I'm not offended by your post Andrew, even though I don't agree with all of it. I think it rather sad if tact, considering others' feelings, posting (as Paul has suggested) as if you are actually talking to the person face to face with a simple level of friendly respect is a eutopian ideal. Just as I know of fan forums which do operate with respect and are positive, and have stood the test of time.
Nor do I agree with those who seem to have suggested that negativity is rife on this forum. Most fans are positive, but something carelessly posted without thought will stand out. Mouse commented on the recent comments that upset Meat. Perhaps it wasn't so much the "honest opinion", but the fact that the person holding it wouldn't let it go when others either disagreed, or said it didn't worry them, so it became a bigger issue and more noticeable. The quantity over quality comment that irked Paul, would have irked anyone who puts their heart and soul into their work in my view. Comments that suggest those who are positive, and who don't post criticism (perhaps because like me they don't feel qualified to criticise for eg the way something is recorded, the small sounds that may be left there or not .. or perhaps because, again like me, they have never been to a show that didn't have more to celebrate than to complain about) are obsessed, demented, ass-kissing etc (let's be fair, we've all seen these assertions posted) aren't helpful. I wouldn't go so far as to say they are bullying .. they're simply discourteous and annoying.
Paul pointed out that it's not so much what is said, it's the way it's said. And this is surely something anyone can and everyone could exercise a little more care over. I certainly wouldn't advocate that all criticism should be forbidden or removed. But it should in my view be possible for people in an educated and humane society to post about what disappoints them, or what they don't like in a way that takes account of the feelings of the person or persons being criticised. If some don't like Meat's new musical style for eg .. I think they're missing out, but that's their view. I'll probably say that I love HCTB and HIAH and say why I do, but won't suggest they're deficient for not liking them. I simply expect the same courtesy in return.
And when that fails there's the report button and a team of moderators who will get to it as soon as they can, and we have seen them do this often. (Twitter and Facebook have far more to be worried about imo.)
Caryl
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