Civility in (gaming) wartime

[KEEF888]

Just a quick observation and comment in regards to the forum questions/answers. God knows, I'm no expert in CM, warfare expertise, WWII minutia, etc., although I do have a rudimentary knowledge above your "average" citizen, who doesn't give a rat's behind about such things. But I do think I've got a pretty good eye and ear for every-day human nature attributes, i.e. decency/indecency, humility/braggadocio, patience/impatience, kindness/rudeness, etc. With that said, I would like to ask those of us who post our messages, to think before they write. So many times, a simple question and/or comment turns into an opportunity for personal/national/political/etc. insults. Now by no means, am I referring to the taunting/teasing/inside joking/etc. which occurs. I find most of it very funny and amusing - and believe me, no one is more anti-political correctness than I am. But time after time, I'll notice that the answers/comments to someone's post, ends up being completely outside the initial inquiry. The forum then ends up being more of a soapbox for people's personal beliefs/philosophies/attitudes than it does an opportunity for help/thoughts/ideas...and kinship. I myself, haven't been the recipient of any rude or malicious responses. In fact, just the opposite - I've been treated with respect and decency, not to mention all the help I've received. But, I've noticed many times where some have used this forum as their personal "attack platform", hurling insults/accusations/complaints/etc. toward one another. I feel that this is not the time, nor place, to conduct such actions. These actions can also alienate others to the point of being fearful to post their querries, lest they come off sounding "stupid" or "irrelavent", especially newbies. There are plenty of websites dedicated to such debates, and those should be used to vent one's feelings/beliefs. We are a community of wargamers who are fortunate enough to have such a wonderful game as CM, and lucky enough to have found each other through this marvelous game, as well as this great forum. I personally, don't care if my fellow CM grog is liberal or conservative, straight or gay, capitalist or socialist, man or woman, whether he reads a certain author's work or another's, whether he is inclined to believe one point of view or another, etc. Those discussions are for another site entirely, IMHO. The internet can be a great place for the exchage of ideas. But, as we all know, writing something - as opposed to saying it to the person tete-a-tete - can leave open the doors of interpretation. (That's why I love those "instant graemlins"). So, to sum up my long-windedness, appreciate each other for what we are - a group of folks who probably would never have had an opportunity to associate with one another if it weren't for this fantastic thing called Combat Mission. 'Nuff said, I'm done.

[imported_argie]

Originally posted by KEEF888:

Just a quick observation and comment in regards to the forum questions/answers. God knows, I'm no expert in CM, warfare expertise, WWII minutia, etc., although I do have a rudimentary knowledge above your "average" citizen, who doesn't give a rat's behind about such things. But I do think I've got a pretty good eye and ear for every-day human nature attributes, i.e. decency/indecency, humility/braggadocio, patience/impatience, kindness/rudeness, etc. With that said, I would like to ask those of us who post our messages, to think before they write. So many times, a simple question and/or comment turns into an opportunity for personal/national/political/etc. insults. Now by no means, am I referring to the taunting/teasing/inside joking/etc. which occurs. I find most of it very funny and amusing - and believe me, no one is more anti-political correctness than I am. But time after time, I'll notice that the answers/comments to someone's post, ends up being completely outside the initial inquiry. The forum then ends up being more of a soapbox for people's personal beliefs/philosophies/attitudes than it does an opportunity for help/thoughts/ideas...and kinship. I myself, haven't been the recipient of any rude or malicious responses. In fact, just the opposite - I've been treated with respect and decency, not to mention all the help I've received. But, I've noticed many times where some have used this forum as their personal "attack platform", hurling insults/accusations/complaints/etc. toward one another. I feel that this is not the time, nor place, to conduct such actions. These actions can also alienate others to the point of being fearful to post their querries, lest they come off sounding "stupid" or "irrelavent", especially newbies. There are plenty of websites dedicated to such debates, and those should be used to vent one's feelings/beliefs. We are a community of wargamers who are fortunate enough to have such a wonderful game as CM, and lucky enough to have found each other through this marvelous game, as well as this great forum. I personally, don't care if my fellow CM grog is liberal or conservative, straight or gay, capitalist or socialist, man or woman, whether he reads a certain author's work or another's, whether he is inclined to believe one point of view or another, etc. Those discussions are for another site entirely, IMHO. The internet can be a great place for the exchage of ideas. But, as we all know, writing something - as opposed to saying it to the person tete-a-tete - can leave open the doors of interpretation. (That's why I love those "instant graemlins"). So, to sum up my long-windedness, appreciate each other for what we are - a group of folks who probably would never have had an opportunity to associate with one another if it weren't for this fantastic thing called Combat Mission. 'Nuff said, I'm done.

