One thing we can probably all agree about is that it's not necessary to speak in a derogatory way about any one or any thing to be able to fully discuss cars!

That said, I cringe in my stomach when I run across a blatant (or subtle) racisist or sexist dig or a disability joke. It ain't funny. This includes everything from codewords to "rice" jokes, to retarded jokes, to jokes about asian girl attitudes. It is all smarmy.

Luckily, it is fairly uncommon here. The one thing that is common is that everyone denies being an -ist, when they are called into question. Speaking up works!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SteveUCI
[B]If this was your idea of a personal attack, then I agree with the stuff you've said.

 

Guys,

I have been off the board due to technical reasons which will remain unmentioned, however I have to say that I agree that we should not bash people. People have to realize that not everyone is an expert in engines and other automotive terms. We have to embrace people who wish to get educated and deal with some incompentence in some issues. I also think that some people on the board need to grow up and not get provoked so easily. Getting off my rant, I think that on average the s2ki site is a pretty good place to gather information. I am personaly thankfull to have met the people that I have been able to meet as of yet. That's my opinion......What's yours?

Later,

 

Wow, this is an excellent thread...

I have a little input here. Take it for what it's worth. This is pretty much the only car forum I visit these days. I have found it to totally outclass any other car site I have been a part of. There seems, however, to have been an influx of people lately who have acted in what I would consider to be a distasteful manner. I even posted something about that because I felt that some of those threads might not make women, in particular, feel all that welcome. That thread was greeted with a good amount of support and I was glad to have done it. Even though I enjoyed that long thread with the pictures of "hotties" (or whatever the kids are calling them these days... ), I felt like it sort of tore at the quality of the site and it just didn't belong here. And there was one or two other "hottie" posts that motivated me to post something about it. There seemed to be a fair amount of support for the concept that I was promoting...

I would like to make clear on a definition of terms. I think the words "offended" or "offensive" need to have a clear and concise definition here. IMO, an "offensive" post is one that attacks a person PERSONALLY. Making general (and completely moronic, I might add) statements like the inbreeding comment isn't what I consider to be "offensive." To me, at least, offensive would have to include something like, "Greg, you are an inbred jackass." Only then would I get "offended" and even then, I would have to consider the source and I probably still wouldn't be "offended." IMO, the word "offensive" gets tossed around far too easily here (and in general, as well). So then, what is the inbred comment classified as? I think it's just bad taste, but likewise reveals the character of the person who posted it. I am of the school that when an idiot speaks, you should just get out of the way and LET them. Let them show their idiocy from the mountain tops, from every street corner, from where ever they so choose to display their idiocy! IMO, reacting to them with vehemence is exactly what they want to get from you. That's just me though, I'm sure others feel differently. So short of it not being a personal attack, which seems to be pretty rare here, I get puzzled as to how a person can become "offended" by comments on an Internet message forum. I also think that if you are looking for ways to be offended, you don't have to look very far, you don't even have to leave your house. I choose not to let anyone have that power over me...since that's all they are trying to do, wrest power away from you/us and when they do not get it, they move on. Letting weak and insecure people have power over you is what they want...I don't let them have it.

But by and large people are respectful here and that's a good thing. But the point of the thread that I made in OT about a call for decency was just to think about the audience a little bit and that I really like women being a part of the ownership and membership of s2ki and, of course, the S2KCA.

Tim, man, you and I think so alike, it's scary...you have said exactly what I believe. Bravo. Though I also understand other's opinions, I most agree with what you said. This is a very reasonable discussion...

I hope the experience here doesn't continue to diminish...there is a life cycle to all Internet message forums, maybe some growing pains thrown in there, as well, and that could be all that this is. But I have noticed that a lot of the old timers, myself included, post much less these days...plus, there is little that I don't know about the car, so I'm reading posts about the clicking windshield wiper relay or how to take care of the plastic rear window...not exactly the most engaging kind of reading...but, as I alluded to, that's how these forums evolve.

I stand by my thread of a 'request for decency' and while I haven't been perfect in my action/behavior here, it's still a valid concept...and while I admit my imperfection, I tend to not involve myself in heated debates as much these days...especially since 9-11. If all you have to get your panties in a wad is an Internet message forum about a car, then you have a pretty damn good life...be thankful. I think a little perspective goes a long way...

Anyway, very interesting discussion here. What's the solution? I think a little more moderation on the 'hotties' threads would be a good thing...other than that, I don't really know. I'm just a user here...reading and taking it for what it's worth - a great community of people that I admire, with a few, very few, bad apples who rear their ugly head from time to time. Other than that, just have some taste and class with what you are saying...and above all, be respectful.

That's it from Chicago!

 

Greg, this should scare both of us!

I'd like to point out that you have verbalized some of my thinking more clearly than my own posts did. Given that I made my living for 5 years at writing, it's more than a little disturbing that I wasn't able to express my thoughts better, but that's how it goes. Anyway, thanks for your elaboration.

Tim