Re: negative posts

[Christina]

This web sites whole main purpose is becoming way out of context.
I am starting to wonder if it is turning into a bashing soap opera here.
Unfortunately I am starting to notice that when newbie snake/reptile owners come in and discover new things in the learning process or ask simplified questions they are being shot down called names and taken completely way out of context.
There is alot of us here with extensive knowledge on herp keeping and that is great! We enjoy sharing and helping others becoming interested in the hobby on a positive manner.
There are others in here who seem to find it fun to just bash.
IF all you want to do is bash and not read/learn and share back off because it is starting to become very annoying to the people here that are very serious and enjoy this hobby.
****In regards to the person who was the latest recipient of such behaviour I do apologise. I read over your post and congratulations on figuring out and resolving the issue you had. Now you can enjoy your snakes with a little less stress.****
****My thanks to Jeff and all of the moderators here that work hard to keep this site going and I would really not like to see it lose its credibillity due to this behaviour. You all work hard to keep it running and allow us to be a community that helps making our hobby enjoyable and sociable.
Christina:rsmile: :rsmile:

[Colonel SB]

I agree with you 100% on that Christina people need to chill out and not take things so seriously. This is a forum for knowledge and learning..If you have a beef with someone keep it to yourself because I don't care.

[CDN-Cresties]

I agree with the posts above, this site is about learning!!!

-Steve-

[Rich]

Hello,
I am a moderator on another forum (which I won't mention out of respect for this forum) and that type of behavior isn't allowed. Use a stricter policy. If you find a member bashing another, remove that member. That is how I do it. Like the original post says, this site is to learn and share. if individuals can't do that, then the forum is useless.

[SCReptiles]

Malcolm X said “We are non-violent with people, who are non-violent with us. We are certainly not non-violent with people who are violent with us.” I treat everyone with due respect until they are insulting to me. At that time, I will by all means be insulting back. If persons are too thin skinned to take it, then they should not dish is out. I am also a moderator on another board, in fact two as of today. And I give 100% free speech, it’s what democracy is based on. I censor nothing, even when they attack me.

[ohh_kristina]

I come here to learn new things. I mostly lurk, but I read almost every post in every forum. It is very sad to see flame wars and pointless threads that point out someone else's short comings. We are here for a reason, not to gossip and fight. It is childish. I thought we were all on somewhat of an adult level here (though there may be young teens that come through).

[Rich]

Hello,
The key objective is to remember the new member. If a new member joins to gain knowledge, then that is what they should recieve. They shouldn't be subjected to ridicule because they are ignorant to the species that they keep. They join these forums so that they can learn about the species and offer the proper care. Democrasy has nothing to do with moderating the behavior of members. It is about helping the newbie to learn so that their reptile survives. Bashing isn't democrasy and has nothing to do with free speech. It is ignorance reflecting through words. If 2 adults can't debate without turning to name calling then they shouldn't be debating that issue. It is then apparent that they are not mature enough to discuss certain topics with one another. It takes the lesser of the 2 too start the bashing. It takes the more mature of the 2 to walk away and tell the other that the topic is closed for discussion!

[Vanan]

I, too, have been getting more and disappointed with quote a few posts and the way they have been responded to. Let's try to live and let live. If you have something personal keep it private. If you think by rebutting a post you offer differing opinions then by all means make it public. I for one would rather not post if it serves no purpose for other reading.

We are all hear to learn (I presume) and no matter what you say, everyone's always learning throughout the way.

Now let's all rub our pressure points and go "Wooosaa!" :D

[Vanan]

BTW, pat on the back for our awesome mods! You guys rock! :)

[lilyskip]

I dunno...i don't really see the debates between long-time herpers about herp-related issues as negative, for the most part. There are personal attacks, but I have yet to see a newbie being attacked for asking a question about snake care. Maybe I've missed it, but it seems like the only things that are remotely negative come from theological issues, not from "helping the new member gain knowledge," as Rich talks about. I agree that this is important, and from what I have seen, this forum is really effective at doing that.

