How did B&B get to be such a snarky place?

[plpenn]

I have seen this coming for a while and I bet those that have been here longer can say the same. I guess it's like complaining about the new generation that screwed everything up. Maybe I just missed it or ignored what I saw but I do not remember things being this whiny, sarcastic and down right rude when I joined.

So, what is going on here folks?

Is it the influx of new members? It seems as though it is also some of the older members too....

I have never been involved with another web board but from what I hear and read they are not as "gentlemanly" as B&B. I spend way more time here then I should and I try to contribute positively. I will admit that I have spouted off with some garbage from time to time but for the most part I feel like I strive to make B&B feel like a Sunday afternoon with the whole family.

We have our cranky uncles, crazy aunts, a cousin that is always in trouble, and all the little brothers that want to learn exactly how we do things. This is the place I want to waste time at on the Internet. I have made plenty of friends here and I never thought that was possible. We keep our trash talking in PM's and emails.

Alright I am done griping, feel free to talk trash and make me regret posting this.

[Legion]

Ya jerk!

Seriously, having spent time on other forums, I am generally overwhelmed by how helpful and nice the responses are here. Even when my troll alarms are ringing their heads off at some OP's, I still see guys trying to positively respond with helpful advice.

I think we do OK most of the time. Nothing is perfect, but we are not too snarky, IMO.

[StubbleShaver]

I've seen much worst. I've (Painfully) Moderated Much Worst.

B&B is one of the most cleanly moderated and gentlemanly forums i have seen (Mainly because of the age of the users).

If you wish to see a bad forum, Check out this section of Facepunch it will make you glad your a member here!

[Legion]

It's like YouTube comments. Sometimes the internet makes me embarrassed to be a human being.

I think of this place as a little island of sanity in an internet ocean of bottom feeding genetic throwbacks.

Occasionally something weird tries to crawl up the shore, but the moderating tides are quick to wash them back out to sea.

[StubbleShaver]

It's like YouTube comments. Sometimes the internet makes me embarrassed to be a human being.

I think of this place as a little island of sanity in an internet ocean of bottom feeding genetic throwbacks.

Occasionally something weird tries to crawl up the shore, but the moderating tides are quick to wash them back out to sea.

Very well put!

[plpenn]

I guess that is true.

I can be just as much of a tool at work, but that is the nature of the job. I always liked to think of B&B as Mayberry. I don't look at a bunch of other sites because I see enough ugliness in the world. I am not sheltered by any means it just seems like lately there has been a bunch of garbage floating around here.

I just got back from the pool and while I was swimming I was thinking about it and I guess it is just the change I am against, better or worse. Once I feel comfortable I resist what I feel is unnecessary change. But who am I to say what is necessary or not?

Geez, now I really feel like an old man!!!

Pass the old spice

[maxman]

The conversation is always changing.
People come and people go.
Little groups and cliques are formed.
Inside jokes run rampant.

Just like in the real world (errr, the world outside of the computer....)
However, I like you guys more than most people.
Heck, even my good friends aren't as nice as the worst of ya.

Do yourself a favour, if you think a thread might bum you out, just pass on it.

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

Hmmm...I don't know what to say.

I'll get back with ya...I have to chase some alligators and brass monkeys.

[Rushman2112]

In any community there are a certain number of Richard Craniums. As the community gets bigger, sadly the RCs increase as well. Add to that the behind a keyboard warrior factor...

Generally this is the most pleasant and friendly board I frequent, so I am not aware of any specific incidents Paul may have encountered and it would disappoint me if this turned into a biker bar.

[ackvil]

In any community there are a certain number of Richard Craniums. As the community gets bigger, sadly the RCs increase as well. Add to that the behind a keyboard warrior factor...

Generally this is the most pleasant and friendly board I frequent, so I am not aware of any specific incidents Paul may have encountered and it would disappoint me if this turned into a biker bar.

+1. When you get to over 50,000 members from all over the world you will get a few nasty comments. Compared to other forums I belong to, this is Mayberry!

