The BT Forum Culture - a case for a higher standard? (Page 2)
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I think BT would be better without COJ. There, I said it. As much as I enjoy many of the threads, I think that internet forums like COJ where nearly any subject is in bounds are inherently divisive and serve to highlight those areas where we disagree, in some cases vehemently, rather than focusing on the things that we all presumably have in common—running, biking, swimming, fitness, etc. I was surprised, and maybe a little ashamed of myself, when I realized I’ve had more COJ posts than Tri Talk or other tri-related posts. COJ isn’t the reason I came here and it isn’t what makes this site unique and great. There are loads of places on the web where one can argue politics or abortion or gun control or whatever else---it doesn’t need to be on a website that is fundamentally dedicated to encouraging people to take up the sport of triathlon. I don’t need to agree politically with my training partners, or even with my friends, but I doubt I’m alone in feeling that it’s difficult to isolate my feelings about the person who may be giving great nutritional advice if I know that he has a political stance that I find reprehensible. It’s my own fault. Just like a scab I can’t stop picking or the little sore spot in your mouth that you can’t stop jabbing your tongue against, I keep going over there, and that’s a fail on my part. Having said that, I feel much less that BT is the kind of welcoming place that it was 4 years ago, and part of that is the level of discourse that has developed on COJ. I think BT has become more cliquish, more snarky, less welcoming, and more polarized than it was when I first started lurking. I’m not even suggesting that COJ go away, but I think that the door to that kind of hostile rhetoric has been opened, and now there’s no closing it, despite Ron and Marma’s pleas for civility. People have chosen sides in many cases, and I think that’s fundamentally contrary to the principle that says that we’re all here for the same reason—to learn and grow in the sport of triathlon. |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() jmk, COJ developed at the very beginning (6/3/2003) with Tritalk and Introduce yourself (5/25 and 5/28 2003) coming a few days before. This was done via a little research of other specialized forums - it was definitely apparent that without an off topic forum, those posts end up being in the main forums (in our case, Tritalk). People like to talk shop on non-triathlon issues with other like-minded people (triathletes)...you just develop friendships on the board and end up wanting to discuss other issues with the same people. It's something we need for the 'complete' sense of community - even though, just due to the topics, we have to moderate more and the conversation can be quite divisive at times. As far as BT not being as warm and fuzzy as 4 years ago...that's just the natural evolution I think. The first, say, 10,000 total members (not forum active) of the site were a tight group...the frequency of posting at that time was all readable at one sit down session. You knew what was happening to everyone and what they were going through and what races they had that weekend. A persons first IM was HUGE in Tritalk before the IM board - just for the fact there there were more beginniners going through the same 'first IM training' stages and no multiple IM'ers. You had a bond. That was the 'clubhouse' stage. Now we are in the 'stadium' category...more people to please, more personalities to get along with, every personal victory a little more diluted. This has been one reason that we have a lot of subforums and the state forums especially, first for finding stuff easily, but really it's for getting people back into a forum they like away from the main forums where there are less posters and where that close-knot bond with a small group can be had. I think the state forums could serve an important purpose as they 'can' become mini tri-talk forums where you could actually meetup and race - even hang out with the people developing a closer friendship. I have no qualms with people starting up triathlon discussion topics within states and not just talk about the race season, etc...I encourage it...to get that sense of 'small clubhouse' feeling back. Though it's not a excuse to stay out or Tritalk...if anything, helping with the beginner questions is of the utmost importance - while making them feel welcomed and 'no post is too dumb'. I would sooner axe a member for saying 'do a search' then for being less than cordial...even if the questions are redundant..that boils my blood as it's against the foundation of the site. Answering beginner questions was what this site was founded upon and how it grew..... REALLY. Sure, the beginner topics are repetitive, but there will always be a new 'guard' of 2nd season triathletes to start answering those and 'paying it forward'. Even the Introduce yourself forums are great...hard to go wrong there. Sorry jmk, the last few paragraphs were less to do with your question but it just kinda flowed. |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Thanks for the response, Ron. I understand that the board has, as a whole, changed a lot in four years, and overall, that's a good thing. There have been some great additions to the board in terms of knowlege and experience, not to mention wisdom and entertainment value. I've made some good friends on here (several of whom I've even met in person!), and I don't know that that would have happened if we hadn't been able to share mutual interests or just a laugh on COJ. I dunno. It's not just there being a more diluted response when someone finishes their first IM or runs their first mile without stopping. I just think that so much of the discourse over there is ugly and mean spirited. There are a number of posters, all of whom, I think, have been around for a year or so, who don't seem to contribute anything that isn't pointed, provocative (and not in a good way), and sometimes outright insulting. I feel as though that those kinds of comments are allowed to slide in COJ in a way that they wouldn't be in TriTalk because it's a more open forum, but I do think that it colors the discourse across the whole site. I think I need to just stop picking the scab, honestly. |
