Sarcasm, Ridicule, Obfuscation, and Ad Hominems on Threads

Originally posted by Unity_99
Humor is the one thing I notice in those who are able to post with a quick wit.

There is nothing on earth better than humor and wit, I think - when it's not at someone else's expense. I admire it, too. So much fun!!

reply to post by Mary Rose


I think it depends on the context; i think it's a cost that must be considered before posting ignorance or idiotic statements. You should expect it.

reply to post by awake_and_aware


I disagree.

Idiotic is your opinion. It might not be someone else's opinion.

Words of Wisdom that should be taken to heart by all.

Originally posted by TrueBrit
However, the advantage with the internet, is that you do not have to let these things affect you. You control your exposure to these people, and thier opinions. You do not have anything to fear from something you understand to be bad or incorrect, and you have the ability to choose to ignore these things. I find personaly that with the very worst culprits of this sort of behaviour, if you use reason and overwhelming intellect as your tools, then these fools and liars will melt before you like so much mist under a strong sunrise. If that doesnt work for you, just talk to a mod about the situation, but in all honesty I would try assuming the mantle of a huge rock in a swirling river. The river is impatient, ever moving, ever furious, bubbling and full of invisible currents, but the rock is unmoved, and takes generations to be erroded by the movement of the churning waters around it. Upon it , lichen and moss will grow, unbothered by the tormented swirl around them, and these will be your truths, sprouting from thier firm position. That must be your solidarity if you are to avoid being swept up in the hateful currents of idiocy, in which those who seek to taunt you wish you to drown.
Thankfully , you get a free choice as to wether you sink or swim here. Use it!

Beginners on the message boards are usually very reactionary. I was, and sometimes I can still get rattled when someone comes on with nonsense on a subject that I know well, and don't always respond with cool replies.
We could all emulate the logical responses of Mr. Spock in the most trying of times.

Originally posted by Mary Rose
I've been an ATS member for less than a year.

I'm looking for feedback from the experienced ATS members.

What have you found to be the best way to handle these posts? Ignore them? Respond to them, calling the poster on the inappropriate, counterproductive technique and leaving it at that? Respond to them as if there had been no lack of common courtesy?

I left out respond in kind because I'm assuming everyone agrees that will result in more sarcasm, ridicule, obfuscation, and ad hominem. And when I say this, I'm referring to these things directed at any person - members of ATS as well as public figures. In my opinion, it's all the same - it's all counterproductive.

What works to get the thread back to a productive discussion?

I've found that making a complaint is the best thing to do.
That's my $.02

reply to post by ldyserenity


I've been thinking that what I need to do next time is write a comment when I alert a post. I haven't been doing that; I've just been hitting the alert button and expecting the mods to read the post and decide for themselves. Maybe if I write a comment I'll get better results and better feedback.

Originally posted by Mary Rose
reply to post by Death_Kron

 

Thanks for your response.

I am discouraged because since I've been here, I've alerted four posts. One got a response from a mod; the other three did not.

As mentioned before, alert the posts.
Mods will not usually reply to the member who complains. The point of the alert is to let mods know there is a problem. Then resolve it, and letting the member who complained know isn't usually needed.

We try to take care of the problem. You may not always see the result. If the behavior continues, or happens again, alert again.
But, please give us a chance to see and solve the problem!!! There's way more posts and members then there are mods. We do try to take care of complaints as soon as possible.


One of the worst things a member can do, in my humble opinion, is to alert a post, then reply to it either in kind or to say that it was reported.
Now, your post is off topic or worse.
Your reply more or less negates the complaint.
Ignore those who push other's buttons!!!!!

Some information threads on this topic:
MOD NOTE: Posting Jokes, Ridiculing, Making Fun of Others in Threads...

Mod Edit: Please Review the Following Link: Courtesy Is Mandatory

Ad Hominem Attacks And You

Contacting Staff: Alerts, Suggestions, Complaints

reply to post by Mary Rose


That's all i'm saying; that humour is best suited in some cases where someone is intentionally spreading nonsense or generally being ignorantly idiotic.

