So I was looking through the latest batch of flames, trolls, and overall SPAM on the forum I help run the other day, and I had one of those moments. You know, it’s one of those “durr, I shoulda thought of dat boss” type things. I’d already been having a simply wonderful day closing a whole bunch of threads about the same thing, made by tunnel-visioned “first” posters, when this hit me.
I’m sure people don’t mean to flame or screw with other people when they post. It’s just a whole big miscommunication.
Look, I get it. You folks are fast-moving people. Since I sit my wonderfully shaped butt in a forum some of the time and moderate them, I don’t get to be in the shoes of a regular forum user as often as I like. Forum users must move from forum to forum like a hummingbird cracked out on flower petals. They only have perhaps 5 minutes to really digest the latest crap on a forum before moving on to the next, so they tend to post in short bursts and with some flat words. I guess if I wanted to rush over to Penny Arcade to post in the latest 60 page thread about the latest crap game that I’d be in a hurry too.
Knowing this, it all becomes so clear.:
You Mean to Post: I have to say, I respecfully disagree with your points. I think that it would be good if you put in a little more time into the game before you decide to formulate an opinion about it. Perhaps with more practice you’d change your mind.
What You Post: lol god u are such a nub, learn2play
You Mean to Post: I really have to take issue with this sudden change in design. I see why the change was made, but I really feel like it might have been better and more productive for them to take in more of the hard statistics and player feedback.
What You Post: This is such a goddamned nerf, they need to get their act together. Losing customers ftw. Stupid fucks, I want to quit.
You Mean to Post: Personally, I feel like you lost out on a great opportunity by not really seeing what you might have been paying for before you gave up money for it. If you take a look at what they’ve been saying, they’ve always said that the expectations should not be high for some of the content and that this might happen. I think this is a lesson learned to be wary of what you buy prior to buying it.
What You Post: Stop QQing, cockwipe.
You know, even with this huge epiphany, I seriously still have to ban people and moderate them, but it really just breaks my heart, knowing that so many productive and innovative meanings behind posts may never see the light of day. So don’t worry, random troll or flamer. I knew what you were trying to say in the most efficient way possible. My soul aches for the duty I must do. Or it’s that bad chinese food I had last night. Either way, it’s not a good thing.
It’s a tough job, but hey, you can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs, right?