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Iron Donkey![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() jmk-brooklyn - 2010-03-03 8:38 PM Thanks for the response, Ron. I understand that the board has, as a whole, changed a lot in four years, and overall, that's a good thing. There have been some great additions to the board in terms of knowlege and experience, not to mention wisdom and entertainment value. I've made some good friends on here (several of whom I've even met in person!), and I don't know that that would have happened if we hadn't been able to share mutual interests or just a laugh on COJ. I dunno. It's not just there being a more diluted response when someone finishes their first IM or runs their first mile without stopping. I just think that so much of the discourse over there is ugly and mean spirited. There are a number of posters, all of whom, I think, have been around for a year or so, who don't seem to contribute anything that isn't pointed, provocative (and not in a good way), and sometimes outright insulting. I feel as though that those kinds of comments are allowed to slide in COJ in a way that they wouldn't be in TriTalk because it's a more open forum, but I do think that it colors the discourse across the whole site. I think I need to just stop picking the scab, honestly. "Ugly and mean spirited"? Then why do a number of COJ frequenters feel the same way about the Tri Talk area? Everybody has a different opinion, whether political or whatever. I tend to ignore political contributions because I can't stand them. I have a strong opinion regarding certain religion aspects, but, I stay out of those out of respect. If a person has that strong religion strength that I oppose yet provides excellent triathlon information, I'll still listen to that triathlon knowledge and won't think anything different about the person. I try as much as I can to thank that person. I tend to get "provocative" and some find it offensive, many don't. I know that I will never be friends with everybody. Some people are more comfortable with certain people, whether it's in the Tri Talk forum, or their own state forum, or in the Challenges forum, or in COJ. When people start knocking down one community over another, then I find that sad. I thought BT was a supportive community/environment, not something that had a concern over something so trivial as post counts. Not everybody trains everyday, or work towards a huge goal of making it to Kona, or are overly impressed with improving wattages, etc. There are those that are overweight that are so happy to find a place to just get started, or folks that are going through a divorce, or folks that are experiencing a traumatic event in their lives and this is just an outlet. That's where COJ comes in - to help each other, give praise, wish each other a happy birthday, discuss odd things, to have fun, to debate over politics, etc. And to those that have a triathlon state of mind but want that little extra slice of life to enjoy because they might not have that in real life, is that such an issue? Ron: I am guilty of posting "Search the site" comments. I will do better. I promise. Now, I have to check on my wife because she's not feeling well. Once again, I thank Ron, Marmadaddy, and the mods for all their hard work. |
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Pro ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I still really like BT - mostly I hang out in COJ and TT, but it is nice to have a state-wide board as well; and when I pop into the the gear forum, or the other places I lurk, I usually like it. COJ can become a fairly contentious place, which at times I see as off-putting. Maybe as the site evolves, there should be a sub-forum for all the political discussions. It sort of seems to me with my relatively limited time here, that the political stuff grew a lot faster with the last presidential election, and the same issues (*cough*healthcare*cough*) regurgitate the same people on the same sides, with little to no change in views or rhetoric. Moving the political things to a separate area allows the other "getting to know one another" topics that are more bonding to breathe a little. I say this as someone who left another website from another hobby because their version of COJ became almost exclusively a political forum, with lots of attitudes that made it ultimately an overall unpleasant experience. And as someone who (though I obviously lean left) hangs out with people IRL that are very much on the other end of the political spectrum. We do things together and I feel as close as a brother with some of them, despite the obvious differences in our POV politically. Books, movies, TV shows, and other hobbies are better ways to connect than endless cycles of debate. |
