An Open Letter to Off-Topic

[The Artificially Prolonged]

It wouldn't hurt if off-topic took it down a notch on the furious debates for awhile. I for one blame today's violent media >.>

 

[Scrustle]

That kind of thing is exactly why I stopped posting here several months ago. Although since coming back I haven't personally seen much vitriol, people sure are complaining about it much more than when I left.

It seems to be that no matter what you're talking about, the longer a conversation goes on, the more likely it becomes that someone will inevitably take what you say far too personally, and decides to take that as an excuse to hurl personal attacks at you. That does in fact include straw-manning too. It just devolves in to what is nothing more than "I'm right and you're wrong because I'm better than you and you're a retard".

Now I just basically stay away from any kind of discussion that's gotten to a certain length, or if it's one of this site's favourite topics to get riled up about.

 

[The White Hunter]

I've been thinking the exact same thing Fappy but you can't fight anger and hate with more anger and hate. The pessimistic side of me thinks this is part of the natural cycle of the Escapist: 2012 was generally a time of frivolity and so now the pendulum has swung back but no, we do have a choice in this. I've been thinking of making a thread about this on Sunday, still might, but changing the forums starts with changing our own conduct first and being as friendly as possible to everyone including the flamers and trolls, even in the face of blind rage. Fight the flames with love!

Fight fire with peace and love [sub]and drills![/sub]. Peace and love are, after all, the most flame-retardant of emotional response mechanisms!

At any rate I agree the forum has been very hostile lately ona ll kinds of topics, the sexism stuff needs discussing yes but it's so bile fuelled and angry all the time that it just becoems unpleasant. There's also been far too much bickering between the PC and console fronts and far too many threads about innocent topics dominated by "PC ARE THE BEST" within 2 or 3 pages or "THOSE ELITIST BASTARDS" within 2 pages, how about we all just calm down, chill the fuck out, and stop arguing about who's format is best and instead discuss the games themselves?

That'd be a happy day for us all I think. Also we need more free hugs around here.

And more Barry White!!!

 

[Beffudled Sheep_v1legacy]

Take a fucking chill pill!

But but but, if they do that then where will my coworkers and I be able to get our daily dose of laughs?

(I guess we're the only ones who finds overreactions to controversy funny) >.<

Hi, have you seen my group?
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Some-men



Just trying to pander to people and shamelessly bump my group here...
Which I founded because I saw myself faced with a decision.
A decision between burning in the flamewars that have plagued these forums for far too long now or to leave this place for good.
But I chose the impossible.
I chose to found a group that pledges not to take part in these arguments, but rather observes them, ever watchful, never averting the gaze, for after this war is over, the world will either be destroyed and nothing but scorched earth will remain or it will be ours to take once the last thread has finally dwindled, once the last flame has flickered and died, then finally shall the world be ours once more and we can work towards making it a happier place once more, a place where Fappy may frolic and Daystar may derail to his heart's content.
Because I have a dream.
A dream of an Off-Topic forum where we, the users, can be friends once more instead of enemies, where controversial statements are met with humour and intolerance is countered with wit instead of insults, where one goes to relax and to have fun instead of arguing and bathing in self-righteousness.

But until this utopian vision can be fulfilled, I shall try to stick to writing humorous posts, getting in trouble for that, and participating mostly in threads that have not erupted into flames yet.

And now I leave you with this:

Spoiler: This is a lot funnier if you understand German, but those that like being screamed at in German should also take a look.

Some men?
Sexist much?

