IMO: Troubling trend here at GRM

First, I am 100% aware and accept that GRM has total control over the threads and their content and direction.

Having said that, I am finding a troubling trend of locking out threads when it seems the unpopular, somewhat contrary opinions and their posters don't back down. Even though the language remains clean, there are no ad hominem attacks (at least not from me but certainly some directed at me) and the arguments are sane and the content stays mostly on-topic.

I've seen it happen quite a few times lately and it's worrisome and honestly quite frustrating. It also seems that the threads get locked out immediately after the opinions/posters that seem to be in the majority, get in the last word.

Its actually nothing new and was enough to actually make me quit this place for a number of years. Personally I hope this ends soon. I hate to again leave a place I've learned so much from.

Not a mod/owner/employee but you're always welcome to take your ball and play somewhere else. 

I think it just tends to happens when tensions are high- and they are right now, with good reason.  That's not saying that the practice of locking threads after a given post is good or bad, just giving a likely explanation.

How does the saying go? If you keep finding that everyone around you is a shiny happy person, maybe you are the shiny happy person?

Javelin said:

How does the saying go? If you keep finding that everyone around you is a shiny happy person, maybe you are the shiny happy person?

1 in 4 people is an shiny happy person. If 3 of your friends aren't, well......

Seems to me to be just locking down on a temp basis to calm the waters a bit.  I'm OK with it.  Everyone is feeling stressed and we're all pretty comfortable with each other here, so sometimes that stress comes out.  I fault nobody for it and it seems like a quick thread lock makes everyone step back for a few moments and take a deep breath. 

-Rob

I'm glad I'm not a mod. They have a tough job. IMO they do a great job of letting things go just a tiny bit too far before reeling it in.

rob_lewis said:

Seems to me to be just locking down on a temp basis to calm the waters a bit.  I'm OK with it.  Everyone is feeling stressed and we're all pretty comfortable with each other here, so sometimes that stress comes out.  I fault nobody for it and it seems like a quick thread lock makes everyone step back for a few moments and take a deep breath. 

-Rob

all this. 

In reply to AngryCorvair :

Agreed. Other forums I've read are sometimes too heavy-handed, when it comes to censorship. 

When two people are having a disagreement and not backing down and going back to their corners and agreeing to disagree and move on? And there is apparent escalation happening? (If I am understanding you correctly)

Yeah, locking it to make people go back to their corners and chill out is the right way to go.  

Some people can't handle hearing an opinion different than their own.

I like to think I've gotten a lot better at it, thanks to this forum. I've learned a lot from a lot of people and have changed my mind on several topics, thanks to reading the posts from some of the members here.

Considering that the internet runs on outrage, this is one of the more level-headed places around and I'm thankful for it.

That said, I always make a policy to not discuss my personal political opinions in public. I have too many good friends with opinions that are different from mine and I don't want to get into an argument with them over what our politicians are doing. We have a system, for the most part it works pretty well and it's better than a lot of other systems. The lights are always on, I've never been really hungry and people (generally) aren't murdering each other in the streets. We're doing pretty damn well compared to 99% of the other people out there.

bobzilla said:

Javelin said:

How does the saying go? If you keep finding that everyone around you is a shiny happy person, maybe you are the shiny happy person?

1 in 4 people is an shiny happy person. If 3 of your friends aren't, well......

To Bobzilla and Javelin: Funny, to my knowledge I've NEVER written anything like you just did. 

You gave us great example of how it goes: you politely bring up something that has been bothering you in the proper forum and you're rewarded with name-calling and other fairly personal insults.

Thank you for clarifying my point.

To Bobzilla specifically: look back and make note of how I've responded to you and your posts over the YEARS. Then look at this thread and your comments directed toward me. 

The control used on this board is, in my opinion, THE reason why people like me love this place.  Im close to 40 years old. I started on the internet and shortly thereafter, bulletin boards at 16. Ive played the games, started fights, argued online and trolled. Luckly i grew out of that and went the opposite way. Now even if someone has a snarky comment about something i said, even when i meant nothing by it, i dont even reply.  I avoided boards and posting for years just because i was so tired of even seeing that stuff, or if you make a general post, someone is quickly there to poo on you for asking a question. 
 

this place is a great balance of good people and very useful, interesting info. Id love to see it stay just the same. 

Yup, as I stated, time for a timeout. 

The only disturbing trend that I have seen is the tendency of some people with very strong opinions to flip out and go into full attack mode against individuals who present a view that does not agree with their own.

I realize that my own views may be contrary to the mainstream (Good Lord, at least I hope so) but in defending my views, I strive never to attack an individual, only state my position and present a coherent argument that supports my position.  I urge others to do the same.

And you're always free to contact me directly. But, yeah, that one needed to hit pause for a few. It was getting argumentative. 

In reply to David S. Wallens :

Thank you for the offer, seriously. I'm confident that anyone reading my posts in that thread will see that I wasn't backing down in my push for true equality and unity even though there was much disagreement (which I fully believe in and enjoy)

Don't worry, just sticking up for myself. I won't say another word regarding that topic (so as not to continue what has already been finalized).

RealMiniNoMore said:

In reply to AngryCorvair :

Agreed. Other forums I've read are sometimes too heavy-handed, when it comes to censorship. 

How do you measure that? ;-)

LOL that's me trying to be funny because how do you know it was too heavy-handed if you can't see what was censored because it was too heavy-handed.  Damn I crack me up.

Censorship is too heavy handed when you are censored. It is just right when your adversary is censored instead.

Edit, but seriously I try to remember that a major sign of not listening well enough is when I feel like no one is listening to me.

Wait... I make a joke and you're angry? Dude.... time to chill bro. I prefered the "1 in 4 people are insane. If your 3 friends are sane, it's probably you!" version but I adapted to flow with the theme. I directed nothing at you. If you're this worked up, it may be time to walk away from all things electronic for a little bit.

AngryCorvair said:

I'm glad I'm not a mod. They have a tough job. IMO they do a great job of letting things go just a tiny bit too far before reeling it in.

Thank you. Picture the forum as a party and the moderators as the hosts. When a guest is being argumentative enough that others are feeling uncomfortable, maybe a host just needs to discretely direct that guest towards another conversation. 

In reply to Robbie :

Good post!
I will say I have gotten a few unexpected messages of support via PM recently and they are very much appreciated. This is a great place. Better information from people much smarter and experienced than I. I can always just stick to reading my subscription if I have to. Those print articles have never referred to me as a shiny happy person!

In reply to bobzilla :

You are clearly reading more into my comments than I intended. I apologize for making it seem like I am worked up about what was written. Just pointing out something I found interesting.

In reply to ebonyandivory :

You seem like you assumed I'm directing angry thoughts your way here. I'm just here for the jokes. 

Since I was involved one of the threads in question:

I was doing my best not to get argumentative, just stating my case and trying to back it up with evidence. That said, I accept the fact that the discussion was getting more intense and I understand why it was locked.

I think I can get along with most people, I try not to stir E36 M3 up too much. But that topic is one that I feel strongly about, not only because of who I am, but because my friends have been through much worse stuff than me, and I want the world to be a better place for them and for everyone.