threads already in existence. It just goes to show that it is easier to see the speck in another’s eye than the log in one’s own.
"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Nov 12, 2010 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
There is pointing it out
and there is just being downright rude. I didn’t have it happen to me because I was a reader of this site long before I ever joined or posted but I think we have to realize that maybe people’s actual age can be obscured by just reading a comment printed on the screen. I’m pretty sure you’ve pointed things out without being rude about it whereas others…not so much. Trust me, I’m all for speaking your mind and having jokes go back and forth but sometimes this place can be a little intimidating for the noobs.
Hines always tells us he's trying to knock somebody's soul out of their body. - Ike Taylor
yes
And I wasn’t pleased about it. I’ve seen less of it lately. Hopefully that continues.
Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)
by Michael Bean on Nov 12, 2010 8:16 PM EST up reply actions
A point in our favor;
both the visiting fans’ pregame posts and ours at other sites are generally treated with respect and courtesy. A few flare-ups here and there, but nothing jaw-breaking.
My heros have always been Steelers...
I've noticed that, and it's great -
I just wish everyone would take the high road after a game as well.
"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Nov 12, 2010 1:45 PM EST up reply actions
Not everyone can take the high road
otherwise it would look like the LA freeways during rush hour ;-)
Hines always tells us he's trying to knock somebody's soul out of their body. - Ike Taylor
Good one!
"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Nov 12, 2010 1:52 PM EST up reply actions
I disagree. I don’t think we often treat people here very well. Like on the Patriots post. We get annoyed when people bring up the Roethlisberger rape stuff, yet people were all over the cheating thing. I went over to the patriots site and they were much more respectful to our guys than we were to them.
I find that to be a consistent pattern on the ask opponent threads. Many from BTSC ask them for their opinion about something, and then argue with them when they give it. I know we all like to think that the Steeler fans are better and more even handed than the opponents fans, but I find the opposite to actually be the case
That's why I said "generally",
I didn’t see anything that I would consider beyond the pale, hence the term “flare-ups”. Of course, blogging sometimes requires a thick skin.
My heros have always been Steelers...
Generally, I think we are much less accommodating to other teams fans than they are to us.
For someone to have a one word post on the ask a patriots fan thread that simply said “cheaters” is much more emblematic of how we treat all the other teams fans than how they treat us.
I bet we lead the league in trolling.
I can't prove it, but
I suspect that BTSC has one of the largest fanbases of any SBNation blog. There are bound to be some boneheads.
My heros have always been Steelers...
I find that it is often done with a subtlety that allows the people to feel superior when the other teams fans get offended. And sometimes done by people who I like and respect as much as one can in this forum.
It is one thing about Steeler fans I find really annoying. I recognize that this is a gross generalization, but I don’t think the Steelers have good fans. We love our team, no doubt, but we are so spoiled by the success that we act like we’re above other teams. And on this site, what’s good for the goose (Steelers) is rarely good for the gander (opponents).
i think
AP or BTB has as large
okay i have cerebral palsy arthris and chronic fatigue as well i have a great life and loveing folks some days are better than other days i got a make-a-wish in 2001 and saw my favorite team the broncos it was the trip of a lifetime i wish everyone couild have gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that okay but i bleed organ and bule for my mnr fans but i bleed orange and blue denver will rise again resident broncos fan for every blog resident broncos for stampede bule thanks shvd98z24 real name jeremy woodard nettleton high class of 02 yes i am a raider
You are definitely right about that -
maybe we should just take a site-wide vow right now not to bring up unfortunate incidents that other teams may have hanging over them, and then we have a case to make if people try to do it to us. Again, the problem is that just a few people can make all of us look bad, and maybe this is a place where Michael might well consider being a bit more heavy handed.
It can be difficult sometimes to know where to draw the line, admittedly. Belichick picture saying Let’s Party – pretty funny stuff, as long as we don’t mind them coming up with something similar with our coaches. Carson Palmer pic with the sausage? Well, he made the ad – he can hardly complain, although maybe we don’t have to spell out the possible implications. Cheaties? Nope – clearly in the off-limits area. What was proven or not proven or done or not done by the league or whatever is entirely immaterial. That incident made the Patriots look bad. Ben made the Steelers look bad. We’re both sensitive about those incidents, and practicality as well as politeness would indicate that we don’t go there, because they are almost certainly going to retaliate. And if the point of the thread is to talk about the game and discuss the football issues involved, it’s WAY WAY off topic anyhow. One man’s good-natured chaff is another man’s deadly insult, and it’s best to err on the safe side.
"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Nov 12, 2010 2:08 PM EST up reply actions
it's easier
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Nov 12, 2010 4:33 PM EST up reply actions
oops
sausage fingers got in the way.
What I was going to say is it is easier to point out other peoples blemishes than look in the mirror and have to face our own.
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Nov 12, 2010 4:34 PM EST up reply actions
I spend very little time on other team's blogs
so I can’t comment on their treatment of the steelers but in the 2 or so years I’ve been participating in this blog, I’ve been astounded at the vitriol spewed towards our divisional rivals. Maybe it’s because I don’t live in the burgh, but I don’t feel that level of hatred for the bengals, browns or ravens.
