A kinder gentler Mafoo

M

Mafoo

Cleared for Takeoff
Joined
Jul 17, 2012
Messages
1,460
Location
New Hampshire
Display Name
Mafoo
Home Airfield
KLEB
As part of who I am, I like to debate. I never do it in anger or anything, I just like to talk about stuff..

I have been involved in several threads that seem to spiral into fun banter back and forth.

Well, I am used to forums where everyone likes that sort of thing. I am getting the feeling this is not one of them.

So, I will no longer be doing that. :)
 
Well, when I go to a political thread, I realize everyone is there to debate.

Here, there is a subset of people who come here to just enjoy the company of aviators. They are the type of people who if at a party, walk up to a few guys talking about high wing vs low wing, and then just walk away because they don't want to hear it.

If I am at a party with those type of people, I tend to not get into discussions about controversial things. I save that for another time.

So that's how I will treat this forum. When I feel like picking a fight, I will go somewhere else :)
 
If you want to debate politics join the Spin Zone. But don't come to pick a fight.
 
Everskyward said:
If you want to debate politics join the Spin Zone. But don't come to pick a fight.
Click to expand...

The problem, especially with politics, is that many folks consider someone who appears to be winning a particular debate as picking a fight.

I've watched debates on multiple forums, and invariably there are those who want to dictate without consequence or actual serious debate. When they receive a strong counter response to an argument, they in turn respond with either libel or whining, neither of which promotes civil debate.

Then there are those who complain about the existence of debates to begin with, which always puzzled me. If there weren't differences of opinion, and folks didn't express them, how useful would any of these forums actually be? I don't need a group hug all of the time, I'm here to both learn and contribute. Learning can't take place without meaningful debate. If I don't want to read or engage in the debate, I just leave the thread in question to others.


JKG
 
JGoodish said:
The problem, especially with politics, is that many folks consider someone who appears to be winning a particular debate as picking a fight.
Click to expand...
I don't think there's anything wrong with debate as life would be boring if we all thought the same way, but some people like to troll.
 
I'm with you. I've been noticing two things lately...

1.) I have been spending WAY too much time reading POA.
2.) Most of what I see on POA is either completely unrelated to aviation, or only tangentially related.

With those two things in mind, I've decided to cut way back on reading and will probably keep posting to an absolute minimum. What I wish we had was a setting to ignore threads started by certain users -- there are a few people whose threads always seem to turn into flame-fests and wastes of time. I'm going to concentrate on just avoiding those altogether.
 
DaleB said:
I'm with you. I've been noticing two things lately...

1.) I have been spending WAY too much time reading POA.
2.) Most of what I see on POA is either completely unrelated to aviation, or only tangentially related.

With those two things in mind, I've decided to cut way back on reading and will probably keep posting to an absolute minimum. What I wish we had was a setting to ignore threads started by certain users -- there are a few people whose threads always seem to turn into flame-fests and wastes of time. I'm going to concentrate on just avoiding those altogether.
Click to expand...
There is an "ignore thread" feature under "thread tools" but it doesn't automatically ignore threads started by a certain poster. You need to select it for each thread.
 
Yeah, I use "ignore thread" a lot... way more than I should need to, IMHO, but it's not my board. :)
 
I fully intend to remain the curmudgeonly SOB I've been all along. Thank you for your attention.
 
If you use the web version, all one needs to do is resist the click.

Say it with me, resist the click.
 
DaleB said:
2.) Most of what I see on POA is either completely unrelated to aviation, or only tangentially related.
Click to expand...

Yes but just about every forum that I've ever visited has an 'off topic' section.

There's only so much you can say about one topic (aviation, motorcycles, fishing, etc).
 
For what it's worth, I don't think you're too far off-center. You'll always find bullies, but by and large this place is filled with great people. I disagree with most of them on almost every topic, but I still think they'd throw an extra burger on the grill if I showed up at their BBQ.
 
Gerhardt said:
For what it's worth, I don't think you're too far off-center. You'll always find bullies, but by and large this place is filled with great people. I disagree with most of them on almost every topic, but I still think they'd throw an extra burger on the grill if I showed up at their BBQ.
Click to expand...


Yes, most would welcome anybody. We have lots of POA fly ins, and functions where many of us with different views on the world, get together, are friends, and have a great time. If you can't set aside your differences at a fly-in, then your just not enough into airplanes.

Most of us have a standing lunch or dinner offer for travelling or visiting POA'ers.
 
Anthony said:
Yes, most would welcome anybody. We have lots of POA fly ins, and functions where many of us with different views on the world, get together, are friends, and have a great time. If you can't set aside your differences at a fly-in, then your just not enough into airplanes.

