Why are the forums toxic?

Kiralyn2000

Why are the forums toxic?

Because it's an internet game forum?

Amoureros

Even in this post, I see lot of socially awkward people does self-justification of their actions.

Tasear

Sixty5 wrote: »

There have been a number of low effort, spammy topics of late, that feel like nothing more than an effort to farm rep, or to start up arguments.

Additionally with other topics being made where a user offers an unpopular idea, then refuses to accept any arguments against that idea, the thread is going to devolve into poop slinging, one way or another.

That's a bigger issue. Let state it now. I don't know about others I don't really partake in that.

In fact @ZOS_GinaBruno I wouldn't mind you remove them if means I can talk freely.

Yes I find myself after pass two years often caught in this net. Yet people people who start threads don't simply get points. Talking on a personal bias. Usually my own threads are polls or small interest polls. I usually don't state my thoughts to others have given a chance to speak. In fact my issue are usually ones that nobody talks about but have importance. It take care to set them so it's fair for both people to speak?

I asked things why aren't dragon knights seen in the game as healers?

Is clanfear useful pet?

What's rarest tank in game?

So yes personal bias aside, I think people get caught up thinking this just farm rep or start fights. What about caring about different issues of the game or philosophical questions.

When do you leave group?

So yes to some it seems like a rant, upset user but honestly I speak of some degrading decency and ungoing bully of players in the forums.

If there such issue with spam posts or rep farming maybe it's time to about new rules.

@ZOS_JessicaFolsom

kadar

Samadhi wrote: »

What would the world be like if a majority of people understood and utilized this pyramid?

spencer2361

Millennials

Sixty5

Tasear wrote: »

Sixty5 wrote: »

There have been a number of low effort, spammy topics of late, that feel like nothing more than an effort to farm rep, or to start up arguments.

Additionally with other topics being made where a user offers an unpopular idea, then refuses to accept any arguments against that idea, the thread is going to devolve into poop slinging, one way or another.

That's a bigger issue. Let state it now. I don't know about others I don't really partake in that.

In fact @ZOS_GinaBruno I wouldn't mind you remove them if means I can talk freely.

Yes I find myself after pass two years often caught in this net. Yet people people who start threads don't simply get points. Talking on a personal bias. Usually my own threads are polls or small interest polls. I usually don't state my thoughts to others have given a chance to speak. In fact my issue are usually ones that nobody talks about but have importance. It take care to set them so it's fair for both people to speak?

I asked things why aren't dragon knights seen in the game as healers?

Is clanfear useful pet?

What's rarest tank in game?

So yes personal bias aside, I think people get caught up thinking this just farm rep or start fights. What about caring about different issues of the game or philosophical questions.

When do you leave group?

So yes to some it seems like a rant, upset user but honestly I speak of some degrading decency and ungoing bully of players in the forums.

If there such issue with spam posts or rep farming maybe it's time to about new rules.

@ZOS_JessicaFolsom

As a rule, if the question posed by a thread can be answered in a word or two, it is low effort content.

"What's the rarest tank in the game?" offers low engagement and is a weak thread, and any discussion that goes on in that thread is going to stem from people disagreing.

"What can be done to improve the viability of non-DK tanks?" on the other hand requires a bit of thought on the commenters part, and encourages participants to post and discuss ideas, and thus you get a better conversation going.

You should always be ready to accept that someone else has information that you don't, and that your point of view might be warped, and that is why argument and discussion is so important, and also why people who refuse to accept any arguments tend to generate toxicity.

Cpt_Teemo

If you want Toxic, post this video in the general forums of LoL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzRBj_dcpOM

VaranisArano

Tasear wrote: »

VaranisArano wrote: »

Here's my opinion on why I don't like some of those things.

Multiple Threads - I get tired of repeating myself and its much more sensible and easy to understand if we keep the conversation in one or two threads if we want to have an actual discussion. Pretty soon it starts to feel like the poster is bandwagoning on a popular topic or decided that their opinion needed its own thread instead of just discussing it on the threads that have a ongoing conversation. If there are pre-existing active threads, I will point them out when somebody posts the 4th, 5th, or 6th thread on a topic.

Dead Horses - there are certain topics that show up on the forums every month or so that Im, again, pretty much repeating what I said the month before. Pointing out, "hey, this is a dead horse topic," is a way of saying, "look, most of us who have been around the forums have seen this topic many times before amd frankly, you didn't post anything that's going to make us change our stance." Of course, we have to take in consideration that sometimes its ZOS raising the dead horse...

