On the Origin of Spam

[cgannon64]

Well, yes, but the quality of an intellectual discussion isn't measured by the number of converts made, but rather by the quality of arguments out there. And I don't think that some forum vultures are going to dissuade the true rising bright stars from making their arguments. They'll still make the arguments. They're not going to convert the vultures, but they are still going to make their arguments, if they are truly the best ones.

A perfect example of this would be this very forum from the point of view of a conservative. From their view, the liberal vultures dominate all arguments, and are never converted, but the mere fact that the underdog conservatives made their arguments and made them well is enough to give the forum intellectual diversity.

 

[Yom]

The problem is that it depends on people coming here to debate (and be converted). If someone's not going to allow him or herself to be convinced, then the old ideas stay.

 

[Rambuchan]

Well, yes, but the quality of an intellectual discussion isn't measured by the number of converts made, but rather by the quality of arguments out there. And I don't think that some forum vultures are going to dissuade the true rising bright stars from making their arguments. They'll still make the arguments. They're not going to convert the vultures, but they are still going to make their arguments, if they are truly the best ones.

A perfect example of this would be this very forum from the point of view of a conservative. From their view, the liberal vultures dominate all arguments, and are never converted, but the mere fact that the underdog conservatives made their arguments and made them well is enough to give the forum intellectual diversity.

Ditto my response to TLC.

 

[cgannon64]

They stay, but they don't necessarily stay dominant.

It basically comes down to how many people in the forum are rational compared to the numbers that are not. I think this figure would probably reflect that of the real world, and I think its a pretty depressing figure.

 

[Rambuchan]

They stay, but they don't necessarily stay dominant.

It basically comes down to how many people in the forum are rational compared to the numbers that are not. I think this figure would probably reflect that of the real world, and I think its a pretty depressing figure.

I think it all boils down to the forum users in the end - and I choose to draw a circumspect line about excessive forum users.

 

[Marla_Singer]

Something I appreciate on CFC is that, despite flame wars still occuring once in a while, I consider most forumers are here to discuss and not simply to assenate their own truth against those who think wrongly. Some other Internet forums really become battlefields.

I used to post in the forum of the French newspaper "Le Monde" and I've fastly understood that people over there didn't come to listen to others but to fight for their side. That's very childish but widespread in news website forums. Usually, OT forums from video games or other hobbies are calmer.

Another thing I wonder. I tend to notice in general that people having a high post count gains some respect, are more listened and less attacked than people who have only 53 posts behind them. Do you have that feeling too ?

 

[Hitro]

I think the reality of this forum clearly contradicts the theory that its quality would improve over time.

 

[Yom]

Another thing I wonder. I tend to notice in general that people having a high post count gains some respect, are more listened and less attacked than people who have only 53 posts behind them. Do you have that feeling too ?

Veterans often get respect. It may be something inherent in all humans, as this is something that is usually true, regardless of the field (provided that it's not something despisable).

 

[Marla_Singer]

I think the reality of this forum clearly contradicts the theory that its quality would improve over time.

Well, it's hard to say. I know that I am personally less aggressive and more prompt to dialogue than in the past. I have the feeling that in general people are more respectful to those who disagree today than before. I can understand that you have a different impression though... The only thing I see, is that you're still here to post.

 

[The Last Conformist]

Another thing I wonder. I tend to notice in general that people having a high post count gains some respect, are more listened and less attacked than people who have only 53 posts behind them. Do you have that feeling too ?

Yep.

Part of it, no doubt, is irrational respect for a high pc, but I think the main explanation is simply that if you've got a high pc you're most probably also a longtime regular. Paying more respect and attention to well-known pillars of the community than to the new guy is pretty much a universal in human communities. (The chief exceptions are if the newcome is very attractive or radiates authority, but the former is irrelevant and the later is very hard to pull off on an online forum.)

 

[Hitro]

Well, it's hard to say. I know that I am personally less aggressive and more prompt to dialogue than in the past. I have the feeling that in general people are more respectful to those who disagree today than before. I can understand that you have a different impression though... The only thing I see, is that you're still here to post.

Yes, but my participation has lowered quite a bit and changed quite a bit in style. And by that I don't refer to the absence due to moving in "real life", it was already the case long before that.

In earlier times, let's say the first half of 2002 and before, this place had a nice balance of decent discussion (that made me join it eventually, I had never posted in forums before that), spam and the occasional flamers and idiots. With the Iraq issue that all changed, eventually culminating in the massive exodus of decent posters to spin-off forums. The result was that the balance was no more.
For example I'd say that although everyone got three years older since mid-2002 the age average of regular OT posters is probably way lower than it was three years earlier.

So why do I still come here? Well, I'm probably too conservative in nature to leave.

I do actually like a couple of posters here who for different reasons didn't go over to the spinoff place and I find it nice to read something from them occasionally. That includes people who I tend to agree with, like Akka, but also people that I often don't agree with.

Having followed this place quite steadily for almost four years you simply grow accustomed to it. The "evolution" of some posters (I still remember newfangle's eco-socialist extremism phase... ) is also quite interesting to witness.

But this is not my main forum anymore.

 

[Marla_Singer]

Yep.

Part of it, no doubt, is irrational respect for a high pc, but I think the main explanation is simply that if you've got a high pc you're most probably also a longtime regular. Paying more respect and attention to well-known pillars of the community than to the new guy is pretty much a universal in human communities. (The chief exceptions are if the newcome is very attractive or radiates authority, but the former is irrelevant and the later is very hard to pull off on an online forum.)

Woaw ! You have 10,000 posts more than me

Oh and by the way, you're totally right Sir. I concur.

 

[Marla_Singer]

But this is not my main forum anymore.

So there's another one ? What is your main forum then ?

 

[punkbass2000]

So there's another one ? What is your main forum then ?

If we told you we'd have to kill you.

 

[Hitro]

If we told you we'd have to kill you.

Even worse, they'd kill me.

Okay, worse for me that is.

But Marla is registered there.

 

[punkbass2000]

Oh, I never see her there.

 

[Hitro]

Oh, I never see her there.

I think she has about two posts or so.

 

[nonconformist]

www.randygermans.com?

 

[punkbass2000]

Dead link

Oh, and cool by default? I'm not sure whether that's complimentary or derisive...

 

[nonconformist]

Dead link

Oh, and cool by default? I'm not sure whether that's complimentary or derisive...

It's complimentary, trust me
A sort of "Elite club" of people who I respect the most.

This forum isn't www.liederhosenforthefrustrated.com is it?