RE: the question: ":Why do forum interactions become contentious". . .
I've just had a very unexpected and very unpleasant PM from a forum participant.
He'd been suggesting I buy a certain component and I told him politely that I didn't visualize that particular purchase fitting in with my long-range plans.
His response was to accuse me of wasting everyone's time and to call me an "effing idiot" (except he spelled "effing" correctly).
The great majority of interactions I've had here have been very enjoyable and recent input from more experienced forum members has helped greatly in clarifying my plan for the next upgrade cycle.
The thread on lesser-know Jazz has been great-- lots of participation and lots of terrific suggestions.
When people don't have a lot going on in their lives they tend to focus on tiny minuscule things in life. A lot of the strife in the country right now is caused because people have too much time on their hands due to many factors that you all know about.
Once we're "allowed" to interact more in person, a lot of this heat will die down (at least I hope it will)
There are pimps and shills on Audiogon, and if you do not like a particular piece of equipment or a particular company, then you may get attacked because we are talking about their livelihood. Really has nothing to do with opinions or discussion - follow the money. I would not take it personally - you seem like a nice fella to me. Prayers for your health.
The anonymous internet is a dream come true for bullying cowards. When our government institutes the Chinese social credit system this will all stop as there will be consequences for rude behavior.
My take is that there are a new group of people that I like to call, "the perpetually apoplectic" among us these days.
I am not going to say where I think this originated or by whom, but when people are upset, they sometimes seek others to validate their feelings. Soon, whether warranted or not, this group can become dominant in Forums like this or in other areas of out lives.
They do not represent the majority of music lovers on here, but, as a cartoon I have says, two cats looking at a chained-up dog who is howling at the moon, "How come the most ignorant among us are always the loudest?"
Hello sorry you are having a difficult time. I have noticed the behavior you describe while using several different online venues like gaming, news posts, and social media. It seems that many people are willing to drop to the lowest element when they are not face to face with the party they are communicating with. So anonymity seems to provide the freedom to insult and put people down that some people apparently enjoy and need. It's unfortunate but it seems that it is a part of the online world that we all live in these days. I relate to the feelings you describe as a result of these types of posts hope you can get past this one soon.
Everybody’s perception, preferences, hearing, audio chain, room modes, power quality, transparency, noise floor, etc etc is non-identical, so it’s evident that what one experience may not be the same for others.
Don’t make me break out the "fact checkers"?!!!? (written totally 100% tongue in cheek)
The veneer of human civilisation is very very thin.
If you can surround yourself with people you love and have your music too. That’s about as good as it gets!
Evidently stuartk, you're a bit of a thread starter, sir.
Hello, I hope when listening to your system it makes you forget everything except the music being played. I tell people “if you want to make GOD laugh tell him your plans.” I truly love listening to music. I will go to goodwill and try to find a couple albums I have never heard. Most important surround yourself with family or friends that you love. If you can surround yourself with people you love and have your music too. That’s about as good as it gets!
It's only the same egotistical and bullying attitude of leaders who start wars with other countries or kill their own people because they don't aree with them or they come from the wrong tribe. The veneer of human civilisation is very very thin.
At least we all stay alive on here and only our feelings are hurt.
I've been on audiogon since founding, this forum has evolved/devolved just as forums in general. There's always been differences of opinion, in years past certain decorum expected of people, little bad language, much fewer personal attacks. Those days seem 'Victorian', a time when people may have held great malice, but held the tongue. I suppose that's considered bad for one's psychology today, let it all out today, cleanse the soul. something like scream therapy. I'd expect more of the PM attacks in future, likely to go off into threatening people with bodily harm. Me thinks this is inevitable outcome of a culture obsessed with freedom.
@stuartk Don’t let a few jerks spoil your enjoyment. Hope you come back soon - we need more "considerate, respectful, thoughtful" folks on this forum so that we can all benefit.
Often, it’s surprising how narrow minded some folks are in this forum. Many of the contentious posts are from people who think that their truth is the truth for all. In fact, it’s not their truth but their perception. Everybody’s perception, preferences, hearing, audio chain, room modes, power quality, transparency, noise floor, etc etc is non-identical, so it’s evident that what one experience may not be the same for others. Like most men think their driving is above average, I think many audiophiles think their hearing is superior - this means many are overestimating their sonic acuity. The best we can conclude is that if enough voices say that a component performs a certain way, then chances are the component will perform similarly in one’s own system - there are no guarantees. This includes cables. Speaking of cables, there also seems to be an immature resentment of the high prices thus a few folks become anti-cable spending ignoring the performance improvements that better cabling provides. Many of these folks rationalize that it must be a placebo ignoring testimonies - placebos don’t work this way and people aren’t easily fooled when parting with significant money, in fact I’d argue that discernment increases with increasing cash outlays.
Also, there seems to be animosity towards MC on this forum. People with hair triggers waiting to jump on MC, although MC seems to provoke sometimes as well. I strongly suspect that the vitriol on this forum regarding Tekton speakers is directly related to resentment of MC who seems to default to only Tekton speakers and Raven amplifiers as the best answer when in fact there are many preferences and ways to achieve superior sonics.
I'm sorry this happened to you. Remember that most people are not that rude. I am also sorry about your health issues. Take a break if you want to, listen to some music. Music is the best!
Information is not knowledge. Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not truth. Truth is not beauty. Beauty is not love. Love is not music. Music is THE BEST. - Frank Zappa
Unfortunately that’s human nature on social media where interaction is hidden behind a keyboard. I wonder if the interface was changed to zoom or some such where real people can be seen, behaviour would be more respectful.AG. 🇦🇺
I've had a couple similar experiences in the forums. I'm accusing no one, but I encourage everyone to remember that passion for this hobby is not a license to treat others disrespectfully. Some people know more than others about certain things, but they are not necessarily the people who believe they know more than others.
I guess it's something we are passionate about, but also it can become personal. It's like asking people what is the best car, they invariably tell you it's the one they bought or whatever you do don't buy the one I bought. Either way if you ignore their advice they may well see it as a personal slight, same with hifi. But today there is just too much choice for anyone to be right about the 'best' product. I have friends who love Klipsch, I keep trying every time I get chance to listen to them with different amps etc, but they always sound bad (and that's me being diplomatic). I like McIntosh but wouldn't buy at the price the ask. I have a friend with McIntosh / Klipsch system and avoid the whole hifi discussion. To each his own I suppose.
StuartK get well soon. You still have much to contribute. In kindergarten we were taught 'if you can't say something nice, say nothing'. Last month, I got a filthy PM from worstblahlah, it was offensive, condescending, etc. Now he, she, it are no longer on this platform-go figure. Life is full of mosquito bites.
Move on my friend and stick with it. As in life there are many people here that are fantastic contributors and very knowledgeable . Then you have the others..
Don’t take the view point of one Effin idiot discourage you from the many positive view points , nothing is perfect on earth and never will be ,just sit back and enjoy your 🎶 music !!
It's always nice to be nice....even if we don't agree. One of the issues with any hobby is the passion people have for it....tends to lead to strong emotions.
In this case, it sounds like the offender was just outta line. It happens, its unfortunate, it'll pass.
Contentious is the theme of the day (month, year). Be thankful this is online and not in person as idiots have taken to physically attacking others when they disagree. Monkey-see, monkey-do for the simple minded.
I go on headfi and people are very polite, respectful and cordial. However, the vitriol and rudeness displayed in a lot of these threads is unbelievable.
stuartk, Click on your Profile, click Edit Account, click Security, enter the person’s name and block any further massages from them. Best to you and take care.
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