Why Is There Such Animosity On The Forum?

[GoldenFlash]

I find it a bit amusing to see this thread, because I wanted to start a similar one a few days ago. It is interesting to know I am not the only one with this view of this forum.
This forum is indeed not a very friendly one. I participate in many web communities and unfortunately, this one, the one which interests me the most right now, is a very vitriolic one.
I have started a few threads on here, most with the sole goal of improving my pool game, and all of them have a quite large number of useless low-life replies from people who probably can't run 3 balls.
I have been told to forget about ever playing pro speed, "drop those stupid dreams and get a job" is what I apparently should do. I have been told I was just "a troll who think he can plays" after posting a video of myself playing asking for help & review. I can't recall the number of times I was called a "stupid kid" or something to that effect. I have even been called a "googan" whatever the hell that is. Apparently it means I suck and I buy everything to help me suck less, but without much result because I just suck too much.
Whatever.
I do receive some PMs every once in a while from members on here asking about my progress. I actually really like getting those, it adds some motivation.
I don't bother posting much on here anymore. I have learned what little I could learn on here and for the most part now, it is mostly people arguing or talking down to other people. I expected this forum to be more mature considering the nature of the game. Seems like quite the opposite.

This is a wonderful forum, in my opinion. Maybe you are in the wrong place to meet your needs?
Pool playing for money is a rough tough proposition.
Along with it comes animosity. That's a fact of the territory. It's always been that way and won't change. It isn't a game resembling an encounter group or a place to "find oneself".
This is the business YOU have chosen. Nobody forced you to pick up a cue.
If you can't handle the heat, I guess maybe you'd better get out of the kitchen.
On the other hand, if you just play for fun you'd be better off on the tables at a bowling alley or something like that. But when you start competing for cash, titles, or just trophies......you gotta' learn to man up and expect no mercy from the other side.
No hard feelings, man, but to me you're sounding a little like a wuss. :shrug:

 

[ENGLISH!]

I find it a bit amusing to see this thread, because I wanted to start a similar one a few days ago. It is interesting to know I am not the only one with this view of this forum.

This forum is indeed not a very friendly one. I participate in many web communities and unfortunately, this one, the one which interests me the most right now, is a very vitriolic one.

I have started a few threads on here, most with the sole goal of improving my pool game, and all of them have a quite large number of useless low-life replies from people who probably can't run 3 balls.

I have been told to forget about ever playing pro speed, "drop those stupid dreams and get a job" is what I apparently should do. I have been told I was just "a troll who think he can plays" after posting a video of myself playing asking for help & review. I can't recall the number of times I was called a "stupid kid" or something to that effect. I have even been called a "googan" whatever the hell that is. Apparently it means I suck and I buy everything to help me suck less, but without much result because I just suck too much.

Whatever.

I do receive some PMs every once in a while from members on here asking about my progress. I actually really like getting those, it adds some motivation.

I don't bother posting much on here anymore. I have learned what little I could learn on here and for the most part now, it is mostly people arguing or talking down to other people. I expected this forum to be more mature considering the nature of the game. Seems like quite the opposite.

Good post Sam.

The answers to the OP's question are multiple.

One that I have not seen other than the internet connection to it it this.

On here, we are associating with every type of individual that there is.

Here, we are sort of stuck with that.

In real life there are people here that we may not normally associate.

I am NOT saying that anyone here is bad or below any of us or anything like that.

What I mean is that I don't generally associate with say bikers or lawyers but if I am in a bar & meet one I will generally get along with them & if not, I or they can just relocate & end the association & perhaps never meet again.

That's not how it is here. It's more like family good & bad & we're sort of stuck, that is IF we want to enter the Den & not stay locked in our room.

Some people are naturally encouraging while others are more pecimistic & discouraging.

Then there is their truth, your truth, & the real objective truth.

Getting to that objective real truth can sometimes be a very bad trip.

Best Wishes to You & ALL & May Everyone Have a Great Thanksgiving.

