Disrespectful/Rude Behavior on These Boards

I joined these message boards a few weeks ago. And, while I noticed the threads/discussions/etc. before officially joining, being a member allows me to participate in them, and to raise points when I feel it necessary. And in this particular instance, I feel that it is necessary to address this.

Why is there so much animosity, bickering, negativity, and, even in some cases, bullying on these boards? This is a Broadway/theatre website. The theatre is supposed to be a safe place. A place where people can be themselves. A place where people can be free. A place where people should feel free to express themselves WITHOUT fear of being treated like they are of sub-intelligence, or like what they say doesn't matter. Sadly, I have seen a lot of behavior contradictory to the spirit of theatre on these forums, especially as of late. I understand that people are passionate about their favorite shows/actors, and are opinionated. I am very opinionated as well. But it's much more constructive to share these opinions without tearing down those who disagree with you. And this also goes for those who share incorrect information, and those who may or may not have inside information about the goings on in the theatre. You know who makes mistakes? Everyone. I make at least a half dozen mistakes every day. Is somebody thinking the Brooks Atkinson Theatre is a Shubert house worthy of scorn, and treating that person like they are the biggest idiot on the planet? I certainly don't think so. I am just using that as an example, but I have seen people treat others on here very harshly for making mistakes about as trivial as that. Also, if you have inside information on something, that's great! It's a good feeling, to have inside info! However, you can have this information without getting up on a high horse, and acting like you are better than everyone else because of it. I also think people will think more highly of your access to this information, if you are kind and respectful about it.

Long story short, there are places online where people are made to feel stupid, or like they aren't able to express themselves without being scorned for it. And while I don't think any place should make people feel like that, I especially don't think a theatre forum should. The theatre is a safe place, and so, too, should a place to talk about theatre be.

Ya just don't get it, give it time.

A) BWW has been this way since day one. It used to be even worse. MUCH worse. And...

2) Have you ever met theatre people? This behavior is NOTHING compared to the animosity and behavior of this who work in theatre. Sure, it's all talk of solidarity in the public eye, but it's quite a different story backstage and at auditions.

You can try to pretend this site should be placed on a pedestal and people should behave a certain way and whatnot, but in the end, we are people being people. And like the real world, some of these people are great, some are awful, some agree and some don't. And if you think someone is being a dick, call them out on it at the time. Devoting a thread to collective bad behavior doesn't do anything at all.

(I told myself I wouldn't respond to this anymore, and just let people fire at me. But when my knowledge/expertise is directly challenged, I feel obligated to haha)

If you think for one moment that the internet is ever going to be a "safe space", then you are living in cloud cuckoo land. Sorry!

Updated On: 10/22/16 at 06:58 PM

Why would you start a thread if you weren't going to respond? That's kinda the point, to interact.

So tell us, "New Member": Do you think Patti Murin hit that high note in Wicked or not?

What the **** is this delicate snowflake going on about? If anything, I think BWW posters are sometimes too genial and respectful. And, Jesus, safe spaces? You had to bring that up. A term which once had a very legitimate meaning for sexual abuse survivors and now has been rendered meaningless and ridiculous. I have infinitely more respect for those who can dish it* out and take it than those who have to thought and speech police everyone. I mean, take PJ. Not so long ago, I told PJ that he wouldn't be satisfied if a prominent political figure debased himself in public with a 10" inch Hillary Clinton shaped dildo and PJ, a man or character, well, took it and fired right back.





* Note: "it" does not refer to those using the pseudo-issue of "political correctness" to spew racist, xenophobic, ageist and sexist bull****.

Updated On: 10/22/16 at 10:21 PM

PalJoey said: "

So tell us, "New Member": Do you think Patti Murin hit that high note in Wicked or not?





"

She hit it 6 times a week

Wow. I guess I should thank you for joining the site . I'm sure from your Pedestal upon which you perch, as you judge us , you must feel pretty smug about how you are going to fix us so we can meet your personal standards of internet behavior. I mean, never mind that this board has been going on for 10+ years without your instructions on How We Are Doing It Wrong and Must CHANGE.

Can we be bitchy? hells yah! But if many of us can be members for years w/out leaving we must be OK with how things are.

Oh and while i don't work in the Theeatah, I worked for 10 yrs on film/tv sets. I can't tell you some of the crap I heard and was occasionally subject to . But guess what? that same behavior is present in my day job in a hospital, and in my nephew's job in finance and in the rest of the grown up world.

That's life in the big city kiddo- grow a skin.

sabrelady said: "Wow. I guess I should thank you for joining the site . I'm sure from your Pedestal upon which you perch, as you judge us , you must feel pretty smug about how you are going to fix us so we can meet your personal standards of internet behavior. I mean, never mind that this board has been going on for 10+ years without your instructions on How We Are Doing It Wrong and Must CHANGE.

Can we be bitchy? hells yah! But if many of us can be members for years w/out leaving we must be OK with how things are.

Oh and while i don't work in the Theeatah, I worked for 10 yrs on film/tv sets. I can't tell you some of the crap I heard and was occasionally subject to . But guess what? that same behavior is present in my day job in a hospital, and in my nephew's job in finance and in the rest of the grown up world.

That's life in the big city kiddo- grow a skin.



"

It also happens in retail. I've been called a bitch behind my back because I didn't fall for a claim a customer made. On Christmas eve, one chased me down to make sure I asked someone if we had an item I was fully aware we didn't have and told them that. I've feared being hit by customers. So yeah, BWW is nothing compared to most real life experiences.

"This is the stupidest post in the history of the Internet."

Wow. You seem to think everything is quite stupid. According to you the 2020 Election thread was the stupidest post in the history of BWW and now this one is in the history of the internet - lol

Updated On: 10/23/16 at 01:11 PM

I've never seen a discussion board where it doesn't happen. Heck, dieting women's boards are the worst.