[sSNAKESs.com]

We do our best to weed out the problematic people... the thing is we give more then 1 chance because some people do infact change there ways... The ironic thing it, not only a few weeks ago did we have peopel complaining about our methods of banning and weeding people out being to strict. For the most part things seem to be flowing smoothly, but again, no matter how many mods you have, you can never catch every problem and nowone has enough time to read every thread... :)

[Rich]

Hello,
I wasn't particullarly stating that bashing was going on. i haven't been a member here long enough to have seen any. I was simply responding to the main thread and then to a followup post. I am sure that the mods are doing a great job. It isn't easy keeping track of everyone. lol

[LILCREEP]

i find it disturbing that the people of this comunity cant just get along the hobby as a whole is under attack in many places they are trying to ban or limit what we can keep, its time we stand as a united front and get along
if we cant we will be divided and 1 day this hobby that we all love will be outlawed every where

[Tim and Julie B]

www.ssnakess.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20225

It's been said before, but it does very little to curb peoples insults to others on the forums. With so many "grown ups" you'd think it wouldn't be so hard to maintain civility! But hey, we can't all get a long all of the time, right? But we shouldn't insult eachother either.

[SCReptiles]

I can see your point about “bashing.” Its not normally the way I do things, and some of what I said me be edited later. I don’t know. I did call that old guy a fool, but his brainless babbling about me teaching people to free hand and claiming I can dodge an adder strike were just so unfounded and ridiculous, that word came to mind. His quote about having Steve Erwin beat me up was so preposterous, that it was funny. I thought the main stream would get a good laugh out of it, as did I. So I posted it in the larger forum, some laughed, but some cried. I don’t know why? I still think it’s funny. My view points on certain things are in the minority, so that leads to debates. I think I am right and I attempt to convince others I am thru facts and conclusions. Does that make me problematic? I think that would be subjective. Should I be banned because I stand my ground with I disagree? There should be more of a sense of community among all herpers. I agree with that full heartedly, but if you insult me, rest assured you will get it back. You can call that immature, childish or any other dispersion you wish, but it is the order of things. I will learn from anyone who wishes to teach, I will educate anyone who wishes to learn, I will debate anyone who wishes to debate, and I will throw stones to anyone who wishes to throw stones. That is my platform, and I make no apologies to anyone that offends. I believe that is a just position to take.

[Wuntu Menny]

While I agree with most of the statements thus far, I think the term "bashing" needs some definition. Yes, the groundless, condecending responses to newbie Q's have no place on any forum that serves as an educational tool. But at the same time, I feel that irresponsible or unethical behaviour needs to be dealt with aggressively.

As lilcreep mentions, our hobby is threatened by powers that are, for the most part, beyond our influence. It is only by setting a respectable and responsible example that we can hope to sway public opinion. Unity is definitely vital at this point.

As keepers with experience, we need to be more patient with and tolerant of the silly questions. The people just wetting their feet in the hobby also represent it's future. If they get off to a bad start now, the hobby will have no future outside institutions.

I've read several posts where people feel that some of us are taking things too seriously. It is my belief that, in many cases, we aren't taking things seriously enough.

Yes, I'm an opinionated little #%^&#!

WM

[Rich]

Hello,
I don't disagree with debating issues. In fact , I encourage it. Debating is healthy and view points always clash which make them interesting. But why allow yourself to resort to name calling? I understand that you want to return fire when fired upon, but that does nothing except perhaps cause others to want to avoid discussing anything with you. I understand the order of things, but I also understand that it is just as easy to tell the other person that they are too immature to be having this discussion with you. That would bother them more than you throwing an insult. (even if it were justified)
Other people read those posts and each has there own opinion. You ending the discussion like that would be just as funny because that individual would now be talking to themselves.

[lilyskip]

I've never seen a newbie ask a question on this forum and get bashed. Am I looking in the wrong place?

[Rich]

Hello,
I wasn't saying that they were. I was posting to the original strand and then i have been posting to follow ups.
(not sure if that was directed at me)

[Christina]

Lilyskip
You were the last post that I found to be a redicule to one of the members here.
Does the quote "Gee bozo" ring a bell?That would be from your post "Unfrekingbelievable"
And your reasoning of calling him a bozo came from your own fault of not reading the thread properly.
I have been on here for a very long time if you need reference to that ask any of the moderators here that have been on since the beginning. Your post was the last straw for me and prompted this one. Up until now I have remained quiet and non-opinionated.
Christina

[lilyskip]

I figured that's what you were talking about, Christina, but i specified in my post that that person was on a completely different message board!!! NOT at ssnakess.