 

[Shawn Armstrong]

There isn't animosity on the forum. There are a few curmudgeons that post in threads, and make them go sideways.

Some people are here to fulfill their lifelong quest for conflict. You can tell who the people are that want to discuss issues. Then, there are those who engage in namecalling, questioning someone's intelligence or ability to tie their shoes if they disagree with their stance or belief.

People have different opinions. Some people like to have a discussion about things. Others choose to call anyone that doesn't agree with them an "idiot". Usually, it's the second group that cause threads to go sideways.

 

[pt109]

I find it a bit amusing to see this thread, because I wanted to start a similar one a few days ago. It is interesting to know I am not the only one with this view of this forum.

This forum is indeed not a very friendly one. I participate in many web communities and unfortunately, this one, the one which interests me the most right now, is a very vitriolic one.

I have started a few threads on here, most with the sole goal of improving my pool game, and all of them have a quite large number of useless low-life replies from people who probably can't run 3 balls.

I have been told to forget about ever playing pro speed, "drop those stupid dreams and get a job" is what I apparently should do. I have been told I was just "a troll who think he can plays" after posting a video of myself playing asking for help & review. I can't recall the number of times I was called a "stupid kid" or something to that effect. I have even been called a "googan" whatever the hell that is. Apparently it means I suck and I buy everything to help me suck less, but without much result because I just suck too much.

Whatever.

I do receive some PMs every once in a while from members on here asking about my progress. I actually really like getting those, it adds some motivation.

I don't bother posting much on here anymore. I have learned what little I could learn on here and for the most part now, it is mostly people arguing or talking down to other people. I expected this forum to be more mature considering the nature of the game. Seems like quite the opposite.

Sam, there are almost 55,000 members on AZ....
....how many give you a hard time.....about .002%?

Many of us like your fresh approach to the pool world.
I've been dealing with the public since I was 12 years old (started in a golf pro shop)
...one thing I learned early in life is if someone gives me a hard time....it has NOTHING
to do with the next person I meet....don't let a few affect your total outlook on life.

Check out posts 6/7/8/9 in this thread....differing views can be accommodated, also.

Now get back to the table and hit some balls....and tell us about it....
....your posts have helped some in the same position...could be a member or a lurker.

 

[david(tx)]

Let me start with an apology for stirring up a ruckus with my past thread......no reason whatsoever to even bring up the topic other than to post " I had no idea it would lead to such noise."

Reflect on this....the thread went from zero to 100 way too fast........4 days and 16 pages and a closed thread........and the intended subject/topic was never answered or adequately addressed either......somewhere things got out of control.....it became personal or so it appeared to me from my perusal of the posts......and Mr. Wilson even posted a warning about not letting things get out of hand.......remain civil.


My question is this and please answer only if you care about the swamp the Forum seems to be becoming.....and the Mods can't impose behavioral control other than thru banning people.....why can't there just be simple disagreement.......two different viewpoints. albeit opposing versions, coexisting on the same Forum without imposing a battle of wills or imperial power to prove that the other person is wrong.......and it's much more than that nowadays too........make the other guy look stupid and publicly rebuke & mock the other guy..,,,,,you know.what I mean.....hit 'em hard.


Look, I readily admit I started the last ruckus but I did not create the atmosphere which permeated the thread so early on.......and I threw a couple of jabs too but never a best punch type post which would have been pretty meaningless because at a certain point, the thread had pretty much turned into a free for all bar fight. My question is simply why? Maybe if we can figure out why......or identify the catalyst(s) that turned things sour, we can guard against it happening in the future which kind of seems to be a common event on the Forum. Things seem to go south on certain topics or with certain Azers and the overall combination seems to be absolute poison.

You should adjust , it is worse in a bar setting , and sometimes barber shops and especially college campus' it seems .

 

[Neil]

I find it a bit amusing to see this thread, because I wanted to start a similar one a few days ago. It is interesting to know I am not the only one with this view of this forum.

