[Closed] Why does STW forum attract so many of life's losers.

What about the very 1st response to [url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/it-only-took-3-yrs ]this[/url]
Shockin.

You tell me!

Forum rage - it's a bit like road rage isn't it?.

Private space + exposure to public = weird aggression, perhaps born from innate feelings of inadequacy or impotence.

You're a fricking Vegan wannabe strong man who flaps around the countryside for fun.

What's your point?

Actually - I think you need to define what you mean by loser?

Type of job?
Social standing?
Friendship circle?
Standard of living?
Education level?

Because on a forum you less likely to get a smack in the chops for behaving like an idiot.

This thread sucks goats.

On forums I think a lot of people want to belong, and don't want their voices to go unheard- it'd be a bit like going to the pub with mates, then not saying a word all night..

In a normal conversation you make a comment when there's a gap, or can nod a head to agree.
Online there's no gaps as such, so people who need to make sure that their 'contributions' are heard have a tendency to adopt an extreme posture. Akin to shouting over the conversation of the rest of the crowd. IMO of course.

Must not bite.....

People don't behave like this in real life, why is it so frequent on [s]STW[/s] the internet?

Ever looked at the comments on youtube videos?

There is quite simply no way this thread ends well. 😉

When I returned recently my first few threads all ended up being about someone else's sales dispute, even though I was asking about something totally unconnected, and I didn't care.

Yeah, youtube is pretty bad, but that's a special case.
I don't see this sort of behaviour on running or weightlifting forums.

There are weightlifting forums...

and they don't get bitchy? I don't know why from my point of utter ignorance that surprises me.

Today I have a reappraised a stereotype i didn't even know I held. 8)

OI MTG, who you call'in a Looser..

Outside..

Now..

I don't see this sort of behaviour on running or weightlifting forums.

I thought bodybuilders was meant to be infamous for it. Also there's that climbing site that's meant to be awful, facebook can be ridiculous sometimes, bikeradar can be a complete joke if you go the right sub forum, I've even seen some pretty nasty things on just local club noticeboards/forums. STW isn't special. In fact, I'd say it's quite nice here. Can get very nasty sometimes, but 90% of the threads are fine. Swear filter and decent moderation helps a lot IMO.

I've never looked at the comments on Youtube, so I've just had a look at the comments on a couple of Peppa Pig episodes and my god you are right.

Because on a forum you less likely to get a smack in the chops for behaving like an idiot.

Have you seen some of the programmes on tv on trolls where people turn up and insult the dead to get a reaction...there are some weird folk out there and the internet lets them do this safely. Imaginge turning up to someone's funeral and abusing the dead...not going to end well.

I suspect it's just down to simple numbers. STW has X thousands of readers & posters. It only takes a few people lacking in the "bite your virtual tongue" gene to make for a lot of argumentative & rude posts. I frequent loads of other forums, none of which have anywhere near the level of rudeness found on this one, but those have far fewer members. This forum software also seems to allow a greater level of perceived anonymity than something like phpBB. This one feels more akin to the old Usenet groups...and those of us old enough to remember those may recall some epic slanging matches!

Our small indepentant MTB forum used to get a bit like that, but now has settled down since most people left... I think its just a thing from when a forum reaches a certain size, threads gain momentum and people don't have to worry about the result of whatever they've just said...

I thought this thread was a reference to the middle aged, bald, fat, Audi driving IT managers. I'm disapointed that it's actually just about the internet 🙁

Ever looked at the comments on youtube videos?

People are more agressive in their cars too, its about being safely distanced from the other person

Yuman nature innit

Also there's that climbing site that's meant to be awful

UKClimbing by any chance - it does seem to be home to a higher than average quota of agressive prima donnas. Whether it's worse than this place is fairly subjective, although I'll happily stick my oar in here and rarely do on UKC.

It's a shame. I frequent another site (I won't mention it though) there's no swear filter as it's not needed. So you can swear if the moment calls for it, or if it's in good humor.
They also read the posts, and if they aren't that clear they'll make every effort to try and understand, rather than treat you like a moron or worst still go straight into their 'ner ner ner neeeeer routine'
Also if they have nothing to say or have no interest in your post they simply stay away.

Good point, xcgb, I've always thought there was a similarity between cars and the internet in that way to.
If you're walking through town and it's a bit crowded, people will shuffle round each other and let people through with maybe the occasional tut tut at the dawdlers.
Those same people in cars will push forward and deliberately block junctions and toot at other cars once they're in their own car.