Necroing Threads -
1. Oftentimes these threads contain old, outdated, or incorrect information
2. There's little thats more annoying than getting worked up over some bait question or tech question thats now fixed or commentary about builds...only to realize that the thread is a year old and somehow migrated back to the front page.
3. Mannimarco approves of thread necromancy. I don't.

What about mutiple threads about different topics? Is issue of theme or poster themselves?

If the poster has a habit of posting bait threads or refusing to engage in genuine debate, I'm only going to give that poster so much benefit of the doubt (not talking about you, here, but rather another poster(s) because I value genuine discussion and don't appreciate people who bait and then refuse to debate their propositions).

If the person is just a prolific poster on different, non-dead horse, non-bait topics, sure, do what you want.

srfrogg23

Tasear wrote: »

Seems like something we often say in passing but is it true? Obviously not always but I don't recall people saying forums to be positive place.

So let raise some issues that not just effect myself but others.

People posting mutiple threads

There's clear harssment to anyone who does in general section. This done to people discuss old or new topics. Sure moderation is there but I often see things ingored like. So let ask the question that goes along with? Why is a secret taboo to post mutiple threads?

Why do people belittle people for having to many stars?

It's often people get quoted with bettiling comments or forum farming by simply stating something. This seems progressive worst as people get more stars. Why do helpful people get punished?


Why is not okay to defend yourself?

If you have well intentions it best not to respond to baiters or this voliation of forum rules? Yet I often see people belttiled, jeered or harssed even more if say nothing?

There's other issues but making long posts seems be taboo issues too, so state a few others in quick succession, L2P, reroll to different class, necroing, dead horses.

Note: Answer is yes, I am annoyed but I am appart of a bigger issue.

I don’t think the forums are as toxic as people interpret them to be. The majority of human communication comes from non-verbal cues and tone of voice.

We don’t get those cues from purely written communication, so our brains fill in the gaps by applying what we think should be an “appropriate” tone through our brain’s own internal monologue, taking into account our own feelings on a subject or the context of the conversation.

A lot of times, disagreements are perceived as “anger”, when they’re really not. It’s just disagreement and debate. In a face-to-face conversation, it’s much easier to see and hear the true intent behind what someone is saying, whether it’s actually irritation being expressed, or if they’re joking, being sarcastic, etc.

Either way, without that non-verbal communication, it’s much easier for a miscommunication and inappropriate reactions based on misinterpretation of the original message, often resulting in an unhealthy escalation.

Sixty5

VaranisArano wrote: »

Tasear wrote: »

VaranisArano wrote: »

Here's my opinion on why I don't like some of those things.

Multiple Threads - I get tired of repeating myself and its much more sensible and easy to understand if we keep the conversation in one or two threads if we want to have an actual discussion. Pretty soon it starts to feel like the poster is bandwagoning on a popular topic or decided that their opinion needed its own thread instead of just discussing it on the threads that have a ongoing conversation. If there are pre-existing active threads, I will point them out when somebody posts the 4th, 5th, or 6th thread on a topic.

Dead Horses - there are certain topics that show up on the forums every month or so that Im, again, pretty much repeating what I said the month before. Pointing out, "hey, this is a dead horse topic," is a way of saying, "look, most of us who have been around the forums have seen this topic many times before amd frankly, you didn't post anything that's going to make us change our stance." Of course, we have to take in consideration that sometimes its ZOS raising the dead horse...

Necroing Threads -
1. Oftentimes these threads contain old, outdated, or incorrect information
2. There's little thats more annoying than getting worked up over some bait question or tech question thats now fixed or commentary about builds...only to realize that the thread is a year old and somehow migrated back to the front page.
3. Mannimarco approves of thread necromancy. I don't.

What about mutiple threads about different topics? Is issue of theme or poster themselves?

If the poster has a habit of posting bait threads or refusing to engage in genuine debate, I'm only going to give that poster so much benefit of the doubt (not talking about you, here, but rather another poster(s) because I value genuine discussion and don't appreciate people who bait and then refuse to debate their propositions).

If the person is just a prolific poster on different, non-dead horse, non-bait topics, sure, do what you want.

I agree that there is nothing wrong with a high quantity of posts, as long as they are of appropriate quality, though there is an upper limit.