I am not even going to validate that.
OH YES I WILL.
BECAUSE SOME.MEN.JUST.WANT.TO.WATCH.THE.WORLD.BURN.
(Ladies welcome though)
SO LETS HAVE AT IT WITH ANOTHER SEXISM DEBATE YOU MISANDRIST SWINE; WHAT ABOUT TEH MENs you STRAWFEMINIST, YOU MISOGYNIST, ARE YOU IMPLYING I EVER SAID THAT I NEVER DID, STOP PUTTING WORDS IN MY MOUTH WHEN I WROTE SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT, YOU MUST HATE ALL WOMEN THEN, BUT AREN'T YOU A MAN-HATING ONE, YOUR EQUALITY IS OPPRESSING MEN, MEN ARE ALWAYS BEING OPPRESSED, WOMEN ARE ALL POTENTIAL RAPE VICTIMS; ALL MEN EVERYWHERE ARE POTENTIAL RAPISTS; YOU MISOGYNIST, AREN'T YOU EDGY AS OF LATE, UH, USING BIG-BOY-WORDS, HUH, WELL I NEVER, YOU SLANDROUS INSECT, I SHALL HAVE YOUR HIDE FOR BREAKFAST, YOU CIS-GENDERED HOMOPHOBE, WELL LET ME PUSH YOU DOWN A SLIPPERY SLOPE THEN, BUT WAIT IT'S A FALLACY, OH GOD I MUST CONSTRUCT AND AD HOMINEM, STRAWMAN STRAWMAN STRAWMAN, STRAWOMAN STRAWOMAN STRAWOMEN, SEXISM IS EVERYHWERE; EVERYONE IS ALWAYS SEXIST, THEY'RE OUT TO GET ME, THEY WON'T CATCH ME, I'M FUCKING INNOCENT, THEY WON'T BREAK ME, I GOT ONE CHANCE LEFT, IN A NINE LIVE CAT, I GOT A DOG EAT DOG SLY SMILE, I GOT A MOLOTOV COCKTAIL, WITH A MATCH TO GO, MY WAY YOUR WAY, ANYTHING GOES TONIGHT, WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE, WATCH IT BRING YOU TO YOUR KNEES, I AM GONNA WATCH YOU BLEED.



As you may or may not have noticed, this post is not intended to be taken seriously.
Anyways, I named the group after a famous quote, ladies are always welcome as well, as are those that refuse to stick to the bi-gender system.

This is obviously a strawman ad hominem phallus-y. How are we supposed to have a good debate with people running around and disagreeing with my objectively right opin- err I mean facts?
Reported for personal attack. (I'm kidding )

Come on, it's all over now and time is on my side, little red rooster, this will be the last time and you should know that you can't always get what you want and if you wanna go against me, you should know that I am a street fighting man, so you wouldn't be a fool to cry, it would be a respectable thing to do, seing as what happens when you start me up will have you recquire an emotional rescue squad, but don't stop now, even if you can'T get no satisfaction, since the future is only doom and gloom.

Mind = Blown

So, someone was saying something about there not being any possibilty anymore to have fun on this forum?

I think it was the one guy. You know, the one with the hair, he had some facial features as well.
Kind of a joyless monkey bagger I say.
And on a completely related note, your avatar makes me smile

Ah, that one guy. I know him, what with his teeth and his skin and even his eyes, you know? Of course also his body type and maybe his shoes, more importantly, his toe-nails as well.

And thank you very much for that.
In return I must say that I do very much admire your Username, such simplicity, and yet, so much entertainment value given.

Watch out around those toe nails. Word around the forums is he has some nasty cotton candy fungus down there. The blue kind.
Thanks for that! I contracted the best scientists in the world to come up with that name. Know how w don't have fusion power yet? Yeah sorry about that but I really needed those scientists.

 

[Zinzinbadio]

Clearly the only answer is to abandon the concept of traditional adverserial debate and make it a rule that all dissagreements in off-topic must be resolved with a rap battle.

> cue sick beat
Your idea is simply ludicrous
The notion that it would work is hilarious
On the internet it is impossible to debate
All that exist is anger and hate

Now I'm a serve you like waiter
Cause we all know that I am a hater
You'll go crying back to Momma you twelve year old boy
We all know that the internet is meant to destroy

 

[Calibanbutcher]

Take a fucking chill pill!

But but but, if they do that then where will my coworkers and I be able to get our daily dose of laughs?

(I guess we're the only ones who finds overreactions to controversy funny) >.<

Hi, have you seen my group?
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Some-men



Just trying to pander to people and shamelessly bump my group here...
Which I founded because I saw myself faced with a decision.
A decision between burning in the flamewars that have plagued these forums for far too long now or to leave this place for good.
But I chose the impossible.
I chose to found a group that pledges not to take part in these arguments, but rather observes them, ever watchful, never averting the gaze, for after this war is over, the world will either be destroyed and nothing but scorched earth will remain or it will be ours to take once the last thread has finally dwindled, once the last flame has flickered and died, then finally shall the world be ours once more and we can work towards making it a happier place once more, a place where Fappy may frolic and Daystar may derail to his heart's content.
Because I have a dream.
A dream of an Off-Topic forum where we, the users, can be friends once more instead of enemies, where controversial statements are met with humour and intolerance is countered with wit instead of insults, where one goes to relax and to have fun instead of arguing and bathing in self-righteousness.