This forum is indeed not a very friendly one. I participate in many web communities and unfortunately, this one, the one which interests me the most right now, is a very vitriolic one.

I have started a few threads on here, most with the sole goal of improving my pool game, and all of them have a quite large number of useless low-life replies from people who probably can't run 3 balls.

I have been told to forget about ever playing pro speed, "drop those stupid dreams and get a job" is what I apparently should do. I have been told I was just "a troll who think he can plays" after posting a video of myself playing asking for help & review. I can't recall the number of times I was called a "stupid kid" or something to that effect. I have even been called a "googan" whatever the hell that is. Apparently it means I suck and I buy everything to help me suck less, but without much result because I just suck too much.

Whatever.

I do receive some PMs every once in a while from members on here asking about my progress. I actually really like getting those, it adds some motivation.

I don't bother posting much on here anymore. I have learned what little I could learn on here and for the most part now, it is mostly people arguing or talking down to other people. I expected this forum to be more mature considering the nature of the game. Seems like quite the opposite.

If you really think you have learned what you could on here in the short time you have been here, you have no clue of what all is on here. And, with your attitude of wanting to leave because it's not mature enough for you, you have no chance of attaining pro speed. If you can't handle it here, there is no way you will handle being in different pool rooms around the country or world, and you will quit the game altogether.

 

[Tramp Steamer]

Pt, as you know I'm one of your staunches supporters, but I have to disagree about Lambert. He's a chronic whiner. His expectations are not realistic, either regarding pool play, or, how members should conduct themselves on this forum.
Also, if there were no anonymity we would have few members. I myself would be deluged with admiring female fans should the word get out about my true identity, and my health wouldn't allow it. Maybe two, or three, at a time, but not much more than that.
Happy Thanksgiving. Belay that. You had yours last month, didn't you? :smile:

 

[JB Cases]

Let me start with an apology for stirring up a ruckus with my past thread......no reason whatsoever to even bring up the topic other than to post " I had no idea it would lead to such noise."

Reflect on this....the thread went from zero to 100 way too fast........4 days and 16 pages and a closed thread........and the intended subject/topic was never answered or adequately addressed either......somewhere things got out of control.....it became personal or so it appeared to me from my perusal of the posts......and Mr. Wilson even posted a warning about not letting things get out of hand.......remain civil.


My question is this and please answer only if you care about the swamp the Forum seems to be becoming.....and the Mods can't impose behavioral control other than thru banning people.....why can't there just be simple disagreement.......two different viewpoints. albeit opposing versions, coexisting on the same Forum without imposing a battle of wills or imperial power to prove that the other person is wrong.......and it's much more than that nowadays too........make the other guy look stupid and publicly rebuke & mock the other guy..,,,,,you know.what I mean.....hit 'em hard.


Look, I readily admit I started the last ruckus but I did not create the atmosphere which permeated the thread so early on.......and I threw a couple of jabs too but never a best punch type post which would have been pretty meaningless because at a certain point, the thread had pretty much turned into a free for all bar fight. My question is simply why? Maybe if we can figure out why......or identify the catalyst(s) that turned things sour, we can guard against it happening in the future which kind of seems to be a common event on the Forum. Things seem to go south on certain topics or with certain Azers and the overall combination seems to be absolute poison.

Conflict costs nothing and is entertaining. Opinions are something people have an unlimited supply of and they pay nothing to share them. Unless of course you are in some position where expressing an opinion can cost you a job, a sale, a relationship. Other than that you can state conflicting opinion as often as you want and suffer no consequence for it. Your opinion need not be backed by any facts and you do not need to have any personal conviction to be open to changing your opinion when presented by facts that contradict your opinion.

That is why there is animosity. Opinions are free to share but no one likes to theirs trampled on.

