A New Approach to Posting?

[HummingAlong]

Posted: 2/1/11 at 9:36pm

As a disclaimer, this is not the case in all situations. There are many kind people on these boards who are genuinely interested in having productive conversations.

But why can't people just be kind, lose all snarkiness, and discuss theatre in a lively and productive fashion here? We're not all meant to agree, by any means, but dissenting opinions don't mean someone is less educated about theatre or life. Other people's thoughts and opinions are what make these boards fun, and they're how we continue to learn about the arts from each other. If you come to these boards to lord your knowledge over everyone and feel superior in someway, fine, but please get that thrill without being outwardly rude. Smile to yourself, believing that only you have all the answers, and simply share your knowledge or thoughts. Remember, too, that often the things we discuss are subjective and will elicit different feelings and opinions from those around you. This is normal and, in fact, a lovely part of life, that we do not all respond in the same way to every situation.

I love these boards, and I think it's fun learning from fellow theatre goers/doers about the history and future of the theatre. What's not fun is wading through the negativity that spews from some of us like fountains. If I may be so bold, I would encourage a new way of thinking. Give positive energy and you'll get it back. Look for the validity in other's posts, even when their opinions are wildly different or their information is incorrect, and you may even learn something new!

This post will probably get a lot of hate. I know it's pretty annoying to hear some annoying, happy person trying to make everyone else around them happy. I have come to learn in my years on this planet that being happy is typically associated with being naive. "She must not know a lot about the world, or she wouldn't still be smiling..." But that's far from the truth, and if you knew me, you'd know that. It's just time, I think, for us to try a different approach than what is sometimes seen.

So let the happy discourse begin anew!

[Jud Faginsky]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 4:43pm

Wow, it's kind of amazing that you didn't get any response to this in more than half a day. I hardly ever write anything on these boards, even though I read them all the time. And I, too, get frustrated over the issues that you mention in your post. I truly value the interesting, creative, thoughtful things that many posters say on these boards, but I don't have much use for the snarky comments (although I do admit to laughing at many of them). But when someone calls a cast album a soundtrack, or something similar, it would be nice if nobody jumped down their throat. I often find the discussions to be really fascinating, and the occasional (and sometimes not so occasional) random negative interjection takes me out of the flow of the discussion. So thanks, HummingAlong for bringing this up.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 4:45pm

And this concludes another episode of "Nerds Nook", thanks for stopping by. Stay tuned for an all-new "You Guys! Stop Teasing!" right after this message.

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 5:37pm

Unfortunately the snarkiness will not go away. I slowed up on posting here for a while because of it. I just ignore it now. Who knows why some people feel that they need to post some smart remark as opposed to actually contributing to the conversation. I look at it as just seeking attention. And the real nasty people probably figure they won't meet most, if any,people here face to face so they don't care. JMO

[tazber]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 6:06pm

Welcome to wonderful world of the interwebs!

Personally, I find a lot of the snarkiness hilarious. It's like a whole site made up of the bitchy gay neighbor character that so many sitcoms used to think made them edgy.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 6:22pm

I've been wondering if maybe BWW could implement some sort of waiting period between making a name and actually being able to post. This might give people the opportunity to view the boards before jumping in feet first and it might deter people like Ziggurat who sign up/create new names for the sole purpose of attacking another poster.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 6:24pm

^^^
That would be brillz.

[Jud Faginsky]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 6:35pm

Uncageg, that's the same reason I stopped posting as well. I do ignore it too, but it just gets old after awhile. And it's much harder to keep a thread going when it gets hijacked by stuff like that.
Eris, does that really happen on a regular basis? That is really disappointing. And kind of sad, actually. That's a tremendous amount of effort to go through to post a comment that is unnecessary in the first place. I like your suggestion on how to stop it.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 6:42pm

Look at the thread about performers being required to stage door. That person signed up today. If we had a waiting period that thread wouldn't be there (I would hope)

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 6:57pm

"Uncageg, that's the same reason I stopped posting as well"

Strange to think you've been here for 6 years and only posted about 10 times.

Cause I'd remember a name like "Faginsky"!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 7:04pm

And there should DEFINITELY be a "Please allow me to reintroduce myself" tab so that when somebody "becomes" somebody new, everybody knows who they are and who they used to be. If they take on a new ID because they want to leave behind the bad mojo of their old name, fine, give them that chance. Otherwise none of these new characters coming to town who know all the backstories because they have "lurked" here since the late '70s.

[GatorNY]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 7:08pm

It's funny to see the snarkiness hieracrhy on here as well. We'll see some posters who almost always can be counted on to spew bile. Then, as time goes by the people who had the bile all over them start to do this to the posters who are lower on the food chain than they are. Think of the meanies as making us all a little better at our punctuation and fact checking. I do appreciate your sincerety and your post.

