OldsCOOL

Wileyrat

^

bikemig 

I'm sorry (to the OP) but this is pretty funny.

jon c. 

I don't think there's been much change in the time I've been on BF. I think there has been a general coarsening of tone in society in general and specifically on the internet over the longer period as internet use has substantially widened. (The internet of course has been around for nearly half a century, but it wasn't really used by the general public until the dawn of AOL and the creation of web browsers in the early 90s.)

Retro Grouch 

The big change came 2 1/2 years ago. At that time a couple of members, whose names I don't remember, waged a battle to keep all threads on topic. Tom Stormcrowe sided with them and several of the folks who I thought were the most entertaining left for other pastures. I still mourn the change.

To me it's kind of like the difference between a text book and a comic book. One might be better for you, I get that, but the other one's definitely more fun.

Racer Ex 

Been around BF for a fair bit. Some of the sub forums are really congenial and supportive (head over to the masters racing forum some time). Some are lively because you've got bright folks with different opinions. Some have a collection of people who are sure something is true because someone said it on an internet forum.

So it goes.

bluegoatwoods

I don't even remember when I joined. (Though I guess that'll show up on my avatar when I post this.) I suppose it was five or six years ago.

And I don't think that the 'tone' has changed in that time.

I can think of plenty of times when I though a thread was growing too rancorous. Yet it seems to me that even the most 'trollish' people around here are rather mild. More mild than the trolls I see on other forums. And it seems that 'our trolls' have something that's still worthwhile to read more than the other trolls you'll find out there. Let's face it; those guys never have anything worth saying.

So, on balance, I think that this forum can often be less civil than I'd like. But the 'amplitude' of the incivility seems to be mostly pretty mild. Things could be a whole lot worse.

Maybe I'm more sympathetic to the cranky folks here because they like to bike. And I like being associated with such.

fthomas

I wear my skin proudly! If a Photoshop rodent offends, by all means please avoid so as not to stimulate your delicate senses. Otherwise YMMV!
Thanks for your contribution. It was a contribution wasn't it. I think you mean well, but lack the social skills to articulate it. Dang I sound so mean!

I'm so glad I'm here! LOL!

fthomas

Point well made!

B. Carfree

I guess it's a case of different strokes for different folks. While I am often abrasive, so maybe my vantage is skewed, I have found that almost all of the subforums on BF are composed of helpful folks. Sure, some users are wittier than others; some are more knowledgeable; some are even absolutely clueless. However, almost everyone tries to the best of their ability to help other users find solutions to their problems.

Oddly enough, having encountered a few of the OP's threads, I was thinking that he could do with a bit less rude hostility if he genuinely wants help with the problems he brings. It seems like a bit of the pot calling the kettle black for him to call out the entirety of BF for being rude.

Like I said, I'm abrasive. (Tact and I haven't been on speaking terms for decades.)

Carbonfiberboy 

Seems about the same to me. Different sub-forums have very different populations and thus the viewer or poster will have different experiences on each.

fthomas

I'll take any constructive criticism where warranted. It is certainly not my intention to be hostile or abrasive. If that is your style then fine. I'm all with you. Well, not with you, but understand your position. There is a vast difference between contributing in an constructive and meaningful manner even if one disagree's with the premise of the OP or responses from other members. Otherwise, why do some bother to even post? Looking for controversy and baiting other members to incite a flame war are simply counterproductive.

We all come with different perspectives / biases, backgrounds and experience. Used to the benefit of the whole just seems to make more sense. I do not find the tone and tenor in the 50+ threads to be ascorbic and inflammatory overall. There are other sub forums that I am alluding to that could stand some civility.

Kindaslow

I have only been here for about 8 months, but I was on motorcycle forums for years, even a mod.

i like the strong opinions, I like the sarcasm when done well, even some of the off topic is fun. The point that does not make sense to me (even though I understand why it occurs) is the rudeness for no apparent reason. I have very thick skin, I just think rudeness is a waste of time.

StephenH

I will point out that if certain specific people seem to be irritants to you, the "ignore" function is a wonderful thing.

fthomas

And here is where I agree totally. Rude and inappropriate comments are a waste of band width. I am finding the different opinions and comments to be both informative and interesting. Can't we all get along and sing Kumbaya?

Kindaslow

Some people think it is silly and or naive to believe or say, "cannot we all just get along." However, going into situations believing you can get along with others gives one a chance, believing you cannot get along with others pretty much guarantees you will not. I see no reason to go into situations with negativity, even though I am willing to play along if things get fun....

peterws

To continue this ahem rather off topic conversation, i must add that all forums have ignitery moments. Verbal pugilistics which break all rules. Highly intelligent people throwing every articulate insult into a war of attrition. . .even the poor mothers get dragged in.

I was a mod on another forum, but was loathe to break up the fight. It was pure entertainment and wonderful to behold.

Says nothing for intelligent folk, does it? . Or some moderators. . .

OldsCOOL

No.

Kindaslow

You only feel that way because you cannot sing........




Oops, neither can I......




dilemma.....

OldsCOOL

The song. Kumbaya is best performed by belch-singing like in Jr-High summer camps.

obed7

I have been involved in forums for a number of years... have moderated on a few...I am relatively new to cycling and even newer to this forum...this forum overall is actually one of the friendliest and most encouraging of all the forums I participate in...not sure whether that says more about this forum, or me.

fthomas

Agreed! It is a far more welcoming and civil place than many of the other sub-forums.

Maybe we should be singing On A Bicycle Built for Two vs. Kumbaya

oddjob2

With twitter, being loquacious writing is out of fashion. Say it 140 characters or less.
With Facebook, bragging about your whereabouts or latest material possession is in.
With Linkedin, show how well connected you are.
With Snapchat or Instagram, show your latest hookup.
With reality TV, why not worship the headline grabbing drama queens and attention seekers; Justin Bieber, Mily Cyrus, Real Housewives of NJ, Snooky, etc.?

And one wonders why so many can't read, write, spell, or act in a civil manner?

The C&V forum is generally civil, but some of the best and most knowledgeable contributors fade away, like T-Mar and Auchencrow. I think that SIG does a pretty good job of handling the gnarlier contributors.

Rowan

You are painting with a pretty broad brush by saying "many of the other sub-forums". Maybe you can list them for us so we can avoid them all, on your advice, of course.

I frequent quite a few forums here. There are some that just don't interest me and I don't go there.

But frankly, to say "many of the other sub-forums" in a negative context is unfair to the posters in them. There are several that qualify as difficult in my book, Road, Advocacy and Safety, and Politics and Religion among them, and I don't participate or rarely in do in those.

In the context of the large number of forums on BF, that doesn't constitute "many".

TheLibrarian

you should try finance forums. Just out of nowhere "screw you and your 431b" tax return this! It's bad, some are truly mean to be mean trolls, even worse is the self righteous indignation. As if everyone were trying to be good but attack each other out of misguided attempts at justice.