We will have to agree to disagree.

Peace.

Originally posted by awake_and_aware
. . . someone is intentionally spreading nonsense or generally being ignorantly idiotic.

How can you be sure?

Isn't it your opinion about the person's intentions and knowledge level?

reply to post by Mary Rose


I don't use the alert much, but if I do I'll usually write a comment about why I hit the alert on a post. It's pretty general though, something like: "FYI guys, check it out" and that can be for both positive or negative posts. After that, it's up to them and I don't worry about it. Gotta learn to let things go and realize it's not the end of the world.

reply to post by Mary Rose


Humour is always at someone elses expense and they laugh to laugh at anyone they can to put anyone down to the streets.

reply to post by Mary Rose


You cannot be suer on here, but sometimes their "knowledge level" is plainly obvious. Sarcasm is a useful tool for highlighting the irony of someones argument or statements. It also makes people laugh and become more involved.

I would never encourage the bullying or demeaning of an individual user. If they feel offended, i would be happy to explain my intentions.

Peace

I think this is perfect example of how humour is a useful and entertaining tool in debate.

Here are some quotes I really relate to.

From:

MOD NOTE: Posting Jokes, Ridiculing, Making Fun of Others in Threads...

Originally posted by TheBandit795
. . . If the threads sounds ridiculous to you, don't post. There are other threads you could be interested in.

From:

Mod Edit: Please Review the Following Link: Courtesy Is Mandatory

Originally posted by Majic
2) Behavior: You will not behave in an abusive and/or hateful manner, and will not harass, threaten, nor attack anyone.

From:

Ad Hominem Attacks And You

Originally posted by Majic
Ad hominem attacks drive threads off topic, poison the atmosphere for discussion, discourage members from posting and, overall, represent an affront to everything ATS stands for.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In this thread:

Contacting Staff: Alerts, Suggestions, Complaints

I’m surprised to see this:

Originally posted by DontTreadOnMe
Clicking ALERT! on the menu is the most efficient way for staff to quickly see and act on issues in posts and threads, be they positive . . .

The alert button is for positive things, too?

I think sarcasm, humour and wit is completely valid in discourse, any argument or statement can be challenged, if you think sarcasm, humour or wit was uncalled for then i suggest using the report or alert button so the matter can be resolved.

reply to post by andy1033

Humour is always at someone elses expense and they laugh to laugh at anyone they can to put anyone down to the streets.

Where does Tarzan buy his underpants?

In a jungle sale.

Not all jokes at someone's expense.

Originally posted by awake_and_aware
I think this is perfect example of how humour is a useful and entertaining tool in debate.

I think that in this particular example, the person who did the humor had it turned around on him, so he did not succeed in being right with humor at someone's expense.

What worries me is the use of humor to prove your point which results in the experience of psychological pain for the person being corrected. To me, in the final analysis, this is doing more harm than good.

I guess what I'm saying is that our treatment of other people is more important than being right or establishing facts.

reply to post by Mary Rose


I see your point of view; but i still have to disagree. Again i think the where the humour is warranted, the "psychological" pain is cost that has to be beared, to highlight the error of their argument.

Again, if the person feels the humour is unwarranted or malicious; then the victim should reply arguing why this is the case.

Offense is inherently going to be caused in debate or discourse. Opinions disagree, this happens in many arenas of debate; politics, sport.

i believe a sense of irony and humour is at the very core of what makes us human, what separates us from animals.

Originally posted by awake_and_aware
i believe a sense of irony and humour is at the very core of what makes us human, what separates us from animals.

There can be irony and humor without sarcasm.

reply to post by Mary Rose



What worries me is the use of humor to prove your point which results in the experience of psychological pain for the person being corrected.





The psychological pain you speak of is being felt by everyone reading this thread - so how 'bout we call it even..? You either do not want to grasp how internet Forums work, or you refuse to acknowledge the intricacies of human behavior.


*snip*