Whatever Happened to Discussion?

[Codex]

As a “veteran,” at least to some, of the 2k forum, I have found myself of late wondering where our ability to talk to each other has gone. Since about December, when hype for Bioshock 2 was reaching a peak, we have gone from being able to communicate things in a calm, polite manner to what is generally internet standard communication.

I will admit I have caught myself giving in to this act; it is sometimes so much easier to respond with a simple “this!” and leave off any other thought, constructive or otherwise. But from taking a step back the last two weeks and reading what is essentially drivel on the forums, I believe that there are a few amongst us who, to put it as politely as possible, are here to simply respond in the most negative manner possible.

Please note I say “respond in a negative manner,” not “have negative things to say.” People can disagree, have differing opinions and still not respond to each other in a negative manner. Debates can occur and at the end of it people can shake hands and walk away peacefully. The act of “flaming,” to use internet terms, destroys all communication. Threads in which discussions happen are great, for about three hours. Then the “I agree with this,” and “lol u suck” comments start. By flooding a topic with what is essentially non-communication, we’re allowing our forums to be degraded by the simple inability to speak our minds.

What has fascinated me about this place, compared to some of the gaming forums I have been a part of, has been the ability to sit there and discuss our opinions. We’ve been a, dare I say it and NOT laugh, mature community of gamers. Now, as I have said, this is slipping. We’re backsliding in to the internet instead of floating above it. We’re becoming mainstream.

In my opinion, this cannot happen. If we cannot sit around and talk like people, treat other’s opinions with respect and debate with them, how can we expect to keep receiving thoughtful games from our developers? If we become like the typical “CounterStrike” fan (if you’ve ever read Concerned you’ll understand the joke), only able to talk in l33tp34k and acronyms, how can we expect to discuss the overarching themes of a game like Bioshock? The history involved in Mafia? The tactics of Civilization? The artstyle of Winterbottom?

I believe that we, as a community, need to shape up and stop allowing ourselves to project a face that is, essentially, a letdown. There are some incredible thinkers out there, I’ve read your posts. There’s talent, there’s ability, there’s, dare I say it and be proven wrong in my own thread, intelligence. I think we should start now, pull ourselves back up to the standard I know we’re capable of, before things go too far and we can’t stop the backslide.

Thanks for your time.

[Doctor Tivilon]

All the intelligent discussion is simply getting washed over by troll-speak and thirteen year old boys. Give it a month or two, I say. They'll soon get bored, and everything will fall back into place.


Great post, by the way.





I hope I'm allowed to say that stuff, as I'm still kinda new here.

[I-ChooseTheImpossible]

It's all the people who created accounts with the sole purpose to complain in mind, they had no intention of adding to a conversation just crap like "no control support = no more money for 2k" sooner or later it should hopefully die down, until they come back to complain about BioShock 3 ofcourse.

[Codex]

Except it is not. I've had several discussions with people who "created accounts to complain." Some of them will, actually talk to you if you sit down and say "we can talk, but until you stop raging we cannot speak."

It happens, and then the attitudes flare up when we show ourselves as unwilling to speak to one another. We need to check ourselves and be willing to talk back when raged at.

[I-ChooseTheImpossible]

The ones that are actually able to have a civilized conversation are the ones that actually have a legitimate complaint e.g. colour blind people trying to use the new hacking etc.

[Peachy Wilkins]

tl;dr




I jest. I agree with you for the most part, this is usually a very mature forum as far as gaming goes, everyone gets along well for the most part, et cetera. However with the sequel still being new, there are going to be a lot of people who are new to BioShock join the forums, and some of them might be new to forums alltogether. The members who will want to be here in the long run will learn how to further discussions without flaming or using short posts that don't contribute, whereas the members who refuse to learn proper forum etiquette will eventually tire of the place and leave. Hopefully this doesn't sound condescending, as it isn't being intended to, it's just the truth.

[TheParasite]

I think that the reason idiotic arguing and flaming start up is when people challenge someone else's idea or POV. They feel like their intelligence is being threatened and react in a negative way. Even though some people just do it to start fighting and are basically trolling around picking situations to incite rage.

