Where does it lay here at FST? I have been gone for a couple weeks, and while I was gone, I see that there has been a ridiculous amount of offtopic inconsequential shit talking in many of the threads started here.
What real purpose does all that shit talking serve in the scheme of things? I know it's not a new concept that there is a loose hand as far as moderation is concerned in the BT section, if not the entire board, but really, how can some of the interactions here be considered even remotely constructive?
There are no linguistic acrobatics occurring like in the lounge, and very little in the way of info at all in the majority of the threads I see, even when they manage to stay relatively on-topic.
Granted, there is a lot of work done by the two mods of this section, but in my mind, there is a distinct difference between allowing a free hand toward expressing opinions, and standing idly by while people take a flamethrower to the target of their ire. Even when there is no opinion expressed, why is there always, inevitably, a marked level of aggressive response to anyone posting something in an inflammatory manner?
It's a vicious cycle that gets played out over and over and over again here, and I can only wonder if it's unavoidable. Make no mistake, I don't believe that the blame lies with the moderators here anymore. I used to way back when I first joined here, but as time has progressed, it has become fairly obvious to me that the concept is far more universal than just FST.
Perhaps I am just too idealistic for my own good, but I really don't think it's natural for everyone to be so hateful all the time. 99% of the time there is no foundation to that hatefulness beyond hearsay and unsubstantiated guessing. Often times, there isn't even that much in my estimation. Frequently, it's just a matter of the aggressor not liking the individual they are talking to, and behaving as if it's the end of the world that they must share space on a message board with someone they don't like, while rarely ever knowing the person they don't like.
The truth is, we as file sharers have the capacity, through sheer numbers, to foment change in this world, but all the bickering and pointless name calling serve no purpose but to distract us from our potential as a world changing entity. I'm sure people will lol at that idea, but it's the truth.It's an idea that dictates most of my actions in this field at this point in time, and one that I think could make a positive change on this planet. Some of the smartest people I have met in my life are active members of BT and to watch them squabbling makes me grit my teeth as it only demonstrates a further proof that we as a whole waste our energies on interpersonal distractions and petty rivalries that only serve to weaken that potential I see around me.
At the end of the day, we share a common bond. That bond is our sharing of files we, for whatever reason, refuse to spend our hard earned money on. Some reasons may be more idealistic than others, but we all have our reasons. The ideal that we should be allowed to share what we wish is what drives me. Beyond just movies and music, I include knowledge of any sort which is readily available through the process of torrenting. The stifling of knowledge in any form is abomination to me, and I feel we are on the brink of a new era in society, in which information is going to either be a commodity, or a heritage of our species. Like it or not, filesharing is playing an integral part in that determination and while we piddle away our days talking shit about nothing of any import, we are wasting a golden opportunity to play a part in that global adjustment of how we view knowledge/wisdom/info of any sort.
So, I guess I should ask, am I just self-deluded, or am I seeing things in a way that others can at least lend some validity?
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