Ok, before the speculation starts flying (which it already appears to be doing), let me make a few things clear about what I meant:
A) I was in no way referring to the serious discussion threads, which I am pleased are being conducted as well as they are...keep up the great work there. [img]smile.gif[/img]
B) I'm not calling for *forced nicety*...that makes me want to choke and puke as well. I *am* calling for a general atmosphere of respect, though, which a few of our members seem to be lacking in. Not many, thank goodness, but a few.
What IS irritating me, and why I made this post to begin with, is that there are a few members who have decided to take on a pseudo-moderator stance and lecture others about petty *infractions*, some of which is ridiculous. It is high-handed, officious, and downright rude. Like "Excuse me, but who died and made you Mod?"
Now, I know that the IW of 2002 is not the IW of 2001. Maybe that's for the best. It would be terrible if everything stagnated. Forums need to be dynamic and move with the times...but that does not call for a general tossing down of mutual respect for others.
And, on the other side of the coin, as Nachtrafe so well pointed out, yes, people are WAAAY too whiny and oversensitive, especially lately. One of my favorite mottos is,
"Don't run with the big dogs if you're going to piddle like a puppy." That is to say, if you find yourself in a thread that's offending you,
A) take your mouse,
B) point to your "Back" button
C) and CLICK it!
because THAT'S what it's there for!
You certainly don't have to be in nodding agreement with everyone here. But you do have to show them the same level of respect that you expect them to show you as a public forum participant. And if that means shutting your piehole instead of saying something whiny, undercutting, or demeaning, then by all means, keep your peace. Believe me, we have "something for everyone" here, and not all threads are for everyone. Be constructive, not destructive.
Ok, hope this clears things up.
-Saz