I was told "if you can't saying anything nice, don't say anything at all". I think also, if you wouldn't say it to your mum you shouldn't say it to a stranger either!

Today I have a reappraised a stereotype i didn't even know I held.

I take it you're referring to the use of "bleating" and "freetard" in the first paragraph of CountZero's response?

Although a bit offhand, I wouldn't say it was anything to get that upset about. I get called a lot worse all the time.

On here, too... 😀

You might want to look in the mirror and defend your own use of the word "loser", in this context.

As a general note... I never feel more of a weirdo for being normal than when I go to a climbing wall. It really is the freaks parade in those places.

Mountain biking is sort of similar... I mean look how many people fawn over lego and star wars on this place. Each to their own, but to me they're childs toys.

Is it that they're both sports that (in the main) are the prooving ground for lads too useless at team sports... picked last at football all the time... become a climber.

These types who were useless at school... some have gone on to prove themselves in the workplace, ie got a good job and now powertrip all over the place with the pent up frustration of being picked on at school. If they've not done that, they hide behind monitors telling other faceless losers that they're... Losers.

i image searched trailquests and looked at a few pics
[img] [/img]

loser?

UKC is a lot like STW (STW does seem to have fewer Daily Mail readers though).

It takes a while to learn who and what to avoid, but once you've done that there is a lot of useful info from helpful people under all the crap.

I asked a fairly harmless question not long after I joined UKC about whether it was possible to access the top of Ardvorlich crags without having to lead them first (the climbing is above the grade i'm comfortable leading at, and comes with a stern health warning about the chance of a ground fall due to significant distance between bolts and lack of trad gear placements. I just didn't want to take the trip all the way out there to find out I couldn't do any climbing at all!). I took a bit a stick before being given loads of useful advice from people, including the chap who actually bolted the route.

You just need to develop a decent "crap posts" and "crap people" filter on here and UKC, then both are actually filled some pretty good people and info 🙂

I don't see this sort of behaviour on running or weightlifting forums.

Runnersworld by any chance? "Wow, you ran a 30 minute 5km! Go you!" I hate how supportive that place is 😉

Theres a couple that have followed me around for quite a while posting immediate negative thoughts after I post. I think in some IT worker circles its seen as 'funny' but I see it as almost autistic in nature. I can't remember what half the people post, what sort of 'agenda' each poster has or even have half the inclination to target someone.

Some members of society are decidedly unusual. Just tune them out.

As for the aggressively negative posting- I also see them as a bit wierd. Probably can't hold down a relationship or have many real friends.

I suspect it's just down to simple numbers.

I don't think it is. I've been on a lot of large forums down the years, and yeah, some have their problems, but there's a couple that stand out, and STW is one of them.

Every forum has it's own culture. And the culture on here would seem to dictate that you must chastise others for not being as good as you at something. So if you're a little less intelligent, less articulate, not quite so fast down the trail, not quite so fast up the trail, or if it takes you longer than 5 minutes to bleed your brakes....then you're fair game.

I'd call it bullying.

Which is a shame, because there are a lot of intelligent and well educated users on here, and it's all too often used to massage egos at the expense of others.

Every forum has it's own culture. And the culture on here would seem to dictate that you must chastise others for not being as good as you at something. So if you're a little less intelligent, less articulate, not quite so fast down the trail, not quite so fast up the trail, or if it takes you longer than 5 minutes to bleed your brakes....then you're fair game.

Isn't it all tongue in cheek?

Isn't it all tongue in cheek?

in my case it's the complete opposite.i try and be polite online,but in reality i suffer with ocss (obsessive compulsive swearing syndrome),and am a bit of a to*&^R in real life (not joking 😳

Forums and stuff like them (facebook, twitter etc) are a "new" type of communication that some people seem to struggle with, ie: a [u]written[/u] conversation, where you can reply immediately (without necessarily engaging your brain), but are limited by how well you can write down whats in your head.

Seems to me that a lot of issues occur on threads because posters haven't articulated their thoughts clearly enough (so that they could be missunderstood), or people have missunterstood/not read carefully what others have written.

I think it's just a matter of time before people get better at communicating in this way.

Saying all that, some people are just numpties.... and that will never change!

