Screw the Forums.

[Bullfrog1983]

Most of the posts in a given thread don't say anything new, don't say anything meaningful at all, are troll posts, or are otherwise wastes of space and it pisses me the Hell off.

I agree with this part of your post, since troll logic seems to be lurking around every corner these days. Lately, in any forum discussion (especially those involving Dragon Age) there's at least 10-20 posts that say, "you're a troll because you don't like this for x reason and it isn't true because I love it because of x reason, since I love it and you don't you must be a troll."

People keep posting and double posting these messages and after awhile it just gets annoying, but I really do enjoy it when people post interesting articles, videos, or anything else that actually gets a decent amount of real dialogue going rather than "you're a troll" every second post.

I don't want to point to my own posts because that would be shameless self promotion, but I think what you are saying is definitely truthful, and I'm sure a lot of people will read your post (or at least glance at it) before saying, "look at that troll!" After a page or so of responses, but that's the internet for you, you take the good and the bad together no matter what.

 

[Bullfrog1983]

I agree OP

What does OP mean? I see it in a million posts, but I don't know what it stands for.

 

[FalloutJack]

In all seriousness, the state of forums, this one or anyone, is not a den of sin, per se. Some people just wanna goof off while others want intelligent discussion. Sometimes, they get their signals crossed and we don't have a spray for the trolls (yet).

However, if I had to put this controversal topic itself to a judgement, I would say that titling it 'Screw the forums' was probably not the best idea in the world.

 

[Valknott]

I agree OP

What does OP mean? I see it in a million posts, but I don't know what it stands for.

original post(er).

 

[DefunctTheory]

I agree OP

What does OP mean? I see it in a million posts, but I don't know what it stands for.

Original Post/Poster.

Also, I do not agree with the OP.

I make sweet, sweet love to the forums with my creamy, SOLID GOLD post.

 

[sir.rutthed]

In all seriousness, the state of forums, this one or anyone, is not a den of sin, per se. Some people just wanna goof off while others want intelligent discussion. Sometimes, they get their signals crossed and we don't have a spray for the trolls (yet).

However, if I had to put this controversal topic itself to a judgement, I would say that titling it 'Screw the forums' was probably not the best idea in the world.

Fair enough. I guess I belong in the latter category. As for the title of the post, whenever I do threads with boring/non offensive/straightforward titles nobody replies. Doing it this way at least draws attention without being offensive.

 

[FalloutJack]

In all seriousness, the state of forums, this one or anyone, is not a den of sin, per se. Some people just wanna goof off while others want intelligent discussion. Sometimes, they get their signals crossed and we don't have a spray for the trolls (yet).

However, if I had to put this controversal topic itself to a judgement, I would say that titling it 'Screw the forums' was probably not the best idea in the world.

Fair enough. I guess I belong in the latter category. As for the title of the post, whenever I do threads with boring/non offensive/straightforward titles nobody replies. Doing it this way at least draws attention without being offensive.

Oh, I understand. But you know how it is sometimes. The wrong person gets the wrong opinion and then a mod goes "Well, that don't sound right to me!". It can happen. People are people, after all.

 

[Anarchemitis]

Could I at least buy them dinner first?

Pimppeter, you haven't changed a bit.

If only we could wind the clocks back three years...

 

[manaman]

I really like the idea of posting in forums. I think they're a great way to get your message across and let other people her what you have to say without forcing it down their throats. That said, I think forums are now stupid vehicles for mindless discussion. I'm not referring strictly to the Escapist forums, but to almost all the forums I've seen. Most of the posts in a given thread don't say anything new, don't say anything meaningful at all, are troll posts, or are otherwise wastes of space and it pisses me the Hell off. It's like people just want to be heard and don't think about whether they're saying has any merit or not. I try to post only when I have something to say that hasn't been said before or when I want to let my opinion be known, but I guess most people don't do that.

Well that does it for the rant section. What do you Escapists think? Am I off base? Did I somehow miss the point of forums? Am I completely right and awesome? What are your thoughts?

Welcome to a wider viewpoint. The longer you live the less likely it will be that you hear something new. Because nine times out of ten the only reason something seems remotely original is because you have not heard it before.

Yes I think you are off base, you think forums have changed when as always its far more likely that it is you that have changed.

 

[Thaluikhain]

I think I've found my soulmates in this thread. When I contribute to a meaningful conversation I always read all prior posts. When it becomes apparent that most other people don't, it annoys me. For this reason I tend to avoid long threads.

Yeah, I know what you mean, I always read (or at least skim) the posts before mine, and it's really annoying when people don't.

Also, it's very annoying when people forgot they are on the internet, the greatest information gathering tool ever devised, and ask questions or post "I think that how it works is ___" when they could find the facts for themselves in minutes.

 

[Captain Bobbossa]

in general the escapist forums are fairly troll free.