How would it change the quality of the site if we could disagree with but not disrespect each other's opinions?
by 
gtravels loves her life penguin
ANSWERS: 12
Visit the Gallery today!
Decorate your life
Ad
-
I think it could and would improve the quality greatly. And, for the MOST part, I think this is the case. Now, it's getting those current trolls to agree! ;-)
-
I'm sure some would say it wouldn't be nearly as much fun, but I think it would free many up to be more heartfelt in their responses and maybe even elicit more honest questions as well, if people weren't trying to dis others and be better or make their own point of view at the expense of others. I think it would raise the quality of the site and the people here and possibly lead to more understanding between individuals.
-
I would think that if people could disagree without disrespecting one another, it would make the Community Leaders jobs a lot easier. The CLs would be spending less time in the comment threads playing the roles of referees and peacekeepers. I would also think that the quality of the Q & A would improve dramatically because the elements of negativism and hostility would be greatly diminished.
-
I think long time members would not get tired of the drama and want to stick around longer. I see this as good because they have mostly learned to get along and they give great information. Like a 20 year employee when they leave production falls.
-
What are you crazy????? Ha-ha-ha! Great stand to take G!
-
Sounds a little too Utopian and civilized for the Internet;)
-
Well maybe. I think the issues around this "respect and courtesy" topic are more complex than is generally accorded. It seems like everyone should just play nice -- i.e. "everyone is entitled to their opinion", maintain boundaries, express your opinion without attacking the other person's character, and so forth. And most of the time, for most cases, I agree: there's too much reactivity, too many comments posted in anger that cross the line. But I don't like rigid rules, even well-intentioned ones. Every situation is a judgment call, and the challenge is to maximize the quality of the judgment. Some opinions really do need a harsh rebuke (i.e. racist, encouraging a naive questioner to do something dangerous, etc.) So I don't think it would work -- even if it could be enforced -- to have a blanket "be respectful" rule that everyone follows. As a guideline, as a starting point, fine. But not as a rigid policy.
-
It would be nice. You know what else would be nice? If my cat started shitting 10-dollar bills. I think the likelihood of these two things happening is approximately equal. :) Yes, it would definitely improve the quality and function of the site, but unfortunately, human nature must intrude and ruin it for everyone. :(
-
Great objective!
-
We would have to get rid of that pesky downrate button. Or at least hold people accountable for pushing it.
-
It would be like it was before for a brief period of time when people looked forward to a sparing contest over their opinions and weren't so touchy and quick to run off to the staff over every perceived slight. We used to have very lively discussions over a wide range of topics. People popped in and said their peace and moved on to the next hot button topic. I miss that. The quality of the site would be the same, I suppose, but I'd have more fun. :)
-
In a perfect world that would already be the case of course, but as long as we are dealing with people we just have to put up with the wide variety of ways that people choose to express their opinions. I suspect that a lot of people who display a lack of respect for the holders of opinions different to their own haven't had a great deal of personal contact with people from different backgrounds. They, therefore, labour under the misapprehension that their view is so widely held as to make any other irrelevant. Many people never get the opportunity move among a wider circle of people than those in their immediate vicinity, so it must be difficult for them to see the broader picture; leading to them going through life with a particularly ill-defined sense of what makes people "tick". In effect they never really grow up, so their behaviour remains juvenile in many respects. In short - it certainly would improve the quality of the site, but it is a Utopian dream.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC