I'm sorry for venting about "Association Topics"

[Icelogist]

 
Previously, you may have seen me venting in a topic about how I was tired of seeing the same "Association Topics" over and over again. However, the Melonland forum had a really unique reaction to that topic. Instead of just following along with it, the users told me to not make topics about disliking something. After the reaction by the Forumers I felt pressured and deleted the Topic, but then now started to feel bad and wanted to apologize for making that topic in the first place.

Update:

I am not satisfied with my original message and would like to be more honest. I don't actually dislike "Association Topics", infact I actually quite like them. But rather I started to feel as if the continuous inclusion of them started to get repetitive, the way that I said it originally might have turned people the wrong way and thought that I hated it and I want everything about it to end which isn't true, the replies below aren't much different. You are aloud to continue with these genre of topics and please forgive me.

[Gans]

Is there an option to ignore topics on the "Recent Posts" feed? Geez, this forum software is getting serious and will probably the most powerful message board software in a year.

[Onio]

It kinda brings up questions about what the expectations are on the forum. Should everything be positive/supportive at all costs? I think it's pretty human to have some likes and dislikes. Where's the line between expressing taste/distaste and attacking people? I didn't see the post, so I'm not entirely sure of the context, but I'd say don't feel too bad!

[/home/user/]

It kinda brings up questions about what the expectations are on the forum. Should everything be positive/supportive at all costs? I think it's pretty human to have some likes and dislikes. Where's the line between expressing taste/distaste and attacking people? I didn't see the post, so I'm not entirely sure of the context, but I'd say don't feel too bad!

I think it's pretty simple - as long as an opinion is framed as a totally subjective opinion and a personal emotion ("I don't really like association topics, I feel like they have no point") then it's fine and a good discussion topic; but if it is presented as fact, an emotionally charged and important opinion, a virtue to agree, or a vent about certain people, then it has the expectation of the reader either agreeing with it or being part of the bad guys ("Association topics are pointless spam", "I hate association topics", "Association topics should not exist").

That is of course only true for topics like this which have no real ethical or moral relevancy. Of course people can have strong opinions and arguments about topics that affect real people or that are really important like social or political issues.

[Onio]

I think it's pretty simple - as long as an opinion is framed as a totally subjective opinion and a personal emotion ("I don't really like association topics, I feel like they have no point") then it's fine and a good discussion topic; but if it is presented as fact, an emotionally charged and important opinion, a virtue to agree, or a vent about certain people, then it has the expectation of the reader either agreeing with it or being part of the bad guys ("Association topics are pointless spam", "I hate association topics", "Association topics should not exist").

That is of course only true for topics like this which have no real ethical or moral relevancy. Of course people can have strong opinions and arguments about topics that affect real people or that are really important like social or political issues.

I like it. Nuanced as opposed to divisive.

[Cobra!]

I feel more concerned for how much server space and resources they use, because word association has nearly 600 posts now!

[/home/user/]

I feel more concerned for how much server space and resources they use, because word association has nearly 600 posts now!

If we assume an average length of 5.5 characters per word association entry, multiplied by the 600 posts, we get 3300 bytes of data in total; or 3.2 kB.

I will now flex on the server by linking to an image that is double that in file size than that entire topic worth of replies:

(this is all in good fun, i didnt mean to poke fun at your comment x3)

[Cobra!]

If we assume an average length of 5.5 characters per word association entry, multiplied by the 600 posts, we get 3300 bytes of data in total; or 3.2 kB.

I will now flex on the server by linking to an image that is double that in file size than that entire topic worth of replies:

(this is all in good fun, i didnt mean to poke fun at your comment x3)

Point taken

Probably a little more than that because it also has to take into account who posted those replies and when?

[Onio]

If we assume an average length of 5.5 characters per word association entry, multiplied by the 600 posts, we get 3300 bytes of data in total; or 3.2 kB.

