An observation on forum etiquette, and a plea for cordial discourse.

[Nicoleica]

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Is it just me, or is anyone else concerned about the tone of some of the comments that are being made in the forums these days?

 

Perhaps it is due to the weather, or perchance the economy is to blame. But some people seem to be in a decidedly unfriendly humour at the moment.

 

Not so much here in the M8 forum, but more so in 'The other place', there have been some comments made in various posts recently, which are extremely unhelpful, rude and even insulting.

 

I was reading one thread there today, in which a member had just purchased a new M9, and in celebration thereof, had posted some of their first pictures. I imagine that in no way did they expect the stream of vitriolic and insulting rudeness that followed. I was busy composing a response to some of those comments when the whole thread vanished. (Yes, I know, I take too long with my typing. ) I imagine that even the moderators took exception to some of the posts there and deleted the thread.

 

But as there have been similar situations in this forum, and as I posess an M8, I have decided to post this plea here.

 

The point of this ramble, is that although many members of this forum make their living from photography (Several decades ago, I too was among that number.) , quite a large proportion do not.

 

There are people here from many lands and cultures, and with every level of photographic skill. The one thing that we all share is that we all have a passion for photography, and are fortunate enough to be able to use some of the finest optical equipment available.

 

Many people ask questions or post their photographs here in order to request some assistance, or to garner constructive criticism. Others may post to announce an event, or to share something that they are pleased with, or knowledge that they wish to pass on. Many members will thank them, congratulate them or try to help, at times even at some inconvenience to themselves.

 

But there are others who seem to feel that anything that they do not like or agree with is an invitation to respond with rudeness, or a cruel and insulting barb.

 

To these people, may I remind you to please remember that there are consequences to your actions? Even though you may not feel any immediate effect, you may have hurt someone badly with your ill considered remarks. Perhaps that person will never post again, or may even abandon photography because of your ill thought actions? Who knows what beauty may be lost to the world in the future because of this deed?

 

Please also bear in mind that personal tastes are subjective. That which may please one, may not please another. Even a technically perfect, beautifully executed picture of one subject may be disliked by some because it may awaken an unpleasant memory. Yet a badly composed, overexposed blur of another may bring a smile of joy to those with happy memories thereof.

 

Like many here, I now make photographs primarily for my own pleasure. Those that I post bring happiness to me, but may not to you. If I, or someone else posts a picture that does not appeal to you, then that is fine, pass it by. If the poster has asked for comments, then if you have a constructive comment to make, by all means please make it. But please do not take that as an opportunity to ridicule or insult someone that you do not know. We all learn by our mistakes, and a few helpful suggestions for improving an image, even if you may not agree with them, are so much more helpful than hearing that you think that their pictures are likened to bodily waste.

 

The same sentiment should apply when you see a request for help that may appear too simple to contemplate. That which may appear simple to some, may elude the grasp of others without due direction.

 

Before I make a comment in a forum, I ask myself if I would make that same comment in public, face to face with the intended recipient? If the answer is no, or even if I am unsure, then I do not post it.

 

In the spirit of friendship and harmony, I would ask that you too show the same consideration to others.

 

Thank you, and enjoy the wonderful camera that you have, and the companionship of this forum.

[andybarton]

I deleted that thread, and apologise if this happened while you were responding to it. All you have to do, should you come across a thread with inappropriate content, of any sort, is click the little red triangle, and all Moderators and Admin will be notified.

 

We can then do something about it.

 

We can't read every post of every thread, so the feedback from every member in this regard is very welcome.

[Nicoleica]

Thanks Andy. I had wondered for a few moments as to where it had gone. I think that you did the right thing. Some of those comments were considerably beyond the normal levels of acceptability.

[2Bébèrt]

Verry Nice Nicoleica,

 

In my humble opinion you just deserved the Nobel price of (forum)Peace.

[farnz]

Very well put, Nicole, and I agree in totality.

 

Pete.

