I have a suggestion.

Has anyone else noticed the increasing number of comments from members that certain topics are "stupid" or "petty", and that one side or the other is "whining" or "crying", or should "get a life because there are more important issues" (or some variation of these comments).

I'm drawn to a good healthy debate, so threads that develop into argumentative discussions interest me. Inevitably, someone will jump into the thread with nothing more to offer than an accusation of "whining". To me, this is no different than a personal attack, because it is saying to to other members that their opinions do not matter. I would say most people feel the same, because most "whining" comments seem to attract flames in retaliation.

If someone isn't interested in the discussion, they should simply move along. I would suggest that people making such derogatory comments be "officially" told that more often.

Agree 100%

http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...3&pagenumber=2

Its comments like this thats making this forum turn real bad real fast, no one can can talk anymore without some jerk coming in and saying crap like this.

I wonder who sparked the creation of this thread.

People can still contribute wealth to the conversation even though they consider other people "whining".

Edited to retract statements to TaTTooD, as I can see them misconstrued and possibly inflammatory. Nothing was meant.

-Matt

[Edited by RMan360 on 06-22-01 at 05:10 PM]

He made another lovely comment, albeit not profane, in the Goonies thread.

Senor Dylan needs a talking to.

If they want to contribute, then they should contribute constructively. Telling someone they are whining is rude and inflammatory. For example, saying "I think you are overreacting" is contributing to the discussion, but saying "Stop crying and whining" is being derogatory and insulting.

Something that is important to me may have no importance to you and vice-versa. There is no reason we have to belittle each other just because we don't feel about it the same way.

BTW, I'm not singling out anything you did, TattooD, I brought this up because I read about a dozen threads today with this very same problem.

There aren't many people I don't like here but this guy is definitely one of the few trolls that spoils the mood of nearly every thread he replies to. Why he hasn't yet been banned is beyond me.

I'm just ducking in to assure you all that the posts of certain members have not gone unnoticed. Action will be taken; sometimes discussion between the mods about what to do has to take place first...

To address the original topic: I, too, find "whining" posts irritating. Eradicating them is nearly impossible, but things have gotten worse lately (at least in the Talk forum) and I've been addressing more members directly as a result.

--Heather

A classic response in some debates about political matters is when the rebuttal <i>"if you don't like things here you ought to go and live in china."</i>

Anyone posting that automatically qualifies for my drongo of the week award.

DITTO