Malamar1229

Cuz parents don't spank their kids anymore

Tasear

Tabbycat wrote: »

I don't think there's anything wrong with multiple threads unless they are all about the same topic and could easily be condensed into a single thread. If you make multiple threads about the same topic, just with different variations of, people start wondering if you are just making threads to draw attention to yourself. Like if I am going to make a thread about oh let's say William Shatner I am going to make one thread about him and not separate threads about him being the best Captain in Star Trek (I personally prefer Picard), how awesome he was as the Big Giant Head in Third Rock from the Sun and his weird commercials.

I seen issue go both ways. The 2 notable people expressed themselves in multiple threads and still being harssed in other threads (doctoreso and knowledge. On other hand thougt it's about time we talk about guild system. In fact didn't Some of it was spread out but keep on front page. Honestly do guys think we have a great guild system?

Some people took their agenda to start Harrasment, betting or what ever you want call this cyber bully because I wanted to express different issues about guilds today.

Yes if was a better person maybe I just let it go, but I have for two years almost. Because I actively post something. I seen people put my name on a twlight head, been clamied to be forum farming or simply other things. Often I don't moderation unless people actually fight back or flag it themselves.

ParaNostram

I blame the shifting demographic of TES games.

Tasear

ParaNostram wrote: »

I blame the shifting demographic of TES games.

Could really be an age thing? have really gotten old? Jokes aside that's an interesting point.

VaranisArano

Sixty5 wrote: »

VaranisArano wrote: »

Tasear wrote: »

VaranisArano wrote: »

Here's my opinion on why I don't like some of those things.

Multiple Threads - I get tired of repeating myself and its much more sensible and easy to understand if we keep the conversation in one or two threads if we want to have an actual discussion. Pretty soon it starts to feel like the poster is bandwagoning on a popular topic or decided that their opinion needed its own thread instead of just discussing it on the threads that have a ongoing conversation. If there are pre-existing active threads, I will point them out when somebody posts the 4th, 5th, or 6th thread on a topic.

Dead Horses - there are certain topics that show up on the forums every month or so that Im, again, pretty much repeating what I said the month before. Pointing out, "hey, this is a dead horse topic," is a way of saying, "look, most of us who have been around the forums have seen this topic many times before amd frankly, you didn't post anything that's going to make us change our stance." Of course, we have to take in consideration that sometimes its ZOS raising the dead horse...

Necroing Threads -
1. Oftentimes these threads contain old, outdated, or incorrect information
2. There's little thats more annoying than getting worked up over some bait question or tech question thats now fixed or commentary about builds...only to realize that the thread is a year old and somehow migrated back to the front page.
3. Mannimarco approves of thread necromancy. I don't.

What about mutiple threads about different topics? Is issue of theme or poster themselves?

If the poster has a habit of posting bait threads or refusing to engage in genuine debate, I'm only going to give that poster so much benefit of the doubt (not talking about you, here, but rather another poster(s) because I value genuine discussion and don't appreciate people who bait and then refuse to debate their propositions).

If the person is just a prolific poster on different, non-dead horse, non-bait topics, sure, do what you want.

I agree that there is nothing wrong with a high quantity of posts, as long as they are of appropriate quality, though there is an upper limit.

I agree. High quantity and thoughtful discussion, I'm all for. Prolific posters who are genuinely interested in discussion and alternative perspectives while arguing their own ideas - those are type of posters I most appreciate and engage with.

But I reserve the right to remember posters from previous discussions who dont engage in genuine discussion with alternative viewpoints, one of whom I've specifically offered to debate my rebuttal to their viewpoint on a thread they started and *crickets*

I reserve the right to remember who's on the "fool me twice, shame on me" list and respond accordingly, you know?

efduncanub17_ESO

This is one of the friendliest forums I've been on ever...compared to WoW this place is a happy land of joy

Sixty5

VaranisArano wrote: »

Sixty5 wrote: »

VaranisArano wrote: »

Tasear wrote: »

VaranisArano wrote: »

Here's my opinion on why I don't like some of those things.

Multiple Threads - I get tired of repeating myself and its much more sensible and easy to understand if we keep the conversation in one or two threads if we want to have an actual discussion. Pretty soon it starts to feel like the poster is bandwagoning on a popular topic or decided that their opinion needed its own thread instead of just discussing it on the threads that have a ongoing conversation. If there are pre-existing active threads, I will point them out when somebody posts the 4th, 5th, or 6th thread on a topic.

Dead Horses - there are certain topics that show up on the forums every month or so that Im, again, pretty much repeating what I said the month before. Pointing out, "hey, this is a dead horse topic," is a way of saying, "look, most of us who have been around the forums have seen this topic many times before amd frankly, you didn't post anything that's going to make us change our stance." Of course, we have to take in consideration that sometimes its ZOS raising the dead horse...

