ASFN Community - Formerly Rampant Negativity

[Duckjake]

Let me be clear since I see people are glossing over what I am saying:

Voicing negative opinions - That is perfectly acceptable.

Virtual badgering threads / people with that negativity is bad for this community. It is anathema to the very principles this board was founded upon.

I am just asking you to consider what you write before you toss it out there.

What is virtual badgering?

No big deal Chris we have had this conversation on ASFN every year for as long as I can remember.

 

[Cheesebeef]

wait... shouldn't that go for the other side as well? There's a very LARGE contingent of people here who CONTINUALLY telling the "negative people" to shut up, questioning their fandom and put words into their mouths in snarky ways which does nothing but foster animosity in the community. I have no problem with people attacking the fundamentals of any argument I make, but when people flat out attack the person making the argument without even referring to said argument, THAT'S what hurts the community more than anything. I don't know how many times I can continually get into discussions where I have to say "why are you insulting me instead of JUST TALKING FOOTBALL?!" You wonder where the animosity is coming from, take a look at those who wish to attack others, instead of attacking arguments.

And since the people who attack the player and not the game (so to speak) don't have an entire thread scolding them, i have to assume, they can keep attacking people, instead of those people's arguments.

 

[cardsfanmd]

I had too much personal stuff going on to worry about the Cards last year (thank God lol) but I can't imagine the board is worse now than it was then. What are people so upset about anyway?? I haven't felt this positive about where the team is heading since the Super Bowl.

 

[Doc Cardinal]

Hi Everyone,

I have had a long time poster ask me to delete their account because they felt the board was unreadable right now.

I really haven't been here for a week, but I definitely see what the poster was saying. A lot of these threads are being carpet bombed by people who are only adding negativity.

Obviously everyone has the right to their opinion and can voice them. However, this board is supposed to be a refuge for Cardinals fans. Instead we are kind of eating our own.

Please remember that you don't have to "win" the discussion. I don't like to see our community shrinking. Any long time poster coming to me privately to say they are done with ASFN is concerning. This isn't an issue where someone is looking for attention or sympathy, they would just rather go elsewhere.

Duh......welcome to the internet.

What's funny is that there are forums out there with more negativity for their home team.

Case in point.....the main forum for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.....Birds On The Bat....3 games outta first....playin the league leaders for 3 games.....best pitcher out for the year......and their favorite poster is a Red's fan because he critiques each and every move......should be 3 up....gave up too much for Rasmus.....no defense....blah blah frikkin blah.

 

[cardpa]

This has been a season of upheaval in Cardinal country. Add to this the tremendously compressed timeline of activity, pre-season camp, free agency, draft signings, etc. and people are edgy.

People see the team making some moves that will help, some see the team making stupid moves and others see them as not making enough moves. Put this all i a pot, stir and you've got what we have going on right now.

A roiling, boiling pot of everything but the kitchen sink. This is our board right now, roiling and boiling. I think some just can't wait for things to get started.

I for one don't mind most of the comments, however some are quite negative and in some cases most redundant. I agree with Chris that we as a whole should think just a bit before putting words to the screen (no paper) and consider what our fellow posters are saying.

If I find the thread too negative I just move to another one or just move to another web site. I agree in time and really based on how the team performs it will either get better here or if the team really goes down the proverbial toilet it could get even worse.

I tend to post in spurts and when the thread moves me enough to spout an opinion. I always read most posts. Maybe we all need a drink of

 

[Doc Cardinal]

The problem with some posters is that they think that any opinion not in lock step with the Cardinals is being negative.

They also think that attacking any poster who is not in lockstep with the team is ok but not the other way around. It seems to be ok to be rude and obnoxious as long as you are supporting the Cards moves but not the other way around. I've got several of those type posters on ignore.

Criticizing the players who leave is ok but not criticizing the new guys????

I would recommend reading other teams boards across the spectrum of the internet.

Heck just read some of the comments on the AZCentral site that follow the articles.

You'll be back here in no time saying how great ASFN is.

The problem is that if you're a Darksider you're cool.

If you're a Koolaider you suck.

A Koolaider is anyone who disagrees with a Darksider.

 

[BigRedRage]

koolaiders cant function without darksiders to argue with DOC!

