Why are members/fans? so rude to each other?

[Ktrek]

You know I come here because I want to keep up on what is upcoming or current in Star Trek books. I have collected the books for over 15 years and have almost everything in print. The one thing I really despise and hate about this site is how rude and demeaning members are. People give sarcastic remarks when someone asks a question that has been asked before but instead of being kind they are rude in their responses.

Yes...perhaps the question HAS been asked before and Marco HAS answered it before but do you honestly and truly think that every member reads, remembers and has the time to search through the THOUSANDS of posts here? Get real people! I am so ashamed sometimes to even be associated with you as Star Trek fans. I really don't care if a question has been asked a hundred times a rude and sarcastic response is not needed. Simply point them to where the answer can be found or just tell them kindly if you know it!

Every single day I come here and every day I see rude and demeaning remarks made to members who are just trying to get an answer. I do not see how being rude and unmannerly can sell books. That's my take as mostly a lurker and occasional contributer and I think there are a whole lot of regulars here who should be ashamed of their behavior! You have probably driven away more customers than you have gained.

Kevin

 

[Thrawn]

Compared to the other messageboard I frequent, people are absurdly polite here.

All a matter of perspective, I guess.

 

[Man of Steel]

You know I come here because I want to keep up on what is upcoming or current in Star Trek books. I have collected the books for over 15 years and have almost everything in print. The one thing I really despise and hate about this site is how rude and demeaning members are. People give sarcastic remarks when someone asks a question that has been asked before but instead of being kind they are rude in their responses.

Yes...perhaps the question HAS been asked before and Marco HAS answered it before but do you honestly and truly think that every member reads, remembers and has the time to search through the THOUSANDS of posts here? Get real people! I am so ashamed sometimes to even be associated with you as Star Trek fans. I really don't care if a question has been asked a hundred times a rude and sarcastic response is not needed. Simply point them to where the answer can be found or just tell them kindly if you know it!

Every single day I come here and every day I see rude and demeaning remarks made to members who are just trying to get an answer. I do not see how being rude and unmannerly can sell books. That's my take as mostly a lurker and occasional contributer and I think there are a whole lot of regulars here who should be ashamed of their behavior! You have probably driven away more customers than you have gained.

Kevin

I agree with you. Some people are just not patient and only care about themselves. Mods should moderate more closely with this by the way.

 

[TGTheodore]

Every single day I come here and every day I see rude and demeaning remarks made to members who are just trying to get an answer. I do not see how being rude and unmannerly can sell books. That's my take as mostly a lurker and occasional contributer and I think there are a whole lot of regulars here who should be ashamed of their behavior!

So ... you're assuming everyone who posts here is a writer or an editor?

And no, I'm not trying to be "rude and unmannerly", but that's exactly what your post is implying, and I take great offense at that. The actual authors and editors are incredibly helpful and supportive.

We're only rude to each other because, frankly, we enjoy it and we can take it.

--Ted

 

[Ktrek]

Every single day I come here and every day I see rude and demeaning remarks made to members who are just trying to get an answer. I do not see how being rude and unmannerly can sell books. That's my take as mostly a lurker and occasional contributer and I think there are a whole lot of regulars here who should be ashamed of their behavior!

So ... you're assuming everyone who posts here is a writer or an editor?

And no, I'm not trying to be "rude and unmannerly", but that's exactly what your post is implying, and I take great offense at that. The actual authors and editors are incredibly helpful and supportive.

We're only rude to each other because, frankly, we enjoy it and we can take it.

--Ted

Well, you can take offense for no reason if you like because you are reading somthing into what I said that I did NOT say. I'm not an idot and I can certanly tell the difference between fun banter and the rude and ungracious comments that members make (frequently I might add), and I am not at all pointing fingers at authors and editors. I was referring to "members" and if some of those happen to be editors and authors who treat other members in such a manner than I guess I was speaking to them but not directly so.

Kevin

 

[Trent Roman]

Heck, one of this reasons I come to this board--and this forum in particular--is because I find the discussion here far more elevated and open to exchange (heated at times, yes, but I've nothing against passion as long as it is mated with reason) than other places dominated by unthinking buffoons, repeating the same blasted and obvious-as-a-post thing fifty times in one thread. Nor do we have the sectarian warfare (shipper, basher, gusher, etc.) and habitual cat-calling that drags down other forums (well, the writers do it to each other, but there's no malice there). There are, it is true, a number of serial offenders in terms of trolling or willful indolence, but they're easily identified and can be counted on one hand (not going to say who--board rules and all that). And if they really bug you, there's always the board's ignore function.

EDIT: Also, one rarely gets the impression that, despite being a forum about current media, people are being critical and deragotary of the source just to sound smart or look cool, a trend so widespread that I almost never go into threads elsewhere discussing current shows or films. Laudatory or critical, there's a genuine feel to the people here. (Of course, this occasionally means examples of genuine idiocy, but that's the pitfall of the Internet generally).

Fictitiously yours, Trent Roman

 

[Thrawn]

I think Dayton Ward is one of the most sarcastic authors on here, and I'd like to say that his sense of humor and willingness to stand up for his work make me respect him much more, not less. And I'm not just being crotchety.

One cannot expect authors to constantly be supportive of people they find annoying. They are people too. And honestly, some of the things people have said about books on here, and as an author I'd be irritated too.

