Online conduct- What grinds your gears?

[Shawn Hopkins]

Something that REALLY bugs me about chatspeak users is their excuse is "omg it's not school shut up ur not mi teacher!!!!1!"

Oh yeah. There was a guy on this board that pulled that lame one out on me when I told him he should try using sentences instead of just typing one big block of text with no punctuation. He said he was an excellent English student, which if true makes it even worse because it shows he can do it but doesn't have the respect for us to try to communicate correctly.

He also started sending me threats. I think they were death threats but they were so poorly written it was hard to be sure. And he said he would get me with "the power of hacking."

And that brings me to my newest gear grinder, easily butthurt, belligerent noobs. When you come into a board you're supposed to lurk for a while and get to know it. But some of the newer members here just come barreling in like jerks and then overreact when they are inevitably corrected.

Oh yeah, and guys who think it's clever to have tons of aliases and use them to troll. No one cares, the only one amused by your games is you.

 

[Silverstar]

People who either know nothing about nothing, but comment as though anything in their sphere of influence is a universal truth... never mind that their sphere of influence is about as large as a golf ball.

"I've found that in my tiny area, a DVD doesn't seem to be moving, so I doubt anyone anywhere likes it."

"I've found that the villains in a show I have made obvious I have never seen a single frame of are rather one dimensional, and all those thousands of millions of people who have seen it don't know what they're talking about."

"I've found that a show I loved that did unorthodox things with their character did those things because "Star Trek" was popular. Of course, no one involved with the show ever said so, but it is obvious because in my area, "Star Trek" was on right after... never mind that I am not even in the United States, I've found that my market directly affected a cartoon show that had nothing to do with Star Trek."

"I've found that I that my personal experiences are all the source I need. I don't need to cite any source beyond that."

"I've found that if a show or movie I don't like gets good reviews, it's because the critics were obviously bribed."

I have read SO many posts made by people who possess this above attitude that it's not even funny. In fact, I can add 4 more gems to this intellectual rhetoric:

"I've never actually played this game, but I got a look at 15 seconds of the demo for it at my local toy store and I didn't like the graphics or the color scheme, so that qualifies it to be listed as the very worst video game of all time. The fact that the game sold millions of copies and was widely touted as a success is irrelevant, because the many, many people who bought the game, played it and loved it don't know what they're talking about."

"The cartoons that I grew up with are automatically the best cartoons of this or any other era, hands down. Now, I haven't actually seen any of the current cartoons that are on today, but I didn't grow up watching any of them and so they must automatically suck. That is a fact, and it's a fact because I say it is. No actual evidence or exposure to these other shows is required on my part. Anything I decide on is instantly truth."

"I think character X is directly based off of character Y. It doesn't matter that the creators of the show have stated quite tellingly that there is absolutely no connection between character X and character Y, and that 3 other posters have hyperlinked documented proof and recorded interviews of the the creators saying that there's no connection between them, I think that there is a connection between them, and my cousin Ned in Dubuque agrees with me, so I know I'm right. Yes, I know more about this show than the people who created it."

"This movie sucks. The only reason that it's doing so well in the box office and breaking b.o. records is because the people who are paying to see the movie are just being dragged there by their moms and their little sisters, and afterwards they're sneaking into another theater to see a GOOD Movie (i.e., one that I like) but since they're not paying to see the 'good' movie, that's why it's not doing well. I haven't actually heard or read any evidence to support this theory of mine, but I hate this movie franchise with a passion and so I dreamed up this scenario in math class, and it sounds good to me, so it must be the truth. No one in their right minds could possibly like something that I hate, 'cause my opinion on movies is the only one that matters."

 

[Jave]

To what GregX and Silverstar said, I'll add:

"This <insert name of whatever item you wish here> is an absolute failure. A friend of a friend of mine who knows someone who works at a store told me that they didn't sell all of them and some were returned. That must mean no one liked it so it failed everywhere."

"OK, that's fine, but do you have evidence of that?"

"No, I have no evidence but I'm not lying so you just have to believe me. HAH!"

 

[entransify]

People still trying to pass off urban myths as fact.

This happened to me once, on another message board.

It was this myth, in particular, that the person was trying to convince everyone that was real. Even when I posted the snopes link, he was still adamant.