Don’t get me wrong. I root against our divisional rivals in most games during the season unless their win would benefit the steelers, or in the playoffs where I want an AFC north team to go the farthest.
I can choose to ignore comments with acerbic content about other teams so it doesn’t really bother me that much. I do however, think that it reflects poorly on the whole of BTSC.
I don't either
I don’t get the division rival hatred either. I like Philly sports teams, but I dislike Philly fans (of any Philly sport). However I don’t take it out on them and it doesn’t mean that I cannot get along with them. I don’t troll on the internet or in person. To me it’s a waste of time and energy. I try to treat people as I would like to be treated. I understand that sports fans are a passionate bunch and I am no exception, but that is not an excuse for acting like children.
One of the great disappointments of a football game is that the cheerleaders never seem to get injured.
DAMMIT MOMMA!
Again with this giving me pause stuff! :)
Great post. I’m man enough to admit that there have been more then a few times I should have hit cancel, but I’m kind of bull headed in my beliefs.
I mean no one on here any harm. Ever. Only Bengals fans and Malor.
But I will give a serious effort to think before I post something that might be taken offensively. Or I’ll at least put a /sarcasm tag on the post.
Bungles Tank Stupidly like Clockwork
--------
Every night at the club the girls screamed when he'd come
He stood six foot five and weighed 241
Kinda meaty in the face with a head full of stone
And everybody knew you didn't go to the bathroom alone around Big Ben
(Big Ben Big Ben) Big Fat Ben (Big Ben)
--------
"Salt in the wound’s going to be Steelers coming to Jerry’s palace to win yet another SB" - Random Cowboy fan on BTB
Compassion, perhaps – I’m thinking of, say, Bengals fans now : )
I mean it when I say this:
Bungles Tank Stupidly like Clockwork
--------
Every night at the club the girls screamed when he'd come
He stood six foot five and weighed 241
Kinda meaty in the face with a head full of stone
And everybody knew you didn't go to the bathroom alone around Big Ben
(Big Ben Big Ben) Big Fat Ben (Big Ben)
--------
"Salt in the wound’s going to be Steelers coming to Jerry’s palace to win yet another SB" - Random Cowboy fan on BTB
by svenhoek on Nov 12, 2010 2:43 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm curious to see klomp's response to this
I kind of disagree with the overall message, but I can understand why you voiced your opinion on it. I think certain types of trolling are cheeky, fun, and funny, but I rarely partake in those. They have their place in internet society.
I also enjoy the jawing and heated arguments that occur between opposing fans, as I am often in them. I never get pissed off or let it ruin my mood, because it is just the internet. Usually, when I am in those arguments I learn a lot because I am looking up numbers and articles to prove my point. Additionally, the counter argument is doing the same thing and always learn something from them. For instance, I learned a lot about the Steroids in 70/80s football issue in the Ask a Pats thread.
I will probably catch fire for my opinion since so many people seem to agree with Momma, but whatever.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
How about this?
How about if when we post the “Ask a Steeler” we also post a “Troll a Steeler” and ask our counterpart at the other blog to do the same. The “Ask a (whichever team)” post would be confined to footbally talk, and any smack talk would be redirected to the trolling thread. It might well turn out that the “Ask a (whoever)” thread turns out to be deadly boring and everybody heads to the trolling thread – fine. That way those of us that aren’t interested in the smack talk can bore one another. But that keeps the obnoxiousness confined to an area that is easily avoidable, and those whose open the trolling thread do so at their own peril. What do you think?
"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Nov 12, 2010 3:21 PM EST up reply actions
Sounds sort of like segregation
Why can’t people just ignore comments? I don’t read every single comment I see. In fact, there is a person or two whose comments I generally ignore. If you see a comment by someone you know talks trash, ignore it or don’t read it. I don’t see how it has an effect on you (not specifically you, a general you to people who disagree with trash talk).
Personally, I grew up playing sports and trash talking, a little jabbing here and there, and what not was always part of it. It’s something I think goes a long with it, even if I am not playing. Now, I’m not the nutto going out there and punching another dad in the face over a son’s tee-ball game, but I enjoy the friendly banter.
Did the argument between myself and Comedic-Sans escalate beyond that? No. Did it bother anyone else? I don’t know and I do not see how it mattered to anyone else. As long as we are not abusing any of BTSC’s rules, what’s the big deal?
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Nov 12, 2010 3:41 PM EST up reply actions
I know you didn’t ask me, but…I did ignore your conversation with the dude from the Patriots, but not because it was trash talking, I just found it to be uninteresting. Talking about the legality or fairness of taping signals 5 years ago vs. the use of steroids in the 70’s? Personally I couldn’t have possibly cared less. So I just hit Z until I got to a question or comment that I found interesting, or at least funny. To me, friendly banter or genuine debate is always welcome. If I’m not interested, I am free to ignore, and like you I take advantage of that freedom.
