Let's be a little nicer, especially to newcomers

[computer-audiophile]

Gentle persuasion works.

But some people here have too much of a sense of mission. They think they are the high priests of knowledge.

 

[Purité Audio]

I prefer knowledge to belief.
Keith

 

[computer-audiophile]

I prefer knowledge to belief.
Keith

I would have no objection to that. However, the knowledge is ultimately very limited. I would also supplement the theoretical knowledge with practical knowledge.
However, I appreciated my teachers when they didn't come across as missionaries.

 

[Purité Audio]

Very limited, compared to the fairy stories one reads on practically every other forum?
I have found the theoretical and practical correlate extremely closely.
Keith

 

[computer-audiophile]

I have found the theoretical and practical correlate extremely closely.
Keith

Yes, that's nice when it comes like this.

 

[DTTOM37]

It kills the open communication of a hobbyist and technical site. Part of the ASR mandate I think is to have fun if memory serves me correct. If ASR becomes a purist repository it will be veryyy boring.

I agree wholeheartedly - meanwhile - I always consider a FAQ section in technical fora as a plus, especially for the ones not fluent in English, who may use a translator to read the information provided in the fora.
imho, not all people asking want to ask just to receive a random answer - and vice versa - not all people randomly asking want to receive proper answers ...

 

[Multicore]

I do not support this. Part of our mission (besides having fun) is to win people over to our cause. We don't accomplish that by shutting them out. As Amir says, we should be nice. Gentle persuasion works.

Agree. Many new comers arrive with practical questions. They are often researching an equipment investment. It's reasonable therefore to start with a topic that presents their project and we can proceed with encouraging them to learn.

 

[computer-audiophile]

Agree. Many new comers arrive with practical questions. They are often researching an equipment investment. It's reasonable therefore to start with a topic that presents their project and we can proceed with encouraging them to learn.

I like your answer, you break it down to a very practical thing. Without know-it-all attitude.

 

[AdamG]

I think a bit of getting to know each other would help everyone. New comers can get to acclimatize, we get to know them a bit better. So why not a new thread ban until you reach a certain number of posts like other forums do? (yes, I see other forums. I thought this was an open relationship?)

That’s a great idea! @amirm is this something we can do? I support the idea and say we should set this to 30 posts before they can Start New Threads. I just spent several hours this morning hunting down new Member Spam Threads. They grow like weeds during the night hours.

 

[Multicore]

But some people here have too much of a sense of mission. They think they are the high priests of knowledge.

Agree, assuming I understand you. As I see it, what Amir is referring to in starting the topic is bullying. Maybe that words sounds too strong but it's a useful concept in this discussion and we can modulate it: mild bullying or such-and-such verges on bullying.

Bullys operates on their victims in the presence of an audience. The bully seeks to enhance his status in that peer group and may also enjoy some sadistic satisfaction. Bullying doesn't really work without the audience. I think @computer-audiophile 's concept of high priest here is apt because expertise in the special and complex (almost esoteric) body of knowledge that ASR cultivates is respected here. Authority comes from knowing this stuff well. So bullys use a theatrical show of expertise to belittle the victim. A bully without much depth of expertise might try such a show if they see it work for someone else.

So, as it is in school, the best way to address bullying is when the pupils shun the bully. It's actually quite easy for us all to play our part in this.

 

[AdamG]

Can it be that the dismissive treatment new comers recieve might have something to do with that we are on a mission to correct all those fairy-tale believers mindset?

Yes, that’s part of it. A gut instinct for our Members is to throw water on the thread/post. We are not asking you to not throw water, but to do it in a more learning conducive way. Invite engagement and demonstrate that we all have been there. Another words attack the idea/concept and not the person. This will be a work in progress for all of us as we try to find a method that works best for all parties. We want to make the new person to feel welcome while at the same time informing them that the idea/concept they just posted about is false and incorrect. This is not going to be easy…

 

[Galliardist]

That’s a great idea! @amirm is this something we can do? I support the idea and say we should set this to 30 posts before they can Start New Threads. I just spent several hours this morning hunting down new Member Spam Threads. They grow like weeds during the night hours.

Could they be corralled and checked privately before appearing in the public forum? Often people join forums like this to ask legitimate questions. If they could be auto-reported or similar, so they can be checked comparatively quickly and easily that may be better than a straight "no".

It's not fair, though, for that work to take hours of a volunteer's time.

 

[Sokel]

Worst thing about answering rudely to newcomers (or anyone) is not the ethical or first world manners abuse and lack of civilization,it's that is kind of emotional (the wrong way but still).
What's emotion has to do with science (apart from the passion of research,that's admirable)?

Stone cold answers with stone cold hard facts is all it needs,not nice or bad or anything.
It's been a long struggle in first world to be at least typical and polite to each other.

The ones who have the knowledge, just give it and let it have it's own life,you don't need to pamper it.

(I don't think that anyone will miraculous become like the top of the top on their fields who doesn't need to be rude,difficult or anything as their achievements talk for them but it's a nice example) .

 

[Multicore]

We want to make the new person to feel welcome while at the same time informing them that the idea/concept they just posted about is false and incorrect. This is not going to be easy…

It's really not difficult for an individual to be open, civil and sharing. It's harder to change a culture that may reward such behavior less than being unfriendly. Key is understanding that we are all part of the reward system.

 

[Andysu]

this is why moderators are assigned i hope with good rational logic and reasoning otherwise don't want a riot otherwise the mods get out the water cannon on us and wet us down until we've all cooled off ,

everyone disperse from this cable thread

 

[AdamG]

Could they be corralled and checked privately before appearing in the public forum? Often people join forums like this to ask legitimate questions. If they could be auto-reported or similar, so they can be checked comparatively quickly and easily that may be better than a straight "no".

It's not fair, though, for that work to take hours of a volunteer's time.

This already happens to some degree. New Members do have automatic filters set until they reach a specific threshold of posts. But the No Thread Creation suggestion is a good one and currently the new member can create threads from post one. All good ideas. Keep them coming

 

[Multicore]

I tell you these things because I see senior members wanting to have their account deleted at times due to the high tensions they see here on so many topics.

It makes me sad to think that perhaps some of the people who helped me to learn and make decisions are feeling pushed out or that they don't want to be associated with ASR any more.

 

[mhardy6647]

How long do they have to be members here before we can grab the pitchforks and start hatin'? Asking for a friend...

Dude! I'm here for ya. Go for it!

 

[AdamG]

this is why moderators are assigned i hope with good rational logic and reasoning otherwise don't want a riot otherwise the mods get out the water cannon on us and wet us down until we've all cooled off ,

everyone disperse from this cable thread
View attachment 293484

Now that would be just too much fun! Lol. I would get fired on my first day

 

[mhardy6647]

But some people here have too much of a sense of mission. They think they are the high priests of knowledge.

I think that applies to both sides. Having "said" this, though -- there's no reason to think of this as adversarial. And, as you know, my take on the now somewhat ossified dialectic relating to "objectivity vs. subjectivity" is a hybrid. I like to listen, I like to correlate the subjective and the objective, and I like to think. I also like to pontificate, so this site fits me well.
I do get (too) snarky sometimes* but I like to think I am kinder to neophytes/newbies (here or elsewhere) than to those who really should know better, and I further like to think that I try to answer questions with the assumption that they're genuine and not bait. I am sure, though, that myriad examples exist of my NOT practicing what I just preached.

__________________
* Pete Townshend said of the late Keith Moon and his antics: "He's a great joiner-inner". I, too, can be a great joiner-inner when it comes to picking on the outliers.