 

[HellCat]

If you want a variation- accusing someone of doing this when they haven't. Namely, someone makes a vague comment and someone else decides to lynch them for apparently offering a set in stone case of blasphemy. I'm not saying people should not consider how their words are likely to be interpreted, but too many times online have I made vague comments (including using terms like 'apparently', 'supposedly', etc which are used to make the fact clear) and been attacked for apparently thinking my comments are stone cold fact.

 

[chdr]

People who "sign" their names after every post, as shown below. Frankly, it insults my intelligence. What, I can't look right above the post to see who made that comment? Do they think that I need their identities spelled out to me clear as day? If they're doing to "to be cute", they should at least put it in the signature instead of at the end of every post. That's what they're there for... you know, as a signature.

- chdr

 

[Antiyonder]

I get that there are franchises out there which have fanbases who behave in an unquestionable manner, but chosing to dismiss the franchise because of the fans isn't really admirable behavior.

Nor is it any better to obsessively hate the obsessive fans. Otherwise, what makes you different than them.

 

[klammed]

"This movie sucks. The only reason that it's doing so well in the box office and breaking b.o. records is because the people who are paying to see the movie are just being dragged there by their moms and their little sisters, and afterwards they're sneaking into another theater to see a GOOD Movie (i.e., one that I like) but since they're not paying to see the 'good' movie, that's why it's not doing well. I haven't actually heard or read any evidence to support this theory of mine, but I hate this movie franchise with a passion and so I dreamed up this scenario in math class, and it sounds good to me, so it must be the truth. No one in their right minds could possibly like something that I hate, 'cause my opinion on movies is the only one that matters."

Twilight?

I'll admit to the signing off at the bottom thing, but I think it depends on the context. When reviewing fanfiction for example, on a board, or even when sending a PM, it doesn't hurt to sign off, gives that bit more sincerity as it were. In email we definitely see the title of the sender when we first open up the file, but that doesn't mean said person doesn't end with a salutation.

When you come into a board you're supposed to lurk for a while and get to know it. But some of the newer members here just come barreling in like jerks and then overreact when they are inevitably corrected.

I'm not sure if you're supposed to lurk. There's nothing wrong with jumping into conversations that you're interested in. You're right about the gits who don't bother checking out normal forum protocol then act like self righteous martyrs when they are enlightened by an older board member. They are annoying.

 

[HellCat]

I get that there are franchises out there which have fanbases who behave in an unquestionable manner, but chosing to dismiss the franchise because of the fans isn't really admirable behavior.

Nor is it any better to obsessively hate the obsessive fans. Otherwise, what makes you different than them.

In the internet age, avoiding the fanbase is pretty hard. I can see what you're saying, but an obsessive fanbase can do alot to turn people away from something.

 

[Antiyonder]

When you come into a board you're supposed to lurk for a while and get to know it. But some of the newer members here just come barreling in like jerks and then overreact when they are inevitably corrected.

I'd say the problem is that for most, a forum like Toon Zone is unfamiliar territory. While TZ isn't the only forum that heavily enforces the rules, it's still common place for most internet forums to either go lenient on those who commit a violation, and for others not to enforce rules (other than kissing up to the guy in charge).

So to them, the idea that you have to be nice to fellow posters is an alien concept.

In the internet age, avoiding the fanbase is pretty hard. I can see what you're saying, but an obsessive fanbase can do alot to turn people away from something.

Perhaps, but it does seem a bit childish. Simply put it's like they're pretty much saying "You guys creep me out, so I'll forget about watching your crappy show. So there!"

 

[HellCat]

Perhaps, but it does seem a bit childish. Simply put it's like they're pretty much saying "You guys creep me out, so I'll forget about watching your crappy show. So there!"

Obsessive fan bases drive me away for a few reasons. A big one is that they spoil anything decent for non-fans, then can't understand why they aren't wowed by it. Good example- Gurren Lagann. Who lives and who dies in addition to 'PIERCE HEAVEN WITH YOUR DRILL, LULZ!!" was spammed over the net to the point that I didn't want to watch it because the fanbase kept dragging topics in the direction of mentioning it. Not to mention insisting any number of things in other shows were supposed GL homages (case in point, they did it with designs in Transformers: Animated. The designer went on to respond that he'd never seen GL, so this was impossible).