The parts I don’t like are two things – One, the clear double standard so many here employ regarding off the field stuff. It’s ok for us to make fun of the things that happen to your team, but don’t you dare make fun of ours. And two, when someone comes over to the site and creates a post for us to ask them questions, and someone comments nothing but “cheaters”. As far as I’m concerned you are just being a dick by doing that, and I think we do a lot more of that to other fans on our site, as well as go to their site and troll (even subtlely), than they do to us. It just reinforces the general consensus that fans of so many other teams have that Steeler fans are a bunch of spoiled conceited assholes. It’s the same feeling I get whenever so many of our fans, in response to virtually any comment about the relative merits of the respective teams, come back with the we have 6 super bowls how many has your team won bullshit. Fortunately we rarely see that anymore on this site thank god, but I sure see it a lot other places. It’s just lazy and unimaginative.
It’s one thing if we are provoked, but I find that is usually us who are holding the stick in our hands doing the poking.
Fair points, but to be accurate the Spygate stuff is not “off the field” issues. It is something directly impacting games and that’s what we were debating.
But anyway, I rarely pull out the “Murderin’ Ray” (example) unless someone leads with “Raplistburger” or something equally unimaginative. Generally, I do argue with those people who insist that my team’s QB is a rapist, because 95% of the time they know nothing about the case and speak with complete ignorance. Should I care what they think? No, but it gives me something to do when work is slow.
The example you listed, is one of the person’s comments I generally ignore. I do not think he/se represents this blog as a whole. Moreover, his/her comment was the only one that didn’t seem to be in “good fun” (I didn’t read every comment so call me out if I am wrong). Therefore, I don’t understand the whole hub-bub around making a fanpost around things I “should do”. It sounds kind of preachy to me. I apologize, that sounds very rude momma, but its how I felt about this post.
There are about 4 or 5 of us that take the time to do the “Ask a Steelers” fan posts and field questions. They always go over fairly well, except save the Browns, and that is not out of left field. The cities hate each other.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Nov 12, 2010 4:36 PM EST up reply actions
Spygate was not off the field but it was a while ago. Water under the bridge in my view to nearly the same extent as the steroids issue.
Yes the ask a Steelers post do usually go fairly well, and if I had to pick 5 people from this site that I would want to represent us in answering those questions, you are definitely in that top 5. But there are some people from here that choose to go respond on some of those that just make me cringe because they often take a somewhat confrontational approach to any question that isn’t completely solicitous to the Steelers. That being said I’m rarely taking the time to go answer those questions so who am I to judge.
We are in the same boat then. I really don’t care about the spygate stuff anymore, since we won a SB since then. It’s over and done with.
And I definitely agree with the second paragraph.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Nov 12, 2010 5:35 PM EST up reply actions
HA!
"SteelFever gets #93. Just like Ron Artest. Great game just keep an eye on him that he doesn't go into the stands after a fan."
- 5020 on my making the BTSC active (riot) squad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC0NCHq4v3I
I feel exactly the same way
Like John, I’m not trying to be rude, I’m sure you feel the same way about putting that as you do about using emoticons but I’m going to put it anyway to try to not look like a total jackass. Anyway while reading this I felt mildly offended.
I feel like I am not one of the people that this Fanpost was intended for, and I hope other people feel the same way too, and I say this so that I can avoide being placed in this category:
Were I you, I wouldn’t waste my time posting this anywhere else, because you will most likely only get blasted for being a "thought policewoman". The more enlightened set will agree with you, of course, but the idiot masses will not appreciate it.
But like I said, I felt mildly offended while reading this, mainly because it bugs me to think that someone feels that they have some kind of authority to tell people what they can and cannot post here. Now again, like John said, it’s one thing if people are breaking the rules, personally attacking someone, or frequently being completely obnoxious, but if someone wants to make an attempt at humor, whether you find it humorous or not, they have the right to do so. If someone wants to type j/k or put a “;)” to signal sarcasm or that they are just messing around they certianly have every right to do so. I’m not going to try and make this a political argument but freedom of speech exists on the internet as well.
I remember reading a Fanpost that Mr. Bean posted awhile ago. It brings up a similar point. However in that post he mentions that several long time readers that he greatly respects went out of their way to complain to him about what people were saying. And I completely agree that if the core of this site is repeatedly offended by the comments of another person then by all means remove them from the site (I might be wrong, but that does not seem to be the case here). But to try and tell people that they are not allowed to attempt humor or use smiley faces is quite outragous.
I’m sure I am going to get some flack for this but I wanted to express my opinion.
i have say over these matters NLevine
Not anybody else. And there are no rules that say you have to do any of the things above. You know what the ‘rules’ are, and they aren’t that rigid or black and white. Thank you for your opinion as well.
Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)
by Michael Bean on Nov 12, 2010 8:21 PM EST up reply actions
I know
I understand that it is your site and you have power to take whatever action you want to anyone at anytime for any reason because of that. But it bugs me when people who dont have that power try to use it. Not just in this particular situation but other places as well. I know it sounds like a petty argument, but again it is just one of those things that annoys me.