Updated On: 2/2/11 at 07:08 PM

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 7:10pm

Love your av

[HummingAlong]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 7:15pm

I do think of it as a hierarchy thing. The unfortunate thing about me is that i don't buy BS at any point in any hierarchy, unless I perceive someone's authority to be earned. Gets me in trouble from time to time, no doubt, but I simply can't respect someone because they've been around longer than me. They have to prove that I should respect their opinion and authority. Then I'm all theirs, but until then, I don't think they have any right to jump down anyone's throat for any reason.

I think as a society we've lost a huge amount of patience and empathy for others. But that's another conversation for another day.

Glad to see this got some traction.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 7:41pm

Smell you!

[Jud Faginsky]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 7:41pm

Diva, OK, I exaggerate a little. I generally only feel compelled to post when I think I have something to say and can take the time to give a thoughtful response. I'm not really interested in responding to multiple threads all over the place, because I just don't have time or energy to make it count. It's certainly not because I think I have some great opinion and I'm consenting to share it with everyone. It's just that when I find a conversation that I feel I can contribute to, then I will take the time to write something. And sometimes I get tired of all the snarkiness that permeates the boards and I just stop reading and take a long break from BWW. So perhaps it might be better if the snarkiness continues constantly, because that would give me more time to do the rest of my life. :) But I have had some really interesting discussions on the boards when I have something to say and have been lucky enough that others who responded were interested in the topic and not in being mean.
Thanks, Eris, for mentioning the stage door thread. I had read that thread and did notice that the person was new, but I didn't realize that maybe it was just a new identity.
HummingAlong - I totally agree with you that a lot of civility has been lost in our society. It actually may be somewhat related to anonymous message boards like these, perhaps?
Gator, it's funny you mentioned checking our spelling, etc. because I did that in my previous post.
Thanks HummingAlong for starting this topic.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 8:07pm

Sorry, I'm all focused on your name. I don't know why, but it makes me laugh.

What does it mean, or stand for?

[HummingAlong]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 8:12pm

Jud - I think you're right on. The anonymity of a screen name is all some of us seem to need to do some serious damage. Heck, look at that young teen girl who was bullied by a classmate's MOTHER on AIM and was so distraught she killed herself. As a society, I think we've lost the bravery to stand up to people and say what we need to say, so we hide behind screen names and say things that make ourselves feel better.

On the other hand, they can be great things! I'm notorious at work for my love of theatre, but no one knows the HALF of it! I can come here and talk about the shows I love with no social repercussions whatsoever! So THAT is wonderful.

I try to teach my little sisters and brother how to use technology appropriately, because kids these days are growing up with so much technology that they've forgotten how to communicate face to face. It's too difficult to interpret someone's tone via text, so kids end up getting the wrong messages all the time. (Honestly, we're probably victims of that here, as well. I may think I sound matter-of-fact while someone reads it as snarky. Or a very sarcastic person will automatically add a touch of sarcasm to everything they read...etc.) I think schools should be addressing it in speech class or something...Ahh in a perfect world...

[Jack Lopez-Turner]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 8:25pm

I absolutely agree with this 100%. I can't tell you how often someone posts an interesting topic, but it gets lost in the wailing they get over not spelling a word right. Maybe it has something to do with how insecure many of the people on this board are. Like those who make their user name their credentials. AEA SAD PMS. Who really cares. Perhaps my user name should be CLA SAG WGA DGA GAY.

[BwayTday]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 8:38pm

Please tell me you aren't referring to AEA SM, because I cannot recall anything overtly snarky about their posts. I find them quite informative.

I don't really mind the snarkiness. Maybe thats just because I'm used to it here and real life. Sometimes it can go a bit overboard, but for the most part I think its quite entertaining. Updated On: 2/2/11 at 08:38 PM

[Jack Lopez-Turner]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 8:39pm

And I personally think that the moderators for the site need to control some of the bullying that goes on. They have the ability to do so, but maybe they enjoy reading at others expense too.

[Jack Lopez-Turner]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 8:58pm

Do you read absolutely every post they write or PM's sent to other people besides you?

[Eris0303]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 9:01pm

They're called "Private Messages" for a reason.

[Jack Lopez-Turner]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 9:14pm

Yes but then no one can ASSUME that that individual is NEVER nasty to other people.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 2/2/11 at 9:21pm

Some of the mods are just as bad, one only needs to look back at the reNt film review thread..

But in saying all of that I read and post only when I something I want to add.