Jackals of the Dope, I pit you!

[QUOTE=faithfool]
Where you in that thread too?
[/QUOTE]
I did not participate in any of whatever-her-name-is threads. An easy way to see who participated in a given thread is to click the “Number of replies” link in the main thread list. (Clicking the number itself opens a dialog showing who posted, and how many times.)

I don’t recall even skimming any posts from them other than the ones you linked. That’s one reason why it would be nice if somebody would cite some actual examples; without them, all this reads to me like pointless hand-waving.

Assuming there are/were “over the line” posts, a thread like this is a not the right solution. Instead, you should call out specific transgressions as you see them, in the thread where they originated. Take your lumps if others disagree with you, or bask in sweet vindication if others agree.

This thread, however, is effectively saying “Let’s add a new rule: Don’t be an asshole!” because the don’t be a jerk rule isn’t cutting it. The question immediately becomes, what is being an asshole? In the end, the only possible answer is that “I know it when I see it.” Thus, there is no sense in discussing generalized guidleines; only specific case-by-case analysis is meaningful.

Without any specifics, the complaint becomes contentless. Which is annoying.

ETA: Great, actual examples. Could you make those post numbers into links for us lazy bastards? Oh, I see you said you won’t bother. I guess that leaves us at an impasse. Since you’re advocating change, the onus is on you to convince everyone else that you’re right. And since you can’t be bothered to make those links, I conclude that whatever was posted in the post numbers you list was perfectly fine behavior, and thus your OP is without merit.

Personally, I don’t give a flying rat turd. There will always be trainwrecks and pile-ons here.

If someone wants to post on a general interest internet message board (Especially one that has a “flame” forum) “Here is what I am doing in my personal life, what do you all think?” then they open themselves up to whatever shit they may get.

[QUOTE=Autolycus]
Okey dokey. I re-read those entire 12 pages, and now I’m honestly sick to my stomach. Ugh.

In retrospect, that thread was much less vitriolic than I originally felt. The vast majority of posts were trying to help, which in a way made it much more painful than a simple flame-fest train wreck. Still however, I did find a smattering of posts that encorporate what my notion of a internet jackal is. I left out any posts where the poster was chastised, or where I wasn’t sure of my personal interpretation of the matter.

Allow me to explain my metaphorical jackal, since my OP was too over the top to make it clear. A jackal is an internet scavenger that seeks out an easy meal. By this I mean a poster without a real point of substance to make, whose only purpose in posting in the thread is to attack and/or feel superior. This behavior at least in my mind reminds me of a pack of jackals swooping in after a wounded animal. Of course, in the original thread’s case, it was as if the wounded animal could be overheard saying “oh, please do try my leg, it’s scrumptious.” :frowning:

I’m too lazy to code links to individual threads, so anybody who gives a damn will just have to re-read the thread for themself. This will also hopefully prevent this thread from turning into a free-for-all, as I am not calling any of these posters jackals or trying to make me myself in turn feel self-righteous. The following posts are merely what I feel to be jackal-esque behavior:

111, 147, 169, 176, 234, 244, 245, 311, 494, 497, 511, 516, 558

So there you have it folks. For my OP, I still feel that the thread in general was what evoked my wrath, but upon re-reading those posts in particular stuck out. Make of that what ye will.
[/QUOTE]

After 8 pages a big, fat nevermind? Lean a little closer so I can give you a smack. :smiley:

[QUOTE=Ellis Dee]

ETA: Great, actual examples. Could you make those post numbers into links for us lazy bastards? Oh, I see you said you won’t bother. I guess that leaves us at an impasse. Since you’re advocating change, the onus is on you to convince everyone else that you’re right. And since you can’t be bothered to make those links, I conclude that whatever was posted in the post numbers you list was perfectly fine behavior, and thus your OP is without merit.
[/QUOTE]

For the last fucking time, I’m not advocating change to the pit. I was merely bitching about the behavior that I saw. In my case, I’d be happy I guess if people didn’t act like that, but I’m not about to try to start asking people to change their behavior, at least not explicitly. If people want to be jackals, then whatever.

Also, besides being lazy, I didn’t post links because I felt that making people slow down and scroll manually might diminish any hate explosions triggered by people seeing their name besmirched.

Talking about taking the board a bit too seriously, sweet fucking Og.

Auto, we don’t go back and rehash closed trainwrecks by post number. Shit, dude.

Auto, I suggest we decamp and leave Klaatu and Ruby to snuggle up in a corner together.

[QUOTE=Klaatu]
Talking about taking the board a bit too seriously, sweet fucking Og.

Auto, we don’t go back and rehash closed trainwrecks by post number. Shit, dude.
[/QUOTE]

Shit, dude, I was asked, nay, challenged to give examples of what in that trainwreck inspired my OP. I’m just as tired as this thread as you are, but since I’m the OP I’m pretty much obligated to stick it through. (insert people calling me an attention whore here)

[QUOTE=Quiddity Glomfuster]
Auto, I suggest we decamp and leave Klaatu and Ruby to snuggle up in a corner together.
[/QUOTE]

Thanks, you two should decamp to MPSIMS and look at the pretty kitty pics and give each other hugs and chocolate.

[QUOTE=Quiddity Glomfuster]
Auto, I suggest we decamp and leave Klaatu and Ruby to snuggle up in a corner together.
[/QUOTE]

Qiuddity, not to be rude, and you know I luv ya, but your train and mine disconnected in this thread about 4 pages back. I agree with you that people should try to be nicer, but for the purposes of this thread that’s about it, and in the past few pages you do come off a wee bit sanctimonious, and your refusal to engage in substantial debate is irritating me.