Anyway it has been a long week, so I’m going to go get drunk and hopefully have a good weekend that is capped off with a steeler victory.
thats what im saying man
I dont think i made my point very well. Was just agreeing with you for the most part. Just don’t sweat it. We’re on the same page in this regard. Enjoy the weekend.
Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)
by Michael Bean on Nov 12, 2010 9:18 PM EST up reply actions
john
I think you are right in that talk between fanbases can and should be more aggressive, littered with jokes and even insults, etc. That’s part of the fan experience. Ideally it’s done in a clever funny way, not just mean-spirited and crass.
I think momma’s points stand in terms of overall behavior, but I also agree that there’s nothing wrong with heated back and forths in the ‘Ask a…’ threads.
Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)
by Michael Bean on Nov 12, 2010 8:19 PM EST up reply actions
there’s nothing wrong with heated back and forths in the ‘Ask a…’ threads.
I’m sorry if I gave the impression that I was trying to suppress ‘heated back and forth,’ and it isn’t my place to ‘suppress’ anything for that matter. Maybe we are just having a semantics problem here. I don’t see anything wrong with a passionate and heated discussion, but I do have a big problem with calling visiting fans out on some member of or aspect of their team (Cheatriots, Murderin’ Ray, etc.) and then crying ‘no fair’ when they come up with Rapelisberger or whatever. Aside from the fact that it is impolite, it has nothing to do with the subject at hand, which is the game ahead of us.
And Michael, you know that it is embarrassing to you as the head honcho of BTSC when another SB Nation site’s guy comes to you and says ’What’s up with the trolls from BTSC?" When the behavior of some people on the site gives all of us a bad reputation, I think it goes too far, hence my comments about trolling. I apologize to anyone I offended.
"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Nov 12, 2010 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
no, no it's all good
Glad you wrote what you did and agree strongly with lots of it. Just reminding people that they’re all still welcome to act how they want within the much more ‘gray’ and lenient framework of rules.
Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)
by Michael Bean on Nov 12, 2010 10:24 PM EST up reply actions
Heeeere it comes...
The thought/internet police need to make their quota this month…
(see what I did there? LOL!)
I seriously feel that the only people that read these kinds of posts are the ones that agree with you. The trollish idiot masses will avoid it like the plague. Nothing like common sense/courtesy to piss off an idiot troll.
Were I you, I wouldn’t waste my time posting this anywhere else, because you will most likely only get blasted for being a “thought policewoman”. The more enlightened set will agree with you, of course, but the idiot masses will not appreciate it.
This is a medium that’s free to anybody, and a minority of people will take advantage of that, to the detriment of the majority. There’s nothing to be done to stop that, short of banning all the idiots.
However, where is the line for that kind of reactionary behavior? Big Blue Shoe went WAY overboard with it, and look what’s happened to Stampede Blue…BBS singlehandedly destroyed that blog, and any credibility it ever had, subscribing to the “disagree with me and you’re banned” mentality.
It sucks, but, you must take the bad with the good. There’s no way around it.
It’s odd, I felt the strangest sense of deja vu while writing this…
"SteelFever gets #93. Just like Ron Artest. Great game just keep an eye on him that he doesn't go into the stands after a fan."
- 5020 on my making the BTSC active (riot) squad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC0NCHq4v3I
its kind of ignorant to say that all enlightened people will agree with this, as if it is universally true for everyone that has any kind of sense
Oh noes!
The resident isiot troll has issue with what I said! Huge surprise there...
"SteelFever gets #93. Just like Ron Artest. Great game just keep an eye on him that he doesn't go into the stands after a fan."
- 5020 on my making the BTSC active (riot) squad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC0NCHq4v3I
i take great offense to the term isiot and would prefer that in the future your enlightened comments avoid referring to me as such
So, you don't want me calling you an isiot, eh?
How about turdball? Asswipe? Shitstain? Will those work?
"SteelFever gets #93. Just like Ron Artest. Great game just keep an eye on him that he doesn't go into the stands after a fan."
- 5020 on my making the BTSC active (riot) squad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC0NCHq4v3I
And?
What’s your point? Or don’t you have one, and are just trying to antagonize me by agreeing with him?
"SteelFever gets #93. Just like Ron Artest. Great game just keep an eye on him that he doesn't go into the stands after a fan."
- 5020 on my making the BTSC active (riot) squad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC0NCHq4v3I
Point is that you insinuated you are better than people
without ever having met them…
Xbox Live Gamertag - IMIeursault currently MW2 and Madden 11.
Official BTSC representative in the Xbox Live Online Franshise 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/user/infamousxBouncers sub to it for commentary's of the games in the online franchise aswell as other Madden and Call of Duty gameplay.
by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Nov 17, 2010 10:08 PM EST up reply actions
Now you're jumping on me?
Are you saying you don’t agree with what I said?
I am better than an idiot troll. They are not people anyway.
"SteelFever gets #93. Just like Ron Artest. Great game just keep an eye on him that he doesn't go into the stands after a fan."
