Flames and the benefits of constructive debate.

kevinconvery · Joined: 24 Jan 2006 Posts: 38

Browsing the forums, I find people flaming over the silliest stuff. So this has prompted me to write you people about this attitude.

I just have this to say to all you people who feel you're entitled to flame someone for whatever reason. Many of these reasons I see people getting flamed over are not using a card that the "pros" might use in their deck or not playing a certain deck that the "pros" recommend or not knowing a certain rule. I find this offensive and that it propagates general negativity.

People who I know who play magic are probably different from the people you aspiring "pros" know who play magic. There's no difference between you and me, we're both having fun with the game. The only difference arises when you say something is better then have contempt for someone with a different opinion than you. That's not something I do on a regular basis.

it's really easy for someone to say "go kill yourself over a deck" but not so easy for someone to just say "hey, you could do this better"? why? are you trying to account for some insecurities you have in your personal life by attacking someone who does nothing wrong but post their thoughts on something?

also, is this board only limited for you and your "pro" friends? I mean, it's great if you actually make money off Magic, but there are plenty of other things you could be occupying your time with, productive things like actually making money through working or studying at school.

being critical of someone like that opens yourself up for similar sorts of criticisms and in the future, if people figure out that you've got these sorts of qualities you're limiting yourself on multiple fronts: employment, friendships and relationships. Who wants to hang around a jerk? People might say they like being around you, but why do they like being around you? Is it the popularity, how you look - you know, that's great, but both of those can fade away. How are you encouraging people to come together and experience the positives of Magic like you have?

Some people are going to dismiss this, that's fine. This is neither meant to persuade you or dissuade you from being rude to other human beings, it's just a set of ideas that may or may not be right or applicable to you.

A good friend I have, through his line of work, has talked to quite a few people on their deathbeds, just before they're about to pass away. Almost all of them talk about how good they've lived their lives and the type of people they were, not what they achieved, what they might have won or done. That's irrelevant to most when they die, it's all about the friends you make, the quality of life that you live and how you treated people you disagreed with.

so please, never envy or have contempt for people that are different or are in a perceived better or worse spot in their lives than you, because you are good and perfect in your heart, always. Think about the benefits of helping others and the rewards you will reap when you have their camaraderie and respect in the long run.

cloysterd · Joined: 24 Jan 2007 Posts: 49

And tomorrow on Wasting Your Breath Theater, "Why the Sun Should Stop Rising in the East."

dickburns88 · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 37

i know some of that was aboat me and im not making up for nothing i just realy think dumbasses should stop posting forums that waste peoples time. and i realy do wish these dumbasses would actualy kill themselves its not a joke

Thorns · Joined: 16 Aug 2006 Posts: 846 Location: Rath

These forums have been really dissapointing in the past year, it's really a shame. Unfortunately, this thread won't do anything to make it better. I do however, appreciate the effort you show, I just don't waste my time making a thread.

Rebirth · Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Posts: 102

dickburns88 · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 37

please keep things a bit civil

nico

denvermagic · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 21

ILikeBananas · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 142

Getting people to change on the internet is kind of like asking a cripple with no legs to learn to walk.

I agree with what you say but the root of the problem lies with demographics and psychology. Ok lets face it, the nerd rating of magic players on average is higher than the average of population. And it's in a nerd's nature to be overly critical. There's nothing that an essay can do. Your words fall on deaf ears.

People's flames are less malicious than you think. In real life, the guys that flame are probably not bad people. Some are too shy. young and inarticulate to express themselves properly.

If you fear people putting you down, then I argue that your self esteem isn't strong enough.

Jacois · Joined: 05 Sep 2004 Posts: 456

To be quite honest, when I'm reading a thread I find the big posts "about" flamers much more annoying than the actual flamers. That's probably because the flamers are quick and concise with their opinions and don't sugarcoat it.

Guys like Kevinconvery with his "Holier than thou" attitude really piss me off. He's wasting my time and taking up space on the homepage with his useless drivel.

I mean really, how many god damn times to I have to read about the "Kevinconvery" of the day, who had his jank deck flamed and is on a crusade to get revenge. And I love the psycho babble, like this guy has a Psychology degree...

Kevinconvery : "why? are you trying to account for some insecurities you have in your personal life by attacking someone who does nothing wrong but post their thoughts on something?"

Listen to yourself, you're doing the exact same thing!

nico · Administrator Joined: 28 Oct 2003 Posts: 822

I am all for a constructive discussion, and not afraid of some strong language. However, when someone posts a comment that only contains brutal comments and foul language, I think it is unnecesary and can await a lock/edit or even ban for the user writing it.

Greetz Nico

YTheAlien · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 57

dickburns88 · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 37