Resident Answers and Computer Manual Syndrome

In October.....

Many outrageous and unusual topics are, in fact, not very interesting.

When I was an undergrad, I started out thinking that weird people were interesting. By the time I got to grad school I realized that this was quite wrong. Weird people are just weird, and to be interesting they have to make an extra effort to be relevant.

Which is not to say that weird people should be rounded up and re-educated. Nor do I think heavy-handed policing of a forum is necessary--not even *self*-policing. But not every thought is an idea that needs forums exploration, either. Some of them are, in fact, not very interesting.

One might expect that the uninteresting ones would just fade, lacking responses. Instead, they seem to swell with responses about the suitability of the thread itself instead of the actual topic of the thread (which, remember, wasn't very interesting). This is probably not particularly productive, but meh: everyone needs a hobby.

Personally, I think this forum is fine as it is. LL should update the software and leave it the Hell alone, and go out and play in their flog thingie. If the little bouts of acrimony that pop in hre bother you that much, I suggest you don't leave the basement. It's a rough world out there.

My own feeling is that the status of RA as a worthwhile resource is threatened much less by seemingly frivolous or trivial threads, than by those occasions when discussion rages out of control within even entirely valid ones. It's when the threads become abusive, or bombarded by trolls (of which we don't seem to get too many around here anymore) that I become mildly embarrassed -- and worried.

Jiggy's questions are no more "irrelevant," usually, than some that I've seen on the official blogrums. I do think that discussion about social issues within SL is entirely fair game; it's when Jig's threads become "about Jig" rather than responses to the original question that they become inappropriate.

Says the woman with the econo-pack of duct tape open and at the ready . . .

Believe me, I'm not above using it on myself if necessary.

Why is it a problem when a thread takes a turn you seem to dislike? That, would be the time to quit reading.

But that's usually when the fun starts. We all love train wrecks.

Very true...........that's why I don't think moderation is so freaking important for this particular forum. Perhaps in the technical section or texturing or scripting. Just not here.

I agree with you, as well as with your other post above.

/me spills an entire tray of apple crumble and ice cream . . .

Oh, I don't mind it at all (usually) when discussion meanders away from the original point. On the contrary, some of the most interesting and worthwhile conversations here have happened when a thread has sort of organically "taken a turn" into a new channel. I think, overall, we fuss too much about "derailments," in that sense.

What I do NOT like is when a thread becomes nothing more than an exchange of personal abuse between participants. And we have seen that happen on more than one occasion.

And when does that take place? My observation (even experience) is when someone questions (or otherwise injects ugliness) on the OP's intent, motivation, character, or intelligence. Perhaps that's why some many dislike Pep (who I happen to enjoy his banter......weird sense of humor but I sure don't get upset). However, I've not seen Jig do that (in any serious way at leat). Though some of the subjects she comes up with don't interest me so I don't read all her threads. But I see the questions come up often in her threads.

Like I said before, it's happened in this thread.

Well, yes, a perfect case in point. How many threads last year degenerated into mud-slinging matches between Pep and his opponents? If you've been nasty enough that you've actually driven people away from the forum, that's a pretty good indication that what you are doing is not legitimate. But Pep isn't the only villain: we've seen threads here that were started with the purpose of hurling abuse at someone.

Jig, as you say, doesn't do that. One of the reasons that I get upset when this kind of thing happens in Jig's threads is precisely that she herself very rarely gets personally abusive, and yet she seems to bring that out in others. I don't myself believe that personal abuse is ever warranted (although I'll admit to having lost it myself on occasion, esp. with the above named gentleman), but it's particularly unfortunate when it's so one-sided.

There's a fine line here, it's true, between a legitimate probing of motives, intent, or qualifications, and outright abuse. But I think it's usually pretty evident when it's been crossed.

I just love wrecking trains. <.<

One problem is that when someone asks a real question they often have to wade through several pages of train wreck to get to a post that actually answers them. I suspect many useful posts never get read by the people who would benefit most from them because of this.

No they don't. Most questions are answered fairly quickly, if the answer is known. A lot of questions can't be answered by us, but by Lindens and since they refuse to participate, the threads spiral out.

A thread spiraling out, on an innocent new user.

Nicely said, Scylla. I am not particularly concerned with the invective that follows what I say in the forum. I used to be surprised at it. But not any more. I can't guarantee my readership "get" me or my questions, anymore than I can guarantee readership if I had a newspaper comment / blog column (which I dont at teh moment.

When people comment furiously on what I type (or pronounce droll asides) I realize I am hitting a nerve or causing an itch that they cant scratch. But these are piddling ideas really. I cant make true use of this site to really create comments. The Lindens do have specifics so I cant make you puther or scoff about real topics. I try to phrase them so they have a sl bent but its hard work.

As I say, I am not sure of my readers or even if I have any beyond those who comment. I will be sad to see forums go cos I really feel I am getting started here. I havent got on to the values and the social contracts we make here, teh complexities of our sexual natures, the artistic temperament, the creation of the "persona" in sl, the finding of our interior selves in teh face of our avatars and a million other things.

Please dont shut down Resident Answers Mr Linden. I have had a chance to really get going.

I have a hunch that you started this thread because you didn't like the discussion going on in your other thread. If my hunch is wrong, correct me.

If the hunch is correct, than I take offense in the labeling of "bully-replies" and "mean spirit" labeling. If you want to label my replies specifically that way (and I assume you are, since you addressed these comments to me)....then I want you to realize that I viewed many of your replies to the other responders as mean-spirited and insulting. I also viewed some of your assumptions and descriptions about men, as insulting and mean-spirited. The problem that I encounter in trying to explain that to you....is that you don't seem to realize that it works both directions.

I don't think it's fair to say that people are shy or frightened away by an example of "character assassination." There are many discussions here, that are valuable, and are managed quite well by the thread starter, that would welcome responses from new people, and would be enlightened by those exchanges. I believe that as a regular thread starter....you have as much responsibility in that aspect, as the responders.

I have no idea what you want.



Are you the outrageous and the unusual? What about the responses that were given to you, that you don't like? Were they outrageous and the unusual? If those responses don't fit what you had planned....does that make them mundane to you? What about the other people engaging in the discussion?



This kind of contradicts what you are disapproving of.....unless I'm totally confused about your point. Is this not what you are disapproving of?



Can you understand that some of your responses might mirror your style.....and be equally as intensely annoying and rambling?

As far as getting "personal"....I simply responded to your thoughts above. You laid a lot of them out there. The post I am responding to, consisted mainly of your thoughts and your personality description. That's why it seems "personal." If you want to cut down on that.....then you could take the me's and I's out.....and say something like this....."when "one" exhibits this type of behavior, then "one" might experience this....and "one" may not like this"......kind of like that.

Did Mickey just out herself?

Please explain.

Let's see now..........you just went off on Jig for something you think is about you. I did not pick up on anyone being a specific target of this thread......you did. Maybe, just maybe, this thread is "not all about you".

Something you seem to have a problem with Jig over.

oh, ok. I do think that this thread might be a result of some things that I said, and that some others said, and I asked if my hunch was correct on that. She commented directly to me, with the bully-reply comments...so I asked for clarification on that.

I did not go "off" on Jig.

I also believe that your post #24 was directed to me. You are welcome to clarify that. And I have no problem with you addressing that to me directly, with my name on it, in the future....if that is the case.