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Elite ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() One thing people need to keep in mind is that BT is a dynamic entity. It will keep changing. As someonementioned above, people come and go for many reasons, a lot of which have nothing to do with BT. Any expectations that BT should be static are going to be unmet expectations. The membership changes, the site changes, even the sport changes. You may miss the old days, but one day today will also be the old days. |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I've been a member of BT since 3/17/2004 and it has pretty much changed my life. I know that sounds ridiculous, but I have some very very good BT friends, a very very good BT boyfriend, and I have been all over this great country traveling with BT people, and going to races to cheer for BT people. I've rented a beach house with RON and his family! If you were to look at my eMail inbox right now, most of my eMails are from BT people. Most of my text messages are from BT people. I've mailed books to people I've never met, mailed shoes to a guy in Indiana, and received the same in kind. Tenfold. I stopped to hug literally 20-30 BT people @ IMWI. The support I received while training for and doing my first Ironman was... unbelievable. The members of BT (most of whom had NOTHING to do with our house in CdA) pitched in to repay me, personally, when one of our other members finked out on his reservation in CdA and left me holding the bag. When I collected TOO MUCH MONEY, I donated the overage to ALS. Do I post in the forums? From time to time. Do I have advice to give? Maybe. My approach is different than most and not everyone wants to hear SLOW DOWN, take a rest day, and remember to enjoy yourselves. My logs get a lot of hits and hopefully people are learning a little bit of something thru that medium, rather than relying on me to post stuff in the forums. My personal opinion? Why is it so hard to be respectful? Why are we having a discussion over why we shouldn't be snarky, mean spirited, and generally bilious? I don't see any advantage in conducting ourselves with anything other than tact. And manners. BT is a truly remarkable place. Let's keep it that way. {{{{Group Hug}}}} Whiz Edited by Whizzzzz 2010-03-04 2:46 PM |
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Regular ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() So, I'm a Beginner. Not a Triathlete yet. That's what I'm here for. Not being an oldbie, and not knowing the oldbies or the past history of the site, I can't comment on reasons they might choose to be silent or depart. I CAN say that I deeply appreciate all the knowledge that everyone posts. I learn a lot from y'all every day just by surfing. I have a high post count (for someone who's only been actively posting since December) because I post in COJ a lot. I post in COJ a lot because I don't have much to offer other members in the other parts of the site, but I still want to participate in the community and get to know people. Also, I enjoy posting in COJ because it is hands down, by far, without a doubt the most civil "off-topic" forum I have ever seen in my life. People post questions about semi-serious life matters or decisions requiring thought, and at least half the responses are serious and/or thoughtful. At least some views that are not mainstream or that are somewhat controversial can be safely aired if done so politely. This is VERY special. In an off-topic forum on any other website, a serious/thoughtful question would get an absolute maximum of three serious answers in a sea of idiot answers, shallow judgments, personal attacks, and fart jokes. People with incongruent views would have been driven out by the other members. I've been a member of multiple forums where a regular poster getting banned or final-warned is a weekly event. Both BT's members and the mods deserve credit for this not being the case here. As for cliques... I think Ron said it pretty well. Once a board gets above a certain size, groups are naturally going to form, along with unspoken criteria for membership in each group. Some people bond over plans for their 5th IM, some people bond over TAN, some people bond over agonizing about which bike to buy, some people bond over nearly killing themselves learning to clip in. Everyone's probably going to feel like there's a group they can't join. Can that really be avoided? |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() jmk-brooklyn - 2010-03-03 8:38 PM Thanks for the response, Ron. I understand that the board has, as a whole, changed a lot in four years, and overall, that's a good thing. There have been some great additions to the board in terms of knowlege and experience, not to mention wisdom and entertainment value. I've made some good friends on here (several of whom I've even met in person!), and I don't know that that would have happened if we hadn't been able to share mutual interests or just a laugh on COJ. I dunno. It's not just there being a more diluted response when someone finishes their first IM or runs their first mile without stopping. I just think that so much of the discourse over there is ugly and mean spirited. There are a number of posters, all of whom, I think, have been around for a year or so, who don't seem to contribute anything that isn't pointed, provocative (and not in a good way), and sometimes outright insulting. I feel as though that those kinds of comments are allowed to slide in COJ in a way that they wouldn't be in TriTalk because it's a more open forum, but I do think that it colors the discourse across the whole site. I think I need to just stop picking the scab, honestly.