I think that most problems and arguments here come from people misunderstanding other people's posts. That's not a personal attack against you, just a statement of fact. I'd never respond to somebody here with that. If you go back and reread the forum, you'll see that that person doesn't post here. I posted it in much the same vein that we all post silly reptile-related stories, like alligators breaking through glass. Someone made a joke about the guy in the alligator article who swung a piece of wood at the gator...was that offensive? Should we not joke about anything? Again, I'm not trying to be mean here with my questions, I just think we need to allow some sense of humor and sarcasm on the boards, especially since none of this was directed at any member of ssnakess.

[lilyskip]

Hehe, no, sorry Rich, I don't think that was directed at you. :D

[Christina]

It does not matter Lily.
One hand shakes another.
This industry is small and you do not know if that person may decide to join today.
Or maybe that person does post here just under another name?

[lilyskip]

Perhaps, perhaps. And maybe the guy with the plank of wood who tried to fight off the gator will want to join, too?

Sorry if I offended you, Christina, with any perceived anti-newbieness, but I invite you to look at my past posts if you have any doubt that I am a helpful, nice member of this community.

[marisa]

I still have no clue why people think this website has a problem.

What exactly do you want?!?! A website where no one can argue for a good old fashion debate? A website where everyone is so fake you have no idea about the person you are talking to because everyone has to add 10 smileys and play nice?

I have yet to see a problem on this website when it comes to people. Truely. I am being honest here. You cannot expect 2000 people to get along 100% of the time. And why would you want that? I have no problem understanding peoples posts.

I think that IS that only problem People are WAY to up tight and they expect to see 15 smiley faces or else they feel they have been personally attacked. Its silly. The Mods here take care of what REALLY needs taking care of, and ignore the stuff we argue over when its just people get bent out of shape for no reason, or because they misunderstood a post and FEEL they are being personally attacked, most of the time thats not even the case.

If the Mods got more serious and made MORE rules I would definitly leave. I LOVE this website because I can be REAL here, I can share my opinion, I can make jokes, I can tell someone I feel they are wrong, and I don't have to worry about anyone telling me I am not being nice enough because guess what? This is the internet and you take it or leave it. I never cross the line, and I don't feel 99% of the members here do, because I know how to take posts.


I love this website exactly the way it is, I don't want it to change at all.


Marisa

[lilyskip]

WORD.

[Invictus]

First off, Chuck - I find your well written and highly intelligent posts to be offensive. Please cease and desist immediately.

Jeff - Please ban Chuck for offending me.

Marisa - *snap* You go girl !!

Lilyskip - I am offended by your one word post. Please cease and desist immediately.

Jeff - Ban her too.

tee hee :)

[lilyskip]

LOL. right back atcha, cowboy. I mean, Steedperson. :D

[Invictus]

Cowboy??? COWBOY???? Just because I'm from Calgary??

Ban her. Ban her, I say!

:D

[Beejay]

Originally posted by marisa
I love this website exactly the way it is, I don't want it to change at all.


Marisa

I agree completely!

Bj

[lordkovacs]

I agree... when ya hear someone posting something that is obviously the wrong thing to be doing, why point that out in a public forum? By all means make the correction, but there is a difference between that and asking, "why on earth would you do that, you're gonna murder your snakes" (that is taken from a post I saved a little while ago). just make the correction. They obviously know they aren't doing something write, because they are posting here. I just think a little more tact can be used. Some think becasue they are very knowledgeable, they can be sarcastic and egomaniacal.. check the ego.
later,
MIKE
oh, thank you for starting this thread...it's a good one i think.

[lordkovacs]

oh, and I think it's very annoying when I see people correcting others' grammar and spelling. That's just mean. I am a teacher, and am around many people throughout my day that have difficulty writing and spelling. There is no good in that.