But until this utopian vision can be fulfilled, I shall try to stick to writing humorous posts, getting in trouble for that, and participating mostly in threads that have not erupted into flames yet.

And now I leave you with this:

Spoiler: This is a lot funnier if you understand German, but those that like being screamed at in German should also take a look.

Some men?
Sexist much?

I am not even going to validate that.
OH YES I WILL.
BECAUSE SOME.MEN.JUST.WANT.TO.WATCH.THE.WORLD.BURN.
(Ladies welcome though)
SO LETS HAVE AT IT WITH ANOTHER SEXISM DEBATE YOU MISANDRIST SWINE; WHAT ABOUT TEH MENs you STRAWFEMINIST, YOU MISOGYNIST, ARE YOU IMPLYING I EVER SAID THAT I NEVER DID, STOP PUTTING WORDS IN MY MOUTH WHEN I WROTE SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT, YOU MUST HATE ALL WOMEN THEN, BUT AREN'T YOU A MAN-HATING ONE, YOUR EQUALITY IS OPPRESSING MEN, MEN ARE ALWAYS BEING OPPRESSED, WOMEN ARE ALL POTENTIAL RAPE VICTIMS; ALL MEN EVERYWHERE ARE POTENTIAL RAPISTS; YOU MISOGYNIST, AREN'T YOU EDGY AS OF LATE, UH, USING BIG-BOY-WORDS, HUH, WELL I NEVER, YOU SLANDROUS INSECT, I SHALL HAVE YOUR HIDE FOR BREAKFAST, YOU CIS-GENDERED HOMOPHOBE, WELL LET ME PUSH YOU DOWN A SLIPPERY SLOPE THEN, BUT WAIT IT'S A FALLACY, OH GOD I MUST CONSTRUCT AND AD HOMINEM, STRAWMAN STRAWMAN STRAWMAN, STRAWOMAN STRAWOMAN STRAWOMEN, SEXISM IS EVERYHWERE; EVERYONE IS ALWAYS SEXIST, THEY'RE OUT TO GET ME, THEY WON'T CATCH ME, I'M FUCKING INNOCENT, THEY WON'T BREAK ME, I GOT ONE CHANCE LEFT, IN A NINE LIVE CAT, I GOT A DOG EAT DOG SLY SMILE, I GOT A MOLOTOV COCKTAIL, WITH A MATCH TO GO, MY WAY YOUR WAY, ANYTHING GOES TONIGHT, WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE, WATCH IT BRING YOU TO YOUR KNEES, I AM GONNA WATCH YOU BLEED.



As you may or may not have noticed, this post is not intended to be taken seriously.
Anyways, I named the group after a famous quote, ladies are always welcome as well, as are those that refuse to stick to the bi-gender system.

This is obviously a strawman ad hominem phallus-y. How are we supposed to have a good debate with people running around and disagreeing with my objectively right opin- err I mean facts?
Reported for personal attack. (I'm kidding )

Come on, it's all over now and time is on my side, little red rooster, this will be the last time and you should know that you can't always get what you want and if you wanna go against me, you should know that I am a street fighting man, so you wouldn't be a fool to cry, it would be a respectable thing to do, seing as what happens when you start me up will have you recquire an emotional rescue squad, but don't stop now, even if you can'T get no satisfaction, since the future is only doom and gloom.

Mind = Blown

So, someone was saying something about there not being any possibilty anymore to have fun on this forum?

I think it was the one guy. You know, the one with the hair, he had some facial features as well.
Kind of a joyless monkey bagger I say.
And on a completely related note, your avatar makes me smile

Ah, that one guy. I know him, what with his teeth and his skin and even his eyes, you know? Of course also his body type and maybe his shoes, more importantly, his toe-nails as well.

And thank you very much for that.
In return I must say that I do very much admire your Username, such simplicity, and yet, so much entertainment value given.

Watch out around those toe nails. Word around the forums is he has some nasty cotton candy fungus down there. The blue kind.
Thanks for that! I contracted the best scientists in the world to come up with that name. Know how w don't have fusion power yet? Yeah sorry about that but I really needed those scientists.

And here I thought that it was due to me kidnapping all the top physicists in the world, chaining them up in my basement and letting them build the ultimate doomsday device for me.
So it was you you magnificent bastard...
But I gotta say, that was effort well spent.

Also, we should just flood this thread with fun and happiness and get it over 4 pages, so we can get a 4 page thread where Zhukov can post in and, at the same time, prove to Fappy that the escapist can still be fun.

