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If you don't like it, don't watch it vs forum: open discussion by nature

12:03 / 27.04.06

Okay, a couple of disclaimers first.

1. Was going to put this in Policy, but thought that it was more conversational than directly relating to policy.

2. I like Boboss.

The second disclaimer is there as a means to get across that this thread, although born in reaction to one of hir posts, in no should be read as a complaint or dig at them personally.

Boboss's posts on the Stop The Madness! thread (along with some others) got me thinking. Is a post complaining of something not being funny in a joke thread a wasted post or as valid as those posts that go along with the joke - by this I mean do most posters have a 'I don't like/get it, so I'll ignore it" mentality, or does the board, by its very nature encourage debate, and so, even though posting may veer off topic, such posts are equally valid (perhaps valid here is not the best word, but hopefully you'll get what I mean).

For example, in the same thread miss wonderstarr mentions that ' There are "joke" threads on Conversation that read to me like commentaries on fun's funeral. But I don't try to police them." (although it should be noted here that boboss is a moderator on the comics forum). So where do you stand?

Personally I try to veer away from 'we are not amused' posts myself, only really posting on threads that interest me or that I feel comfortable commenting on. As for others posting habbits, it doesn't bother me what most people post, it's only when personal attacks start happening that I lose interest - even the smallest 'shut up, you don't know what you're talking about' style posts.

12:57 / 27.04.06

There's the same reaction in the Kill A Sacred Cow thread. People are just not amused. But some of them are taking a good approach to it. Namely me. Ha ha. I said I didn't like Bowie, somebody took me to task, we discussed and I gave Bowie another try.

With the comics thread, I think everybody is missing the point from different angles. Boboss is concerned that we're misunderstanding the basic building blocks of the comics medium. Everybody else is concerned that Boboss is being a killjoy. I think Boboss has a slight point, and I have posted such. I also think Boboss is being a bit of a killjoy. Let us have our fun then.

On the other hand, he is a mod, and mods sometimes have to weed the garden to use wonderstarr's analogy.

If you don't like a popular thread, take it to either Barbannoy or Policy. Unless that popular thread is in dire need of moderation, which both the Cow and Madness thread are not requiring, IMO. If I started a great thread on, say, "Froot Loops," and somebody came in saying quite often, "Cereal is bad for you. Eat real fruit. I hate this thread," I would get annoyed...

miss wonderstarr

13:24 / 27.04.06

I also like Boboss but I don't think it was really part of moderation duty to interfere with a thread that was, at worst I think, harmless comics-based banter (and at best, inspired comics-based comedy ~ not from me of course but other people).

I can sympathise with Boboss not finding the thread funny, or thinking that it was stupidly satirising comic book conventions that aren't actually cliches. I often find threads unfunny. I think it's hard not to look like a killjoy though, if you post where most people are having fun, just to say "this seems pathetic to me."

13:28 / 27.04.06

I have been under quite a lot of pressure over the last couple of weeks hence my rather killjoyish attitude.
With regards to the thread in comics, I'm sort of with Matt in that I'm in two minds. I read much of it as genuine complaints not good natured prods at a genre we all love, and frankly, judging by the response I got, I shouldn't have. On the other hand I feel that Comics often suffers from slapdash posts and a lack of intellectual rigor, and as mod and a long-term member of board I'd quite like that to change. My moaning, whilst slightly misdirected (if not entirely - I still think I was making some worthwhile points), was an attempt to push things in a slightly more thoughtful direction.

I think whether one engages with a thread they don't like is a question of individual cases rather than general rules.

13:31 / 27.04.06

I should add that I don't like spoiling people's fun as long as their fun isn't hurting anybody, and with that in mind I'm feeling like a guilty threadkilling Boboss

13:40 / 27.04.06

Boboss, you certainly made some good point in that thread. It was mostly unexamined complaints that seemed to convienantly forget what made comics so different and so good.

13:43 / 27.04.06

I once saw Boboss tread all over a kid’s sandcastle at the beach. Killjoy.

13:49 / 27.04.06

I once saw Boboss tread all over Loomis.

13:54 / 27.04.06

I reckon Loomis is bigger than me.

13:55 / 27.04.06

I am but a mere slip of a thing Boboss. I do however have very large feet so a treading contest is the one physical contest I would have a good chance in.

13:56 / 27.04.06

I reckon Loomis is bigger than me.

So it was more of a hike then?

14:01 / 27.04.06

I am a mere 5 foot 8, and my feet a mere size 8.

Oh, and another thing, I might moan about the Comic forum in general, but I'm a fan of a lot of its regular contributors.

14:12 / 27.04.06

I am but a mere slip of a thing Boboss. I do however have very large feet...

loomis?

14:14 / 27.04.06

sorry boboss, it wasn't a thread to point and say 'killjoy' it was more a thread to discuss why some people revert to 'if you don't like it, don't do/watch/listen to/contribute to it' as a defence (something which happens a lot when referring to censorship it seems) and others want to engage, and then when engagment is a means to encourage discussion, or as a means of dismissal.

14:27 / 27.04.06

Is it just me, or does anyone else think that if Loomis shaved his hair off, he'd look a bit like George Morrison?

17:05 / 27.04.06

Don't worry, Benny, I didn't take it that way at all. I think that thread was a perfect case study of the issues you want to raise.

00:43 / 28.04.06

Just don't tell him you like Hunger Breaks.

Knife fight!

08:58 / 28.04.06

I'd never get into a knife fight with someone who eats Hunger Breaks. They're likely to be dangerous and sick in the mind.

All Acting Regiment

19:20 / 28.04.06

What's your favourite? Kebab Attack or All Day Breakfast? Eh? It must be either Kebab Attack or All Day Breakfast. Unless it's Nuggets 'n' Beans?