- 5020 on my making the BTSC active (riot) squad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC0NCHq4v3I
by Steel Spike on Nov 18, 2010 12:12 PM EST up reply actions
Not really jumping on you
Just answering a question you asked
Xbox Live Gamertag - IMIeursault currently MW2 and Madden 11.
Official BTSC representative in the Xbox Live Online Franshise 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/user/infamousxBouncers sub to it for commentary's of the games in the online franchise aswell as other Madden and Call of Duty gameplay.
by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Nov 18, 2010 12:40 PM EST up reply actions
i’d prefer if your energies werent directed towards namecalling on the internet and went back to kissing beans ass for a moderator job, as long as you’re asking for my preferences and all
Hahahaha
You’re such a little piece of shit.
You just expect to treat other people like shit, and not have it reciprocated? I'm so sorry if I hurt your little troll feelers
ps, troll for life bitches.
From the little isiot trolls mouth. You’re lucky I’m not a mod, you stain.
"SteelFever gets #93. Just like Ron Artest. Great game just keep an eye on him that he doesn't go into the stands after a fan."
- 5020 on my making the BTSC active (riot) squad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC0NCHq4v3I
im not trolling you and you dont really know what a troll is. and i wasn’t treating you like shit.
however, you’ve manged to generalize, make idle threats, and quote incorrectly.
I think I hear the Waaaaaaahmbulance!
OH noes! I have made idle threats? I’m generalizing? Pot, kettle.
How am I quoting incorrectly? You said that, did you not?
How about this: You leave me the fuck alone, and I’ll return the favor. Sound good? Great!
End of dialogue.
"SteelFever gets #93. Just like Ron Artest. Great game just keep an eye on him that he doesn't go into the stands after a fan."
- 5020 on my making the BTSC active (riot) squad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC0NCHq4v3I
Wait
One more thing…
you dont really know what a troll is
I just had to point this out and laugh at you about it.
I’ve seen pictures of you, little boy, and I’ve been doing this internet thing since you were still pissing your racecar bed.
I don’t really know what a troll is…Bitch please. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
"SteelFever gets #93. Just like Ron Artest. Great game just keep an eye on him that he doesn't go into the stands after a fan."
- 5020 on my making the BTSC active (riot) squad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC0NCHq4v3I
dang simmer down
Two longtime readers. Ironic that the personal attacks are coming in this thread.
Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)
by Michael Bean on Nov 17, 2010 9:54 PM EST up reply actions
So now I'm not allowed to fire back?
I’m supposed to just take whatever someone wants to dish out because he’s been here a long time?
I don’t care. Rude is rude. I’ve asked him before to just leave me alone, and go troll other people. It didn’t work. But, I’m the one who needs to simmer down…..
"SteelFever gets #93. Just like Ron Artest. Great game just keep an eye on him that he doesn't go into the stands after a fan."
- 5020 on my making the BTSC active (riot) squad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC0NCHq4v3I
by Steel Spike on Nov 18, 2010 12:24 PM EST up reply actions
You have really over reacted to his comment. You said that only the more enlightened agree with the post. He disagreed with that comment, and without calling you any names. You proceeded to act like a complete and total asshole, to him, to me, to anybody who dared disagree with you.
This one is all on you bub,
Was I talking to you?
I’ll answer for you. No. Piss off with your “holier than thou” BS.
He is, by his own admission, a troll. My comment said trolls are idiots.
He’s done this shit to me before. Acted like an absolute punk bitch towards me. I don’t care if you haven’t seen it before, it’s happened. Then he gets all defensive, like he wasn’t doing anything wrong.
He’s nothing but a little bitch-boy, and I’m not going to let him run his mouth at me. Don’t like it, don’t talk to me anymore. I give friends leeway, but I really don’t like him, and made those feelings VERY clear in the past. He insists on putting his little nose into places it’s not wanted.
"SteelFever gets #93. Just like Ron Artest. Great game just keep an eye on him that he doesn't go into the stands after a fan."
- 5020 on my making the BTSC active (riot) squad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC0NCHq4v3I
It's not holier than thou
He’s just trying to stop some pointless argument on a post that is basically stemming from the antipathy of it in our community.
I just leave it at what Michael has said with the simmer down comments.
Xbox Live Gamertag - IMIeursault currently MW2 and Madden 11.
Official BTSC representative in the Xbox Live Online Franshise 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/user/infamousxBouncers sub to it for commentary's of the games in the online franchise aswell as other Madden and Call of Duty gameplay.
by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Nov 18, 2010 8:08 PM EST up reply actions
I knew you F'ers would gang up on me
As soon as I responded to klomp-troll.
Yeah. I’m the bad guy. Fine. This bad guy is leaving for a while. Not because of you guys, but because I think I need a break from this place.
"SteelFever gets #93. Just like Ron Artest. Great game just keep an eye on him that he doesn't go into the stands after a fan."
- 5020 on my making the BTSC active (riot) squad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC0NCHq4v3I
dude steel
Whatever happened, why are you being such a jerk to regular readers and guys you chat with each week. Just let it go if you think they’re in the wrong.
I’ve spoken up and been very direct with klompus too in the past when he’s pissed me off. But we all move on and I dont think he was doing anything rude at all. Especially not initially.
