PLEASE READ: Forum Rules and Repetitive Posts
Posted: Mon May 3, 2021 6:17 pm
We (the mods) are aware of the increasing tension and personal attacks on the board here. It’s time to make some more explicit ground rules here. Fan experiences are different for everybody; the mods get that. And we’re generally open to letting people what they want, when they want to. There are going to be differences in opinion, and we and everyone else should understand that.
What isn’t acceptable is continual support or attack of something that a some/many/most posters disagree with. Technically, it’s a violation of the RealGM Terms of Service:
"3. Do Not Derail Discussion
Members who disrupt the normal flow of dialogue or otherwise act in a manner that negatively affects other users’ ability to engage in real-time exchanges may be warned, Suspended or Banned.
Sometimes there are controversial trades, signings, decisions, etc. made by teams. It is ok to state your opinion but please do not keeping beating the drum negatively on that team's forum for weeks, months or years after the fact over something you do not like."
More importantly, that kind of activity disrupts the board. We are all linked in being Clipper fans. We can all disagree about ways the team can and should play or change. But when continually bringing something up upsets the board harmony and coherence, it isn’t going to be tolerated. So here are some things to think about as we move into the playoffs:
If there’s something team related you think is a continual problem—make a forum for it. And don’t be a one note poster. Post about it there. Mention your beef once or maybe twice in a regular forum—and if that isn’t enough, go blow off the steam in the forum you made. Everybody has strong opinions, but nobody wants—or should want to be known solely as “the Luke Hater” or the “Fire Doc!” guy. If that’s all you want to talk about, a general team forum isn’t the place—or at least most of the forums aren’t. And a post or two in a game forum is plenty as well. If you think you need to keep repeating something over and over to people—the odds are that you’re both irritating people and violating the RealGM rules. Make a forum about your gripe and unload there.
Be cognizant if you’re on an island, or if it’s one or two against the world. Unpopular opinions are everywhere. They’re fine. But if you’re bringing up something over and over, and a lot of posters are telling you to stop—no, it isn’t cool to say “It’s my right to have an opinion” and keep repeating your stance over and over. Nobody disagrees with having a differing opinion. That isn’t the problem. The problem is the constant repetition and its affect on others. For example, I go to a lot of concerts. Some people like to sing along at shows. I personally want them to sit the **** down so I can hear the show. But I get what they’re doing and why, and it’s cool. For a few songs. If it’s persistent, it’s a problem, and the people sitting in the area let the “singers” know that what they’re doing isn’t cool.
Find consensus. Recognize your limits This is related to not being a one note poster. You may really really really really think that one thing or one coach or one player caused the entire team collapse last year (or last month, or last week). Understand that what you think is the biggest (or only) issue is often agreed with by others, just to a lesser extent. On the whole, there’s usually more we agree on than disagree on. And nobody “knows” everything. Consider that when responding. Read and learn and think, and comment with respect. Or don’t comment at all. Sometimes silence speaks volumes.
I’ll speak for myself. I don’t want to hand out warnings or suspend people—especially people who share a goal of team support with me. But we need to knock of the petty crap, and we need to knock it off now. It’s affecting the tenor of the board and morale of members. Enforcement is going to be stepped up. This is a blanket statement. Don’t look at others to blame; focus first on your own posts and how you can make the board better. We’ll all go forward from there.
What isn’t acceptable is continual support or attack of something that a some/many/most posters disagree with. Technically, it’s a violation of the RealGM Terms of Service:
"3. Do Not Derail Discussion
Members who disrupt the normal flow of dialogue or otherwise act in a manner that negatively affects other users’ ability to engage in real-time exchanges may be warned, Suspended or Banned.
Sometimes there are controversial trades, signings, decisions, etc. made by teams. It is ok to state your opinion but please do not keeping beating the drum negatively on that team's forum for weeks, months or years after the fact over something you do not like."
More importantly, that kind of activity disrupts the board. We are all linked in being Clipper fans. We can all disagree about ways the team can and should play or change. But when continually bringing something up upsets the board harmony and coherence, it isn’t going to be tolerated. So here are some things to think about as we move into the playoffs:
If there’s something team related you think is a continual problem—make a forum for it. And don’t be a one note poster. Post about it there. Mention your beef once or maybe twice in a regular forum—and if that isn’t enough, go blow off the steam in the forum you made. Everybody has strong opinions, but nobody wants—or should want to be known solely as “the Luke Hater” or the “Fire Doc!” guy. If that’s all you want to talk about, a general team forum isn’t the place—or at least most of the forums aren’t. And a post or two in a game forum is plenty as well. If you think you need to keep repeating something over and over to people—the odds are that you’re both irritating people and violating the RealGM rules. Make a forum about your gripe and unload there.
Be cognizant if you’re on an island, or if it’s one or two against the world. Unpopular opinions are everywhere. They’re fine. But if you’re bringing up something over and over, and a lot of posters are telling you to stop—no, it isn’t cool to say “It’s my right to have an opinion” and keep repeating your stance over and over. Nobody disagrees with having a differing opinion. That isn’t the problem. The problem is the constant repetition and its affect on others. For example, I go to a lot of concerts. Some people like to sing along at shows. I personally want them to sit the **** down so I can hear the show. But I get what they’re doing and why, and it’s cool. For a few songs. If it’s persistent, it’s a problem, and the people sitting in the area let the “singers” know that what they’re doing isn’t cool.
Find consensus. Recognize your limits This is related to not being a one note poster. You may really really really really think that one thing or one coach or one player caused the entire team collapse last year (or last month, or last week). Understand that what you think is the biggest (or only) issue is often agreed with by others, just to a lesser extent. On the whole, there’s usually more we agree on than disagree on. And nobody “knows” everything. Consider that when responding. Read and learn and think, and comment with respect. Or don’t comment at all. Sometimes silence speaks volumes.
I’ll speak for myself. I don’t want to hand out warnings or suspend people—especially people who share a goal of team support with me. But we need to knock of the petty crap, and we need to knock it off now. It’s affecting the tenor of the board and morale of members. Enforcement is going to be stepped up. This is a blanket statement. Don’t look at others to blame; focus first on your own posts and how you can make the board better. We’ll all go forward from there.