I have similar views as you about COJ. I don't think discussions about politics, homosexuality, abortion, sex and religion serve the board. Those subjects are very difficult to discuss face to face and when people hide behind the anonimity of the internet, they can get very ugly and people get hurt and offended at some of the crude, vulgar and somtimes soft porno posts. I will never post in COJ again and, like you, am ashamed of the COJ posts indicated in my post count. I understand having an "off topic" thread but an off-topic board where 'anything goes' is too much. When someone has 2,000 COJ posts and 20 Tri Talk posts, I don't think this contributes to the triathlon community of BT. At least you have to be a member to see the COJ board! When I was BTer of the month, I sent the link to my friends and family and I was so glad they could not see COJ! Obviously even BT is embarrassed at what goes on in COJ and don't want people to see our dirty underbelly before they sign up. :-) ~Mike
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Elite ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Rogillio - 2010-03-05 6:37 AM I have similar views as you about COJ. I don't think discussions about politics, homosexuality, abortion, sex and religion serve the board. Those subjects are very difficult to discuss face to face and when people hide behind the anonimity of the internet, they can get very ugly and people get hurt and offended at some of the crude, vulgar and somtimes soft porno posts. I will never post in COJ again and, like you, am ashamed of the COJ posts indicated in my post count. I understand having an "off topic" thread but an off-topic board where 'anything goes' is too much. When someone has 2,000 COJ posts and 20 Tri Talk posts, I don't think this contributes to the triathlon community of BT. At least you have to be a member to see the COJ board! When I was BTer of the month, I sent the link to my friends and family and I was so glad they could not see COJ! Obviously even BT is embarrassed at what goes on in COJ and don't want people to see our dirty underbelly before they sign up. :-) ~Mike Mike, I agree with most of what you said, but COJ has its place. Without an outlet for non-tri talk, the tri forum would be inundated with random non-tri posts. It needs to be there, but I think we need some new rule for that area and fast. I never really ventured into COJ until recently due to a lot of time sitting around waiting at airports and such. I enjoy some of the discussions on religion and politics, but most of the time COJ sounds like a board for sexually repressed teenagers with hormones raging. I don't mind threads about topics related to sex if they're discussed in a mature fashion, but from what I've seen that's very rare. The blatant inuendos, discussion about "mellon presses" and masturbation have no place on this forum. There are plenty of places on the internet to discuss this. Unfortunately, it even spills out of COJ when people forget where they're posting. I'm a very open minded person, but unless we want to add an "over 18 only" page when logging on to BT, this stuff needs to stop. I tried out the "BeginnerChat" for the first time in a couple of years the other night. Within a few minutes there probably a dozen comments about 'penis,' 'meat curtains,' etc.. Really? I can't imagine how many new members have tried to go into those chat rooms to have a normal conversation (*gasp* maybe even tri related) only to find that conversation. If this is the direction the board is going and the other regulars want that, then fine. Slowtwitch may not be as inviting to newbies, but at least it's appropriate. |
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Iron Donkey![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Rogillio - 2010-03-05 6:37 AM jmk-brooklyn - 2010-03-03 8:38 PM Thanks for the response, Ron. I understand that the board has, as a whole, changed a lot in four years, and overall, that's a good thing. There have been some great additions to the board in terms of knowlege and experience, not to mention wisdom and entertainment value. I've made some good friends on here (several of whom I've even met in person!), and I don't know that that would have happened if we hadn't been able to share mutual interests or just a laugh on COJ. I dunno. It's not just there being a more diluted response when someone finishes their first IM or runs their first mile without stopping. I just think that so much of the discourse over there is ugly and mean spirited. There are a number of posters, all of whom, I think, have been around for a year or so, who don't seem to contribute anything that isn't pointed, provocative (and not in a good way), and sometimes outright insulting. I feel as though that those kinds of comments are allowed to slide in COJ in a way that they wouldn't be in TriTalk because it's a more open forum, but I do think that it colors the discourse across the whole site. I think I need to just stop picking the scab, honestly.