But while I’m at it, klompus, even when you think/know you’re right, sometimes its best to not to speak up and be a provocateur.
I don’t know. Not taking sides and we have football to worry about, but seriously, there’s really no need for aggressive personal attacks.
Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)
by Michael Bean on Nov 18, 2010 8:15 PM EST up reply actions
I think
Bean is trying to tell everyone to calm down, not you in particular. It is ironic that this is going on on this thread though.
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Nov 18, 2010 5:39 PM EST up reply actions
Always love your posts Momma!
It’s nice to have a little “decency reminder” every once in a while.
Self-praise is for losers. Be a winner. Stand for something. Always have class, and be humble.-- John Madden
by steelcitysweetheart on Nov 12, 2010 10:23 PM EST reply actions
I respect your opinion on this Momma
and certainly agree about the e-tough guy mentality and all of the points above. However I think that if some of the jokes that may offend certain people were off limits then that takes it too far. I know I take some things too far and have even trolled on occasion but I stop at personal attacks.
So much of why I log onto BTSC every single day is the witty banter that I have with some of our regulars.
Quiet Salad Dodger
Could that be taken as offensive to you Americans? A generic term basically calling you all fatties? Of course it could, but it was part of a back and forth between NYSF4 and I that was in good fun, despite him calling me a wanker :P.
Oh crap, I used a smiley to signify a joke…
Good post Momma, but I think we need to be wary as always of taking the “policing” too far.
Xbox Live Gamertag - IMIeursault currently MW2 and Madden 11.
Official BTSC representative in the Xbox Live Online Franshise 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/user/infamousxBouncers sub to it for commentary's of the games in the online franchise aswell as other Madden and Call of Duty gameplay.
by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Nov 12, 2010 11:30 PM EST reply actions
Is wanker that bad?
I have not yet begun to procrastinate.
(* denotes sarcasm)
by NYSteelersFan4 on Nov 14, 2010 10:32 AM EST up reply actions
It depends, I don’t find it offensive, but if you said it to someone in the street or even someone who you aren’t that close too it would be pretty offensive.
Xbox Live Gamertag - IMIeursault currently MW2 and Madden 11.
Official BTSC representative in the Xbox Live Online Franshise 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/user/infamousxBouncers sub to it for commentary's of the games in the online franchise aswell as other Madden and Call of Duty gameplay.
by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Nov 14, 2010 12:39 PM EST up reply actions
Kinda like "poofter"?
"SteelFever gets #93. Just like Ron Artest. Great game just keep an eye on him that he doesn't go into the stands after a fan."
- 5020 on my making the BTSC active (riot) squad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC0NCHq4v3I
Poofter is considered waaay less offensive than wanker
Xbox Live Gamertag - IMIeursault currently MW2 and Madden 11.
Official BTSC representative in the Xbox Live Online Franshise 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/user/infamousxBouncers sub to it for commentary's of the games in the online franchise aswell as other Madden and Call of Duty gameplay.
by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Nov 15, 2010 4:30 PM EST up reply actions
I know many more than a couple of gay brits, doesn’t change the perception of the words to me.
Xbox Live Gamertag - IMIeursault currently MW2 and Madden 11.
Official BTSC representative in the Xbox Live Online Franshise 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/user/infamousxBouncers sub to it for commentary's of the games in the online franchise aswell as other Madden and Call of Duty gameplay.
by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Nov 16, 2010 9:23 PM EST up reply actions
touché
Xbox Live Gamertag - IMIeursault currently MW2 and Madden 11.
Official BTSC representative in the Xbox Live Online Franshise 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/user/infamousxBouncers sub to it for commentary's of the games in the online franchise aswell as other Madden and Call of Duty gameplay.
by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Nov 17, 2010 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
Would you believe I don't even remember asking the above question?
Anyway, good to know. I’ll avoid using the term in the future, I thought it was one of those nothing terms, but I was wrong I guess. I’m glad you weren’t offended, which is good, because I think I’ve said more offfensive stuff than to you that in the past, so I’d hate for this one to be our falling out Mr. Roberts. :)
I have not yet begun to procrastinate.
by NYSteelersFan4 on Nov 19, 2010 1:54 PM EST up reply actions
I don't take any offense with it
just using it as an example…
Xbox Live Gamertag - IMIeursault currently MW2 and Madden 11.
Official BTSC representative in the Xbox Live Online Franshise 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/user/infamousxBouncers sub to it for commentary's of the games in the online franchise aswell as other Madden and Call of Duty gameplay.
by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Nov 19, 2010 10:03 PM EST up reply actions
Oh crap, I used a smiley to signify a joke…
Oh crap, I obviously didn’t express myself very clearly. I do think emoticons should be used, just because of the whole lack of facial expression, body language, etc. business. I was only suggesting that occasionally they are used by someone who wants to say something deliberately offensive or obnoxious, but also give themselves an out, and that was what I was vowing to eschew.
