John Cole's Idea Of An Over-50 Forum Has Merit

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Why can't people here discuss, disagree and debate like mature adults, instead of like junior high-schoolers?



Maybe you've forgotten how fun juvenile behavior can be. There are a lot of nasty things going on in the world today and anything posted on a message board pales in comparison.

Engage in a little juvenile behavior and see if you like it. In response to this post, call me a douchebag and then type "PWND". I won't be offended. And, maybe you'll find out that you enjoy acting like a 12-year-old on ocassion.

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Newfant,

If I want to engage in juvenile behavior, I'll go play Diablo2, or maybe have a beer or two and cut up with a friend.

I WON'T subject others to it, who are trying to have a rational discussion (or perhaps trying play a gentlemanly game of poker in a casino).

Maybe that's the difference: whether one frequently subjects everyone involved in one's sphere to juvenile antics, or whether one does things like that privately, or at least, rarely in public.

It's sort of like listening to loud music: if you want to do it alone or with some friends, hey fine. But it isn't fair or fine to blast the car radio with your windows rolled down, or to play music so loud that it disturbs your neighbors in the next apartment. Likewise it isn't fair to serious posters that they should have to wade through numerous threads filled with nonsensical, juvenile pissing contests, in order to try to continue their genuine discussion or explorations. It takes time to wade through the noise when the noise is everywhere.

I'm really not saying don't have any fun. I'm just calling for some self-imposed restraint regarding the overall noise level. Some of the posters on this forum should think about how their activity might be getting in the way of others who are genuinely interested in discussing things or even perhaps learning. My comments are not directed at those who occasionally enjoy a little levity or playfulness--perhaps like yourself--but at those who make spamming partisan themes or engaging in pissing contests their primary purpose for frequenting this board. That's almost all noise, and while a little noise can be dealt with, it can also get to be too much at times (as it has lately). And that really isn't considerate or fair to many other posters.