Necroing Threads -
1. Oftentimes these threads contain old, outdated, or incorrect information
2. There's little thats more annoying than getting worked up over some bait question or tech question thats now fixed or commentary about builds...only to realize that the thread is a year old and somehow migrated back to the front page.
3. Mannimarco approves of thread necromancy. I don't.

What about mutiple threads about different topics? Is issue of theme or poster themselves?

If the poster has a habit of posting bait threads or refusing to engage in genuine debate, I'm only going to give that poster so much benefit of the doubt (not talking about you, here, but rather another poster(s) because I value genuine discussion and don't appreciate people who bait and then refuse to debate their propositions).

If the person is just a prolific poster on different, non-dead horse, non-bait topics, sure, do what you want.

I agree that there is nothing wrong with a high quantity of posts, as long as they are of appropriate quality, though there is an upper limit.

I agree. High quantity and thoughtful discussion, I'm all for. Prolific posters who are genuinely interested in discussion and alternative perspectives while arguing their own ideas - those are type of posters I most appreciate and engage with.

But I reserve the right to remember posters from previous discussions who dont engage in genuine discussion with alternative viewpoints, one of whom I've specifically offered to debate my rebuttal to their viewpoint on a thread they started and *crickets*

I reserve the right to remember who's on the "fool me twice, shame on me" list and respond accordingly, you know?

Same here, I have my own list of posters who tend not to have anything useful to add.
Tends to be better to just not comment on those threads, and let them die quietly, rather than get pulled into the cesspit they tend to become.

VaranisArano

Sixty5 wrote: »

VaranisArano wrote: »

Sixty5 wrote: »

VaranisArano wrote: »

Tasear wrote: »

VaranisArano wrote: »

Here's my opinion on why I don't like some of those things.

Multiple Threads - I get tired of repeating myself and its much more sensible and easy to understand if we keep the conversation in one or two threads if we want to have an actual discussion. Pretty soon it starts to feel like the poster is bandwagoning on a popular topic or decided that their opinion needed its own thread instead of just discussing it on the threads that have a ongoing conversation. If there are pre-existing active threads, I will point them out when somebody posts the 4th, 5th, or 6th thread on a topic.

Dead Horses - there are certain topics that show up on the forums every month or so that Im, again, pretty much repeating what I said the month before. Pointing out, "hey, this is a dead horse topic," is a way of saying, "look, most of us who have been around the forums have seen this topic many times before amd frankly, you didn't post anything that's going to make us change our stance." Of course, we have to take in consideration that sometimes its ZOS raising the dead horse...

Necroing Threads -
1. Oftentimes these threads contain old, outdated, or incorrect information
2. There's little thats more annoying than getting worked up over some bait question or tech question thats now fixed or commentary about builds...only to realize that the thread is a year old and somehow migrated back to the front page.
3. Mannimarco approves of thread necromancy. I don't.

What about mutiple threads about different topics? Is issue of theme or poster themselves?

If the poster has a habit of posting bait threads or refusing to engage in genuine debate, I'm only going to give that poster so much benefit of the doubt (not talking about you, here, but rather another poster(s) because I value genuine discussion and don't appreciate people who bait and then refuse to debate their propositions).

If the person is just a prolific poster on different, non-dead horse, non-bait topics, sure, do what you want.

I agree that there is nothing wrong with a high quantity of posts, as long as they are of appropriate quality, though there is an upper limit.

I agree. High quantity and thoughtful discussion, I'm all for. Prolific posters who are genuinely interested in discussion and alternative perspectives while arguing their own ideas - those are type of posters I most appreciate and engage with.

But I reserve the right to remember posters from previous discussions who dont engage in genuine discussion with alternative viewpoints, one of whom I've specifically offered to debate my rebuttal to their viewpoint on a thread they started and *crickets*

I reserve the right to remember who's on the "fool me twice, shame on me" list and respond accordingly, you know?

Same here, I have my own list of posters who tend not to have anything useful to add.
Tends to be better to just not comment on those threads, and let them die quietly, rather than get pulled into the cesspit they tend to become.

Can be. There are times that even though I know its a bait thread, I also can't sit back and not state my opinion or let incorrect interpretations of the lore pass unchallenged. So it bugs me when people walk away from actual debate.

zyk

Tasear wrote: »

I speak of overall experience. As lately scales been tipping a bit. Many people have taken some over top hateful actions as of lately. You see it in weekly luxary vendor, or blanant attacks aganist doctorEso or Knowledge.