As to Quiet Salad Dodger, I think you merely mystified everyone. Now that I know that you were calling us all fat, I’m offended… : )
And don’t miss the fact that while I was suggesting that people might be a bit more thoughtful about what they say that has general application (as opposed to your chaffing your mates) I also suggested that we try not to be too quick to assume that someone else is trying to be offensive.
"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Nov 12, 2010 11:56 PM EST reply actions
REPLY FAIL!!! :)
I wasn’t trying to belittle the point, sorry if I came off a bit like that, which on re-reading it sorta did.
I was being sarcastic (see the need for a sarcasm font, I speak almost entirely in sarcasm) with the smiley thing :)
Anyway, another good po(a)st Momma.
Xbox Live Gamertag - IMIeursault currently MW2 and Madden 11.
Official BTSC representative in the Xbox Live Online Franshise 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/user/infamousxBouncers sub to it for commentary's of the games in the online franchise aswell as other Madden and Call of Duty gameplay.
by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Nov 13, 2010 12:07 AM EST up reply actions
I agree
Oh crap, I obviously didn’t express myself very clearly. I do think emoticons should be used, just because of the whole lack of facial expression, body language, etc. business. I was only suggesting that occasionally they are used by someone who wants to say something deliberately offensive or obnoxious, but also give themselves an out, and that was what I was vowing to eschew.
I completely agree with that opinion and I am starting to understand the point that you were trying to make as I read the new comments.
Good post momma
I think we all need to be reminded that if we are going to dish out crap to other fans, that we should be prepared to take it as well. If we claim to be some of the more educated fans, then we should be able to reply with facts and intelligence and not just one word insults or just saying we have 6 Lombardis.
Things can always be worse....
This needs to be posted on all of the interweb as an entirety.
For now and for all times.
Beautifully written Momma.
I'll be hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from May, 2011 to Sept., 2011, to raise money for charity. For more info, please visit: http://thf2.wordpress.com
Critical
thinking is in short supply, both when writing and reading. I did not see any preachyness or thought policing going on here. Merely a call to be as critical of ourselves as we are others. Though I appreciate all of the discussion that has been going on here.
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Nov 13, 2010 9:37 AM EST reply actions
Thanks, gorillar -
that was what I was trying to do – after all, it takes two people to be offended. But having said that, when we don’t know each other very well, we don’t always know where someone else’s sensitive spots are. If I called someone, say, a retard, say, not knowing that they had a Down’s Syndrome child, I would most likely hurt their feelings, something I would never do deliberately. And so my thoughtless attempt to be witty would have wounded someone else, whether or not they even told me that they were hurt.
I would say offhand that only about 10% of the things I have said in my life that I have regretted were were said in anger, and the remaining 90% were an attempt to be witty or cynical or clever. I suspect that this character flaw is magnified by the impersonal aspects of the internet. And the older I get, the more I realize that people are the only important thing. I never want to hurt someone, especially for the sake of showing off. So would all of you please bust me if I do that?
"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Nov 13, 2010 11:35 AM EST up reply actions
Strange
you should use the example of calling someone a retard. I am guilty of having called myself a retard for a stupid move I made, I didn’t mean to degrade anyone but myself. My girlfriend’s( at the time) roommate had a down syndrome nephew and berated me for a good ten minutes. Some lessons are learned the hard way.
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Nov 13, 2010 4:47 PM EST up reply actions
It definitely wasn't an example
chosen at random. The good thing is that the lessons we learn the hard way stick the best…
"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Nov 13, 2010 4:54 PM EST up reply actions
True Dat
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Nov 14, 2010 12:29 AM EST up reply actions
I have 'fouled' in just about every post.
Bad language,
colorful epithets,
crudeness.
Never intending to offend but probably going too far, assuming people just ‘get it’. Now I feel like a complete shit-heel, strictly out of line and etc.
I thought that was the virtue of football season, the xenophobia, extreme territorial goddamn paranoia (ha), the Iron Sheik near stroke hatred when you see the target of your ire, the opposition, the rival. But all in good fun, good clean fun at the end of the day. Much like studio wrestling it’s not real, it’s a caricature done for laughs.
I’m not one for platitudes or lip service, so whether any keyboard hard ass gives a shit is not my concern but I truly apologize to the entire community if I have offended anyone at any time by carelessly posting my frustration verbage garbage.
That said I will continue to post, but with more thought, from now on.
Tical.
"He was popping off down there the first time they were about to score. So you run your mouth, expect to get something. Everything's between the lines, so he got what he had coming. He was running his mouth and getting in the way of the train, and the train wasn't coming off the track."
-James Harrison on Kyle Orton
I thought that was the virtue of football season, the xenophobia, extreme territorial goddamn paranoia (ha), the Iron Sheik near stroke hatred when you see the target of your ire, the opposition, the rival. But all in good fun, good clean fun at the end of the day. Much like studio wrestling it’s not real, it’s a caricature done for laughs.
The thing is, Chachi, that you’re probably right, and it is probably me that blundered my way into this blog. I think that most people can tell the difference between what you’ve described and what I was trying to address. The mea culpa in my comment was meant for myself…
"You learn more in failure than you do in success." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Nov 19, 2010 9:07 AM EST up reply actions
dude
TVs – don’t edit yourself! You’er funny as hell and an outstanding personality ont he site. Seriously, don’t worry about a thing.
Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)
by Michael Bean on Nov 19, 2010 6:50 PM EST up reply actions
I got your gist, Momma
Your post didn’t come across as preachy to me; I’m with gorillar on this one. I thought it was well done.
I agree with you that if we don’t want people from other fanbases to come in here and constantly remind us of BB’s recent (off the field) past, then we should preach by example. I would have left the Spygate comments to a minimum, to use a recent example. Treat others as you would have them treat you, I guess.
I enjoy the back and forth of the posts with contributors from other sites since I always learn something about the other team. I don’t mind harmless trash talking, which can be fun, and Lord knows that we have some very clever and inspired contributors to the threads who are good at it. Some of the posts are really amusing without being cruel. (I loved the pictures that someone put up with Belichick saying “Let’s Party” and using a Steeler jacket, for example). But when it degrades into back and forth insults against each team, or just plain gratutious nastiness, it just gets tedious for me. That’s when I tune out.
weird
I don’t entirely understand why people disagree with this post. Why is the simple rule of, would you say that to their face, so difficult?
I think the tough thing is that some people hang around long enough to create the relationship where they would indeed call each other jerks knowing it’s all in good fun. But this is public domain. And conversations are not between two individuals. They’re their for the whole world to read.
On a more philosophical front, we’re dealing with a brand new medium of communication. We’re still creating societal rules around this new form. There’s been studies saying that Generation Y has 50% less real friendships than their parents. Not surprising in that we spend so much of our time doing other things. The generation before us had to be social, or else just sit around. Now I can be pseudo-social while posting on this site. Brave new world and all that.
On a general note I think it’s strange that as I get older I find Politically Correctness to be more and more necessary. Maybe I just lost my rebellious roots, but the more people I meet and become friends with the more cautious I am about offending any one group of people with derogatory language.
by Chicago Steeler on Nov 13, 2010 6:35 PM EST reply actions
well said and reasoned on all accounts
Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)
by Michael Bean on Nov 13, 2010 9:04 PM EST up reply actions
You've made my day
On a general note I think it’s strange that as I get older I find Politically Correctness to be more and more necessary. Maybe I just lost my rebellious roots, but the more people I meet and become friends with the more cautious I am about offending any one group of people with derogatory language.
This can’t be said enough. I think the line of demarcation can be drawn for those that are like “aw c’mon, grow a pair and stop being so sensitive” and those who truly realize we are fast becoming a global community and there is a real need to a newfound appreciation of all. One way of doing that is to use respectful language. A big part of that is learning what language is NOT respectful.
I can see both sides
on this one, considering the few that don’t agree completely with momma on this are really quite politely disagreeing, and mostly with a perceived “tone” the post takes.
I think your 3rd point is the most important, and likely the driving force in insults and explosive arguments online. I think this is kind of indicative when people say “it’s only the internet” this implies that there are no real consequences. I would disagree, there can be definite consequences for the person who reads the comments, even though they cannot make you feel anything in return, if you can ignore comments.
I’d agree with worldtrip on Steelers fans in a very general way, as I have been impressed with most fans of other teams on these SB Nation sites.
However, some argumentative discussion is fine, if people understand each other, a la John Stephens/ Comedic Sans discussion on Ask a Pats fan thread. I was not interested at all, but I Was somewhat concerned that discussion would go south quickly. It did not, because both parties remained civil.
If you think that momma shouldnt have posted this because it would be taken the wrong way, or that the true trolls would not read it, I disagree wholeheartedly. The post was obviously meant as a reminder of how most people would/should treat each other, in person, and by extension, virtually. As far as not reaching a proper audience, the people who have read it will likely think more often about their writing, and this likely will affect a greater number of readers here. I strongly believe a big reason we have less vitriol and just plain crap here than some other sports blogs is the example more active posters set.
my nickel
I understand where this post is coming from and I think it’s a fairly common sense conclusion to arrive on when observing the internet and more specifically, it’s interactions. I don’t necessarily disagree (say what, two solutions/conclusions don’t have to be mutually exclusive?!?), but I do not take your approach to internetting. I do avoid saying things that I would not want to say to someone in person, but I definitely do not attempt to make myself clear by denoting sarcasm, adding emoticons to jokes, and all of that. I feel like such things “wash” down any communication I may be trying to have with the people on this site. I’m going to type what I mean and if I say something flatly it doesn’t mean that I mean it flatly or that I am trying to attack you or even that I am calling you out. It means that I meant what I said and I’m probably looking for some kind of response to start a discussion.
I’m of the opinion that instead of flooding our communications with emoticons and all kinds of jk’s, people should make a habit of not taking things so personally. This is the internet anyway, so it should be irrelevant to your real life (feelings wise) in my opinion. If people don’t take things that aren’t full of :) and :* as a personal attack so frequently, you end up with clear and level headed discussion, and isn’t that what we’re all here for?
ps, troll for life bitches.
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