... Those subjects are very difficult to discuss face to face and when people hide behind the anonimity of the internet, they can get very ugly and people get hurt and offended .. . And some persons haven't when in Tri Talk?? I will never post in COJ again and, like you, am ashamed of the COJ posts indicated in my post count. ... Ashamed? Did you commit a sin? At least you have to be a member to see the COJ board! When I was BTer of the month, I sent the link to my friends and family and I was so glad they could not see COJ! Obviously even BT is embarrassed at what goes on in COJ and don't want people to see our dirty underbelly before they sign up. :-) ~Mike Such strong words about strong feelings regarding one forum. Wow. At least I'm happy to know that I still live in the U.S. where there isn't censorship and Chinese filters are imposed. Let me add that the mods keep an eye on the forum, and whatever they deem as inappropriate, they take care of it. The rules are displayed out here, and the community tries to enforce those rules when they can to assist. It almost appears that a PURIST triathlon forum would need to created that ONLY discusses triathlon related material, and it follows YOUR standard of what triathlons are all about. Sounds like Big Brother to me. I respect the comments that were made, but I will emphatically disagree with much that was stated. Now, the other side of me (the positive and supportive 1TT) will come out and say this - CONGRATULATIONS on being a BT Member of the Month (whenever that happened)! That is quite an honor. Edited by 1stTimeTri 2010-03-05 8:24 AM |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I frequent TT and COJ and even the evil TAN. They all have their place in the site, and make it an informative AND fun place to visit. Also, a ton of the posts in TT would be better suited to COJ. I think that COJ is supposed to catch a lot of off topic stuff. For the site to really function on all cylinders, people should post Tri-related in TT, Nutrition in Nutrition, and silly stuff in COJ. TT is the steak, and COJ is the salt & pepper. Edited by pga_mike 2010-03-05 9:00 AM |
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Sneaky Slow ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Rogillio - 2010-03-05 7:37 AM jmk-brooklyn - 2010-03-03 8:38 PM Thanks for the response, Ron. I understand that the board has, as a whole, changed a lot in four years, and overall, that's a good thing. There have been some great additions to the board in terms of knowlege and experience, not to mention wisdom and entertainment value. I've made some good friends on here (several of whom I've even met in person!), and I don't know that that would have happened if we hadn't been able to share mutual interests or just a laugh on COJ. I dunno. It's not just there being a more diluted response when someone finishes their first IM or runs their first mile without stopping. I just think that so much of the discourse over there is ugly and mean spirited. There are a number of posters, all of whom, I think, have been around for a year or so, who don't seem to contribute anything that isn't pointed, provocative (and not in a good way), and sometimes outright insulting. I feel as though that those kinds of comments are allowed to slide in COJ in a way that they wouldn't be in TriTalk because it's a more open forum, but I do think that it colors the discourse across the whole site. I think I need to just stop picking the scab, honestly.
I have similar views as you about COJ. I don't think discussions about politics, homosexuality, abortion, sex and religion serve the board. Those subjects are very difficult to discuss face to face and when people hide behind the anonimity of the internet, they can get very ugly and people get hurt and offended at some of the crude, vulgar and somtimes soft porno posts. I will never post in COJ again and, like you, am ashamed of the COJ posts indicated in my post count. I understand having an "off topic" thread but an off-topic board where 'anything goes' is too much. When someone has 2,000 COJ posts and 20 Tri Talk posts, I don't think this contributes to the triathlon community of BT. At least you have to be a member to see the COJ board! When I was BTer of the month, I sent the link to my friends and family and I was so glad they could not see COJ! Obviously even BT is embarrassed at what goes on in COJ and don't want people to see our dirty underbelly before they sign up. :-) ~Mike If you think that lots of people are getting hurt and offended by the "crude, vulgar, and sometimes soft porno posts," it IS obvious that you don't frequent COJ. It's not an "anything goes" forum. It's moderated just like any other forum. People there are respectful, just as they are on other places on BT. It's no different. This post is way, way over the top, and demonstrates a lack of understanding of BT as a whole. As well as being judgmental upon an entire group of people that you know very little about. Want to be ashamed about a post being included in your post count? Be ashamed of this one. Edited by newleaf 2010-03-05 9:05 AM |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I admit that I don't really get some of the latest comments. If you don't like COJ, you don't have to go there. If you don't like Tri Talk, you don't have to go there. If you don't like the chat room, you don't have to go there. What's "appropriate" and "inappropriate" will differ from person to person, but we're already on the fairly conservative (not politically, folks) about what we allow. If we moderated more, people would complain. If we moderated less, people would complain. Can't make everybody happy all the time. From the majority of comments it seems that people are happy that BT is a place where civility reigns and where beginners are made to feel welcome. |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I agree that there are different levels of sensitivity and