Online Hostility and You: Surviving the Internet

[That Old Guy]

Here are a few observations from which you might benefit:

1. If you are an expert in the field at hand, say so. If you are not, you should likewise say so. Owning your (verifiable) expertise will usually (but not always) garner you respect. Admitting your inexperience will usually (but not always) win you some tolerance.
1b. Read the FAQ. Speaking without some basic knowledge of the subject matter is dumb.
1c. Recommend the FAQ. Give the newb a break. Link them to the FAQ. Don't scream and moan about their cluelessness until you've at least offered them a clue.

2. Use words, sentences, and paragraphs clearly marked with punctuation. Your input makes more sense when it can be read and... well, made sense of.

3. Know the difference between facts (which can be objectively proven or disproven) and opinions (which are subjective, and are a lot like the orifices through which we excrete solid waste in that everybody has one, no one wants yours shoved in their face, and everyone else's stinks).

4. Ignore the jerks. You validate their existence when you respond to them.

5. Mind your own business. If you're having trouble telling whether you're trolling or not, here's a clue: If you're responding to a message that was not in any way intended for you, then you're almost certainly trolling. It wouldn't hurt you to be civil.

Reference the following from the bottom of the posting screen:

Quote:

In order to keep our messageboards friendly and fun, here are some reminders about our policies:

Do not use profanity or vulgar speech;
Do not make bigoted, hateful, or racially insensitive statements;
Do not defame, abuse, stalk, harass, or threaten others;
Do not advocate illegal activities or discuss them with intent to commit them;
Do not post any content that infringes and/or violates any patent, trademark, copyright, or other proprietary right of any third party.

Violating any of these rules may result in suspension or permanent removal from our messageboards.

[The Shifty Mongoose]

Faved!

Perhaps, as a rule of thumb, Calm Down? To prevent someone missing one of the other rules out of anger, frustration or similar?

[A Man In Black]

That Old Guy wrote:

opinions (which are subjective, and are a lot like the orifices through which we excrete solid waste in that everybody has one, no one wants yours shoved in their face, and everyone else's stinks).

The Big Lebowski's comment, "Well, that's just your opinion, maaaaan..." is not how opinions actually work. That said, if you're angry (or otherwise emotionally involved) because someone disagreed with your opinion, the best plan is to seek some emotional distance, then find out why they disagree, in order to create a more useful dialogue.

It is possible to discuss opinions without resorting to "Nuh uh" "Ya huh" "Nuh uh" noise or "That's subjective" "Then we have nothing more to talk about" non-discussion.

[estergum]

That Old Guy wrote:

3. Know the difference between facts (which can be objectively proven or disproven) and opinions (which are subjective, and are a lot like the orifices through which we excrete solid waste in that everybody has one, no one wants yours shoved in their face, and everyone else's stinks).

I agree with you but....

One problem people can have a disconnect with is that facts change (superluminal neutrinos!! w00t!) but opinions, generally, don't.

[A Man In Black]

estergum wrote:

One problem people can have a disconnect with is that facts change (superluminal neutrinos!! w00t!) but opinions, generally, don't.

I know it's fashionable to be cynical on the internet, but people change their opinions all the time. People are generally bad at arguing convincingly on the internet, that's all.

[Ross Byers]

4b: Flag it and move on. Bring it to the moderators' attention, then get on with your life. If you reply to it, you're just making more work for us when we do clean up the thread.