So ... and you ought to be honest about this one, or it's no fun for anyone! ... when you are faced with a choice where you can only do one of these three things, which way do you find yourself jumping?

Obviously, we'd all like to make positive contributions in a polite manner while simultaneously calling people on their bullshit.  And maybe most of the time we do.  But your priorities get revealed in what you actually do when faced with a choice.  I'm interested to see what kind of spread we actually have.

I change from week to week, but these days I'm willing to let bullshit slide by if I can't respond to it without slinging some myself.  Likewise, I'm willing to let a useful thread die if I'd have to wrestle in the mud to keep it alive.  Maybe I'm just getting cynical, but I figure that if things go straight to hell in this forum that's not really something worth me getting all het up over.

I voted for the second option. I've lurked long enough to know that most times calling folks out on their BS doesn't really do any good. You're not going to change anyone's mind. Besides most folks I've had discussions with seem to be interested in the subject matter of said discussion and not defendng at all cost a certain view point  (So I've had it pretty easy )

Regards,
David R

Why can't I prevent someone from getting away with bullshit politely, thereby making a positive contribution to the site and/or RPG thinking?

QuoteObviously, we'd all like to make positive contributions in a polite manner while simultaneously calling people on their bullshit.

Define "all."

I voted #1, because #2 makes me wonder what you mean by "RPG Thinking" and if you're saying that by doing it I'd be trying to forcibly change others's gaming styles. #3 is just boring.

I would not post something which was intentionally nasty or derogatory - that's not me - so I chose #3. I know it's wierd and boring, but that's OK because I am wierd and boring.

-clash

Quote from: James McMurrayWhy can't I prevent someone from getting away with bullshit politely, thereby making a positive contribution to the site and/or RPG thinking?

You can, but doing that doesn't tell you anything about your priorities.  If you've never had a post (or a deliberate choice not to post) that didn't satisfy all three of those criteria then you cannot know what your priorities are, and therefore should not answer the poll.  Simple, neh?

Quote from: flyingmiceI would not post something which was intentionally nasty or derogatory - that's not me - so I chose #3. I know it's wierd and boring, but that's OK because I am wierd and boring.

-clash

I knew you were going to go for #3. But here's the thing, with you #3 results in # 2

Regards,
David R

Quote from: TonyLBYou can, but doing that doesn't tell you anything about your priorities.  If you've never had a post (or a deliberate choice not to post) that didn't satisfy all three of those criteria then you cannot know what your priorities are, and therefore should not answer the poll.  Simple, neh?

I answered the poll and explained why. That post was more geared at pointing out that the priorities are kinda meaningless, sonce there's never really a time when you have to choose just one. At least, not a time that I can think of in the 45 seconds I've tried.

Generally, I vacillate between the first two, though lately I'm trying really hard to focus my responses toward truly RPG-related topics.  Option three is always a touchstone for me, since once things begin straying into rudeness and shit-slinging, the chances of constructive dialogue diminish significantly.  Go ahead and speak your mind, but keep it civil.

!i!

What if I'm just here to post about shit that's interesting to me?  I have no vested interest in achieving any of the objectives set down in your little poll.

I just read stuff, and if I have something to say about it, I say it.  That's kinda how a message board works.

Quote from: J ArcaneWhat if I'm just here to post about shit that's interesting to me?  I have no vested interest in achieving any of the objectives set down in your little poll.

Then you don't have any of those priorities, and this is obviously not the poll for you.

Quote from: J ArcaneWhat if I'm just here to post about shit that's interesting to me?  I have no vested interest in achieving any of the objectives set down in your little poll.

Well, this post appears to fit pretty comfortably into Option 1.

!i!

Without Option 4 ("Toss out some weird thought, lame joke or excuse to use the word 'turkey'"), I have no voice in this poll and am, therefore, disenfranchised.

Oppressed, even.  So I'm gonna wear this t-shirt to express my disgust with The System:

Quote from: Dr Rotwang!Without Option 4 ("Toss out some weird thought, lame joke or excuse to use the word 'turkey'"), I have no voice in this poll and am, therefore, disenfranchised.

I actually considered putting something very like that in, just for you, but then I realized that you'd be much happier being able to post as you have done.

It's all to make you happy, I swear!

I take a great deal of pleasure in calling people "cunts", but I try and keep that on the down low here, so I mainly try and post RPG-related material.