that I’ve already said that I think the moderators do a thankless job well. I don’t see how saying, “If you don’t like COJ don’t go there” is constructive. It’s the same as saying “America, Love it or Leave it.” It may be true that the majority thinks that COJ is fine, but there are those that do not and think that it could be better. I think BT is great but that it could be better. I wasn’t the one who brought up the question of civility—it’s clearly something that’s on Ron’s mind as well. I’d be curious to know what percentage of a) threads that are pulled and b) posters that are given time-outs or banned from the forums are the result of COJ posts as opposed to Tri Talk or elsewhere. I would assume that the vast majority are COJ, but maybe I’m mistaken. |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() jmk-brooklyn - 2010-03-05 10:01 AM I don’t see how saying, “If you don’t like COJ don’t go there” is constructive. It’s the same as saying “America, Love it or Leave it.” It may be true that the majority thinks that COJ is fine, but there are those that do not and think that it could be better. Complaining about a completely OPTIONAL place to visit vs. a country you live in isn't remotely the same thing. The comments that mine were directed at are those who are sweeping COJ under some giant rug of "profanity" and "worthlessness". I have no problems with suggestions to make things better, but I find those sorts of statements less than constructive. |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Oops. Sorry about the triple post. I'm just padding my post count to appear more credible. |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() DerekL - 2010-03-05 10:12 AM Oops. Sorry about the triple post. I'm just padding my post count to appear more credible. It's a good thing you are padding your post count in Tri Talk. Otherwise I wouldn't believe a single thing you ever had to say. I might even think you're a fake doctor. ![]() |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Yeah, I figured that was directed at me. I did not mean to cast the whole of COJ out. I was agreeing with the previous poster but I'm afriad I'm not as articulate as he is. I'm not a business man but I guess the OP is wisely looking at the current and future direction of BT and soliciting ideas and opinions on how to maintain and/or grow BT. Certainly "if you don't like it, don't go there" is obvious. And if you only want the opinions of those who DO go there, I appolgize. I do go to TT and quit posting there several months ago...till a few days ago. Why? Becuase of the atmostphere there. To me, it seemed like there was always a pack of wolves waiting to pounce on anything that did not fit their ideas of triathloning. I posted a thread about there being a correlation between training time and triathlon length and got pounced on by the 'experts' who were all to quick to throgh me under the bus to make their point. Another time I commented that I did not think Sprint tris were 'enduracne events' and got jumped on by eperts quoting out of their biology book! So the place became a net negative to me and I quit the boards entirely. Good for business? No, not really. Was it "just me"? No. I can't begin to tell you the number of people I know who say "I stay away from the boards becuase....". I have no solution to this....I think the moderators do a good job. I'm not sure how you change the culture of the boards or if you even need to. Maybe it's just the nature of an open forum? ~Mike |
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Runner | ![]() FYI, Mike, those "experts" often feel the same way you do. I have stepped away on a number of occasions because of comments in relation to advice given, either by myself or someone else. Perhaps some people have the opinion that the more experienced members are sitting around waiting for someone to mock. Perhaps that may even be reality for some. But it is not exactly enjoyable to have your opinion dismissed out of hand because you have devoted time and effort to learning something. That goes for experienced and new people alike. |
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Elite ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() DerekL - 2010-03-05 10:10 AM jmk-brooklyn - 2010-03-05 10:01 AM I don’t see how saying, “If you don’t like COJ don’t go there” is constructive. It’s the same as saying “America, Love it or Leave it.” It may be true that the majority thinks that COJ is fine, but there are those that do not and think that it could be better. Complaining about a completely OPTIONAL place to visit vs. a country you live in isn't remotely the same thing. The comments that mine were directed at are those who are sweeping COJ under some giant rug of "profanity" and "worthlessness". I have no problems with suggestions to make things better, but I find those sorts of statements less than constructive. I know I'm not generalizing saying that all of COJ is profane. I love some of the discussions there and having a forum like that is an absolute necessity. I don't even mind your suggestion that people should stay out of the threads they don't like. Too easy. But I've seen some of it slip out into other forums and threads where it absolutely doesn't belong. As far as a the beginner chat goes, it's there for everybody and needs to be kept appropriate for everybody. What little I've seen of it, the conversation was not appropriate for kids or for this site. I'm extremely open minded and as far from a prude as they come, but come on! This is a triathlon site and that chat room is for all members. So in my attempt to be constructive and make things better, I think we need to limit the crude adolescent comments. The mods need to make clear that it doesn't belong in the BeginnerChat area or outside of COJ. Inside of COJ...eh, people can deal with it. They venture in on their own volition. |
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