Hi all,

After watching these - lets call them debates, in various threads, for awhile now, and I've been thinking of whether or not I should say something... Since my previous posts in here, have been met with anger and condescention, I've had my reasons just to stay clear... But I'll stick my neck out, in the expectation of being decapitated... 

To be honest...

.. I wonder when AVSIM has gotten to the point of being a group of bitter, sour, grumpy psychophants. Who only sees things in the most negative light, are constantly critical to the point of it being ridiculous, IMO.

Now, I don't mind people expressing their opinion and having a debate. But sometimes the prase 'If you can't say anything positive, don't say anything at all' counts. I mean - where did the constructive critisism go? AVSIM was actually on of the few forums on the web, where the dialog and debate was interesting and well-founded...

I've been here for nearly 13 years - and lately... well - I think, that 'rules of engagement' with each other, has become more direct - and more hostile. It saddens me, to be honest. Where did the decency go? It feels like it's just more of the same rant, shouting of how bad/terrible/wrong something looks in some preview. Or some poor developer who has or hasn't released an update. Bereting other users, for having an opinion, which differs from the 'mainstream'. 😞
This was one of the few forums, that didn't have the extremism and hostile, lynching, evil and sometimes cruel posts, which haunts Facebook and Reddit (to name a few)... It doesn't feel that way, anymore. I'm not really sure why this has happened or how; But the general tone on the internet (at least on social media) is becoming more hostile, more close minded and more user-centric and egotistic. There's no respect towards other opinions anymore - and even worse there's a lack of respect towards other users.

After a long time thinking - I have come to the conclusion, that I will be taking a break - at least from posting - in here for awhile. Now, before you start cheering to loudly - I will (probably) return at some point. However, it's a hard decision to make, but it has come to a point for me, that it's simply not worth the time and effort, contantly having to defend or engage in combatitative discussions who simply cannot fathom or concept the idea of a viewpoint, which differs from their own. It has become polarized. It's really, really sad, that (some) users in here contantly are getting in your face, expressing a hostile and condescending tone towards you, that you, when you post something on a thread, you get the feeling, that you're no longer contributing to the debate - you annoying the users and sabotating the debate. When that occurs, the feeling of 'being punched in the stomach' (to use a figure of speech) gets worse and worse... Now, I'm not saying this, because I have soft skin. I think (quite honestly) that I've taken my share of beating in here - but at some point, it comes to a point, where you simply just don't care anymore - about anything...

To be honest - this demeanor and attitude in here, is like a disease. And the way I see it - it's spreading... It is my only hope, that AVSIM can combat it!

Anyway... I'm done unburdning myself. To all you wonderful people - have a nice evening.

I'm done; and I'm out!

Goodbye,
Anders

Anders, the like is for your eloquent post and not your absence. 😎

Anders -- you should do like me, just don't post in threads not in the spirit of AVSIM (covid thread --  Thank you Bob for locking that, it was far, far overdue).

And yes the like is for your post and not your absence.

Totally agree with you Anders.

Anders,

I will make you a friendly wager....stop looking at Avsim for 30 days, with all of your good reasons this makes sense for you.  I guarantee in a month you won't even miss it.  Its really amazing how we get into these habits of regularly visiting certain sites and if we break the cycle we wonder why we were doing this all these years.  Take care! enjoy simming!

Avsim has an ignore feature?  Been here 20 years and had no idea.

Anders, you have been an informative contributor.  Just don't take this stuff too seriously. After all it's just a pixelated hobby and full of people you don't even know or I assume you don't. Personally I just laugh and move on. Some times I have a little fun with some folks who take them selves too seriously. Always enjoyed your post and think I have sent a few likes and upvotes your way.

Besides , that little muskrat or Hamster is so cute we would dearly miss it.

Edited May 29, 20206 yr by PATCO LCH

I have to agree with Rob that the global political and pandemic climate has made some people more, let's say, volatile, than they used to be.  Now, instead of thinking before they speak, it all comes out in a tirade.

I have to say that covid thread sure went south.  Not a surprise, what with people like @Alan_A posting in it.

I can help with that.

I'm out, too.

'Bye, everybody!

36 minutes ago, MarkW said:

Avsim has an ignore feature?

It sure does. I wouldn't cope without it. 😉

5 minutes ago, Rob_Ainscough said:

Oh geeez, I thought it was a fish.

Cheers, Rob.

Let's start a thread about whether fish have nostrils. 🙂 That can't lead to angst...Can it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds4nEz59oRw

I remind myself every time I go online. It is so true of any online community. So you can either let the trolls win, or realize that people are not chocolates. 

A  study published in Psychology Today found that likes on social media created an endorphin rush that was equivalent to crack cocaine. Needless to say people who are not getting likes are probably feeling pretty glum. So if someone says something nasty to you, throw them a curve ball and like their comment. They are utterly confused and you get the satisfaction that you just played a psychological game with them. 

Now if I get a bunch of likes on this post  I can feel good until I think hard about it. 

There ya go. 🙂

I find a number of posters and posts like those you're referring to just as annoying as you, but I also think it's inevitably something that happens in an internet forum where everyone can sign up and post, no matter how unfortunate it is. While the measures to deal with this are usually put to good use, you can never completely prevent this from happening if anyone can sign up and post. Go to any other place on the internet (well, most places) and you will just the same thing and often worse. While it sure seems like it's gotten worse lately, I would say AVSIM is still much better in this regard than many other online places.

If there's an obnoxious thread or poster just ignore it. After all, it's just someone sitting somewhere saying something on the internet. Just look at how many people are constantly online here; it's inevitable there will be someone among them winding things up. The next thread you visit will be a good one. You just shouldn't give these people any of your attention. The silly ones are often the loudest ones and often drown out the majority of good ones and you will naturally get fixated on the few silly ones.

Hey Anders

Thank you for your genuine and heartfelt sentiment, I am sure many will agree with you, as you make a valid point.

However, there are subtleties here. Firstly  although there are angry trolls, they are definitely in a minority here. It’s just when they flame out, we all notice it.

secondly personally I’ve never encountered the least bit of rudeness or malice - in fact I find people here kind and helpful and I feel I’ve really benefited from joining this forum.
 

There is no doubt a trend for more strident and angry posts widely, but I wonder whether the moderators here have become a bit more lenient of late. I remember back in 2005 you could barely say a word out of place before you got banned from some forums. I was a site moderator for a while and often used Avsim as an example of keeping members well under control if they got out of hand. Perhaps we’ve all mellowed, or maybe it’s my imagination.

Finally, we probably do need to cut people some slack. We’ve all been in lockdown for over 2 months, many, especially in the aviation industry have been furloughed and I guess it’s easier to lose your rag when you’re cooped up and unemployed with nowhere to go...

Anyway, just some perspective; you put your point across honestly, eloquently and if you do decide to leave Avsim I’m sure you will be missed.

 

ray