 

[Beffudled Sheep_v1legacy]

Take a fucking chill pill!

But but but, if they do that then where will my coworkers and I be able to get our daily dose of laughs?

(I guess we're the only ones who finds overreactions to controversy funny) >.<

Hi, have you seen my group?
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Some-men



Just trying to pander to people and shamelessly bump my group here...
Which I founded because I saw myself faced with a decision.
A decision between burning in the flamewars that have plagued these forums for far too long now or to leave this place for good.
But I chose the impossible.
I chose to found a group that pledges not to take part in these arguments, but rather observes them, ever watchful, never averting the gaze, for after this war is over, the world will either be destroyed and nothing but scorched earth will remain or it will be ours to take once the last thread has finally dwindled, once the last flame has flickered and died, then finally shall the world be ours once more and we can work towards making it a happier place once more, a place where Fappy may frolic and Daystar may derail to his heart's content.
Because I have a dream.
A dream of an Off-Topic forum where we, the users, can be friends once more instead of enemies, where controversial statements are met with humour and intolerance is countered with wit instead of insults, where one goes to relax and to have fun instead of arguing and bathing in self-righteousness.

But until this utopian vision can be fulfilled, I shall try to stick to writing humorous posts, getting in trouble for that, and participating mostly in threads that have not erupted into flames yet.

And now I leave you with this:

Spoiler: This is a lot funnier if you understand German, but those that like being screamed at in German should also take a look.

Some men?
Sexist much?

I am not even going to validate that.
OH YES I WILL.
BECAUSE SOME.MEN.JUST.WANT.TO.WATCH.THE.WORLD.BURN.
(Ladies welcome though)
SO LETS HAVE AT IT WITH ANOTHER SEXISM DEBATE YOU MISANDRIST SWINE; WHAT ABOUT TEH MENs you STRAWFEMINIST, YOU MISOGYNIST, ARE YOU IMPLYING I EVER SAID THAT I NEVER DID, STOP PUTTING WORDS IN MY MOUTH WHEN I WROTE SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT, YOU MUST HATE ALL WOMEN THEN, BUT AREN'T YOU A MAN-HATING ONE, YOUR EQUALITY IS OPPRESSING MEN, MEN ARE ALWAYS BEING OPPRESSED, WOMEN ARE ALL POTENTIAL RAPE VICTIMS; ALL MEN EVERYWHERE ARE POTENTIAL RAPISTS; YOU MISOGYNIST, AREN'T YOU EDGY AS OF LATE, UH, USING BIG-BOY-WORDS, HUH, WELL I NEVER, YOU SLANDROUS INSECT, I SHALL HAVE YOUR HIDE FOR BREAKFAST, YOU CIS-GENDERED HOMOPHOBE, WELL LET ME PUSH YOU DOWN A SLIPPERY SLOPE THEN, BUT WAIT IT'S A FALLACY, OH GOD I MUST CONSTRUCT AND AD HOMINEM, STRAWMAN STRAWMAN STRAWMAN, STRAWOMAN STRAWOMAN STRAWOMEN, SEXISM IS EVERYHWERE; EVERYONE IS ALWAYS SEXIST, THEY'RE OUT TO GET ME, THEY WON'T CATCH ME, I'M FUCKING INNOCENT, THEY WON'T BREAK ME, I GOT ONE CHANCE LEFT, IN A NINE LIVE CAT, I GOT A DOG EAT DOG SLY SMILE, I GOT A MOLOTOV COCKTAIL, WITH A MATCH TO GO, MY WAY YOUR WAY, ANYTHING GOES TONIGHT, WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE, WATCH IT BRING YOU TO YOUR KNEES, I AM GONNA WATCH YOU BLEED.



As you may or may not have noticed, this post is not intended to be taken seriously.
Anyways, I named the group after a famous quote, ladies are always welcome as well, as are those that refuse to stick to the bi-gender system.

This is obviously a strawman ad hominem phallus-y. How are we supposed to have a good debate with people running around and disagreeing with my objectively right opin- err I mean facts?
Reported for personal attack. (I'm kidding )

Come on, it's all over now and time is on my side, little red rooster, this will be the last time and you should know that you can't always get what you want and if you wanna go against me, you should know that I am a street fighting man, so you wouldn't be a fool to cry, it would be a respectable thing to do, seing as what happens when you start me up will have you recquire an emotional rescue squad, but don't stop now, even if you can'T get no satisfaction, since the future is only doom and gloom.