I will not even care in to read such a long post, obviously a rant from a Capitalist Pig with too much spare time in his hands. Another show of USA decadency, I presume.

Get a life!

[ September 06, 2002, 09:34 PM: Message edited by: argie ]

[Panzer Leader]

Would you mind too much breaking that huge daunting block of text down into nice edible paragraphs for me? As it is, I am afraid to read it, fearing it might cause an epileptic seizure.

Thanx!

[Michael Dorosh]

Originally posted by Panzer Leader:

Would you mind too much breaking that huge daunting block of text down into nice edible paragraphs for me? As it is, I am afraid to read it, fearing it might cause an epileptic seizure.

Thanx!

I think he said something about wanting to take the soapbox and espousing a bunch of his political beliefs.

It's been done.

By argie.

[Panzer Leader]

Originally posted by Michael Dorosh:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Panzer Leader:

Would you mind too much breaking that huge daunting block of text down into nice edible paragraphs for me? As it is, I am afraid to read it, fearing it might cause an epileptic seizure.

Thanx!

I think he said something about wanting to take the soapbox and espousing a bunch of his political beliefs.

It's been done.

By argie.

</font>

[Michael Dorosh]

Originally posted by Panzer Leader:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Michael Dorosh:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Panzer Leader:

Would you mind too much breaking that huge daunting block of text down into nice edible paragraphs for me? As it is, I am afraid to read it, fearing it might cause an epileptic seizure.

Thanx!

I think he said something about wanting to take the soapbox and espousing a bunch of his political beliefs.

It's been done.

By argie.

</font>

[Abbott]

With that said, I would like to ask those of us who post our messages, to think before they write.

Get a life, I mean paragraph!

[Abbott]

Ack! MS explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close.

[ September 06, 2002, 10:00 PM: Message edited by: Abbott ]

[Abbott]

KEEF888

Just a quick observation and comment in regards to the forum questions/answers. God knows, I'm no expert in CM, warfare expertise, WWII minutia, etc., although I do have a rudimentary knowledge above your "average" citizen, who doesn't give a rat's behind about such things. But I do think I've got a pretty good eye and ear for every-day human nature attributes, i.e. decency/indecency, humility/braggadocio, patience/impatience, kindness/rudeness, etc. With that said, I would like to ask those of us who post our messages, to think before they write.

So many times, a simple question and/or comment turns into an opportunity for personal/national/political/etc. insults. Now by no means, am I referring to the taunting/teasing/inside joking/etc. which occurs. I find most of it very funny and amusing - and believe me, no one is more anti-political correctness than I am. But time after time, I'll notice that the answers/comments to someone's post, ends up being completely outside the initial inquiry. The forum then ends up being more of a soapbox for people's personal beliefs/philosophies/attitudes than it does an opportunity for help/thoughts/ideas...and kinship. I myself, haven't been the recipient of any rude or malicious responses. In fact, just the opposite - I've been treated with respect and decency, not to mention all the help I've received. But, I've noticed many times where some have used this forum as their personal "attack platform", hurling insults/accusations/complaints/etc. toward one another.

I feel that this is not the time, nor place, to conduct such actions. These actions can also alienate others to the point of being fearful to post their querries, lest they come off sounding "stupid" or "irrelavent", especially newbies. There are plenty of websites dedicated to such debates, and those should be used to vent one's feelings/beliefs. We are a community of wargamers who are fortunate enough to have such a wonderful game as CM, and lucky enough to have found each other through this marvelous game, as well as this great forum.

I personally, don't care if my fellow CM grog is liberal or conservative, straight or gay, capitalist or socialist, man or woman, whether he reads a certain author's work or another's, whether he is inclined to believe one point of view or another, etc. Those discussions are for another site entirely, IMHO. The internet can be a great place for the exchage of ideas. But, as we all know, writing something - as opposed to saying it to the person tete-a-tete - can leave open the doors of interpretation. (That's why I love those "instant graemlins"). So, to sum up my long-windedness, appreciate each other for what we are - a group of folks who probably would never have had an opportunity to associate with one another if it weren't for this fantastic thing called Combat Mission. 'Nuff said, I'm done.

