I was reading JLA Year One again and this panel stood out. I think it's something we should all think about and learn from. If you don't know the characters, it's Aquaman, Flash, Black Canary and Green Lantern.
Most of you already know this, but sometimes it feels like people don't know where the line is. Yes, joking around is good for team spirit and for fun, but not when it alienates. There is a line, there is a difference. Here are a few tips based on how I choose to behave on the boards:
Apologise - if I genuinely did not mean offence and I think I may have wrongly mocked someone and it may have made them feel bad, I apologise. It's the right thing to do and actually the easiest thing do. Some people find it really hard to put their hands up and just say, sorry - I didn't mean anything by it. Instead they may get a hostile response to the initial jibe and will then retaliate with another mean spirited remark. This is the wrong thing to do, if it was your unintentional, initiated jibe that caused offence in the first place, you need to say sorry and not come back at someone upset, with another rude gesture.
Know your boundaries - you know, it would be so easy to twist the knife with some people, it's easy, too easy and it's not really fair to pick upon those aspects with them, especially when they could do the same to you. I've been on forums for what feels like forever, I could pick apart and twist your post, I could be douche and make you feel like shit, I could use your fandom against you. I could reply in the same bullshit tone that you just flung my way. But I choose not to (in the majority of cases). Like Aquaman is saying above, I left Gamespot and came here to be accepted, not to be reminded that I'm different. I came to get away from all the BS, I don't expect that BS to follow me here.
Make your feelings clear - if you are not happy with a post, let people know in the gentlest of terms. I know it's hard to do when you're angry, but try. Sometimes people are oblivious that something bugs you, let them know and you will probably find out that it was unintentional you can give each other RobertRedford.gif nods and get on with your day.
So the next time you think about posting something, think about it, just a little bit harder before you do it. And sometimes, after you do it, too.
Is that jumper made out of hessian carpet?
One more thing to be wary of:
NOT DIRECTLY ADDRESSING A FORUM MEMBER
I've seen it in the past, rather than directly talking with a forum member, some people would rather quote someone else and indirectly mock someone else. It's one of the rudest things you can do, but it's all about knowing your boundaries and knowing the person you are joking with. Sometimes it's used as a cowardly way of mocking someone, if you have something to say, say it outright, don't be a slimy jerk. But it's all contextual and not a solid rule, just something to think about.
Let's just, try to hang around each other in peace. We've all known each other for years now.
Or the Legion of Doom.
The heshen carpet jumper is scaring people off. Scales my eye.
That comic is badly drawn too. Can't figure out what's going on with the blonde lady's head.
Is this blog supposed to be addressing me? I don't get it. We have always disagreed on lots of stuff but I have always thought you were 10 kinds of awesome. We will certainly be polar opposites when it comes ot the Wii U, but I don't really get too personal into it. I may be missing something here.
Anyways this blog is the girliest fucking blog I have ever read. I'm revoking your man card for 5 days. You now have to dress in lederhosen and leather thongs and take pictures of yourself and send them to me at iswearimnotaphyschopathpervert@ilovemanmeat.net
GMode, WTH? This has nothing to do with you. This is 10 years of lessons learnt from posting on the internet.
Another thing that is wrong with the internet, you think people are talking about you when they are not! I have done this before. It's an unholy mess.