My theory on rail fans and this forum

[gabe]

Just to say it again, I hope what I am saying is not being misconstrued as saying we shouldn't disagree with one another. I don't think my position and Mokie's are that far apart. I wish people would disagree more, that is how you learn. I just think people get a little more defensive than they otherwise might because they are use to being experts in this field.

Gabe

[edblysard]

Gabe...
Doubt any of the regulars are so self centerd as to consider themselves experts...but there are rivet counters in any profession, or hobby for that matter.
There are a few folks here, Mr Hemphill, Overmod, Mudchicken, who are experts in their chosen fields, but the rest of us are just dedicated.
I have notice that often, when someone's statement of fact is challenged, they do seem to become defensive, but I would guess thats more of a personality defect than anything else.

You know, for a lawyer, you aint half bad...
Can you come up with a way I can get a Whatabuger to Dan...he's stuck behind enemy lines, and FedEx said they don't ship food....

Ed[:D]

[MP57313]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard
[when someone's statement of fact is challenged, they do seem to become defensive, but I would guess thats more of a personality defect than anything else.

Take it as a challenge to re-verify your statement or clarify your points

[Rick Gates]

I agree with you Gabe, and Mookie also. This is a wonderful place to observe group dynamics. Unlike the f2f forums where words may be withheld or choosen more carefully and, defensive posture is exhibited in voice and body language, here a large degree of anonymity is also invloved. Most of us get to know each other only by what we write and how we react to our carefully composed contributions. Diversity is good and even the moot debates teach us about each other and hone our skills. I learn more than just railroad info here. I learn the compassion of good people. Watch guys like KevintheRRman. He is growing and getting better. If he can do it, anyone can! Just kidding Kevin, my friend......buddy. You still have to stay away from my daughters![B)]

[edblysard]

No need, it was just done for me![:D]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MP57313

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard
[when someone's statement of fact is challenged, they do seem to become defensive, but I would guess thats more of a personality defect than anything else.

Take it as a challenge to re-verify your statement or clarify your points

[Anonymous]

Now you know how the Railroads feel about us.

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSF railfan.

Now you know how the Railroads feel about us.

Let's go in a corner and you tell me more about the above statement. I just need a clarification. How do you think they feel about us?

Mook

[Anonymous]

I've talked to some,and you would be shocked to what you'll hear.

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSF railfan.

I've talked to some,and you would be shocked to what you'll hear.

I am still lost - are you talking railroads or railroaders? My $ is on railroaders, which don't speak for the railroads. And I think a lot of the railroaders have reason to speak rather harshly against some train watchers.

But I also know they are human and most of them will either ignore you or are nice enough to maybe wave. But.....they aren't there to make nice with anyone that happens to wander around the area. That puts them in the spot of being the PR department and if I were them, I wouldn't want to do it either.

So bottom line, maybe the bad feelings are well-deserved. Maybe we haven't been 1st class citizens around them.

Mookie

[MP57313]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie
That puts them in the spot of being the PR department and if I were them, I wouldn't want to do it either.

You bet. If a stranger with a camera showed up on the property at my employer, my immediate call would be to Security. Would do the same if this person was on the sidewalk of a public street (and let security sort it out with the local police). This is per our company policy, and it has been that way for years.

[kevarc]

I find a lot more civility here than I do on other forums. I am a mod at a few forums (not just RR either). We are pretty liberal at some and iron fisted at others. It is the board owners that set the tone. Mostly we let things run, but as soon as it becomes personal, we warn first and hope the person takes the hint. If not we can and do edit posts, delete posts, and finally if it goes to long without the offender getting a clue, he is banned. The ban may be for a week or it may be permanent. It depends on the offense and the person.

The one thing I see the most is "freedom of speech" issues. I have been accused on more than one occasion of limiting it. The thing is, on private forums like this and the others that I belong to is that these are NOT public forums, but private ones and there is no constitutional right to freedom of speech. You post at the pleasure of the forum owner.

I come here because I like to share things that I have learned over the years and to learn.

[n2mopac]

Spirit disagreement is one thing . . . its when they become personal attacks that I think it gets out of hand. I do not understand how some get so emotionally worked up over an impersonal internet forum about a fun hobby like railfanning or model railroading. I don't mind being disagreed with, but I don't appreciate being belittled personally by someone who doesn't know me from Adam just because we disagreen over some topic.

Ron

[Anonymous]

True, I was only making a statement for God sake! I wasn't being an *** or nothing.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gabe

Mookie,

I am not at all contending that people should not disagree with one another. I think arguing and disagreements are what makes the forum what it is. I am just noting that I think some people take it personally when you disagree with them and feel as though their rail soverignty is being challenged.


Gabe

Let me throw my two cents in, in context with the above and the comment you made in your initial post regarding what you are accustomed to seeing in your everyday life, I think you've hit one of the nails on the head without realizing it.

In everyday life, with those of opposed opinion at arms length, one tends to be more warry of what they say, and how they say it, than they do hidden behind the comfort of a VGA screen and keyboard. There are a host of situational factors that play off of this, ...ranging from what you might choose NOT to say out of politeness to someone you have to live next door to--all the way to the concern you might have for a guy busting you one in the kisser if you smarted off back to him in person.......And,.... as they say, --"the million shades of gray in between"

(*unfurling the trout line*) [:D]

In fact, the impression I've formed of defensive antagonists on the internet is that they probably get few opportunities to be "right" in the real world, often in the shadows of bosses who are never wrong, and/or domineering wives and in consequence lead shallow, unrewarding lives...

So, it only stands to reason that such types would be hyperdefensive of the only remaining opportunity available to them to "impress" someone...[;)]

[cpbloom]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MP57313

I'm an observer of railroads and trains etc., not in the business, so I really don't have strong opinions one way or the other on a lot of stuff (It just is. They changed the paint scheme again. Deal with it.).......

My strongest opinions are associated with off-topic subjects so they usually don't show up here

That says it all for me.

[:)] cpbloom lover of Trains/Railroads.