Keeping the forum constructive

[adz]

I've been hearing that some feel the forum has become overly negative. Personally, I don't see it that way, but I understand that text can be read differently depending on one’s mood or perspective. It's true that we've had a history of writing off players too quickly - some of those went on to be club legends, while some of them went on to be even more shit when they finally departed the club than when they arrived.

We walk a fine line: if we ignore the negatives, we risk being seen as overly optimistic. If we're too critical, we risk being seen as perpetually negative. I believe we need to find a balance where both praise and constructive criticism are welcome.

What doesn’t help anyone is quitting the forum because you don’t like the tone. That removes your voice from the discussion and makes it harder for us to find the balance we all want. If you feel the conversation is off track, share your perspective. Often, it just takes one person speaking up to trigger a shift in the discussion, encouraging others who may have been hesitant to join in.

Disagreement is healthy, and this forum thrives on diverse views. Let’s work together to ensure it remains a space for respectful and constructive discussion.

I’m open to suggestions on how we can improve the tone and balance here.

 

[priorpeter]

I can’t believe the negativity in this thread

 

[adz]

I can’t believe the negativity in this thread

 

[marinermick]

Heck, it could be even more negative, especially when we have thread titles with possessive apostrophes that should be plural instead. This week’s game thread title was particularly triggering and took all my self control not to arc up.

 

[Meerkat]

I’m kinda a believer in, if it’s not for you or you don’t want to read something, walk on by.
It’s a public forum. It’s for opinions. You can’t censor opinions that are given constructively. (Or at least, respectfully.) in other words, don’t call each other an arsehole or mock people for their opinions, and we should be ok. You don’t have to agree with them.

I would prefer people give honest opinions here than on social media.

 

[turbo]

I’m kind a believer in, if it’s not for you or you don’t want to read something, walk on by.
It’s a public forum. It’s for opinions. You can’t censor opinions that are given constructively. (Or at least, respectfully.) in other words, don’t call each other an arsehole or mock people for their opinions, and we should be ok. You don’t have to agree with them.

I would prefer people give honest opinions here than on social media.

If its a select few you can always mute but if the overall mood is dark there's probably something to it. I'd imagine more would leave it had to be upbeat or nothing.

 

[nl.ryan]

I feel like there is a balance on here. Sure, some members post negatives about the game or players and they are entitled to their opinion but then there are the comments that give a positive spin and a glimmers of hope. I’m all for the glimmers.

 

[true believer]

Heck, it could be even more negative, especially when we have thread titles with possessive apostrophes that should be plural instead. This week’s game thread title was particularly triggering and took all my self control not to arc up.

well maybe but once again the banana skin was found .
i find it just as bad as people chortling "will win by 7"
you need to bring balance .

 

[FFC Mariner]

Football is a game of emotions and opinions.
I have think a forum of happy clappy rainbows and sunshine is boring and will kill it.
I don't think it's too negative at all
If someone wants only nice things said about players just follow CCM socials.
But never read any comments.
Where the problem comes is if someone gets attacked for their opinion.
Dare I recall Sc#*Mac?

 

[ETw]

Well, one name to remember what fans have seen to now (AKA a treble winning, back- to-back winning Championship team finding itself rebuilding again) is this:

Usain Bolt

Caveat and please dont burn me: I loved the spectacle haha as a newbie at the time, and admit, even have the mask somewhere probably if not tossed by someone else.

Excited the season has just started. So much to see! We are barely breaking a sweat yet...Lets go

 

[ETw]

I would hate to see anyone leave because they felt it was too negative.

This forum has kept me interested, entertained and informed for a while now.

If you are considering leaving, please sleep on it, and hopefully come back tomorrow with a view that the internet can be crap, surely, but there is this forum of complete strangers! (to some) that follow the Mariners also, and hope you stay and continue to contribute one way or another.

 

[Meerkat]

In all seriousness.. how would you “keep the forum positive”… by deleting / filtering out the negative posts or banning users who strayed from the positive narrative?

I think we just described the CCM socials. 😳

I personally love this forum and glad it exists in its current form. Appreciate everybody who contributes to it. Good and bad!

 

[Ancient Mariner]

I think the forum is fine at the moment. Negative is fine, if deserved. what is intolerable is abuse and telling players to get on a plane out of the country. Luckily most of those comments were shown to be in error and had the posters eating humble pie (great band).
This thread is probably a year or two too late.
This season is going to be tough. We have many untried youth who will have to step up before they really should. Many will make mistakes but should not be crucified for them. There will hopefully be many revelations.
The one thing that will save us from a spoon competition is that there are other clubs that are in bigger troubles than us.
Recognize effort, forgive errors and rip a new one for any not putting in.
Remember in the darkest days of the past many here said they would be happy to have a team that gave their all even if they lost.
Hang in, it should be can interesting ride.

 

[Ancient Mariner]

Let's be positive....

 

[Ancient Mariner]

But if you want negative......

 

[Ancient Mariner]

Mind you I would hate to see discussions end up in arguments.

 

[Ozhammer]

People are absolutely entitled to their opinions and we all see the same game differently, so that’s always going to make for varying viewpoints on here and long may it continue.

About the only thread that I find a hard read is the politics one to be honest, so I choose not to view it although again it’s only opinions but it gets to heated and personal for my own tastes.

I only come on here for football related content and don’t participate in any other form of social media and that’s a conscious choice, as there is just too much toxicity on other platforms for me.

I say let the forum regulate itself and if someone oversteps the line then, and only then, perhaps the admins need to take action. If it becomes a goofest this season then all people can do is try not to get sucked into it.

 

[yellowcake]

I think generally there's a healthy balance between despair, optimism, anger and delight. Makes it interesting to look back and see how things age (e.g. Tulio, Jacko and season 2023-24)! Posting negativity about performance and ability is fine, as obviously are different options. As far as comments which appear to be an attack on somebody in our playing jersey's identity or integrity, we should be aware that they can see it too.

 

[Tevor]

No change required in my opinion, one of the few forums with good group regulation. If it was only positive where do we vent about referees. You only have to go in other forums and social media to realise how good this one is and very informative to boot. Like some I only look at the football content but the great thing is you chose what you do and don’t want to read/comment on.

 

[Corsair]

If you hang around for a while you come to realise some people have a tendency for a negative outlook and conversely some for a more positive outlook. Just like real life!

The point of a forum is for people to have an opportunity to discuss their opinions with other people with a common interest. As long as the conversation is about the topic and not the individual or some type of slur then it's all good.

Feel free to disagree with someone else's opinion, sometimes I get to see a different perspective through other posts and it changes my view.

You'll also notice this negative bias shortly into the start of every season when expectations of world domination built up by hype in the off season turn out to be slighlty unrealistic!