I am noticing that the bitchiness level on the forums has been elevated and that many people are complaining in their own ways about a sour taste.

The point of this thread is my hope that by calling it out, we can squash it before people too many sore members pull a Phil Collins.

It is a common occurrence on internet message boards that people try to use memes, trends, sarcasm and wit to one up each other for ‘lulz’. This can be entertaining when done in moderation, but obnoxious when it becomes the only form of communication.

What I am suggesting is that individuals be themselves and not fall prey to the mob/machine mentality that internet communities are so susceptible to.

If you act like a wise ass and someone calls you out, just be ok with it. You don’t need to pretend that your position was serious if it was originally baiting or intended as a joke. Disagreements are the life blood of conversation here, but fights aren't. Opinions can differ without people needing to be jerks to one another.

So respect each other, and try to understand the difference between a laugh at someone’s expense and just plain old pissing someone off.

This message isn’t targeted at any individual. However, if you feel that the message applies to you, then it most certainly does.

The original post was meant to be as transparent as possible. Don't try to read between the lines, because it wasn't written to be crafty. I have seen a pattern and am simply pointing it out.

joshwoodzy wrote:

I know I like to give you shit sometimes GP, but I hope me joking about you disliking everything that isn't Microsoft didn't bring this on. I'm always joking and almost never serious when I jab at people, especially in this case. I've noticed hostility, but I joined almost 3 years ago and I would say the hostility since then has gone down by tenfold.

Josh,

I assure you that I think it is funny when you make fun of my computer preferences. That is absolutely not something being discussed here. For the most part, I am viewing this externally myself and it isn't about something that was done specifically to me.

This isn't about public or private boards. It isn't about one thread or even two. It isn't about any individual. Perhaps the thread title was misleading, and for that I apologize.

I have noticed a tremendous amount of "internet attitude". If you don't understand what I am conveying, browse 4chan or Reddit comments. More often than not, they aren't in good spirits, they are simply people attempting to appear smarter, cooler, or better. I'm not knocking those sites, they serve a purpose and are good for what they are. I am just not a fan of the amount of that type of interaction that has existed here lately.

I don't really care if I have to be the bad guy here, you all know that I am not a mod, I have no authority, it is simply an opinion. I do however think it is the right one. I am suggesting that the community treat itself a little better, nothing more.