Forum newbie abuse

Published on August 12, 2004 By Ravenblack In Internet

It seems to me that in internet forums, people with thousands of posts seem to be able to get away with anything, yet a newbie who brings up even an innocent topic could get flamed to bits.

It never fails to urk me when I see a new person joined up only to be bullied by so called "highly respected long time regulars / members".

Sometimes, a newbie can't ask a simple question without being severely flamed for not using the search function or being told, "I'm sick of all you newbies posting about this topic."

Is that necessary?

If you are sick of topic, there are two things you can do:
1) Don't click on the topic.
2) Go out and get some sun.

Newbies are also vulnerable to being attacked for posting something against the views of the regular majority. It doesn't matter if his/her views are well thought out and reasonable. Arrogant forum veterans couldn't be bothered to read what is being said. They just quickly jump in and beat up the new guy.

What is much worse, is that sometimes forum moderators and administrators who are suppose to be fair and impartial, take the side of these arrogant bullies just because they are friends or "they've been around".

I remember clearly, a few months after 9/11, a certain member of a game forum posted that Afganistan and all the countries suspected of housing terrorists should be nuked. He was pretty damn serious about it. He didn't care if innocent women and children perish in such attacks. He felt that his country had every right to retaliate in this manner. He didn't even care if the radioactive cloud blows into the surrounding area killing more people and sterilising the next generation. He didn't think much about innocent neighbouring countries that could be affected.

'Unfortunate casualties of war', he posts as he casually shoves the issue aside.

The guy went on to flame me for disagreeing with his extremist views. I was being as civil as I am being now.

It is quite amazing what happened next. I was warned by the moderator not to "toe the line". Yeah, well I didn't know I wasn't supposed to disagree with a "respected member" of the forum. He has, like, thousands more posts than me (I had about 100 posts) or something.

To which I replied, if he wasn't prepared to take on opposing views, he should keep his views to himself instead of posting on a public forum. Needless to say, he managed to gather most people to his side, even the administrator.

I never posted in that forum again. I do not care for communities that hold one sided views of things.

Internet communities need new members to keep them fresh and lively. New members means new views and new ideas. What's the use of scaring away newbies with the above demostrated behavior? Forums have died because newbies could not be retained. Just before it dies it becomes a place where everyone makes "I agree" posts and nothing more because everyone thinks alike.

And then they begin to ask, "Why is this place so quiet nowadays?"

Comments (Page 1)

Sally jacobs

on Aug 12, 2004

sometimes people get set in their ways, and people build up a level of respect. New people come in without all the information, and people lose their patience. It's not fair, and I completely agree with your posts. Though I have to say that newbies here seemed to be treated in a friendly manner by the majority. Change needs to happen, and you're right new people will keep the site fresh and exciting. There are a few exciting new people that have joined recently, yourself included. Nice article

David St Hubbins

on Aug 12, 2004

Great article.

greywar

on Aug 12, 2004

I agree.

Ravenblack

on Aug 12, 2004

Thank you all for your comments.

Sally (and to all), I feel truely welcomed by the blog community here, and I really appreciate it.

WiseFawn

on Aug 12, 2004

Good article. I remember when I first started posting here, I wanted to talk some about things that had already been discussed and a regular here kept adding these sighs to everything he said to me, and told me sometimes that my subject had already been discussed to death. It was very disheartening. You are a very welcome addition here, soplease don't give up on us.

Angloesque

on Aug 12, 2004

Decision-making is a process. We don't all arrive at the same time. There's no reason for us to keep silent while formulating our opinions on a subject, because that's what dialogue does does: it shapes our character via our opinions. For ages, older people have had to put up with younger people stretching around in their world, trying to figure out why things are the way they are. I don't see why it should be any different on online forums: if you've already got an opinion, you can help other people develop theirs. Nicely. It's called dialogue, not flame.

Thanks for the article.

-A.

Ravenblack

on Aug 12, 2004

Thanks for your insight, Angloesque.

Wisefawn, thanks for the nice words. Glad you're still here.

Texas Wahine

on Aug 12, 2004

Ravenblack: What a great post.

Being a newbie myself, I can definitely see how discouraging being blasted early on could be. I feel fortunate that although not everyone here at JU has always agreed with me, everyone has welcomed my participation in the discussions.

I read on another blog (I'm sorry I cannot remember which one) where someone said that it is important to "build up good will" by posting a few blogs and giving some kind comments early on so that the regulars will know that you're not a jerk, and I think that's a pretty good idea as well.

Keep it up, I enjoy reading your thoughts.

chiprj

on Aug 12, 2004

Excellent article. Keep it up!

BlueDev

on Aug 12, 2004

I have seen it from both sides, being abused as a newbie and having the hankering to abuse. When you have been around a site for a while, have made significant contributions to the site, the feeling of having some sort of supremeacy is easy. Of course that doesn't mean it is right.

Comments should be taken on their own merits. I believe that attacking a poster because they are a n00b is really just a type of ad hominem, and obviously shows more about the logical abilities of the person making the attack than the person making the comment. Hope we can avoid that type of thing here (though I certainly still feel like a n00b here!).

Gideon MacLeish

on Aug 12, 2004

What's funny about that is, most blogs, whether people want to admit it or not, are somehow inspired by other blogs. When a newbie comes on here, they have no way of knowing if a topic has been addressed to death; they're simply trying to be an active, participating part of the site.

Excellent article, raven.

Ravenblack

on Aug 13, 2004

Thanks for all your comments, excellent insights and encouraging words, guys.

>>Texas: I read on another blog (I'm sorry I cannot remember which one) where someone said that it is important to "build up good will" by posting a few blogs and giving some kind comments early on so that the regulars will know that you're not a jerk, and I think that's a pretty good idea as well.

I think that in doing that, you are sort of like going around shaking hands and mingling. I am of the belief that if you show interest in others, people will tend to show some interest in you. I find this place to be very interesting on the whole of course.

>>BlueDev: Hope we can avoid that type of thing here (though I certainly still feel like a n00b here!).

pah..n00b? how could you use that term on yourself? Use "newb". I'm a blog newb, like you. (yes there is a difference, double zeros...think about it. *G*

)

Zoologist03

on Aug 13, 2004

I agree also...

....seriously, its a very good article.

Keep at it,
~Zoo

Texas Wahine

on Aug 13, 2004

I think that in doing that, you are sort of like going around shaking hands and mingling. I am of the belief that if you show interest in others, people will tend to show some interest in you.

That's a very cool way of putting it.

Whiskey Girl

on Aug 13, 2004

I don't understand why the new guy gets beat up. I admire active, participating bloggers who make positive contributions. I also assumen that any comments are valid comments.

Anyone who has made thousands of posts deserves recognition but the way to get it is by taking pride in their words, not just demanding obedience.

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