Mind = Blown

So, someone was saying something about there not being any possibilty anymore to have fun on this forum?

I think it was the one guy. You know, the one with the hair, he had some facial features as well.
Kind of a joyless monkey bagger I say.
And on a completely related note, your avatar makes me smile

Ah, that one guy. I know him, what with his teeth and his skin and even his eyes, you know? Of course also his body type and maybe his shoes, more importantly, his toe-nails as well.

And thank you very much for that.
In return I must say that I do very much admire your Username, such simplicity, and yet, so much entertainment value given.

Watch out around those toe nails. Word around the forums is he has some nasty cotton candy fungus down there. The blue kind.
Thanks for that! I contracted the best scientists in the world to come up with that name. Know how w don't have fusion power yet? Yeah sorry about that but I really needed those scientists.

And here I thought that it was due to me kidnapping all the top physicists in the world, chaining them up in my basement and letting them build the ultimate doomsday device for me.
So it was you you magnificent bastard...
But I gotta say, that was effort well spent.

Also, we should just flood this thread with fun and happiness and get it over 4 pages, so we can get a 4 page thread where Zhukov can post in and, at the same time, prove to Fappy that the escapist can still be fun.

If you could share the plans for this doomsday device I will give you a lifetime supply of lambchops

I would love to do that but sadly, I must go to work now. Such a waste of time compared to spreading joy to the escapist and possibly tolling Zhukov but capitalism is a beach. Farewell for now Escapist!

 

[Calibanbutcher]

Take a fucking chill pill!

But but but, if they do that then where will my coworkers and I be able to get our daily dose of laughs?

(I guess we're the only ones who finds overreactions to controversy funny) >.<

Hi, have you seen my group?
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Some-men



Just trying to pander to people and shamelessly bump my group here...
Which I founded because I saw myself faced with a decision.
A decision between burning in the flamewars that have plagued these forums for far too long now or to leave this place for good.
But I chose the impossible.
I chose to found a group that pledges not to take part in these arguments, but rather observes them, ever watchful, never averting the gaze, for after this war is over, the world will either be destroyed and nothing but scorched earth will remain or it will be ours to take once the last thread has finally dwindled, once the last flame has flickered and died, then finally shall the world be ours once more and we can work towards making it a happier place once more, a place where Fappy may frolic and Daystar may derail to his heart's content.
Because I have a dream.
A dream of an Off-Topic forum where we, the users, can be friends once more instead of enemies, where controversial statements are met with humour and intolerance is countered with wit instead of insults, where one goes to relax and to have fun instead of arguing and bathing in self-righteousness.

But until this utopian vision can be fulfilled, I shall try to stick to writing humorous posts, getting in trouble for that, and participating mostly in threads that have not erupted into flames yet.

And now I leave you with this:

Spoiler: This is a lot funnier if you understand German, but those that like being screamed at in German should also take a look.

Some men?
Sexist much?

I am not even going to validate that.
OH YES I WILL.
BECAUSE SOME.MEN.JUST.WANT.TO.WATCH.THE.WORLD.BURN.
(Ladies welcome though)
SO LETS HAVE AT IT WITH ANOTHER SEXISM DEBATE YOU MISANDRIST SWINE; WHAT ABOUT TEH MENs you STRAWFEMINIST, YOU MISOGYNIST, ARE YOU IMPLYING I EVER SAID THAT I NEVER DID, STOP PUTTING WORDS IN MY MOUTH WHEN I WROTE SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT, YOU MUST HATE ALL WOMEN THEN, BUT AREN'T YOU A MAN-HATING ONE, YOUR EQUALITY IS OPPRESSING MEN, MEN ARE ALWAYS BEING OPPRESSED, WOMEN ARE ALL POTENTIAL RAPE VICTIMS; ALL MEN EVERYWHERE ARE POTENTIAL RAPISTS; YOU MISOGYNIST, AREN'T YOU EDGY AS OF LATE, UH, USING BIG-BOY-WORDS, HUH, WELL I NEVER, YOU SLANDROUS INSECT, I SHALL HAVE YOUR HIDE FOR BREAKFAST, YOU CIS-GENDERED HOMOPHOBE, WELL LET ME PUSH YOU DOWN A SLIPPERY SLOPE THEN, BUT WAIT IT'S A FALLACY, OH GOD I MUST CONSTRUCT AND AD HOMINEM, STRAWMAN STRAWMAN STRAWMAN, STRAWOMAN STRAWOMAN STRAWOMEN, SEXISM IS EVERYHWERE; EVERYONE IS ALWAYS SEXIST, THEY'RE OUT TO GET ME, THEY WON'T CATCH ME, I'M FUCKING INNOCENT, THEY WON'T BREAK ME, I GOT ONE CHANCE LEFT, IN A NINE LIVE CAT, I GOT A DOG EAT DOG SLY SMILE, I GOT A MOLOTOV COCKTAIL, WITH A MATCH TO GO, MY WAY YOUR WAY, ANYTHING GOES TONIGHT, WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE, WATCH IT BRING YOU TO YOUR KNEES, I AM GONNA WATCH YOU BLEED.



