DOS4/GW said:
Yet I still wish to speak my mind.
More than welcome. With respect to your second paragraph:
No, you've misunderstood. I'm not permitted to act with impunity: I'm merely able to post contentiously/aggressively/plainly on these forums, for the provided reasons. And nowhere did I mention in-game behaviour, although mine is mostly exemplary (I rarely, if ever, talk in-game). That being said, it's true that certain people – pt's and devs especially – have been granted tons of behavioural leeway. However, one of the few things I've found BugsPray has done properly as project lead is to have immature developers act with some semblance of professionalism.
As for the “exclusive pack of bros” determining game direction, did you ever think it was anything different? It's been that way since IA's pt days. At least with the public test servers, there's now some community input.
Finally, don't confound aggressive attitudes with immaturity. While it's a gratifying position to take, things aren't so simple; and you'll often find yourself in trouble after having made such assumptions.
DOS4/GW said:
As for always being right, I'm pretty sure that no one can know his about themselves for certain. Perhaps you think you are always right because you only really listen to the feedback of your good friends in this supposed "hierarchy."
I counter your accusations of confirmation bias by indicating that my opponents often post that they've acceded to my stance. And on the internet,
that's something.
“It's super effective!”
DOS4/GW said:
What I choose to devote my attention and "emotional" energy is not the issue here, and I fail to see how it has anything to do with the issue of forum behavior.
You complained about a particular issue. I am arguing that the target of your complaints isn't so much a “forums issue” as it is a “you issue”. So in that sense, your investments of attention and emotional energy are very much the issue here. And they are very much wasted, as you yourself admit.
DOS4/GW said:
To you, patience and politeness are masks. To me, they are fundamental parts of being a human being.
Masks
are a fundamental part of being a human being, and we wouldn't survive socially without them. Make no mistake: patience and politeness take effort – they are not intrinsic to our person. However, speaking one's mind also requires effort, as does head-on confrontation. I simply prefer a particular set of qualities. The wonderful thing is that you don't have to share my opinion for me to possess it.
As for this statement:
dos said:
And I do not recall ever having rejected points made simply because of the way they are given.
Fortunately, my memory's almost eidetic:
OmniNept said:
. . .but for my own purposes (as well as for community-education purposes) . . .
DOS4/GW said:
Stopped reading there. Don't presume to educate us.
Oh, hey. Look at that. It's as though you “rejected points simply because of the way they [were] given”. You almost got away with it through editing, but Heartsong was there to save the day. And that insight you're currently receiving through the realization that you do, in fact, reject points because of their delivery? Well, that could be classified as downright
educational!
I'm just teasing.
dos said:
But if you really wish to discuss it, then it would be interesting to hear how responding to my posts is such a worthy thing for your time and effort.
I enjoy debate and confrontation in general; I enjoy eristic, you might say. Forums also force writing practice, something for which I've not otherwise tons of time or motivation. Apparently, you don't enjoy confrontation and you recognize (with more than a modicum of emo) the futility of your efforts. So, I redirect the question toward you.
I also have to say that for all your high-horsery, you come across as neither patient nor polite. In fact, when pointing out the perceived personal failings of forum posters, you come across as downright rude. And bitchy.
Your impatience with posters whose tones you don't appreciate rivals Disci's impatience with poor players. And that would be
fine . . . were it not intrinsically hypocritical.
If you're looking to learn from paragons of politeness and patience, you'll want to check out Seymour. I know Outlawl does (want to check out Seymour, that is).
DOS4/GW said:
And mincing politeness? I'm not requesting that people say please and thank you more often. I'm not saying that people cannot not speak frankly. It is completely possible to make points without being nice or being mean. Treating others with respect is all I ask for.
Speaking your mind and meanness are often intertwined. The only difference is intent, which isn't easy to convey and is often ignored. There are measures one can take, but the underlying blow's often the same. As for respect, well, I don't give that freely; in terms of posting, though, I typically respond in kind. Do not be aggressive or short with me and expect restraint.
You're also operating under the assumption that the only purpose behind aggressive posting attitudes is meanness. It is not.