I agree Butcher, sometimes I'm shocked at the aggressive and rude behaviour of some of the people on here , seemingly to no end but to intimidate someone . I thought our love of one sport would bring people together, not bring division.

I was going to insult batfink for his non-use of proper apostrophisation in his first paragraph, but I see that by the second, he had used the correct punctuative format, so I'll let him off.

But just watch it, sonny... 😉

I think for those types of people its frustration/anger at their own current situation 'lashing out' and posturing.

For instance if someone posted a pic that they were proud of and it happened to include some mention (not meant) of something material (=wealth of some sort), some posters would attack.

I thought our love of one sport would bring people together, not bring division.

just because somebody rides a bicycle doesn't mean i want to be their friend.
lots of people like football, most of them i wouldn't want to pass the time of day with.

fd3chris - Member

I agree Butcher, sometimes I'm shocked at the aggressive and rude behaviour of some of the people on here , seemingly to no end but to intimidate someone . I thought our love of one sport would bring people together, not bring division.

+1

Funny how you don't seem this aggressive and rude behaviour at cycling events, quite the opposite generally 🙂

anonymity + the internet = dickhead

I try to behave the same online as I do in the real world.

I try to apply the 'pub rule' on internet forums. If I wouldn't say it to someone in a pub then I wouldn't say it on here (or on UKC).

The thing about STW and UKC is that the mountain biking and climbing communities are actually quite small. There's a good chance that you'll bump into forumites in real life.

If I meet someone in real life who's called me a **** on here then I'd expect them to say it to my face as well. Then I guess we would just have to see what happened.

miketually - Member
anonymity + the internet = dickhead

I try to behave the same online as I do in the real world.

batfink - Member
Seems to me that a lot of issues occur on threads because posters haven't articulated their thoughts clearly enough (so that they could be missunderstood), or people have missunterstood/not read carefully what others have written.

For instance... http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/fs-shimano-xt-25th-anniversary-belt-buckle

I thought the response was quite witty, but the OP obviously didn't.

More than a few minutes every now and then scanning for new posts, maybe a follow up post ot two to previous discussions - any more than that (IMO and with added 😉 ) does imply a socially disfunctional person of retarded personal growth and development, in fact some may say a total loser........

.......aka a big hitter

There's also the "misunderstood humour" aspect. Things written as a response on a forum might be funny to the person writing them but it can so easily be misunderstood.

For instance... http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/fs-shimano-xt-25th-anniversary-belt-buckle

That is an excellent point.

For instance... http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/fs-shimano-xt-25th-anniversary-belt-buckle

I thought the response was quite witty, but the OP obviously didn't.

Ha ha! I hadn't even spotted the reply, cheers!

Goodness, I was only having a wee joke on the basis that a belt buckle designed to commemorate a model of gears for a push bike is well, a bit unusual 😉

I'm quite similar in real life as I am online- i.e don't take myself seriously, like to be a clown and I'm full of shit most of the time. The only difference to some folk is I don't lack introspective. I know exactly what I am and I love rolling with it. Some folk lack introspective which is bloody scary.

Theres a few on STW that I imagine fall into that category.

PF
I thought it was funny but then again I'm not selling or in the market for bike related clothing accessories, although something to keep my shirt cuffs closed would be nice.............

I agree the misunderstood humour aspect is a big thing online - however I have a personal rule never to use smileys. So sometimes it's not clear if I'm at it or not. Whereas in the pub or in a work environment my over-active comedy eyebrows usually give the game away to whoever I'm talking to...

Not a lot wrong with STW. Swearing filter is a good idea, otherwise I'd be the worst offender. People generally know how to behave and I dont know anywhere else for good advice on matters bike and non-bike.

I think the haste in posting sometimes invites the sarcastic and the down right rude. Its too easy to post something like "my LBS is very expensive" which is really just a rant/ release of energy into the internetospere. The obvious response that then comes back is "don't go there then". That is then seen as rude or unhelpful. But what help/response was the OP actually looking for?

And just as it's easy to post in haste so it is to post in hate...

Let us all hold hands and sing together in unity. Through this gesture of love and togetherness we can be released from the fear that drives us to post nonsense on internet forums. Bless you all and glory to the God that is the bloke that invented mountain biking.

STW is cool, there are other sites I'm on that are much much worse. Some of the huuuuge political or religion threads are well dull though.

emsz - Member
STW is cool, there are other sites I'm on that are much much worse. Some of the huuuuge political or religion threads are well dull though.

