I have noticed something in the General forum that confuses me somewhat. That is topics that may be considered by some as controversial. Occasionally someone will post a topic that is controversial either by design or innocently. Maybe the poster did not realize that some people might take exception to it.
Next thing that happens is the thread explodes into people fighting. More like a bar brawl in text form.
One aspect of this is that some people genuinely want to express their opinions. Others just go on full verbal assaults. Some people flag the post. Decrying that the poster is an instigator and that those types of posts should not be allowed. And that they don’t want to see that type of topic at all in the forums.
Yet…that thread gets hundreds of replies and thousands of views? While what might be considered more appropriate topics might only get 10 replies and 20 views if they are lucky.
Am I missing something here?
1 Like
Forum moderators (or lack thereof)
11 Likes
You are missing why people come to the forums.
5 Likes
General Discussion is 4 fite!
3 Likes
Appropriate for what?
Anyways, threads get high post and view counts when there’s disagreement. When we all agree, we just say “I agree” or just give a like and then move on. And that doesn’t get the thread bumped and it falls off. But if a thread has controversy, people will disagree with each other and that keeps the thread alive.
This ain’t reddit where the most popular stuff just rises to the top and sits there, visible but dead. This is a discussion forum. And I’m glad for that anyways, I hate Reddit, Reddit reinforces the hivemind by its mechanics rather than the opposite (critical/independent thinking). If post count is an end-goal then this forum actively encourages what forums should be for, discussion.
Now of course you can say the discussion gets heated and that shouldn’t happen, but just because people forum badly doesn’t mean this isn’t better off than elsewhere.
1 Like
Controversy and discord generates views? Who knew? Besides the “social media” companies.
2 Likes
People can’t resist low-quality bait.
2 Likes
Damn, you’re right. I gotta consult the guide again.
hey Wulf, (question: alt or genuinely new?) - makes a difference.
Technically your question is for philosophers and social anthropologist. It’s a forum - it’s dysfunctional, it’s fun, people have personalities and others just like to see the world burn - and some are just socially incapable of empathy.
(lordie guys, I am so missing my T4 - there’s this cool gif of a little girl opening a soda bottle and it suddenly bubbling and exploding out everywhere while she’s freaking out try to put the cap back on! lol - kind of how posting works)
Like that scene in Star Wars where Chewie sees some dead meat, and decides to grab it and the whole gang gets caught by the ewoks
2 Likes
Apparently contact with real human beings in the world if this surprises and/or confuses you. Conflict and disagreement always has and always will draw more attention. Pretty simple age old concept
we like to argue on the internet around these here parts
ahahahha man I haven’t watched this movie in far too long
1 Like
You are missing human nature, we like drama, to be scandalized, titillated, and a chance to voice our opinions. Controversial topics allow for us to do that, I know that not every person is the same but they work for a lot of us.
Luke Skywalker is such a nice guy. Peacefully defusing the situation even though they were pointing weapons at him and his friends. I hated seeing sad, bitter Luke in the later Star Wars movies, it’s like a completely different character.
Man I hate the Sequels. People say that they hate the Prequels but I don’t for one second buy anyone trying to convince me that they hate the Prequels as much as us millennials hate the Sequels.
As least Mandalore is good and we got a nice portrayal of Master Luke.
1 Like