The thing I really hate that's seems to be happening alot lately is people throwing around "omg troll gtfo!" when someone makes a thread or posts something going against the topic. To me that shows that the person calling the other a troll isn't sure about his view point at all. It happens in real life, people who are insecure are usually the ones pointing the finger making fun of the other person because they're afraid that deep down they might be exactly like them.

Wow I rambled right off point, ANYWAY (lol), I really hope this dies down because it's becoming annoying sifting through the dozens of hate threads, (personal)technical problems, potential flame wars and just the overall chaos that has consumed our once calm forum.

[Codex]

I've been using the term troll slightly differently. To me, it is someone who goes into a thread, even one with a good discussion going, and uses very accusatory language in an attempt to make their point.

One of the first things you learn when debating, or in non-violent crisis intervention is that you never put the pressure on someone else. You always say "I," or attempt to make the individual you are attempting to communicate with feel a part of the group, rather than putting the emphasis on "you."

This is something we don't do enough of around here. Immediately someone is a "troll" because we don't like their opinion or it is worded badly, so we respond in kind with "you" attack statements.



And Peachy... I am not impressed with you >:{ (Just kidding <3 You have a very good point.)

[Venom Wolf]

Well, personally I think it should all die down in a month or two, when all the people who just signed up to complain leave and the people who seem to just want to post threads about Bioshock 3 run out of ideas.

[I-ChooseTheImpossible]

Well, personally I think it should all die down in a month or two, when all the people who just signed up to complain leave and the people who seem to just want to post threads about Bioshock 3 run out of ideas.

With some of the ideas that have been thrown around for a possible third game I don't think they will stop until they are suggesting BioShock 3 is just a re-done BioShock 1 with upgraded graphics or something.

[sophia in the nude]

Well I've not been doing a good job with this

[PureNukage]

I joined to talk about Bioshock.
I am younger but more mature than most others.
( one of the only kids at school with a deep voice )
I will still be here in a month

[packardcaribien]

Not exactly sure where the intelligence went. Believe me, It's not like it's limited to the Bioshock Forums, not at all. In fact, Mafia II might be worse. Sure, maybe a few months ago we had occasional spam ads and a few trolls who at least refrained from swearing most of the time. But now....now, there are more threads insulting Liz and Take Two, and more people swearing about the delay then their are people actually talking about the trailer or even the game for that matter. Frankly, It saddens me.

[Circus of Values]

It's the release for Bioshock 2 what did it. People made accounts solely for the purpose of complaint. Give it a few months, and eventually they'll forget.

Should have seen this place back in summer of last year. Before SitS was here, this place was ghostly. It was powered by the few lonely souls that stayed around to discuss BS1 and the occasional piece of BS2 info. I think I was the only one online one night. Then SitS took off, people began joining, but at least THAT was some intellectual thinking. Then BS2 came out, and everyone was like RAWR THIS GAME DUN LIVE UP 2 MAI EXPECTATIONS QQQQQ!

It probably will never die back down to the tranquil place it used to be, either. Not with multiplayer in the game now.

[Fief]

Not exactly sure where the intelligence went. Believe me, It's not like it's limited to the Bioshock Forums, not at all. In fact, Mafia II might be worse. Sure, maybe a few months ago we had occasional spam ads and a few trolls who at least refrained from swearing most of the time. But now....now, there are more threads insulting Liz and Take Two, and more people swearing about the delay then their are people actually talking about the trailer or even the game for that matter. Frankly, It saddens me.

Yea I hear ya...imo the MAFIA II section is by far the worst. When I signed up here there were a lot of interasting threads and cival conversations, but lately it has been dominated by people that are obviously trolling and people who sign up with the sole intention of. Insulting Liz, 2K and T2 for delays. Don't get me wrong I hate delays just as much as anyone else and have posted some displeasure in the appropriate threads, but can not understand how swearing or personal insults to staff help the situation. Lol right now the only real good threads have been started by you packard, by the way great job on the car guide. But I guess for now all we can do is wait it out and hopefully it will get better as time moves forward. And to the OP great thread, this was a breath of fresh air