 

[GWOtaku]

The thing is, that was what kept me away from Evangelion entirely for an extremely long time. Don't even get me started on the crazier elements of that and DBZ's fanbase. Yet there's a point where you've just gotta put that crap aside in the interest of one letting oneself make one's own mind up. The trick is getting over the "GREATEST THING EVER!!!" hype so that expectations aren't skewed out of all proportion.

To tie this into "grinds my gears" stuff, fanboys spoiling stuff is definitely annoying. On the other side, it's always annoying to be a fan of a popular show and have it assumed that you're just a bandwagon fan following a fad without having any really good reasons for doing so.

 

[JAG]

Originally posted by GWOtaku:
To tie this into "grinds my gears" stuff, fanboys spoiling stuff is definitely annoying.

Agreed. I hate when that happens. When the last Harry Potter book came out, I had to stay off the internet for a few days to avoid spoilers. I even remember someone here putting a major spoiler in their signature. Come on, that's just sick! It ended up not being true, but that's beside the point...

 

[KPTitan]

I also think it's somewhat "childish" if somebody completely ignores a show/franchise/whatever it may be for the simple reason that the fanbase annoys them. I mean, that's borderline on letting somebody else control your own interests... which isn't right at all, you only be interested in what YOU like, and don't let some fanbase or fans make the call on that, no matter how ridiculous some of the fanbases/fans can be. There are some pretty crazy Pokemon fans out there.... but I don't let it bother me.

 

[Daxdiv]

There are some pretty crazy Pokemon fans out there.... but I don't let it bother me.

While on that subject, I still find it hilarious how everyone went crazy over a recent event that happened in the anime

Spoiler

Gliscor leave Ash's team to train with a Wind Master.

It was so out of control that the thread about it at Bulbagarden had to be closed.

Personally I didn't care about the outcome of that event since I never really cared for the Pokemon Ash release, I thought it was a poorly handled Pokemon along with everyone else and it was quite the jobber on the team, since it only won one match against one Pokemon, which was pretty much weakened by the other efforts made by Ash's team in that fight. To this day, I will never understand the fandom fascination with such jobbers of Pokemon like Ambipom and Gliscor.

 

[Juu-kuchi]

I also think it's somewhat "childish" if somebody completely ignores a show/franchise/whatever it may be for the simple reason that the fanbase annoys them.

It's much worse if it's ONE PERSON who does it or at least affects your perception of the show. Rather unsettling.

 

[Daxdiv]

It's much worse if it's ONE PERSON who does it or at least affects your perception of the show. Rather unsettling.

Agreed. Sure I know that at least one exists in every fanbase, but it is annoying when you run into "that guy" the one that tries to tell you how wrong you are, and thinks he knows what best for the show as well, it does get annoying really quick, especially when he treats his opinions as law, and that everyone that disagrees with him is stupid.

 

[Goldstar!]

It annoys me when someone finds out that you feel differently about something that he/she does, and then this person will spend the next several days/weeks trying to turn you over to his/her way of thinking. Just because I disagree with you, it doesn't mean that I need to be "saved". Stop trying to convert me. What happened to "live and let live"? I don't try to jam my opinions/feelings down your throat, so kindly allow me the same courtesy.

 

[blazecat]

I hate when people type hateful and over-the-top BS online, thinking that they're so macho because they can talk tough behind a computer screen. Is it really that hard for people to think? Or act like they have any sense?

 

[Wounded_Dragon]

I particularly hate now when people blow off losing a logical argument by "you're taking things too seriously." I find it much more insulting than the old "no response" conclusion. At least "no response" signified who "won" through either being correct or outlasting the other person(not necessarily a good means but still is one). Once the person throws out the "you're being too serious" argument you can't proceed at all and the impression given is you've "lost" despite the other person not countering a single thing. It's a rude way to avoid admitting being wrong.

This is followed by the "why does it matter?" argument. This one bugs me because, again it's a specious way to get out of admitting being wrong; more importantly, it implies not caring whether something is correct or incorrect. Now, pursuing the discussion any further would be taking it too seriously, but not caring whether correct/incorrect really grinds my gears. Many people these days "don't care" enough about correct/incorrect, only to turn around and whine when they find out they should have cared earlier. Not enough critical analysis beforehand.

Knowledge and learning is foundational. If you let the piddly little things go wrong, it sets a rotten foundation for the rest of the house of knowledge.