As you may or may not have noticed, this post is not intended to be taken seriously.
Anyways, I named the group after a famous quote, ladies are always welcome as well, as are those that refuse to stick to the bi-gender system.

This is obviously a strawman ad hominem phallus-y. How are we supposed to have a good debate with people running around and disagreeing with my objectively right opin- err I mean facts?
Reported for personal attack. (I'm kidding )

Come on, it's all over now and time is on my side, little red rooster, this will be the last time and you should know that you can't always get what you want and if you wanna go against me, you should know that I am a street fighting man, so you wouldn't be a fool to cry, it would be a respectable thing to do, seing as what happens when you start me up will have you recquire an emotional rescue squad, but don't stop now, even if you can'T get no satisfaction, since the future is only doom and gloom.

Mind = Blown

So, someone was saying something about there not being any possibilty anymore to have fun on this forum?

I think it was the one guy. You know, the one with the hair, he had some facial features as well.
Kind of a joyless monkey bagger I say.
And on a completely related note, your avatar makes me smile

Ah, that one guy. I know him, what with his teeth and his skin and even his eyes, you know? Of course also his body type and maybe his shoes, more importantly, his toe-nails as well.

And thank you very much for that.
In return I must say that I do very much admire your Username, such simplicity, and yet, so much entertainment value given.

Watch out around those toe nails. Word around the forums is he has some nasty cotton candy fungus down there. The blue kind.
Thanks for that! I contracted the best scientists in the world to come up with that name. Know how w don't have fusion power yet? Yeah sorry about that but I really needed those scientists.

And here I thought that it was due to me kidnapping all the top physicists in the world, chaining them up in my basement and letting them build the ultimate doomsday device for me.
So it was you you magnificent bastard...
But I gotta say, that was effort well spent.

Also, we should just flood this thread with fun and happiness and get it over 4 pages, so we can get a 4 page thread where Zhukov can post in and, at the same time, prove to Fappy that the escapist can still be fun.

If you could share the plans for this doomsday device I will give you a lifetime supply of lambchops

I would love to do that but sadly, I must go to work now. Such a waste of time compared to spreading joy to the escapist and possibly tolling Zhukov but capitalism is a beach. Farewell for now Escapist!

Where do you think you are going, my brother in arms, so far away.
Setting me up for such great posts and then leaving me twisting by the pool.
But, if necessary, I shall engage in private investigations to find you, I must bring a sixblade knife into the wild west end and travel down the waterline with a single handed sailor, watching the news to get a word from you.
But why worry, the ride across the river is easy and this one world is all I need to search, and if it turns out my enemiy is too powerful and the man is too strong, I am still going on, because your latest trick shall not leave me behind.
And I will get money for nothing and the chicks for free, in this tale written once upon a time in the wes.
Lions.

 

[JoJo]

Fight fire with peace and love [sub]and drills![/sub]. Peace and love are, after all, the most flame-retardant of emotional response mechanisms!

No, the love and peace, it burns, it burns! *dissipates in a puff of troll smoke.*

Also, we should just flood this thread with fun and happiness and get it over 4 pages, so we can get a 4 page thread where Zhukov can post in and, at the same time, prove to Fappy that the escapist can still be fun.

Stop right there citizen! You should know fun and happiness are against the rules of this forum, cease and desist at once!

 

[Therumancer]

Dear Off-Topic,

Take a fucking chill pill! I usually come to OT to wind down and waste time, but it seems in recent months this place has been getting more and more explosive. I understand hyperbole is the native language of the internet and that vitriol seems to be the name of the game, but in my experience this forum's always been the exception to the rule. I think I've read the phrase "straw man" more times than Daystar has claimed supremacy over the weak and feeble! It's getting a tad... unbearable.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with discussing serious topics in Off-Topic, but "serious topic" SHOULD NOT be synonymous with "flame war". Every hot-button topic in the last two weeks has been locked within 20 pages, and for good reason.