 

[clif]

Well since it was brought up I think I should say that I have certainly not posted as much as I used to because of this very reasons. Some of you just don't get it. This is a place where people should be able to turn to "get away from" the realities of life. We all got crap going on personally and we all profess a love of the Cardinals.

I just think that some things get beat. I personally understand both sides although I choose to be a glass is half full type of person. I have learned to let alot of crap go, but it has certainly got to a point that I gloss over most of the comments made by certain posters. Sure someone on here will probably say the same thing about me, but the fact IMO remains that this place is getting stale.

Hey I love the interaction that I can get here way more than on azcentral or the official message boards. I get it. People want to voice their opinions, but hell some of it has become a sideshow.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The problem is that if you're a Darksider you're cool.

If you're a Koolaider you suck.

A Koolaider is anyone who disagrees with a Darksider.

um... i'm pretty sure it's the darksiders who get called names, have their fandom questioned repeatedly by the kool-aiders. not the other way around. just because someone disagrees with your argument, doesn't mean they're insulting you... but it seems like "kool-aiders" can't disagree with darksiders without insulting them personally.

i mean... even the "darksiders" disagree with each other about a ton of stuff. we usually don't call each other names and question each other's fandom when we do it though.

 

[cardpa]

The problem is that if you're a Darksider you're cool.

If you're a Koolaider you suck.

A Koolaider is anyone who disagrees with a Darksider.

The darksiders provide the sugar for their koolaide and the darksiders don't even realise that.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Hi Everyone,

I have had a long time poster ask me to delete their account because they felt the board was unreadable right now.

And ?

Negativity is relative to the poster. That poster doesn't want to be here anymore then so be it.

Probably one of the same that if you fart the wrong way in here you are a the most evil and negative person against the Cardinals alive.

How many times I have made the slightest point that is not 100% gum drops, candy canes, and sugar coated, and was all of a sudden the postered boy for this and that.

If you don't like the board, then leave. It is that simple.

 

[Red Dawn]

The redundant posts are the ones that are hard to take. There's always the ignore function if a poster puts you over the top.

We need a tag for someone who is in between a koolaider and a darksider. The moderator tag is already taken. Realist?

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

And since the people who attack the player and not the game (so to speak) don't have an entire thread scolding them, i have to assume, they can keep attacking people, instead of those people's arguments.

Quit whining...jackass!

Honestly, Ad hominem attacks are the problem I see when it comes to ASFN in general.

I don't mean the humorous back-and-forths that posters have from time-to-time, I mean the personal attacks upon others because the discussion has reached an impasse, or is going down a familiar path covered in another thread.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

um... i'm pretty sure it's the darksiders who get called names, have their fandom questioned repeatedly by the kool-aiders. not the other way around. just because someone disagrees with your argument, doesn't mean they're insulting you... but it seems like "kool-aiders" can't disagree with darksiders without insulting them personally.

i mean... even the "darksiders" disagree with each other about a ton of stuff. we usually don't call each other names and question each other's fandom when we do it though.

I think the terms darksiders and koolaiders is pretty stupid, IMO.

You post your opinions, and read others. That is what the board is.

Nothing more, nothing less.

When things become "unreadable" it is time to leave said board, because more times than not, it is the person who finds the board unreadable is the problem.

Because the other thousand people in the forum are not agreeing with what you want to read is nobody's problem but that single person.

 

[clif]

And ?

Negativity is relative to the poster. That poster doesn't want to be here anymore then so be it.

Probably one of the same that if you fart the wrong way in here you are a the most evil and negative person against the Cardinals alive.

How many times I have made the slightest point that is not 100% gum drops, candy canes, and sugar coated, and was all of a sudden the postered boy for this and that.

If you don't like the board, then leave. It is that simple.

This is the very definition of trying to "win" the argument.

 

[HoodieBets]

Im in the camp of Duck and BRR. I have been on this board since day 1 and this happens every single offseason. People become unhappy with the organization and there is nothing wrong with that. Its fine by me for Mitch or whoever else wants to start a thread about the FO or moves they dont agree with, hell thats why we all come here.

I am the only card fan i know and this is the only place to vent about my team and have people understand what I am talking about. We all come from a place of love for this team wether we beat on them or drink the kool-aid.