I will now flex on the server by linking to an image that is double that in file size than that entire topic worth of replies:

(this is all in good fun, i didnt mean to poke fun at your comment x3)

This deserved an award.

[Melooon]

I feel more concerned for how much server space and resources they use, because word association has nearly 600 posts now!

That's my job to worry about, its not something you guys need to deal with  But I can tell you size will never be an issue; all 8819 messages currently on the forum only add up to 6.3mb!

Is there an option to ignore topics on the "Recent Posts" feed?

That's an interesting feature suggestion; I'll look into it!

It kinda brings up questions about what the expectations are on the forum. Should everything be positive/supportive at all costs?

This is something I'm constantly thinking about, and the answer is constantly changing; in the early days of the forum, there was kinda an expectation that you should read and reply to everything because there were so few posts - but we are just on the edge now of changing into a space where that's not necessary or expected anymore.

After the reaction by the Forumers I felt pressured and deleted the Topic, but then now started to feel bad and wanted to apologize for making that topic in the first place.

There nothing wrong with expressing an opinion; the purpose of sharing an opinion is not to have others agree with you; its to share the opinion and learn what others think. So I don't think you needed to delete it, but its also not an big issue if you were uncomfortable with it. As you can see, this has resulted in a pretty good discussion, so I think it was worthwhile following it up 

[Cobra!]

That's my job to worry about, its not something you guys need to deal with  But I can tell you size will never be an issue; all 8819 messages currently on the forum only add up to 6.3mb!

Ah... fair enough, then!

This is something I'm constantly thinking about, and the answer is constantly changing; in the early days of the forum, there was kinda an expectation that you should read and reply to everything because there were so few posts - but we are just on the edge now of changing into a space where that's not necessary or expected anymore.

Yeah, it's quite amazing seeing how active this forum is. People say forums are dead, this one proves them wrong.

[Inkerlink]

Previously, you may have seen me venting in a topic about how I was tired of seeing the same "Association Topics" over and over again. However, the Melonland forum had a really unique reaction to that topic. Instead of just following along with it, the users told me to not make topics about disliking something. After the reaction by the Forumers I felt pressured and deleted the Topic, but then now started to feel bad and wanted to apologize for making that topic in the first place.

Don't worry about it too much @Icelogist.
As soon as I saw the thread appear I kinda knew it was going to at the very least get moved lol
But I think the topic itself is fine to talk about, there is nothing wrong with offering an opinion or viewpoint, as long as it's put in the proper place.
That being said, I'm not sure what you were expecting, when you offer an opinion like that it's pretty obvious that there is a chance for an opposing opinion to appear. I'd hardly call the reaction 'unique'.
As for the actual topic itself, it's easy enough to ignore topics you aren't interested in. And there are plenty of other threads to participate in, or create. But it looks like @Melooon is aware of it and may be working on some kind of solution so, don't feel bad about making your opinion known!

[xandra]

i am very much a "take what resonates, leave what doesn't" type of person. outside of truly offensive posts (which should be reported), if there are threads or topics you have no interest in joining, i hope nobody feels obligated to do so—you can just skip over it. my only issue with the original thread was that i think there's enough content out there full of people trying to make fun or "cringe" at people having fun earnestly. i would just make sure your intentions when creating threads are to drive discussion rather than just hate on what other people like.

I think it's pretty simple - as long as an opinion is framed as a totally subjective opinion and a personal emotion ("I don't really like association topics, I feel like they have no point") then it's fine and a good discussion topic; but if it is presented as fact, an emotionally charged and important opinion, a virtue to agree, or a vent about certain people, then it has the expectation of the reader either agreeing with it or being part of the bad guys ("Association topics are pointless spam", "I hate association topics", "Association topics should not exist").

That is of course only true for topics like this which have no real ethical or moral relevancy. Of course people can have strong opinions and arguments about topics that affect real people or that are really important like social or political issues.

this is exactly how i feel! well said.

[Icelogist]

I've updated my message, please read.