[Abbott]

Move along, nothing to see here.

[Agua]

One more try?

[Abbott]

Originally posted by Agua:

One more try?

Anyone besides me notice how ever since the Demo release Vodka sometimes gets in the way of one's posting?

[Shatter]

Oh come on guys don't be so hard on the guy. He has to have some place to vent. If that what you call that extemely boring blah blah blah book of a paragraph, that he left to grace on all of us.

I read about 4 sentences and said to myself blah blah blah blah.

From little I did read, only thing I can figure is

he had a bad day at work or something.

[gunnergoz]

Personally, I think the Bren Tripods are the only answer to the problem.

[Red Devils]

Originally posted by gunnergoz:

Personally, I think the Bren Tripods are the only answer to the problem.

And sheep! For gawdz sakes don't forget the sheep man!

[kmead]

I strongly agree with the initial post. His beefs are legitimate, most of your responses are a perfect example. Had his post been about some arcane bit of groginess or something you valued, I am certain that you would have found a way to read it in its entirety.

I see this phenomena all over the net, people lacking simple social graces to continue a conversation started. For example, if you were in the room with this individual you would have either entered into the conversation or avoided him like the plague. So many people hide behind some name reference and feel it gives them carte blanche to behave poorly.

If you don't wish to enter the conversation, then don't. Just because you can come by afterwords and spew belittling commentary doesn't mean you should. This forum is not just the domain of the core cadre who have little else to do, but for the whole community to participate in with the hope that their contribution will be valued.

I think the points in the initial post are valid and sadly proven by the subsequent posts offered up as replies. Having enjoyed posts by most of you in threads in the past, I find myself disappointed and dissatisfied with your replies.

[Bruno Weiss]

It's good we have these little chats from time to time.

[gunnergoz]

KMead:

With all due respect:

Being a big proponent myself of civility over the internet, I still feel free to exhibit a bit of humor and silliness at times, so long as it is not at the personal expense of another.

After all, our posts tell everyone much about ourselves, including our moods and emotional state at that particular time. A regular who posts on this forum knows that he/she is, with each post, adding to a depiction of themselves as a real person, to the extent that this medium permits. And, as we all know, those who overstep their bounds are quickly put in their place by the Moderators.

I like the fact that, in this crowd, we all take turns playing the "class clown" and at other times may play "little professor" or "insufferable grog." Most days, just being myself is enough, but there are moments when I just want to get silly and my post reflect it. So sue me! At other times, I'm dead serious about topics that are close to home, such as we often see in the General Forum. Take it or leave it, right?

What I don't like is when people get very personal with invective, profanity and insults that are totally unnecessary. We see very quickly what happens in this Forum to those types of posters.

If I post something here, I know that I will get the gamut of responses, from the utterly reasonable and objective to the incredibly inane and childish...but they are invariably civil, if a bit off the wall at times. I take the good with the so-so because all these Forum contributors are people I'd probably enjoy mixing with socially. I know this to be true because I've learned to like them (some more than others, of course) by reading their posts over time.

I think of these Forum contributors as my friends, and "give them permission" to be themselves here, at times bombastic and at other times silly. I feel safe enough here (Thanks to the Moderators, bless 'em) to know that I ultimately will be treated with civility. Civility is not the same as gentle handling, however! I expect to be kidded, ribbed and tumbled about by these folks, because that's our nature as thinkers and gamers.

I appreciate that this Forum encourages free speech, within the parameters of good taste and legality. I don't expect it to be the Harvard Debating Society, however...

My 2 bits worth.

[kmead]

gunnergoz:

Nice job of thinking before you write . I wouldn't want the Harvard Debating Society either, having served on a similar team in the past. I appreciate the signal to noise ratio in general, I suppose that seeing a post about my pet peeve of the internet trivialized and immediately derailed was less than satisfying. Nearly every post beyond the initial dirisive followups were not even on subject.

In any case this is off topic and deserves to move to the general discussion forum.

In any case, thanks for your considered response.

[gunnergoz]

As they say-

Hi Mom!