An Appeal for Civility

[Bob Hartig]

I'm choosing to post this under the advanced weather discussions rather than the bar and grill category in order to lend my topic the gravity I think it deserves. Mods, if you disagree, then feel free to change it, but I think the subject is appropriate for the advanced discussion readers.

I've been a member of Stormtrack for five years. In that time, I have benefited immensely from the knowledge that many of you have very freely shared. I owe a debt of gratitude to a good number of people here whom I have yet to meet in person, who in various ways have helped me to learn the ropes of forecasting and follow my passion as a storm chaser. My respect for the knowledge, experience, and expertise on this forum is great.

In the same breath, I've at times been appalled by the lack of graciousness that can surface in this forum. What I witnessed yesterday was, in my opinion, a real low point in Stormtrack history. However, it wasn't the first--it was just the tipping point for me to say something about it.

In the words of Rodney King, "People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along? Can we get along?" Put another way by the apostle Paul, "If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other."

Words and attitudes are no small thing. They make a huge difference. So let me point out, to every straight-shooting hombre and hombress on Stormtrack, that plain talk is not the same thing as rudeness. You can speak your mind without being mean-spirited, offensive, or disrespectful of others. What's the point of tearing another human being to shreds with your words and attitudes?

Particularly because the written word can be easily misinterpreted, it's a good policy, before unleashing a statement that involves another person, to consider three questions: Is what I'm about to say necessary? Am I seeing the other person clearly, or am I just seeing a reflection of something inside me? And, is the effect I'm after genuinely helpful, or is it injurious?

Storm chasers are a colorful community of individuals. Some take great pride in their individuality, and I'm no social butterfly myself. But we are a community. It may be an online community, but it's still lives connecting with and impacting other lives. There have been times when I've been touched by the love and support that fellow chasers in this community have demonstrated toward one another. There have been other times when, as I've said, I've been shocked at how ready some people here can be to tear others apart. My appeal to the storm chasing community is this: concentrate on nobility and generosity of spirit. Focus on grace and civility. In your dealings with one another, "Do to others as you would have them do to you."

I've said my piece. Thank you for taking the time to read it and consider it.

 

[Joey Ketcham]

IMods, if you disagree, then feel free to change it, .

Nah, they'll just delete it. That's the trend anyways.

 

[Joey Ketcham]

In all seriousness, the problem I have is people being stripped away of their right to their opinions just because the Mods don’t like what the person has to say. I don’t think anything that was said in the thread about Reed was that bad and is especially nothing compared to what I see on a daily basis on other forums I frequent.

It seems to me like anytime there is a heated debate you have the Mods immediately coming on closing the thread and threatening to ban people. I don’t see what the problem is. Debates are naturally going to become heated, it happens. If people can’t debate on here and voice their opinions then what purpose does this forum serve?

How boring would our world be, and this forum, if everything just agreed with one another and there were no debating?

 

[CZandbergen]

In all seriousness, the problem I have is people being stripped away of their right to their opinions just because the Mods don’t like what the person has to say. I don’t think anything that was said in the thread about Reed was that bad and is especially nothing compared to what I see on a daily basis on other forums I frequent.

It seems to me like anytime there is a heated debate you have the Mods immediately coming on closing the thread and threatening to ban people. I don’t see what the problem is. Debates are naturally going to become heated, it happens. If people can’t debate on here and voice their opinions then what purpose does this forum serve?

How boring would our world be, and this forum, if everything just agreed with one another and there were no debating?

I really don't want to get in the middle of this, but I was watching the thread in question yesterday and I did hit the report button. IMHO there is a difference between a heated debate and name calling. You can have a very heated debate and still be civil. The name calling, etc actually detracts from the debate because the whole conversation just devolves into name calling. Just my two cents...

 

[Joey Ketcham]

I really don't want to get in the middle of this, but I was watching the thread in question yesterday and I did hit the report button. IMHO there is a difference between a heated debate and name calling. You can have a very heated debate and still be civil. The name calling, etc actually detracts from the debate because the whole conversation just devolves into name calling. Just my two cents...

I don't recall name calling, perhaps there were and I just missed it.

 

[Stuart Wilson]

Well I've certainly noticed a change in the tone of posts. I reported a post in a recent topic (not the Reed Timmer one) because I felt the tone of the post was completely unnecessary (the post wasn't deleted and I'll admit it wasn't that bad). What I'm reading a lot now is just general rudeness that in many cases isn't called for (and even if it is, is not necessary). Sometimes I feel the responder has read a post that may be short and not worded so the meaning may be clear and has chosen to 'see' the meaning that riles them.