Besides, Rubystreak is a friend of mine and I for one am appreciating her input in this thread.

[QUOTE=Autolycus]
Shit, dude, I was asked, nay, challenged to give examples of what in that trainwreck inspired my OP. I’m just as tired as this thread as you are, but since I’m the OP I’m pretty much obligated to stick it through. (insert people calling me an attention whore here)
[/QUOTE]

Well, shit, dude, if you had given examples in your lame ass OP, instead of just generically calling people jackals, you might not have gotten so much shit.

You and QG both don’t have the fucking balls to flat out Pit somebody, just allude to “those meanies in the Pit”

So screw you.

[QUOTE=Quiddity Glomfuster]
Auto, I suggest we decamp and leave Klaatu and Ruby to snuggle up in a corner together.
[/QUOTE]

Is that supposed to be an insult or hurt my feelings? Another failed attempt.

Autolycus, most of the posts you cited as jackaldom are name-calling. You have done as bad or worse. So have I. My feeling about that is, “Forget it, Jake. It’s Chinatown.”

There were posts in that thread that I thought were cruel. Some of them you posted. Some you didn’t. It’s a very subjective question, and an ultimately futile venture. If that sort of thing is sickening to you, I recommend you don’t read it. That’s the only remedy there is for it. I don’t know what else to tell you.

[QUOTE=Klaatu]
Thanks, you two should decamp to MPSIMS and look at the pretty kitty pics and give each other hugs and chocolate.
[/QUOTE]

I actually like a good flamefest once in a while. I merely dislike people acting like cowards and taking pot shots from behind a wall of collective smugness. I dislike it and I bitched some about it, but my OP was way too vitriolic and the irony ended of imploding in it. Again, my point being that I have no desire to be Pit Nanny and make little notes on every post whether it’s what I dub jackal behavior or not, I merely felt like pointing out the behavior and letting off some steam. The reason this thread is so long is because I sucked ass at explaining myself and thus allowed all sorts of hangers-on to distort my meaning and make this into a royal prissy fest.

Wait a minute, Ruby, are you saying I am not snuggleable? I might have to Pit you dammit.

My opinion on the posts you have put forth as jackal post examples, Auto.
111 - Yes - over the top mean.
147 - Yes - ditto.
169 - Yes - hanger-on post, egging on the bully.
176 - Maybe.
234 - Maybe.
244 - Maybe.
245 - Maybe.
311 - Maybe.
494 - Nope - pretty good advice, actually.
497 - Yes - delving too deeply into personal information.
511 - Nope.
516 - Maybe.
558 - Nope - I agree with it almost word for word.

I think you got your sensitivity meter set a little higher than mine. I do recall while reading that thread that I thought we were being surprisingly gentle with her when I’ve seen much, much meaner than that with less reason.

[QUOTE=Klaatu]
Well, shit, dude, if you had given examples in your lame ass OP, instead of just generically calling people jackals, you might not have gotten so much shit.

You and QG both don’t have the fucking balls to flat out Pit somebody, just allude to “those meanies in the Pit”

So screw you.
[/QUOTE]

Yeah, thanks for enlightening me as to why I got shit. I had my reasons for not posting specific people, which you would know if you had read my posts earlier in this thread. I’ve pitted specific people before, you know. I’m not pitting specific people because I dont want to, not because I dont have the balls.

I’m again confused why you’re equating me with GQ. Our sentiments in this thread perhaps fall into the same family, but they’re definitely not the same.

[QUOTE=Rubystreak]
<snip>There were posts in that thread that I thought were cruel. Some of them you posted. Some you didn’t. It’s a very subjective question, and an ultimately futile venture.<snip>
[/QUOTE]

Wait a second - it sounds like you are saying citing specific posts as examples of jackalish behaviour is futile. Which, in my opinion, is what you have asked for repeatedly in this thread.

(Auto, I’m glad I’m not the only one having trouble reading QG as GQ. :smiley: )

[QUOTE=Rubystreak]

Autolycus, most of the posts you cited as jackaldom are name-calling. You have done as bad or worse. So have I. My feeling about that is, “Forget it, Jake. It’s Chinatown.”
[/QUOTE]

Yup. Cant really say more than that, but… yup.

I think it was only sickening b/c I read all 12 pages in under 10 minutes. My kitty to trainwreck ratio is severely out of wack, that’s all :stuck_out_tongue:

[QUOTE=featherlou]
Wait a second - it sounds like you are saying citing specific posts as examples of jackalish behaviour is futile. Which, in my opinion, is what
[/QUOTE]

Wow, I can’t believe you’re still in this thread. Nervy.

I’m not saying citing posts that are jackalish is futile. I’m saying railing against name-calling (since that was the predominant quality of Auto’s list of posts) in the Pit is futile.

[QUOTE=Rubystreak]
Wow, I can’t believe you’re still in this thread. Nervy.
[/quote]

I’m making “It’s just a messageboard” my mantra. :wink:

Oh, okay. That makes more sense. And yes, it is. If you don’t like it, don’t do it.

[QUOTE=Rubystreak]

I’m not saying citing posts that are jackalish is futile. I’m saying railing against name-calling (since that was the predominant quality of Auto’s list of posts) in the Pit is futile.
[/QUOTE]

I dont mind name-calling really. I only mind it when there is no post of substance attached to it. To me, that’s just twisted and cruel, jackal-esque, jackalish, w/e. You’re right though. Decrying name-calling in any form is probably futile.

(I mean, I totally agree that I’m guilty of this too, (we’re both in that boat hehe ;)))