Before I go on with this thread, let me assure you that the title has no reference to the "toxicity reform" that was posted yesterday (it is in relation to it, but not directly affiliated with it). I would also like to say ahead of time that this will be yet another rant that will most likely run quite a lengthy page. In fact, just looking back, it is one hell of a read.
WARNING: This is an extremely long passage that may not interest many. It is in regards to "toxicity" or other forms of "harassment". I ask that if you will not read the whole passage, skip to the bottom bolded text.
So. I couldn't help but notice this on-going "problem" of toxicity within xG. Seems to me that people are getting the idea that it's something that can simply be monitored and thereby eliminated easily. I'd just like to say that to accomplish a feat like that is ludicrous in its own right. To say "we're going to put a stop to toxicity" would be like saying "we're going to put a stop to [for example] Christianity." What I mean is that toxic or salty behaviour isn't something that can be suppressed over night, in a week, hell, in a year. It's like trying to suppress or eliminate an idea, or something else that is intangible. It just can't be done without re-writing everything and starting from the beginning.
The fact of the matter is that once the toxicity has spread, it has been spread. There is no stopping it, xG is already permeating with it. Now I can see how this in itself looks terrible, and I can see why anyone in their right mind would want to stop it, but to throw down a law that tries to "eliminate" it is physically impossible.
What constitutes toxicity? Is it when I say "fuck you, no one loves you", or is it the simple matter of commenting "scrub" on someone's post? The shit is immeasurable. At this point in time, the line between disliking someone to the point of trying to get them banned and actually banning those who rightfully deserve it has been spread so thin that there is no clear distinction anymore, it's all grey. I can get why there is this sudden desire to want to weed out the "bad eggs" in xG, but I honestly don't think this is the proper way to do it. Laying down sanctions will only result in a stronger segregation among Members and will ultimately deliver even more reports of "toxicity", and I'm talking about any sort of "harassment" or "instigations".
For Christ's sake, this is the internet. We're a gaming community that has over 10,000 Members with someone new making a new account almost every day. The internet isn't a pretty place, we're all maskless figures that can say or project whatever we want without fear of prosecution or judgement. The fact is, it is a shitty, toxic, salty, hateful online world. We all [should] know the risks of getting involved in an online community, we all [should] know there will be plenty of sarcasm, trolls, people whose sole purpose is to see the world burn. Now, I'm not saying that everyone should just take a chill pill and ignore everything, that would just be irresponsible. All I'm saying is this:
Moderation.
Whether that be in monitoring behaviour to prevent shit storms, or whether it be tolerating a certain amount of bullshit. By the end of the day, we will have all been subjected to (or have witnessed) some form of "online hate", and I'll bet that 90% of that hate can't even be recalled. You know why? Because chances are, you weren't bothered enough for it to have any sort of ill-effect on you. If that's the case, why are the forums any different? Someone rated your post "Boring"? Who the hell cares, it's their opinion. Someone commented on your post saying that you're stupid for having that opinion? Tough shit, because chances are that person has expressed an opinion that someone else had thought the same thing.
Opinions, anything and everything said by someone is merely an opinion. It isn't a state of fact. The choice is yours to react to what someone says about you or what they say about your opinion. This is one of the many commonly misunderstood things that goes on in the online world. An opinion is not toxicity. Nor is it grounds for a punishment. If you see acts of verbal abuse between two people, would you label them as being "toxic" to each other? The answer is no. They're having conflicting interests and opinions. They are arguing. The appropriate course of action will be to address what the problem is and see if a solution can be worked out that will satisfy both ends. This is important.
However, your over-the-top harassment is on a whole 'nother level. This is the kind of stuff that falls under the category of "toxicity". When one Member (or even a group) are maliciously and intentionally harassing several other people, then it becomes a problem. In this situation, it isn't a case of arguing, it's a case of "our group's beliefs are better than yours, and therefore you're wrong and are scum of the earth". This is where things get skewed around here. Things start to de-rail and the wrong values are then enforced. It becomes difficult to determine what side is right from wrong. When it gets to this point, it is almost too late to address the problem because it has so deeply rooted itself within the minds of few too many Members.
Almost every problem that ever surfaces will have arisen from a conflict between two people. Remember when I mentioned the whole "conflicting interests and opinions"? This is what it stems from. If left untreated, it will grow like a cancer. Soon friends of Person A will back Person A's beliefs, then friends of Person B will back Person B's beliefs, or worse when a group will back one and no one is there to back the other.
I'm going to wrap this up, because this is one long-arse looking post. All I'm getting at is that things aren't so black/white in terms of "toxicity". You can't expect to just throw down punishments for it and be done with it, that just simply won't work out.
To finish up, I'm going to open the floor to any open criticisms at all within this thread. If there is any sort of problem/beef/hate that you would like to vent at all, let it out, and I guarantee and promise that I will not react hostile, I will respect your opinion, and maybe even consider changes within myself in reflection of it. I welcome any and all things @Tsuchikure ;)
I would also like to make this thread one that anyone may feel free to express any opinion or criticism of anyone else who posts. Again, anyone who posts in this thread opens the door to possible criticisms (from others) and should expect it.With that said, do not post with the intention of verbally abusing or harassing someone, constructive criticism is the best kind of criticism.
- Dat guy, Forest