Often times I find myself writing responses on forums but have calmed down and amend or decide not to post. I don't think it's as simple as 'if you haven't anything nice to say then don't say it'. It really does boil down to common courtesy and decency.
Some of the postings I have seen recently would definitely lead to a slapping in the local bar and many, many more would lead to a Mother's disapproval - that's my litmus test!

 

[Jason Foster]

In all seriousness, the problem I have is people being stripped away of their right to their opinions just because the Mods don’t like what the person has to say.

On a private forum...it's not a right. Hey...if it was my board, some people would be kicked out simply because I don't like them.

Bottom line: Deal with it! If you really, really need to voice an opinion...do it on you're own blog, and post a link!

 

[Jason Boggs]

On a private forum...it's not a right. Hey...if it was my board, some people would be kicked out simply because I don't like them.

Bottom line: Deal with it! If you really, really need to voice an opinion...do it on you're own blog, and post a link!

Very true Jason! Good post right here.

 

[Scott Weberpal]

On a private forum...it's not a right. Hey...if it was my board, some people would be kicked out simply because I don't like them.

Bottom line: Deal with it! If you really, really need to voice an opinion...do it on you're own blog, and post a link!

Exactly! When you sign up for ST, it's your job to understand the guidelines for the forums. Don't follow the guidelines and you risk getting an "infraction". There is no "right" to write whatever you want in a private forum. Some people don't like the idea of being moderated, and that is their opinion. Personally, I think moderation is necessary to keep the forum civil and and place of public interest.

 

[Andrew Ryan]

Thank you Bob!

Also, Jason, that is something a lot of people forget. But the moderators can't be too overpowering or else no one will want to post in that forum. Stormtrack is very civil compared to other forums that I have been on!

 

[Joey Ketcham]

Nobody is disputing the need for moderators, the problem is the moderators closing down threads and threatening to ban people every single time a heated debate crops up. A forum can be run however the owner chooses to run it, but tact needs to be used or else it will drive everyone away. What good is a forum if one can’t state opinions and debate? What good is a forum when everyone starts to leave?

A forum is kind of like a business, the owner can run it as they please but if ran badly and irresponsibly it will drive customers away to the point it goes under.

 

[Andrew Ryan]

Nobody is disputing the need for moderators, the problem is the moderators closing down threads and threatening to ban people every single time a heated debate crops up. A forum can be run however the owner chooses to run it, but tact needs to be used or else it will drive everyone away. What good is a forum if one can’t state opinions and debate? What good is a forum when everyone starts to leave?

A forum is kind of like a business, the owner can run it as they please but if ran badly and irresponsibly it will drive customers away to the point it goes under.

My thoughts exactly! I hope people don't feel that way after the recent events.

 

[Andrew Stoller]

Nobody is disputing the need for moderators, the problem is the moderators closing down threads and threatening to ban people every single time a heated debate crops up. A forum can be run however the owner chooses to run it, but tact needs to be used or else it will drive everyone away. What good is a forum if one can’t state opinions and debate? What good is a forum when everyone starts to leave?

A forum is kind of like a business, the owner can run it as they please but if ran badly and irresponsibly it will drive customers away to the point it goes under.

There's a difference between stating opinions/debating and personally attacking people.

I'd think we as a community would want to present ourselves in a more respectful, mature manner, and Stormtrack is perhaps the biggest venue short of Stormchasers on Discovery, for presenting ourselves. However, as I've been mostly a casual observer of the storm chasing community (Chasing is an activity for me to get AWAY from people and the civilized world), I've noted to myself a sense of unnecessary competition and ego, jealousy, immaturity, and lack of civility for the most part!

This board is very well moderated - possibly not enough IMO, when cursing and malicious personal wars go on. That kind of behavior ruins most boards that I've seen if left unchecked.

People are flocking to this board and to storm chasing in general. I hope things trend towards more civility, but I have my doubts.

I always tell myself: storm chasing at it's core is simply looking at cloud formations for Pete's sake! There's no need to get the undies in a wad over clouds!

 

[Josh Morgerman]

Like drag queens, storm chasers can be big divas. Given this, I'm not surprised there would be occasional friction here. The moderation style on this forum does seem quite rigid sometimes, but-- as has been pointed out by others-- it's a private board and the owner is completely at liberty to set the rules of engagement.

 

[Clarence Bennett]

A post about an "Appeal for civility" and it turns into a debate about your rights here. Like someone said earlier in the post, if you want to question and debate everything you lay your eyes on and argue and fuss, go do it on your own blog. Some of you need to put your freaking egos aside.