 

[pt109]

Pt, as you know I'm one of your staunches supporters, but I have to disagree about Lambert. He's a chronic whiner. His expectations are not realistic, either regarding pool play, or, how members should conduct themselves on this forum.
Also, if there were no anonymity we would have few members. I myself would be deluged with admiring female fans should the word get out about my true identity, and my health wouldn't allow it. Maybe two, or three, at a time, but not much more than that.
Happy Thanksgiving. Belay that. You had yours last month, didn't you? :smile:

Tramp, I should hang around your neighborhood for a while...
...maybe one of the broads in your line-up will let me buy her a drink or something...

 

[Black-Balled]

It is obviously coz pepole who start threads yry to tell others how they may reply.

Let me start with an apology for stirring up a ruckus with my past thread......no reason whatsoever to even bring up the topic other than to post " I had no idea it would lead to such noise."

Reflect on this....the thread went from zero to 100 way too fast........4 days and 16 pages and a closed thread........and the intended subject/topic was never answered or adequately addressed either......somewhere things got out of control.....it became personal or so it appeared to me from my perusal of the posts......and Mr. Wilson even posted a warning about not letting things get out of hand.......remain civil.


My question is this and please answer only if you care about the swamp the Forum seems to be becoming.....and the Mods can't impose behavioral control other than thru banning people.....why can't there just be simple disagreement.......two different viewpoints. albeit opposing versions, coexisting on the same Forum without imposing a battle of wills or imperial power to prove that the other person is wrong.......and it's much more than that nowadays too........make the other guy look stupid and publicly rebuke & mock the other guy..,,,,,you know.what I mean.....hit 'em hard.


Look, I readily admit I started the last ruckus but I did not create the atmosphere which permeated the thread so early on.......and I threw a couple of jabs too but never a best punch type post which would have been pretty meaningless because at a certain point, the thread had pretty much turned into a free for all bar fight. My question is simply why? Maybe if we can figure out why......or identify the catalyst(s) that turned things sour, we can guard against it happening in the future which kind of seems to be a common event on the Forum. Things seem to go south on certain topics or with certain Azers and the overall combination seems to be absolute poison.

 

[Type79]

I basically find this forum useful and friendly. I've met many here in person and developed some valued friendships as a result of this forum.

It doesn't take long to discover who are the knowledgeable contributors, who are posting hearsay or BS, and who are the trolls.

It is healthy to disagree but trolls are ruinous to any forum and unacceptable.

My rule when posting is to write what I would say to someone face-to-face.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

 

[Shawn Armstrong]

Pt, as you know I'm one of your staunches supporters, but I have to disagree about Lambert. He's a chronic whiner. His expectations are not realistic, either regarding pool play, or, how members should conduct themselves on this forum.
Also, if there were no anonymity we would have few members. I myself would be deluged with admiring female fans should the word get out about my true identity, and my health wouldn't allow it. Maybe two, or three, at a time, but not much more than that.
Happy Thanksgiving. Belay that. You had yours last month, didn't you? :smile:

I don't thing his pool expectations are unrealistic. I watched a kid in my area come up from pretty much a C player to an A+ (he beat pros in open tournaments....pt109 would know him by name, if I mentioned it) in about 1 year. That isn't an exaggeration, btw. He went from a kid that I could give 4 to 9, and beat easily. A year later, he gave me the 7 out, and 3 on the wire to 11, and handed me my ass. And he didn't start playing pool until he was 16. It can be done.

 

[336Robin]

It can be and its rare

I agree with you it can be done. The biggest thing I can see in most people is they have to be at the right stage to be ready to do it. That you cant hurry so much, you have to be open, ready to receive information and find something that clicks with you. Its quite a combination that can go awry in a hurry, but none of it is any good unless the player connects to his method and sometimes that is a hard bill to fill. As we all know pool techniques are extremely subjective to the user.

I don't thing his pool expectations are unrealistic. I watched a kid in my area come up from pretty much a C player to an A+ (he beat pros in open tournaments....pt109 would know him by name, if I mentioned it) in about 1 year. That isn't an exaggeration, btw. He went from a kid that I could give 4 to 9, and beat easily. A year later, he gave me the 7 out, and 3 on the wire to 11, and handed me my ass. And he didn't start playing pool until he was 16. It can be done.

