Personal Attacks

There are many reasons, one being there is no consequence other than a possible repremand, one wouldnt say such things face to face in fear of a biff on the nose...for instance...the other reality, is it is easy to take replies out of context with text, missing is all the gestures one makes with eyes/ mouth/ hands....

I am at fault for sometimes picking up on spelling mistakes.
In this case I can see that you do not mind if the response if humorous, and in this case it did not cause any "arm". (pun intended)

Children do it and it’s called “Cyberbullying”

Adults do it and it’s accepted as their right because apparently “you have to earn respect”, not show it...

The decline of societal expectations!

Cheers

Anthony

It all starts at the top. Have a listen to our so called highly educated, politically correct politicians. Nothing but a foul mouthed mob pushing their own agenda.

I find that it is worthwhile, rereading posts to interpret any mistakes.
And that is other people’s and my own before I submit.(and correct mine hopefully)

I admit, I am a spelling and grammar nazi. I am always pleased when somebody responds to my gentle teasing with a laugh and good grace. Such is not always the case. Sadly, our schools are turning out thousands of illiterate young adults. You may have seen our illustrious Prime Minister de jour espousing on this very subject in the last few days.

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I'd like to address the topic of personal attacks.

I'm quite intolerant of people out of the blue throwing in comments that upset others. Not only is it cowardice but not necessary.
For example-

Someone goes off a forum (not this one) for 6 months due to a dispute. Upon their return in any topic he puts "the quality of some members here leaves a lot to be desired as the cowards hide behind a keyboard" or similar comment.

Years ago I'd tolerate such comments. If they were directed at me, I'd leave it alone and go and brood for a while. Not now. I feel like embracing the Einstein way- equal and opposite force but not as spiteful. In the example above I could reply "are you hiding behind yours"?

My point is, that it is apt to remind them that they are being hypocritical without returning nasty comments. These "rock throwers" know they usually get away with it. Moderators cant be expected to live their whole life policing every comment.

That's just my view of which I'm entitled.
TonyRD

One of the greatest strengths of our Forum community is also becoming its greatest weakness - the experienced and educated who have so much to share.

Some people here feel they cannot leave any post unanswered if it contains "errors" of fact or logic. In their defence, they genuinely feel they are doing the right thing by giving the correct information or challenging a viewpoint with their own more educated/experienced viewpoint. I know that some also believe it is a safety risk to have posts left unchallenged for a perceived risk of some unsuspecting "newbie" coming to harm as a result of finding "incorrect" advice or information on a forum. Some also believe that an online source with a reputation such as ours also has some sort of legal obligation to ensure every post is factual - sorry folks but that is simply not true. Please read on...

The problem is that often-times any attempt to correct or debate can quickly spiral downhill and actually become counterproductive to the helpfulness of the response. If the explanation is delivered in such a way that the person feels shamed then the person is completely alienated and they have only 2 options - to fight back, or to retreat. Neither is a positive outcome.

The onus then falls back onto those that respond to posts. You must take responsibility for the delivery of your response.

Here are some guidelines:

1. Ask yourself why is it so important to be right – why can’t you let the person with the “foolish” idea have his say without being “corrected” by you. MYTH - it is a safety issue. FACT - it doesn't matter, you are not liable, ExplorOz is not liable.

2. Pointing out grammar/spelling errors is old-fashioned classism and elitism. When you comment on someone's errors you are shutting them down and excluding them from the conversation because of their lack of exposure to, or understanding of, the rules of grammar. You are implying that they are uneducated, which implies their point of view is meaningless. This is passive aggressive behaviour and whilst you might not agree, the evidence stands that it does great harm to the reputation of the ExplorOz community - so the message is clear - grammatical elitism helps no one.

3. Be helpful or say nothing. Silence speaks a thousand words.

4. Healthy debate is good. You can debate an idea without attacking the person. There is no need to illustrate the strength of your argument by belittling others. Always remember point 1. If your POV is not convincing enough, leave it be rather than come back to attack from another angle. Even if "you know" they are wrong.

5. If you want to challenge a statement, start with something positive - cushion the blow, try "I know you've put a ton of time and effort into this plan and it looks great but have you considered....", Use Questions to steer someone's thinking. Phrasing things as questions invites thoughtful
conversation rather than being overbearing and autocratic

6. Avoid sounding authoritative - being overly authoritative, confrontational and close-minded when making a correction will only make you look pretentious and condescending.

7. Offer help, rather than state your qualifications and experience just to illustrate your superiority. Ask for more information to help get the full picture and explain that knowing more will help give a more useful response and avoid misunderstandings/poor responses

8. Be a part of the solution - if you genuinely like to be a part of the ExplorOz Forum Community - then look at these guidelines and reconsider how you are contributing. Remember it is a MYTH that we have any obligation for factual correctness in Forum posts so don't use that as an excuse for continued and unnecessary nit picking PLEASE.

Finally, can I just say to anyone that thinks they recognise themselves in this discussion that I'm not looking to name/shame anyone in particular. It can be a very grey area for moderation and that is how/why these discussions cannot be steered successfully without causing unnecessary blow ups. We understand that often a person's ill-received response can happen quite unintentionally and with all good intentions. But I hope you will agree, its time to bring it to the fore so that we can openly discuss how to address it.

I honestly hope no one will take personal offence to calling out these issues as I have, as everyone is still very much wanted and needed in our Forum community. All I ask is that you take on board what's been said.

If something is written where the meaning is clear but the grammar/spelling is incorrect is it really worth pointing it out and making an arse of yourself? If someone on a forum points out my grammar mistakes I just ignore them and their high horse. So what if I wrote ‘their’ instead of ‘there’? Look at the context of the message, if it needs correction because it is unclear of the overall message then it will be worth correcting it. If not, just let it slide, all it is doing is annoying others and making yourself look like a knob. Rightly or wrongly an Internet forum is not the place for correcting grammar/spelling!!

Personal attacks should just be ignored, simple as that. It’s just an anonymous forum.

I read somewhere that there are two kinds of people:
people who correct other people's grammar; and
people with friends.
Keith

How about a 3 month sin bin?
Decided by a quorum of moderators?

This video is reasonably long, but extremely well produced, and has a Queens song as its basis (can't get much better than that) and is definitely "on point" in regards to this thread IMO.
It's worth the watch ??

https://youtu.be/IABRgZH12YA

As KB Wilson is reputedly (in his book) to have once said:
I reject people who haven't got one, telling me how to live my life.

I think it's like road rage. IMO it's a shortfall in an individuals personality that doesn't allow them to insert a short burst of time that will give them an opportunity to think before they act or react.

It seems to get worse each year.

Agree with all your sentiments and I find your use of "humerus" particularly humerous!
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