[pop]

Nicole -

 

Thank you so much for expressing what I felt myself for some time.

[Clook]

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I too have noticed this Nicole and am glad that you did take the time to compose and type this thread. You have been able to hit the nail on the head a lot more eloquently than I might have. A very valid comment well stated.

[MPerson]

Nicely put Nicoleica and I think if people were honest they would agree with you. The forum has certainly taken a downward turn over the last few months. I for one will not be posting any more images here and now only visit at weekends to just check out the Film and Barnack's Bar. It used to be fun but recently it is a chore sifting through so many negative/inflammatory posts not to mention PM's!

[cocker]

Thank you Nicola for that generous and humane contribution. I agree with your sentiments and hope others take it on board. I don't want a bland forum and I enjoy the ribbing and witty comments and occasionally things get can out of hand. But we are mature enough to see the funny side of it. But there is something beyond that which is nasty and mean-spirited and maybe that has increased recently with new products and new visitors.

[hoppyman]

I understand and support what Nicole has posted on this. In my opinion one other factor is that there has been an increase of new posters too and sometimes their first contributions can be seen as overly confrontational or negative too. That doesn't excuse rudeness in responses.

Personally every single poster that I consider makes unreasonable, foolish or overly rude statements simply goes straight onto my Ignore list. Problem solved for me and the list becomes a much more harmonious place for me without affecting anyone else's choices.

[Hausen17]

Well said. I have wondered for awhile why the tone of some of the replies to the innocent "please help me" type posts have deteriorated into almost abuse. I always thought we were here for the same thing. It needed to be said so well done.

[garygsandhu]

Rudeness is rampant on the Internet: cowards hide behind made up names and insult for the sake of insulting. On this forum, I think only several people need to be removed and civility will be restored.

[sfokevin]

Thanks Nicole - I agree totally...

 

But a little bit of sarcastic latitude should be allowed if anyone uses the word "Autofocus"...

 

[offshore]

It is not a recent phenomena here the longer disputes between individuals go on in the posts the more vitriolic they seem to get. I suggest the first time one gets out of hand is to delete the offending post and send a PM to the poster. Deleting the entire post is sometimes like throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

[spylaw4]

Well said Nicole, I agree wholeheartedly.

I also think that folks should remember that some are posting in a language other than their first. Allowances should be made!

[Ecar]

Well said, Nicole.

Unlike you, I had time to react to some of the early offending posts (but I noticed it got even worse afterwards...) in that thread - and my reaction was similar to yours, although much less comprehensive and eloquent;)

Good thing that Andy deleted it.

[NZDavid]

Sed quis moderat ipsos moderates?

 

Moderators do a great job but can't expect to be responsible for everyone's behaviour. Decorum please, gentle Leica users! Well said, Nicole.

[lct]

Mods do a great job here. Remember the 'old' forum? Was pretty hard not to feed the trolls then. Now we had some good laughs with the latters to be honest.

[Nicoleica]

I'm so pleased to see that I am not alone in my concerns, and I thank all of you who have expressed their thoughts here. Like others, I am not advocating censorship, (For as some of you may have noticed, I possess a somewhat warped sense of humour.) just a little forethought and consideration for others.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[pgk]

FWIW, I try to remember the following (not always successfully).

 

Courtesy costs nothing (I try).

 

Sarcasm, irony and facetiousness may not tanslate cultural barriers well (hands up, I'm guilty of using some myself).

 

Dis-satisfaction based on parameters (mostly hypothetical) other than actually improving one's actual photography are likely to irritate and annoy somebody. (autofocus!)

 

If an image is not to one's taste then ignore it unless the poster has requested feedback, then supply useful criticism not merely negative (personally I only comment on pix that I really like).

 

Lastly, there is an absolute wealth of helpful information freely supplied my many knowledgeable members of this forum, some very useful, some not so. But it is mostly provided for the benefit of others at the discretion of the poster and this an extremely valuable resource. Long may it last.

 

Well posted Nicole.