I don't know what the fuck's going on. Is there something in the water? Are there just not enough cute cat pictures floating around these days? Or maybe it's that we're factionalizing shit too much. Yeah, I'm a bit tired of the overdone sexism/feminism/etc. threads, but they have a right to exist. The problem, I believe, is that someone's drawn a line in the sand and turned everyone of these individual issues into one black-and-white war. Believe it or not life's not so simple and it's okay to be on one side of an argument in one debate and the side of the argument in a similar discussion. Instead of judging situations on an individual basis, many here jump on one side of the debate by default and fight to the bitter end.

Which leads me to another point which I know will fall on deaf ears. It's okay to change your mind/admit you were wrong. I can count the number of times I have seen this happen here on one hand. But you know what? I digress. Honestly, trying to get an internet community to open their collective minds is about as feasible as picking nuts out of cow shit while wearing boxing gloves.

The best solution I can come up with is that we should all just calm the fuck down and remind ourselves why we're all here. We all like games and we like talking amongst those with similar lifestyles. So let's start having fun again.

Your Eternal Lover and Baby Daddy,

Fappy

P.S: We may need to sacrifice a lurker to Spider-Mod soon if things don't change!

I'm not going to get into any really serious debates, on this, but from the way things have seemed to me the big "problem" recently has largely come from the site being heavily dominated by people who are extremely left wing and socially liberal, even if they see themselves as being moderates or even right wingers on various issues (as ironic as that is). While there is still a very heavy liberal dominance on these forums, your starting to see things balance out a bit more with people with sentiments in the other direction are appearing and being a little more vocal than they used to be. There was a time when you could drop a "hot button" topic and you'd pretty much see responses from only one direction, all cheering each other on, that's becoming increasingly less the case, and your seeing a lot of resistance to non-liberal viewpoints and the bubble shattering that goes along with it.

I'm not going to argue the point, since I know a lot of people will want to disagree with this on general principle, but it's some observation of a very general trend. Truthfully I think the problem will settle down with time once people get use to it. Given that I still think this site will maintain a very left wing slant in discussion on social issues, I imagine things won't change much in the long term, they just won't be quite as slanted, and you won't see the same degree of back rotary back slapping we've seen before.

For better or for worse, while things have gotten a lot louder recently, I think the trend really started with people like Anita Sarkeesian exploiting the left wing sentiments in the gaming community to spread chaos and troll with faux-issues. That's kind of what got a lot of the less socially liberal people going and becoming more vocal. I'm not going to break it down into more specifics due to how talk on this subject is one of the things that starts these battles, but that's kind of my point, your seeing a lot more criticism of things like feminism and those claiming to be feminists than you would have say three years ago. Call it backlash from things being pushed too far.

As I said though, I expect this to matter very little in the end. The general trends are likely to stay the same, but as people become used to there actually being an "other side" on the forums the heat will die down.

I anticipate the next major trend on these forums will be some left wingers getting all upset over how these used to be "such a nice place" and how they have degenerated into a bunch of (*ahem*) hate mongering due to the other side being more vocal than they used to be, and making a big show about leaving if things don't change. Assuming there isn't some kind of political crackdown, you'll probably see some left wingers leave, but after that point things will return more or less to normal, it's just things will be a little more balanced (if still leftwardly slanted in the user base), and everyone will be a bit more careful in their statements instead of trying to whip up periodic frenzies on topics they now now will see a less than one sided response.

Such are my (rambling) thoughts. Just relax, and ride it out. I've seen similar things happen over the years.

 

[V da Mighty Taco]

I've been thinking the exact same thing Fappy but you can't fight anger and hate with more anger and hate. The pessimistic side of me thinks this is part of the natural cycle of the Escapist: 2012 was generally a time of frivolity and so now the pendulum has swung back but no, we do have a choice in this. I've been thinking of making a thread about this on Sunday, still might, but changing the forums starts with changing our own conduct first and being as friendly as possible to everyone including the flamers and trolls, even in the face of blind rage. Fight the flames with love!

So in other words:

 

[The White Hunter]

Fight fire with peace and love [sub]and drills![/sub]. Peace and love are, after all, the most flame-retardant of emotional response mechanisms!

No, the love and peace, it burns, it burns! *dissipates in a puff of troll smoke.*

Also, we should just flood this thread with fun and happiness and get it over 4 pages, so we can get a 4 page thread where Zhukov can post in and, at the same time, prove to Fappy that the escapist can still be fun.

