Well this problem most be in threads or forums that I do not visit because so far I have seen no more that the right amount of debating, unless by the
time I get to the forums the "offensive" posts has been erased.
We must end the rising "culture of negativity" (SOLUTION POSTED), page 1
privacy
Topic started on 5-5-2009 @ 10:37 AM by SkepticOverlord
Hello everyone...
Many of our senior staff and I have noticed an increasing trend on ATS over the past several months that needs to be addressed, and I'm calling it the "Culture of Negativity."
About six weeks ago, I posted a thread that received a number of excellent responses, it is: The Rise Of The ATS Invertebrate: or, it takes a spine to be a conspiracy theorist. While I still feel strongly about everything I said in the opening post, and it's all good advice for anyone posting online, I now believe the inspiration for that post was a big short-sighted.
While it's certainly true that harsh criticism of a speculative theory or debunking attempt is not a personal attack, upon further review, we're seeing an unsettling increase in those who appear to be here for no purpose other than to present harsh arguments from one side of whichever fence is their preference. Where a few pointed contributions on a passionate subject may be appropriate, even welcomed, when it becomes a posting pattern or even a defining style, then it's a problem.
Now, let me be clear that in now way is this an effort to initiate coddling of those who may be overly-sensitive, or an increased tolerance of those who may have outlandish or ridiculous stories. Indeed, some of the observed "Culture of Negativity" may be an accidental byproduct of enabling threads and topics that appear to be disingenuous. And this is a issue for which we're also very concerned.
So I want to open this important topic up for discussion amongst our members who are also seeing this "Culture of Negativity" creeping into discussions.
What can we do?
What should we do?
Should we (ATS) step into some moderate editorial oversight to better police obviously outlandish topics as well as those who post nothing but negativity?
Before we do anything about this... I'd like to read what you have to say.
UPDATE
After much discussion and debate, the measures we (ATS staff) will take to hopefully address this issue have been posted here.
[edit on 6-5-2009 by SkepticOverlord]
Many of our senior staff and I have noticed an increasing trend on ATS over the past several months that needs to be addressed, and I'm calling it the "Culture of Negativity."
About six weeks ago, I posted a thread that received a number of excellent responses, it is: The Rise Of The ATS Invertebrate: or, it takes a spine to be a conspiracy theorist. While I still feel strongly about everything I said in the opening post, and it's all good advice for anyone posting online, I now believe the inspiration for that post was a big short-sighted.
While it's certainly true that harsh criticism of a speculative theory or debunking attempt is not a personal attack, upon further review, we're seeing an unsettling increase in those who appear to be here for no purpose other than to present harsh arguments from one side of whichever fence is their preference. Where a few pointed contributions on a passionate subject may be appropriate, even welcomed, when it becomes a posting pattern or even a defining style, then it's a problem.
Now, let me be clear that in now way is this an effort to initiate coddling of those who may be overly-sensitive, or an increased tolerance of those who may have outlandish or ridiculous stories. Indeed, some of the observed "Culture of Negativity" may be an accidental byproduct of enabling threads and topics that appear to be disingenuous. And this is a issue for which we're also very concerned.
So I want to open this important topic up for discussion amongst our members who are also seeing this "Culture of Negativity" creeping into discussions.
What can we do?
What should we do?
Should we (ATS) step into some moderate editorial oversight to better police obviously outlandish topics as well as those who post nothing but negativity?
Before we do anything about this... I'd like to read what you have to say.
UPDATE
After much discussion and debate, the measures we (ATS staff) will take to hopefully address this issue have been posted here.
[edit on 6-5-2009 by SkepticOverlord]
reply posted on 5-5-2009 @ 10:54 AM by baseball101
reply to post by SkepticOverlord
imo, it would be nice if ATS would 'get rid of' or at least somehow 'monitor' the threads that are obviously created by what some people call 'trolls' ... i would love to see less of these threads that are obviously created by people for no apparent reason, with very outlandish claims.
some people even comment on these saying, "don't feed the trolls."
And to people who say outlandish claims are conspiracy theories ... a theory is
1. the analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another
2. the general or abstract principles of a body of fact, a science, or an art
Source
an outlandish claim is usually not based on fact, therefore it is not a conspiracy theory imo
[edit on 5-5-2009 by baseball101]
imo, it would be nice if ATS would 'get rid of' or at least somehow 'monitor' the threads that are obviously created by what some people call 'trolls' ... i would love to see less of these threads that are obviously created by people for no apparent reason, with very outlandish claims.
some people even comment on these saying, "don't feed the trolls."
