Why do decent threads turn into p*ssing matches?

I guess this is the thread that proves its title wrong?

I'm not in the business but this board is a refuge for me. I'm not good at making friends and I tend to listen more than talk in a lot of conversations (oddly, the complete opposite of my behavior in my earlier years) but I've felt welcome here and made some friends that I truly value.

I enjoy all the political threads on both sides of any argument until it becomes a name calling insult fest. It feels unnecessary and tends to undermine any valid point the insultor may be making. But I also know that if a thread is becoming disturbing I can stop reading it. Just like I walk away from any conversation that gets out of hand or uncomfortable.

All too often the worst trolls are encouraged by the people on this board who feel the need to respond to every post made, even if it's clearly unadulterated twaddle. I honestly don't understand why people don't just ignore the idiots. The posters that become an issue (eg. boots) become that because other people egged them on.

I stand in complete solidarity with my man Jones. If you wouldn't say it in person, why say it here? Were we all such nerds in school that we jump on the chance to bully someone else or exult in another person's turn to be the pariah?

And for the record, this board is nothing. For sheer vitriol and outright bitchiness, try reading an opera board.

 

Anybody using "twaddle" in a post is cool by me.

 

I especially enjoyed someone using the word "quisling" the other day. I remember seeing that in a Peanuts strip one time.

I resolved a long time ago to stay out of the pissing matches.

 

Either that, or more than hold your own a time or two, and you'll be left alone.

 

Funny thing - ever since I hit that bad patch, pissing matches tend to burn a lot more.......

 

Well, almost anyone.

 

<img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1292/1116315066_53d654808b.jpg?v=0">Via google

 

I believe the proper term is "playing swords."

 

Thank you.
I stand corrected.

 

Oh Dools ... you always know how to make a lady feel special.