Keeping CF pleasant

[DMF Sailing]

I once ignored someone who kept posting annoying and ignorant things on a certain off-topic subject that happens to be my former profession.

Then I realized, I'm here for the exchange of sailing knowledge, and stopped reading posts on that off-topic subject.

My general rule for posting on an internet forum is

"Say only that which you would blast out to the entire marina through a bullhorn, or say to someone's face, having walked up to them on the dock. And respond only as you would respond to someone who blasted something on a bullhorn or walked up and said something in your face."


Not banned yet, so maybe it's working.



Now, if only I could achieve that serenity in real life!!

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by DMF Sailing

"Say only that which you would blast out to the entire marina through a bullhorn, or say to someone's face, having walked up to them on the dock. And respond only as you would respond to someone who blasted something on a bullhorn or walked up and said something in your face."

Completely agree . I never say anything online that I wouldn't say in the real world. And I take responsibility for my words, which is partly why I post under my actual name. I think this comes from my life as a journalist and writer.

[garyfdl]

Originally Posted by AnglaisInHull

There's an option you can click to ignore posts from a given user.

Where's the fun in that?

Originally Posted by belizesailor

I think we need a "remove from planet" button! 😉

Ooooo bad idea (I'd be the only one left! )

Originally Posted by CaptTom

One thing that I've found makes some forums friendlier is a "like" button.

On a more serious tack, I have thought this might be a good idea too. I have thanked members many times, but it's 'too private'. Lately I have resulted to hitting the quote button on their post and then posting .

Originally Posted by JC Reefer

I have no CF friends… maybe something for me to think about. ☹️

Me either. I'd say let's you and me be friends but... I wouldn't want to be friends with anybody that would have me as a friend!
Nobody likes me!
Everybody hates me!
I'm gonna eat some worms!

Back to (almost) being serious. I think one of the problems with internet forums in general is that it isn't face-to-face - you can't see expression or hear tone of voice, so some things get taken wrong. Then there is the joke about not having a sarcasm font... The other thing (IMO) is that it is way too easy to be/get snarky online. Sometimes, people post stuff that we find upsetting. I, for one, now hate Mike O'Reilly ever since he posted a link to a political spectrum test. I took it, and found out that instead of emulating my life-long hero Benito Mussolini, I am actually more of a socialist and libertarian than Mahatma Ghandi But I wouldn't want to ignore him; on rare occasion he does come up with a valuable 'nugget'/piece of information. (Kind'a that blind squirrel finds an acorn thing.) Then, there's the fact that some (most?) people just like to debate/argue (mea culpa). For some, it's a form of entertainment. Others? It's escapism (which is why I'm on the forum, typing this - instead of working on my boat )

[danstanford]

For those finding CF a more contentious place than other forums, could it be that your other forums are less diverse in belief structure? It is my experience that CF is a pretty tame environment with much respectful exchange of ideas and perspectives on the issues of the day. I am not sure many minds get changed but I do learn from those willing to post from both sides.

[DMF Sailing]

Originally Posted by danstanford

For those finding CF a more contentious place than other forums, could it be that your other forums are less diverse in belief structure? It is my experience that CF is a pretty tame environment with much respectful exchange of ideas and perspectives on the issues of the day. I am not sure many minds get changed but I do learn from those willing to post from both sides.

Generally I have found that CF members, who are here because they all have committed a part (or all) of their lives to subjugating themselves to forces that no human can control, have a lot more in common, despite differences on more human matters, than non-sailors.

[Idaho]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Maybe I'm not following your post, but openmindedness has nothing to do with validating information. The source always matters.

This is a big part of the problem we see all over social media; too many people just blindly accept whatever is written in their feeds. The fact is, not every opinion is equal. The source does matter.

Validation of information is preferably done after reading and understanding that info, then independently validating it via one's own knowledge base.

Of course, those with an insufficient knowledge base to accomplish that, may very well blindly accept whatever is written, or they may prejudge the source as suspect and incorrectly discard that nugget of info. Thus not increasing their knowledge base to the level required for independent validations.

Then again, annoying or disrespectful people are rarely worth the effort to understand.

[siamese]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Talk to CF then ... they already track this stuff.

Of course, new members are just as smart ... what an odd thing to suggest otherwise. But it takes time to figure out who is worth listening to, and who is worth ignoring -- just as with all communities.

People can look at a member's rating based on how many times they've been thanked. This is one small way to get a sense about people here. Another way (it seems to me) would be to know how many people have a member on their ignore list.

But mostly it comes down to listening and learning.

What's odd about it. You already said that reputation scoring would be especially useful for newer members. I see no reason to believe these new members can't sort things out as easily as us old members. With my reasonably average intelligence I can read a thread on a forum where I'm a new member and make a judgement on the information presented. I see no reason why others can't do the same.

There are some real stand-out members on this forum whose opinions carry additional weight with me, but I've found that good advice can come from anyone. If someone had 19 people on their ignore list, would I ignore their advice on the best goop for mounting windows? Nope.

I don't need to see anyone's ignore list any more than I need to peek in their underwear drawer. It's none of my business.

[s/v Jedi]

Respect only counts with people who you don’t agree with at all.

Also, don’t come to a discussion forum when you will only tolerate others who agree with you, with your choice of anchor etc. Get a blog instead and disable comments

It often happens that I write something like “your anchor sux” and people get upset as they think I attack their person… and often react with actual personal insults while in reality… their anchor sux.

About ignore lists: you better be really nice or I’ll put you on my ignore list
Seriously, the only problem with ignore lists is that you may spend time trying to answer/help and they don’t even see it. Which is fine, because someone else may see it and appreciate it

[dannc]

Originally Posted by Calif.Ted

Betelgeuse, Betelgeuse, Betelgeuse

AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!



WHY!


DID


YOU


SAY


THAT


NAME!!!!!!






I got a big laugh at that post....


Until someone in my Ignore list showed up.


Later,
Dan

[dannc]

Originally Posted by AnglaisInHull

...

There's an option you can click to ignore posts from a given user. Try it, you might like it.

There are currently only two people on my ignore list, and a third is now a candidate. These are people who make multiple posts that I find annoying for some reason AND who provide me with no useful sailing / cruising information.
....

ONLY TWO people on your ignore list?

I had to check and was surprised I had 11. Most of the people on the ignore list don't seem to be on CF anymore. There are other people who I have come very close to putting on the Ignore list, but they to do not seem to post anymore.

Basically, people who are rude and/or providing bad information get listed. Generally I just page down but if a person is not worth that effort.....

Having said that, CF has the most people on my ignore list than the other websites where I spend time. There is one website that I have been on forever in Internet Years and I don't think I have a single person on the Ignore list.

Go Figure.

Later,
Dan

[carstenb]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

your choice of anchor etc.

Oh for goodness sake Jedi - I HAVE chosen the best anchor - why do some ignorant souls seem to think they know better?

[sailorboy1]

Books

[carstenb]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Books

Well -in english they are available both in print and as kindle.

If you happen to speak Danish - they are also available as audiobooks

[Gadagirl]

I really enjoy and appreciate CF. I'm guilty of of getting a little too "passionate" at times. I've learned to conciciously tamp those moments down. I now avoid "taking the bait" as much as possible. (That was not meant as a challenge!)

I have learned so much here, not just boat related, but perspective and human nature and all that entails. I enjoy the diversity. And it's true, I might not agree with some people on some things, but those same people give great advice on other topics.

I have no one blocked.

C'mon, I grew up in NJ! Where passionate arguments were almost considered a bonding ritual!

[garyfdl]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Books

Think 'GOOGLE' or 'Garmin' maps - paper edition.