Stop right there citizen! You should know fun and happiness are against the rules of this forum, cease and desist at once!

Nobody has fun in this neighbourhood sonny.

You know what we do to fun havers in these parts?

 

[Calibanbutcher]

Fight fire with peace and love [sub]and drills![/sub]. Peace and love are, after all, the most flame-retardant of emotional response mechanisms!

No, the love and peace, it burns, it burns! *dissipates in a puff of troll smoke.*

Also, we should just flood this thread with fun and happiness and get it over 4 pages, so we can get a 4 page thread where Zhukov can post in and, at the same time, prove to Fappy that the escapist can still be fun.

Stop right there citizen! You should know fun and happiness are against the rules of this forum, cease and desist at once!

WATCH ME:

Spoiler: FUN

Spoiler: THE FINISHING BLOW

 

[Calibanbutcher]

Fight fire with peace and love [sub]and drills![/sub]. Peace and love are, after all, the most flame-retardant of emotional response mechanisms!

No, the love and peace, it burns, it burns! *dissipates in a puff of troll smoke.*

Also, we should just flood this thread with fun and happiness and get it over 4 pages, so we can get a 4 page thread where Zhukov can post in and, at the same time, prove to Fappy that the escapist can still be fun.

Stop right there citizen! You should know fun and happiness are against the rules of this forum, cease and desist at once!

Nobody has fun in this neighbourhood sonny.

You know what we do to fun havers in these parts?

Spoiler: Perish

 

[JoJo]

WATCH ME:

Spoiler: FUN

Spoiler: THE FINISHING BLOW

A wise guy eh? I have a drill and I'm not afraid to use it. Surrender yourself to the Fun Police immediately!

snip

Come on Officer SkarKrow, let's bring this "fun-maker" to the station, someone needs re-education in Femi-Gender-Troll Studies.

 

[The White Hunter]

Fight fire with peace and love [sub]and drills![/sub]. Peace and love are, after all, the most flame-retardant of emotional response mechanisms!

No, the love and peace, it burns, it burns! *dissipates in a puff of troll smoke.*

Also, we should just flood this thread with fun and happiness and get it over 4 pages, so we can get a 4 page thread where Zhukov can post in and, at the same time, prove to Fappy that the escapist can still be fun.

Stop right there citizen! You should know fun and happiness are against the rules of this forum, cease and desist at once!

WATCH ME:

Spoiler: FUN

Spoiler: THE FINISHING BLOW

My god, you wound me good sir D:

I feel the.... fun... seeping in... no! It's all turning... colourful!!

COLOURFUL!

OH THE HUE-MANATEE!! D:

 

[The White Hunter]

WATCH ME:

Spoiler: FUN

Spoiler: THE FINISHING BLOW

A wise guy eh? I have a drill and I'm not afraid to use it. Surrender yourself to the Fun Police immediately!

snip

Come on Officer SkarKrow, let's bring this "fun-maker" to the station, someone needs re-education in Femi-Gender-Troll Studies.

He got me Cap'n' JoJo! He got me with his despicable love and peace! D:

It burns!

He must suffer terribad avengeance for his deeds!

 

[hazabaza1]

Too fucking true.
I've ran out of stuff to read in the gaming section and off topic is just filled with shit that really needs to be moved to R&P, and it's making me annoyed that I can no longer just sit back and passively relax on one of my (not currently) favourite websites.

Everyone needs to chill the fuck out. And I know just the means.

 

[JoJo]

Goddamn it you fiend, what have you done to Officer SkarKrow?

Officer down, I repeat officer down, requesting back-up. We have an urgent fun leak in the Open Letter thread!

 

[Calibanbutcher]

WATCH ME:

Spoiler: FUN

Spoiler: THE FINISHING BLOW

A wise guy eh? I have a drill and I'm not afraid to use it. Surrender yourself to the Fun Police immediately!

snip

Come on Officer SkarKrow, let's bring this "fun-maker" to the station, someone needs re-education in Femi-Gender-Troll Studies.

You will never take me

Spoiler: NEVAAAR

Spoiler: I even brought my pet to help me

And my powers of rainbow-fun have already taken hold of Skarkrow.

YOu know you want to dance as well, don't you dare deny it, the fun is taking a hold of you, taking you in it's rainbowy goodness until you dance as well.
LET'S HAVE FUN TOGETHER.