There seems to be a prevalence of polls and stories getting hijacked by users taking off in a diatribe of off-topic chatter among themselves.
For example:
"IIN that I eat meat with a fork?"
User "a" will jump in:
"I'd like to fork user 'b'"
User "b" will respond:
"yes...but user 'c' is more meaty and (insert clever play on user 'c's username)can't use forks..."
...so forth and so on until the thread is littered with 50 replies that have nothing to do with the subject.
Anymore, if I see a large amount of replies, I skip it. It used to be the other way around. Formerly, that implied an in-depth and thoughtful dialogue. Now it tends mean it's a chat room for cliques.
For example:
"IIN that I eat meat with a fork?"
User "a" will jump in:
"I'd like to fork user 'b'"
User "b" will respond:
"yes...but user 'c' is more meaty and (insert clever play on user 'c's username)can't use forks..."
...so forth and so on until the thread is littered with 50 replies that have nothing to do with the subject.
Anymore, if I see a large amount of replies, I skip it. It used to be the other way around. Formerly, that implied an in-depth and thoughtful dialogue. Now it tends mean it's a chat room for cliques.
On another topic...
I just like to joke around really.
...though it still somehow made me grin? haha
Now..since you guys have already taken it down this predictable path, I'm going to guess this thread will have at least 40 comments on it before it even gets approved...if it does. I'm not nobleserpent, so I won't delete them.
...then it will be glazed over by the larger audience.
I'm aware that I do have my own little associations here which may be seen as cliques but I do try not to exclude anyone. I'd hate for anyone to think I was unapproachable or that I'd formed a little gang that they weren't part of.
But, yes, I do know what you mean and I hold up my hands for my part in it and all I can do is apologise.
Sorry.
I did want to draw attention to how out of control the derailing commentary could hurt the site as well as make people feel excluded, but you are certainly among those who I believe would never mean for that to happen.
I also see whole posts filled with private jokes that I wasn't party to and don't understand. On occasion, I see a very valid question that doesn't get a single valid answer despite having a hundred responses. I know it's nice to be familiar with people but it does make me wonder about my own behaviour and whether people are thinking it about me too.
I really do try not to exclude people. There are a couple of dozen people on the site that I know I'd get along with and wish I knew better but, weirdly, I'm actually quite shy and I tend to wait for people to come towards me, rather than approach them myself. Virtually everyone I know on this site had to make the first move in getting to know me. I know it doesn't come across that way and I think I can appear a bit cliquey because of it.
Where we get the posts that get filled with non-relevant answers, I do try to give a real answer. I initially answered you with an apology, though, because that's how I genuinely feel. I know I'm not the only problem on the site, and I hope others see this and show some consideration. I think you've made a great point.
I feel, if the OP has a problem with it, they'll say something. When they don't, I take it as we have the OK to converse with one another. It doesn't effect anyone, and if it does it shouldn't.
As for this whole being left out thing? It you want to talk to someone then talk to them. You don't need IIN Gold for that or chat room privileges.
A circlejerk (in the metaphorical sense) is really an echo chamber. A self-congratulatory reaffirmation of internally inclusive, self-perpetuating ideas. What is a community about? Motherfucking affirmation, baby.
All internet communities eventually begin to complain that the site has become a circlejerk, that it's essentially devolved to inside jokes, self-congratulation, and exclusion. That just means that a community has developed.
Does "self-congratulatory reaffimation self-perpetuating ideas" sound like a healthy community?
I do understand that you shrouded your comment in semi-sarcastic, albeit defensive, humor...as you typically do. It's not lost on me, and I appreciate it on many levels. I just like to respond for the hell of it.
Sarcastic, definitely (glad you enjoy it), but not defensive. I'll be the first to tell you that IIN is a circlejerk. Some of my comments get thumbed up for no reason other than that my username is recognizable, and some of them are ignored because they aren't nearly saccharine enough for this site. IIN loves the saccharine shit. Why do you think dappled is popular?
Yes..I do appreciate sarcasm, especially when it's deep seated and obscure. I'm glad that you're so happy I enjoy it.
I don't, however, appreciate condescension. I always have to suppress a chuckle or an eyeroll when people overuse flowery vocabulary because it exposes their pretentious mindset, "look at me! I'm a genius..and you're an insignificant ant..." which I find odd because none of us will ever see each other in real life. You have nothing to prove and neither do I.
You're full of yourself...which means either you really are a genius...or you're the insignificant ant that you metaphorically look up to.
If Dappled is an artificial sweetener, I'd take a cupfull of that over the pretentious prankster who dumps arsenic in the sugar bowl.
As for your point on condescension - I think vocabulary has very, very little to do with intelligence. I write like this because I want to. I used to be interested in creative writing, and I love to read. So you are all free to project whatever genius-idiot dichotomy you want on me, but I am neither a genius nor an idiot. Not even close to either.
A mixture of beer and lack of sleep can do that :)
We are all a little weird
And life's a little weird
And when we find someone whose
Weirdness is compatible with ours
We join up with them and fall in
Mutual weirdness and call it love.♥
And then we stand around
In a circle, in a room
We turn off all the lights
And masturbate furiously
As we make awkward eye contact. ♥
We can all do it, but only if it validates your sense of worth. And with the lights off, I'm sure there are some thirsty IIN members that would jerk it for you.
Time to find a room large enough for all of us.
Remember: not all of us are human.
I don't see the problem.
...but when the dialogue turns off topic it destroys the thread and renders the subject matter useless. Not to mention the fact that other users, those who can't afford IIN Gold, or who are inept in chat rooms, become outcasts.
People are free to comment on a story and say whatever they want, so might as well let them. If the OP doesn't mind, there shouldn't be a problem. Don't see how it's reasonable for it to bother you if it's not your story or poll.
It's the first time I ever here someone say that someone who can't afford IIN Gold, or aren't part of a "clique" are an outcast. Do you see it that way? Very shallow opinion, if you ask me.
I never faulted anyone for becoming friends on this site. That's a good thing. I'm trying to point out the fallibility of rendering those without IIN Gold impotent within the approval process and how several among you have formed an elite and exclusive group who yes...make others feel like outcasts while littering a thread with pointless, off topic conversation.
I'm sorry if I offended you on a personal level...that was never my intention. I certainly didn't mean to drive you to hostility and personal attacks. I'm one who believes in speaking...and listening...in dissagreement for the sake of valid debate.
I don't think considering users who aren't part of "cliques" or who don't have IIN gold to be an outcast. But that's just my opinion.
We're all equal here, having IIN Gold or having close friends here doesn't make anyone better than the other.
That being said...we are far from equal. Look...already there are 20 comments on this poll...
...and I stand alone...defending myself from a barage of criticizm prior to the approval where "outsiders" can give their input.
...this from a capitalist..I just also believe in offering my own voice...
It's not that we don't care enough as much as that it just can't happen.
This is probably the most interesting post of the day btw.