This board has features such as ignore plus your own ability to click out of a thread you dont want to read. We all know the posters who can be negative or feel a certain way so if you dont like the author dont read it plain and simple.

What would happen if i said hey chris can you delete my account theres too much sickening in RG and whis we trust threads going around and i cant deal without some realism? Prob nothing which is fine but you have to look at it from both sides. I have seen threads or posts that are so homeristic(if thats a word) that i literally had to stop reading. Its nice we have a balance of both here and i would never leave or change a thing. Im glad i found this board when it started and i feel fortunate to still have it and discuss the cardinals with all you fine people wether it be kool-aid darkside or somewhere inbetween.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

This is the very definition of trying to "win" the argument.

?????
I don't understand.
?????

 

[Jersey Girl]

It sucks that we have three pages discussing this. Be negative, just don't be a jerk about it. Be positive, just don't ignore the facts.

Why is that so hard and cause for so much debate?

 

[RugbyMuffin]

It sucks that we have three pages discussing this. Be negative, just don't be a jerk about it. Be positive, just don't ignore the facts.

Why is that so hard and cause for so much debate?

+1.

 

[Doc Cardinal]

um... i'm pretty sure it's the darksiders who get called names, have their fandom questioned repeatedly by the kool-aiders. not the other way around. just because someone disagrees with your argument, doesn't mean they're insulting you... but it seems like "kool-aiders" can't disagree with darksiders without insulting them personally.

i mean... even the "darksiders" disagree with each other about a ton of stuff. we usually don't call each other names and question each other's fandom when we do it though.

And if Koolaiders do that they're stupid.....and if Darksiders belittle Koolaiders then they're stupid.

Some of us like yours truly change capes depending on the event.....for Derek anderson I was a Darksider.....for Kevin Kolb I'm a Koolaider.

I guess I'm jealous since guys like Cheesebeef are the coolest guys on the board....I'm just an old frikkin nerd.

 

[Zeno]

Well, going to a moderator and asking to have your account deleted is already a move of needing attention, why not just step away for a while? Or never log in again?

This. Wow.

Asking to have your account deleted versus never logging in again...makes no sense unless you never intend to really go away and just want to vent.

 

[Duckjake]

Well since it was brought up I think I should say that I have certainly not posted as much as I used to because of this very reasons. Some of you just don't get it. This is a place where people should be able to turn to "get away from" the realities of life. We all got crap going on personally and we all profess a love of the Cardinals.

I just think that some things get beat. I personally understand both sides although I choose to be a glass is half full type of person. I have learned to let alot of crap go, but it has certainly got to a point that I gloss over most of the comments made by certain posters. Sure someone on here will probably say the same thing about me, but the fact IMO remains that this place is getting stale.

Hey I love the interaction that I can get here way more than on azcentral or the official message boards. I get it. People want to voice their opinions, but hell some of it has become a sideshow.

Clif, I couldn't disagree more. ASFN is more interesting to me this year than it has been in a while. We are finally able to have threads that don't degenerate into Pro and Con "he who shall remain nameless" debates. We've got more new players to discuss than at anytime that I can remember. A season where nobody really has any clue how we're going to do.

Things got slow during the lockout but to me its a great time to have ASFN.

 

[clif]

?????

I don't understand

?????

In essence you are saying who cares about people that don't like what goes on here. So what. That drives people away. We need more people with differing opinions... not less.

I get it. You don't like that someone wanted to leave and Chris brought it up. So you felt you needed to let everyone know that you don't care.. to hell with 'em.

IMO it was an unnecessary statement. It goes without saying that if that person does not like it, then can leave.

I think the point of this thread was to squash a bit of the over running personal attacks and multiple threads talking about how the FO and or player x sucks.

I personally can disagree with you and still come back for more, and that is why I am still here after 7 years. I respect what alot of you all offer, but the truth is that it IS getting tiresome to read some people beat others down.

 

[HoodieBets]

It sucks that we have three pages discussing this. Be negative, just don't be a jerk about it. Be positive, just don't ignore the facts.

Why is that so hard and cause for so much debate?

IMO Its because certain people feel like they are being singled out because of their views while others get a pass because they can be an ass as long as they arent negative. We have had a split between the two philosphies for quite some time and it will prob never change.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Why leave? That is what ignore is for...just ignore posters that stress you out and life is easy...