I like this game and not others, so I think issue is good asire. I genuinely want be have a good experience so yes to myself being apart of the issue to say something, but issue does exist.

While nothing can really done, but simply awareness is better then keeping silent.

The Elder Scrolls is a very popular IP which is enjoyed by people of almost all ages and walks of life. ESO, in particular, has an incredibly diverse population. This game is played by boomers, and generations X, Y and Z. It's played by ultra-casuals who might spend most of their time decorating homes, hardcore PVP players and everyone in between -- including hardcore pvp players who enjoy decorating homes!

Then there's the fact we're from all over the world. What's overtly rude in one place may be completely normal somewhere else.

We step on each other's toes all the time. The hardcore gamer decries ezmode. The casual decries restrictive content. The solo PVP player gets run over by grouped PVP players; the grouped PVP players get run over by the zerg; the zerg gets ganked by the solo PVP player. PVE gets PVP nerfed and vice versa; or so we think. And on and on and on. It's endless because this game has so much variety.

Invariably, some of my ideas to improve the game may be threatening to others and vice versa. So yeah, we'll disagree, lose patience, get frustrated and even call each other's names. We'll develop rivalries and some people will even become enemies. Some will need a time out. Some people won't be able to handle it and will leave or be removed. All par for the course in human society and not overtly toxic IMO.

Yolokin_Swagonborn

spencer2361 wrote: »

Millennials

Can we also blame this on smashed avocado toast?


Behold the downfall of our civilization.

VaranisArano

Yolokin_Swagonborn wrote: »

spencer2361 wrote: »

Millennials

Can we also blame this on smashed avocado toast?


Behold the downfall of our civilization.

But its so delicious!

Beardimus

It's hard to give an answer. On the whole people here are cool, ive asked many questions here from early on and seen many noobs ask them too and get mega support. I in turn try to help others now my game knowledge has grown.

I think on the whole there's a genuine want to help people.

However then you get the people who just like to cause contentious debate where the point is to farm forum stars etc and that detracts from genuine conversation hence the forum rightly has little tolerance for that.

Some threads sit between the two and people get lambasted unfairly but i think that's the wind up merchants fault for giving everyone no patience.

Lastly what is toxic to one is not to another. There's a current thread calling PvPers toxic for killing PvEers in Cyrodiil which is not toxic at all.

Lastly. I've seen this behaviour on MOST forums, in addition to that gamers are worse and in addition to that fantasy genre folk seem to take debate etc to the next level.

It's also a huge game to be played how the individual wants so views will always differ.

Kodrac

Tasear wrote: »

If there such issue with spam posts or rep farming maybe it's time to about new rules.

Usually it's pretty obvious which threads are meant for stirring the pot and not about discussion. Especially when, after a couple replies, they post something like "If you don't think like me you're stupid". It would help if the mods would recognize when a thread is bait and shut it down before it gets out of hand. But they let it continue and punish the people that take the bait instead of the instigator. They should take a clue when they have to shut down certain topics regularly. All gaming forums have the same ToS but here they seem to have a different interpretation of baiting. But with that said, I do feel sorry for them for some of the crap they have to read. Especially all the pointless posturing Overall, though, this forum is pretty tame.

Waffennacht

Those willing to go online about the game and talk about it are willing to get better/will get better

The better you are, the more knowledgeable you are, the more willing to form an opinion you are, more likely to defend that opinion.

So, the forum community is mostly made up of the higher skilled spectrum, they will be more opinionated, and therefore more willing to get into disagreements.

That's what I think

Yolokin_Swagonborn

I don't really find the forums toxic at all. Frustrating at times when there are complaint threads and then complaint threads about those complaint threads and then its like complain-ception.

Annoying and tedious? Yes. But toxic? No

Over the top threads are always going to be a thing here.

If I had a magic wand, I'd auto-delete the following types of threads.

• (pick a class) is ridiculously OP, ZOS plx delete it from the game.
• I died to (pick a skill, gearset or mechanic), therefore it needs a nerf.
• Everybody uses X, therefore its OP, and should be redesigned in some way to make it less attractive.
• I wan't something in PvP land but I don't want to PvP to get it.
• This one

But I put up with them, I'm sure some people don't like my threads either. good thing you can just ignore things on here.

Ch4mpTW

I don’t know, but it’s been getting dramatically worse and worse. Staff handing out bans over silly stuff, and things like naming and shaming. When in fact they should be banning people who are unnecessarily rude and toxic to people.