And to people who say outlandish claims are conspiracy theories ... a theory is
1. the analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another
2. the general or abstract principles of a body of fact, a science, or an art
Source
an outlandish claim is usually not based on fact, therefore it is not a conspiracy theory imo
[edit on 5-5-2009 by baseball101]
reply posted on 5-5-2009 @ 10:57 AM by sebarud
Originally posted by SkepticOverlord
Should we (ATS) step into some moderate editorial oversight to better police obviously outlandish topics.
Yes!!!!!
Why, for instance, is a thread not labeled HOAX and the OP immediately banned after admitting posting a "story" and having a good time with it?!
www.abovetopsecret.com...
No wonder people get a negative attitude. Since you asked.
reply posted on 5-5-2009 @ 10:59 AM by 44soulslayer
I shall undoubtedly be judged elitist, but nonetheless:
I believe this fundamentally stems from the overexpansion of your user base. Just recently, you chaps posted a triumphant thread declaring ATS' user base to be at its highest point ever.
Is it possible for all these users to be of the same level of understanding or indeed intellect as those who would have sought out a more arcane site? I don't think so.
I belive that as you have propagated ATS wider than ever before, the inherent control over those who register as users has diminished.
For example take a look at facebook. 3 years ago facebook was reserved only for university students, and had an air of intellectualism about it. Over the next 3 years, as they expanded their user base, infantilism creeped in all over the site. Glittery applications appeared, language used in groups became base and crude etc.
There is a basic tradeoff between user volumes and user quality. In order for ATS to become big, the attitude of mutual respect between users diminished (in part through less familiarity). At the risk of being banned... could I reiterate that in recent times the last bastion of mutual respect has been dismantled by the management.
You, the ATS management, have to decide between user quantity and quality. I wish you the best of luck and admire your intentions, but I doubt you will ever have both.
Respectfully,
Soul
I believe this fundamentally stems from the overexpansion of your user base. Just recently, you chaps posted a triumphant thread declaring ATS' user base to be at its highest point ever.
Is it possible for all these users to be of the same level of understanding or indeed intellect as those who would have sought out a more arcane site? I don't think so.
I belive that as you have propagated ATS wider than ever before, the inherent control over those who register as users has diminished.
For example take a look at facebook. 3 years ago facebook was reserved only for university students, and had an air of intellectualism about it. Over the next 3 years, as they expanded their user base, infantilism creeped in all over the site. Glittery applications appeared, language used in groups became base and crude etc.
There is a basic tradeoff between user volumes and user quality. In order for ATS to become big, the attitude of mutual respect between users diminished (in part through less familiarity). At the risk of being banned... could I reiterate that in recent times the last bastion of mutual respect has been dismantled by the management.
You, the ATS management, have to decide between user quantity and quality. I wish you the best of luck and admire your intentions, but I doubt you will ever have both.
Respectfully,
Soul
reply posted on 5-5-2009 @ 11:06 AM by Exuberant1
reply to post by sliceNodice
I agree.
I would be less likely to place the amount of effort that I currently place into my posts if I thought that there was a chance that they night get removed because someone interpreted for being too 'negative'.
For example posts made to address another member's mistakes may seem negative, and may even have a hint of 'attitude' embedded in it - these could be interpreted as 'negative' and removed.
*Once this sort of thought policing is implemented I will be forced to stick to the various other conspiracy forums - most of which suck, but at least the posts don't get removed for 'negativity'.
This is unfortunate, as I would have to maintain a presence on several other forums just to get the sort of Variety of topics and discourse that I have become accustomed to from ATS.
It would totally suck, but It would be worth it not to have to worry about whether or not the awesome post I am working on will be removed because someone thinks it 'negative'.
I certainly couldn't call myself Exuberant while posting under such conditions.
I hope ATS doesn't do this.
This is probably directed more at individuals such as the charming fellow below, But this reeks of thought-policing because that is what it would be:
--- ATS' Enemy # 1 ---
[edit on 5-5-2009 by Exuberant1]
I agree.
I would be less likely to place the amount of effort that I currently place into my posts if I thought that there was a chance that they night get removed because someone interpreted for being too 'negative'.
For example posts made to address another member's mistakes may seem negative, and may even have a hint of 'attitude' embedded in it - these could be interpreted as 'negative' and removed.
*Once this sort of thought policing is implemented I will be forced to stick to the various other conspiracy forums - most of which suck, but at least the posts don't get removed for 'negativity'.
This is unfortunate, as I would have to maintain a presence on several other forums just to get the sort of Variety of topics and discourse that I have become accustomed to from ATS.
It would totally suck, but It would be worth it not to have to worry about whether or not the awesome post I am working on will be removed because someone thinks it 'negative'.
I certainly couldn't call myself Exuberant while posting under such conditions.
I hope ATS doesn't do this.
This is probably directed more at individuals such as the charming fellow below, But this reeks of thought-policing because that is what it would be:
--- ATS' Enemy # 1 ---
[edit on 5-5-2009 by Exuberant1]