[Austin]

The conversation is always changing.
People come and people go.
Little groups and cliques are formed.
Inside jokes run rampant.

Just like in the real world (errr, the world outside of the computer....)
However, I like you guys more than most people.
Heck, even my good friends aren't as nice as the worst of ya.

Do yourself a favour, if you think a thread might bum you out, just pass on it.

Keen observation and sage advice. I come and go from this site in cycles depending on work and life. When I come back, it is pretty much the same.

[GrandeVT]

The longer I've been here, the more erect I and my fellow members stand and the scrapes on our knuckles from draging them on the ground have slowly healed, Thank you all for that.

(BTW, what's snarky?)

[BigBull]

It's like YouTube comments. Sometimes the internet makes me embarrassed to be a human being.

THIS!

I guess it is just the change I am against, better or worse. Once I feel comfortable I resist what I feel is unnecessary change.

This is normal. People always reject change, it's not dependent on age once your in your 20's.

Generally this is the most pleasant and friendly board I frequent

B&B is great! You mod's do a great job and everyone here is sooo helpful, knowledgeable and informative - with even the occasional funny comment. They say "one bad apple spoils the bunch" I'd say when what your referring to happens, it may just stand out because this is such a GREAT PLACE!

Peace, Love & Hair grease!

[Gruder]

My guess: It's the heat. We've done a bit of, well, house cleaning lately to take care of a few chronic offenders (and some new ones), and certainly will be holding to our zero tolerance barber shop policy as election season draws ever nearer. Still, the ability of men who understand and respect the tone here to gently intervene and move a thread in a positive direction does more for our community than mod intervention ever will. Failing that, there's always the "report post" button -- feel free to use it, as we often find these reports quite helpful in cutting snark off at the pass.

[plpenn]

I am not really talking about anything specific I guess just some of the more chronic things I see from time to time. Overall this place rocks I guess I just don't want to see it erode into something different.

I do give the mods a lot of credit though, they do seem to keep things in check. I can't even imagin what a web site would be like without them.

[Rustonrazor]

just my $0.02, but I think sometimes words can get away from us on a page. There are times I read something and could get offended. However, when you sit back for a second and think about it, most comments are trying to be direct and helpful. I am sure everyone can come off appearing to figuratively thumb their nose at you in a reply from time to time. I would assume no malice until it is proven so.

[craig87c]

I think it's a combination of the heat and the upcoming election. Always makes B&B a much harder place for the mods to work

[Ron991]

Me, I'm still evolving on this issue. I'll get back to ya!

[drocu]

Are you referring to me?

I don't think there's a good explanation for your recent observation. The moderators/stewards are phenomenal and really do a great job at monitoring every post/thread. Even when the trajectory of some threads go awry, it's pretty simple to remind everyone to behave like gentlemen and that will generally defuse the situation. I've never seen that on any other online forum which is why I'm a big fan of B&B.

[TnutsShave]

I have seen this coming for a while and I bet those that have been here longer can say the same. I guess it's like complaining about the new generation that screwed everything up. Maybe I just missed it or ignored what I saw but I do not remember things being this whiny, sarcastic and down right rude when I joined.

So, what is going on here folks?

Is it the influx of new members? It seems as though it is also some of the older members too....

I have never been involved with another web board but from what I hear and read they are not as "gentlemanly" as B&B. I spend way more time here then I should and I try to contribute positively. I will admit that I have spouted off with some garbage from time to time but for the most part I feel like I strive to make B&B feel like a Sunday afternoon with the whole family.

We have our cranky uncles, crazy aunts, a cousin that is always in trouble, and all the little brothers that want to learn exactly how we do things. This is the place I want to waste time at on the Internet. I have made plenty of friends here and I never thought that was possible. We keep our trash talking in PM's and emails.

Alright I am done griping, feel free to talk trash and make me regret posting this.

I assumed you had something to do with it, Paul. No?