 

[Black-Balled]

Cya! Theres been thousands before you that couldnt tMe it eithd.

There will be mre to follow too.

I find it a bit amusing to see this thread, because I wanted to start a similar one a few days ago. It is interesting to know I am not the only one with this view of this forum.

This forum is indeed not a very friendly one. I participate in many web communities and unfortunately, this one, the one which interests me the most right now, is a very vitriolic one.

I have started a few threads on here, most with the sole goal of improving my pool game, and all of them have a quite large number of useless low-life replies from people who probably can't run 3 balls.

I have been told to forget about ever playing pro speed, "drop those stupid dreams and get a job" is what I apparently should do. I have been told I was just "a troll who think he can plays" after posting a video of myself playing asking for help & review. I can't recall the number of times I was called a "stupid kid" or something to that effect. I have even been called a "googan" whatever the hell that is. Apparently it means I suck and I buy everything to help me suck less, but without much result because I just suck too much.

Whatever.

I do receive some PMs every once in a while from members on here asking about my progress. I actually really like getting those, it adds some motivation.

I don't bother posting much on here anymore. I have learned what little I could learn on here and for the most part now, it is mostly people arguing or talking down to other people. I expected this forum to be more mature considering the nature of the game. Seems like quite the opposite.

 

[Tramp Steamer]

I don't thing his pool expectations are unrealistic. I watched a kid in my area come up from pretty much a C player to an A+ (he beat pros in open tournaments....pt109 would know him by name, if I mentioned it) in about 1 year. That isn't an exaggeration, btw. He went from a kid that I could give 4 to 9, and beat easily. A year later, he gave me the 7 out, and 3 on the wire to 11, and handed me my ass. And he didn't start playing pool until he was 16. It can be done.

As in all things, there are exceptions, but the pro who grew up in my neck of the woods started playing pool when he was three, and he was a true pro. He made a living at it. It is doubtful that your guy could even come close to him, especially in straight pool.
You have to remember that the professional level of pool play is no different than that of any of the other disciplines such as: Golf, tennis, baseball, and so on. Being good at something is one thing, but being great at it is something else entirely.

 

[Ak Guy]

My thoughts

Rude, disrespectful and and cowardly behavior is prevalent in our society and the anonymity and separation the internet allows makes it worse. I look at this type of behavior as coming from a sick person so I try not to engage them so I don't become infected.

I think we would have a better and more polite and honest society if we could bring back dueling with a brace of pistols.

Any way, Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

 

[Shawn Armstrong]

As in all things, there are exceptions, but the pro who grew up in my neck of the woods started playing pool when he was three, and he was a true pro. He made a living at it. It is doubtful that your guy could even come close to him, especially in straight pool.
You have to remember that the professional level of pool play is no different than that of any of the other disciplines such as: Golf, tennis, baseball, and so on.

The kid beat Erik H, who is a decent pro, every time he ran into him in a tournament. I watched the kid break and run a 10 pack one day in practice. Here's the thing - he figured out quite quickly that there was no money in professional pool. He got a job, bought a house, got married, and has a family. So, he has 4 things most pros will never have. Good for him, I say.

 

[wahcheck]

Lordy

Oh God, why is there such animosity in the world?
Why can't we just all get along?

 

[(((Satori)))]

....................................

 

[Shawn Armstrong]

Rude, disrespectful and and cowardly behavior is prevalent in our society and the anonymity and separation the internet allows makes it worse. I look at this type of behavior as coming from a sick person so I try not to engage them so I don't become infected.

I think we would have a better and more polite and honest society if we could bring back dueling with a brace of pistols.

Any way, Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

We should all get to walk around with paintball guns. Any time someone does something you feel is socially unacceptable, you shoot them. This way, people will know to avoid the "socially inept" just by looking for the technicolour wardrobe.