And every author that I, personally, have written and posted a criticism of has replied to my questions and my dislikes very respectfully, often in a way that made me rethink them. I honestly don't see the problem you're complaining about.

 

[Dayton Ward]

Personally, I blame that frikkin' light bag from Beta XII-A.

I think Dayton Ward is one of the most sarcastic authors on here...

Wait, there's somebody in line ahead of me? Damn, and after all that work, too.

I want names, 'yatch.

 

[Trent Roman]

^ Yes, quite. I've criticized Dayton's work in the past, for instance complaining about all the recapping in Sow/Harvest, and he's yet to hunt me down and garrotte me with dental floss, though I know he could. As I recall, in this specific instance, he explained the reasoning behind that narrative decision and was sorry it didn't work for me as one specific reader. That's how it should be; reasonable people, disagreeing with each other.

Fictitiously yours, Trent Roman

 

[William Leisner]

So... let me understand this.

You "despise and hate" the behavior on this site... you are ashamed to be associated with us...

And you visit every day.

How curious.

 

[Thrawn]

Personally, I blame that frikkin' light bag from Beta XII-A.

I think Dayton Ward is one of the most sarcastic authors on here...

Wait, there's somebody in line ahead of me? Damn, and after all that work, too.

I want names, 'yatch.

I think with this post, you officially take the gold

 

[William Leisner]

I am not at all pointing fingers at authors and editors. I was referring to "members" and if some of those happen to be editors and authors who treat other members in such a manner than I guess I was speaking to them but not directly so.

I do not see how being rude and unmannerly can sell books. That's my take as mostly a lurker and occasional contributer and I think there are a whole lot of regulars here who should be ashamed of their behavior! You have probably driven away more customers than you have gained.

Sure sounds like you're pointing fingers directly at the authors and editors. Unless you believe this faceless mass of rude "members" is here looking for customers to sell the writers' and editors' books to.

 

[Thrawn]

The funny thing about messageboards is that they bring people with completely different behavioral norms together, with only text to communicate. As a linguist I can tell you, text is a poor substitute for language in a lot of ways - emphasis, nuance, and tone of voice is removed almost entirely (italicizing words, etc, can regain some of it, but not much.) For the record, both common sense and legit studies have shown that in that kind of context, sarcasm is the most likely aspect of language to be widely misinterpreted.

So in any given sarcastic exchange, there's probably someone that thinks it's stunningly rude, and someone for whom it doesn't even approach a mild ribbing. It's just the nature of the beast, really.

I don't think, Ktrek, you were trying at all to be insulting, but keep in mind that in most cases none of the other people here are trying to be insulting either. A couple recent threads have gotten out of hand, but I think that's only discussion around one particular poster (sorry if mentioning that is out of line, but I think it's relevant) and in general this really is a genuine and respectful place.

 

[msbae]

The one thing I really despise and hate about this site is how rude and demeaning members are.

Welcome to the Internet, dude.

I am so ashamed sometimes to even be associated with you as Star Trek fans.

I find that comment to be rather rude in and of itself.

Every single day I come here and every day I see rude and demeaning remarks made to members who are just trying to get an answer. I do not see how being rude and unmannerly can sell books. That's my take as mostly a lurker and occasional contributer and I think there are a whole lot of regulars here who should be ashamed of their behavior! You have probably driven away more customers than you have gained.

Kevin

No one is trying to sell anything around here, Kevin.

 

[Saga]

to quote Q 'If you can't take a little bloody nose, maybe you ought to go back home and crawl under your bed.'

 

[JAG]

I have been around this place for a very long time. This board is one of the nicest ones out there. One of the biggest problems online is that sarcasm does not translate at all. Do people get snippy? Absolutely! One of my favorite moments of the day is sometimes waiting to see what Dayton will come up with.

Overall, the posters on this board are great. There is a wonderful give and take. If you feel insulted by some of the stuff that goes on here, you should not go into those threads.

 

[captcalhoun]

as far as i can tell, there's only one person who gets rudeness regularly thrown at him and he completely deserves it.

DaytonW is very sarky for a Yank...

 

[Therin of Andor]

People give sarcastic remarks when someone asks a question that has been asked before but instead of being kind they are rude in their responses.

It goes the other way too. I've sometimes responded to someone in good faith, often having spent several minutes researching/checking the answer on Google or Memory Alpha/Beta, or digging out old hardcopy "Starlogs", only to come back a few hours later to realise they (or someone else) have taken my reply as an attempt by me to be snide, condescending or egotistical. And another can of worms is open.

It's human nature, mixed with the nature of hastily-written (or read) communications, which are devoid of both body language and intonation. Miscommunication is bound to happen sometimes, especially across international and cultural borders.

But most people are helpful/appreciative most of the time.

 

[Dayton3]

I'm on board with the sentiments of this thread. I get annoyed that you cannot post a legitimate opinion about Trek Literature without being attacked or insulted or worst, accused of trolling.

I used to have a problem with some of the writers and editors, but now I see them in a new light. After all, while this is a hobby to most of us, it is their livelihood so perhaps we should cut them some slack.

 

[Dayton Ward]

DaytonW is very sarky for a Yank...

The autograph line forms to the left.