A big part of it is how the site is moderated. Another site I visit has much stricter moderation as is a much nicer place as a result.

When you have people getting away with being aggressive and rude, and are not picked up on it, the forum becomes a free-for-all. In the majority of cases, threads are only closed when they have turned into a multi page slanging match.

Some people need to be told that they shouldn't speak to people in a certain way and if they continue to do so they will be banned. What happens is the people who cannot behave get banned and those who want to stay part of the forum get in line.

STW is a great resource and there are lots of good people here, but it is let down by the moderating.

I'm quite similar in real life as I am online- i.e don't take myself seriously, like to be a clown and I'm full of shit most of the time. I know exactly what I am and I love rolling in it.

FTFY

If I meet someone in real life who's called me a **** on here then I'd expect them to say it to my face as well. Then I guess we would just have to see what happened.

Go you.

Another site I visit has much stricter moderation as is a much nicer place as a result.

STW is a great resource and there are lots of good people here, but it is let down by the moderating.

I think it's a tricky tight-rope to walk though, and a very subjective one too. Personally I find plenty of other forums fantastically dull because of zealous-moderation leading to a culture of only the most benignly insipid views being expressed.

a much nicer place as a result

Too nice is bloody boring IMO.

. Bless you all and glory to the God that is the bloke that invented mountain biking.

Are you [b]ACTUALLY[/b] TRYING to [b]GET ME STARTED?!?!?![/b] 👿

Some of the huuuuge political or religion threads are well dull though.

I'll get me coat. 😳

STW forum users can't be too bad though. This 'Pistonhead' forum user went to jail for beating up and abusing women..

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9695041.Jail_for_motor_dealer_who_abused__women/

Aye it's dull without banter, folk should have a bit of a thick skin IMO.

Not finding any humour in for instance PF's post above is a bit poor.

Some members of society are decidedly unusual. Just tune them out.

Just don't open them. You can pretty much guess what's going on and who is posting once it reaches the second or third page

I must learn this skill 😳

STW forum users can't be too bad though. This 'Pistonhead' forum user went to jail for beating up and abusing women..

Ever wondered where the mouthy mockney one is these days? 😉

kudos100, I think that's the problem.
You can moderate against swearing and outright abuse. It's a lot harder to define the sort of behaviour that discourages people from posting here and stop it.

I realise a lot of it is banter, KingTut got a comment aimed at me deleted. I knew it was joke, but someone else obviously took it seriously and thought I needed protecting.

Aye it's dull without banter, folk should have a bit of a thick skin IMO.

That I DO agree with. Over 5yrs ago I used to cry with laughter at some of the posts. Witty/close to the bone etc etc.

[i] glory to the God that is the bloke that invented mountain biking.[/i]

Woppit - you need to read that again if you see it as a religious comment.

Too nice is bloody boring IMO.

I hope you don't mind me saying that TSY - my opinion only 8)

If I wouldn't say it to someones face I wouldn't say it on here,
But.. As above, nice is boring...but no need to be an arsehole...

Woppit - you need to read that again if you see it as a religious comment.

Excellent example of what we're talking about. I was attempting "self-effacing humour" by trading on my reputation as an Atheist Firebrand...

There are weightlifting forums...

and they don't get bitchy? I don't know why from my point of utter ignorance that surprises me.

Isn't there a causal link between excessive testosterone and steroid abuse?

There's also the "misunderstood humour" aspect.

I get that a lot. Ahem.

STW is a great resource and there are lots of good people here, but it is let down by the moderating.

I'd strongly disagree with this. I think the moderation is a big part of what makes the forum. It's largely self-moderating, in that people stepping out of line will get pulled up by the community; better that than having draconian moderators power-tripping all over the place. I'd rather hang out in a pub than a library.

whoppit was joking dez EDIT: wi wrote that before I read what he said so i dont appear dumb

What were we saying about not getting humour?

Basically you have 3000 people having a chat ...bound to be some friction , not understanding, different humour etc

I agree I think the mods do a great job generally and wont please everyone

Quote Warning: Use them. This thread's moving fast.

Quote Warning: Use them. This thread's moving fast.

I’ve said it before, but in my experience STW is actually one of the best moderated and welcoming forums I frequent. Not sure what that says about the other forums I go on though… 😛

Fast but friendly. Just how it should be 😛

I'll get me coat.

I wish you would.