When I was a mod on a couple of forums, I always told my colleagues to focus on the flamers and extremely nasty people. Rather than the folks who are being silly, and aren’t bothering nobody. But hey, I’m just speaking off of experiences.

rfennell_ESO

Tasear wrote: »

Why are the forums toxic? .

Comparatively speaking (to other mmo's and games) these forums are among the least toxic.

The only issue is hyperbole that is used because many (and they aren't wrong) believe that they have to have a sensationalized or galvanized topic and thread to be heard.

The best worded and most rationale argument means nothing if people don't view (and respond) to it.

Tasear

Beardimus wrote: »

It's hard to give an answer. On the whole people here are cool, ive asked many questions here from early on and seen many noobs ask them too and get mega support. I in turn try to help others now my game knowledge has grown.

I think on the whole there's a genuine want to help people.

However then you get the people who just like to cause contentious debate where the point is to farm forum stars etc and that detracts from genuine conversation hence the forum rightly has little tolerance for that.

Some threads sit between the two and people get lambasted unfairly but i think that's the wind up merchants fault for giving everyone no patience.

Lastly what is toxic to one is not to another. There's a current thread calling PvPers toxic for killing PvEers in Cyrodiil which is not toxic at all.

Lastly. I've seen this behaviour on MOST forums, in addition to that gamers are worse and in addition to that fantasy genre folk seem to take debate etc to the next level.

It's also a huge game to be played how the individual wants so views will always differ.

Ch4mpTW wrote: »

I don’t know, but it’s been getting dramatically worse and worse. Staff handing out bans over silly stuff, and things like naming and shaming. When in fact they should be banning people who are unnecessarily rude and toxic to people.

When I was a mod on a couple of forums, I always told my colleagues to focus on the flamers and extremely nasty people. Rather than the folks who are being silly, and aren’t bothering nobody. But hey, I’m just speaking off of experiences.

That's also issue. Seems like people are getting rewardes in efforts to flame too. It feels like such atmosphere has recently taken root. For example Everytime knowledge posts a thread. You will find one person mention him in ridicule even before that was doctor ESO. Will I be next?

VaranisArano

Tasear wrote: »

Beardimus wrote: »

It's hard to give an answer. On the whole people here are cool, ive asked many questions here from early on and seen many noobs ask them too and get mega support. I in turn try to help others now my game knowledge has grown.

I think on the whole there's a genuine want to help people.

However then you get the people who just like to cause contentious debate where the point is to farm forum stars etc and that detracts from genuine conversation hence the forum rightly has little tolerance for that.

Some threads sit between the two and people get lambasted unfairly but i think that's the wind up merchants fault for giving everyone no patience.

Lastly what is toxic to one is not to another. There's a current thread calling PvPers toxic for killing PvEers in Cyrodiil which is not toxic at all.

Lastly. I've seen this behaviour on MOST forums, in addition to that gamers are worse and in addition to that fantasy genre folk seem to take debate etc to the next level.

It's also a huge game to be played how the individual wants so views will always differ.

Ch4mpTW wrote: »

I don’t know, but it’s been getting dramatically worse and worse. Staff handing out bans over silly stuff, and things like naming and shaming. When in fact they should be banning people who are unnecessarily rude and toxic to people.

When I was a mod on a couple of forums, I always told my colleagues to focus on the flamers and extremely nasty people. Rather than the folks who are being silly, and aren’t bothering nobody. But hey, I’m just speaking off of experiences.

That's also issue. Seems like people are getting rewardes in efforts to flame too. It feels like such atmosphere has recently taken root. For example Everytime knowledge posts a thread. You will find one person mention him in ridicule even before that was doctor ESO. Will I be next?

Look, theres no way to respond to this that isn't insulting or baiting to the very posters you mentioned. I'm going to just saying I respond to the posters you mentioned and indeed most frequent posters on the firms based on my history of responding to their threads and the history of their responses or lack thereof to my genuine attempts at debate. I like genuine debate and openmindedness to other viewpoints, so believe me, I take note when a (non-specified) poster abandons threads rather than debate knowledable rebuttals to their points or posts a lot of dead-horse or bait threads.

I will respond to you according the history I have in responding to your threads, which thus far has been positive.

Edited for some grammar and for clarity.

Maryal

IMO, most toxic people don't want to be told why they are toxic, they don't want to be told they are wrong, and most have very fragile egos ... therefore serious discussions regarding the 'why' are likely to get derailed on these forums. Discussions as to what toxic people get out of being toxic seems more tolerated, but what is less tolerated are discussions as to 'why'.