Most of us have a standing lunch or dinner offer for travelling or visiting POA'ers.
Click to expand...

The only requirement is that the meal can't exceed 800 calories. :D
 
Sac Arrow said:
If you hate all politicians equally, is it still political?
Click to expand...

You shouldn't hate politicians, all they want is your money and the ability to control everything else in your life. That's it, just two things. Why do you have to be such a cynic?

:)


JKG
 
Mafoo, Debate is good and certainly welcome in Spin Zone. Debate can also be good in the aviation forums. High Wing vs. Low Wing :wink2: Is it better to ditch in water than belly it in on uneven ground. Rich of peak lean of peak etc. The problem comes not in the debate but in the civility and respect or lack there of. A LOT more heat is tolerated in Spin Zone but out in the Aviation forums we really much rather keep it more friendly community.

Anthony described things well above.


Jaybird180 said:
If you use the web version, all one needs to do is resist the click.

Say it with me, resist the click.
Click to expand...

Ahhh how many times I've used that mantra!
 
Mafoo said:
As part of who I am, I like to debate. I never do it in anger or anything, I just like to talk about stuff..

I have been involved in several threads that seem to spiral into fun banter back and forth.

Well, I am used to forums where everyone likes that sort of thing. I am getting the feeling this is not one of them.

So, I will no longer be doing that. :)
Click to expand...

Why?

You have a point make it. You are a young pilot bringing new and fresh ideas to an established forum. Your banter, rants, positions, and thoughts are welcome.... as long as you don't disagree with mine. :lol:

;)
 
I have a problem with people who take a position but provide no reasoning or logic as to why they take that position. If they provided some supporting argument, they might even convince me. Those I soon ignore.

Speaking in generalities. Not implying that Mafoo does this.
 
Last edited:
Geico266 said:
Why?

You have a point make it. You are a young pilot bringing new and fresh ideas to an established forum. Your banter, rants, positions, and thoughts are welcome.... as long as you don't disagree with mine. :lol:

;)
Click to expand...

Don't worry. If he does disagree with an old-timer, his posts will be summarily deleted. ;)
 
Geico266 said:
Why?

You have a point make it. You are a young pilot bringing new and fresh ideas to an established forum. Your banter, rants, positions, and thoughts are welcome.... as long as you don't disagree with mine. :lol:

;)
Click to expand...

If you and I were in a room talking, I would say just about anything, and not worry about it. I doubt there is anything I could say that would offend you.

If I was in a room with my sister, I would speak far more reserved. I know her limits, and out of courtesy, I would not cross them.

I come here just to enjoy the people here, learn, and talk about aviation. It's a fun and informative place to hang out. I realize it's a web forum, but on the other side of every word typed, is a human being reading what I am saying.

If face to face I would treat them with a little more courtesy, why should I not do the same on a forum?

One of the things I would like to think is true, is me (along with everyone else) being here helps the community. I want to be a net positive on these boards, but I am of no additional value then anyone else in aviation, so if due to my actions, more people leave then stay, I am a negative influence here.

That's the last thing I want to be. I have looked at some of the threads I have been involved in, and just don't want to go down that road anymore.

It's not that I will no longer discuss things here, or give my opinion about aviation. I just don't plan on going on the tangets I, and all the usual suspects, have been doing of late.
 
Mafoo said:
If you and I were in a room talking, I would say just about anything, and not worry about it. I doubt there is anything I could say that would offend you.

If I was in a room with my sister, I would speak far more reserved. I know her limits, and out of courtesy, I would not cross them.

I come here just to enjoy the people here, learn, and talk about aviation. It's a fun and informative place to hang out. I realize it's a web forum, but on the other side of every word typed, is a human being reading what I am saying.

If face to face I would treat them with a little more courtesy, why should I not do the same on a forum?

One of the things I would like to think is true, is me (along with everyone else) being here helps the community. I want to be a net positive on these boards, but I am of no additional value then anyone else in aviation, so if due to my actions, more people leave then stay, I am a negative influence here.

That's the last thing I want to be. I have looked at some of the threads I have been involved in, and just don't want to go down that road anymore.

It's not that I will no longer discuss things here, or give my opinion about aviation. I just don't plan on going on the tangets I, and all the usual suspects, have been doing of late.
Click to expand...

Debate is the spice of life. I like hot and spicey. Never met a jalapinino I didn't like. Without good discussion and dissention this would be a pretty boring place.

Do we go over the top sometimes? Sure. People do that, I do that. There are boundaries here also, both with rules and personal limits.

I sure hope you continue to be a spice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top