A Community Almost Completely Devoid of Sympathy and Empathy

@OP, I don’t doubt your intent, but I think it’s become clear that starting this thread was not helpful.

While I disagree with some of the fatalism espoused in this thread regarding the nature of human behavior in a virtual environment (the internet is very new, historically speaking, and any long-lasting internet culture which may exist has not yet truly been established), I also think the best way to combat toxicity is to not engage in it. As in, be above punching back.

Foster a positive community within the game. Be selective in your friends list and those you interact with. Ignore the rest. Ignore this forum. Find peace elsewhere.

More assholes means the community is growing which is good for the game. Just filter them, like IRL?

"

I also think the best way to combat toxicity is to not engage in it. As in, be above punching back.

Bingo. What I do nowadays when a conversation starts turning too heated is simply leave. The internet is better than real life in this regard because you don't have to hear what the other person has to say - you simply don't read their response to you. And of course while someone slandering you IRL might impact you, here most people don't give a damn when 2 a-holes are trying to 1-up each other.

"

demon9675 wrote:

@OP, I don’t doubt your intent, but I think it’s become clear that starting this thread was not helpful.

While I disagree with some of the fatalism espoused in this thread regarding the nature of human behavior in a virtual environment (the internet is very new, historically speaking, and any long-lasting internet culture which may exist has not yet truly been established), I also think the best way to combat toxicity is to not engage in it. As in, be above punching back.

Foster a positive community within the game. Be selective in your friends list and those you interact with. Ignore the rest. Ignore this forum. Find peace elsewhere.

I think reframing the situation usually helps to offer some additional perspective.

So i tend to imagine this forum as a market place filled with hercules like avatars all sooped up on steroids and ready to go.

So the fact we have the "level of toxicity" we currently observe always seems like a small miracle to me.
For example, the fact some 7 year old members still take the time to answer repeat questions which have been adressed well over a hundred times by themselves is quite frankly a better demonstration of who we are as a community in my opinion.

Peace,

-Boem-

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Xtorma wrote:

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Johny_Snow wrote:

People have different tolerance levels. What is assumed to be an attack might not have been posted with such intent.

This made me cringe.

Maybe so but Snow is right. Everyone has their own sensitivity threshold and someone may post and think nothing's wrong with it but another player reading it gets all upset (how could he say such things) while others may just read it, LOL, and move on and not give it a second thought. It's just human behavior and as such runs the whole gamut from bad to good. There are many that will just troll back with a derogatory response just because it is the Internet and players hide behind anonymity so they will say things here that they would never say to your face. I know that doesn't make it right (I'm not condoning such behavior) but it happens all the time and there isn't anything we (experienced players that do want to help the inexperienced new prayers) or GGG can do about that.

OP now:

"

HwtChirino wrote:

A Community Almost Completely Devoid of Sympathy and Empathy

[...]
other players are inclined to [...] verbally attack them.

[...]
I am shedding some light on how toxic this community can be.

[...]
However, many of you find it acceptable to assault other players

[...]
To those who derive some sort of gratification from initially responding [...] with toxicity, attacks, [...], condescension: are you aware of what you are doing?

vs OP 20 minutes before:

"

HwtChirino wrote:

Learn to read, pal. I was selling, not buying. Dumbass.

https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2748677/page/3#p22812259

"

HwtChirino wrote:

No shit, idiot. Why isnt is a real scenario to use as comparison? Because it's ludicrous.

How about you get a brain?

https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2748677/page/3#p22812274

Very interesting read.

GGG is an a*hole company. Players are his products so enjoy your shit community.

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Nubatron wrote:

Anyone else just sitting back and enjoying watching the OP

Word is not to watch but read. I agreed with you until I read your post among the discussion.

@OP

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Boem wrote:

since it aknowledges the inherent differences between people and how they will cope with situations.

I hope you start looking at him instead of fighting counter-argument points people trying to achieve (and throwing away) for your eyes.

He has a legitimate argument in a way.

I fought against an ex-prosecutor lawyer on a SNS who was openly accusing those who protecting "safety pin" movements on gropers in the public transport.

I simply pointed out the fact that there are always most likely unprotected wrongfully as a result of "salvation by the law". He simply ignored me (he just didn't respond) and started to offer "pro bono" for those offenders and asked lawyers help in public.

Edit
/hug

Sadly, this is human nature. There is no punishment, so people's true character shines through.

People would rather tear down than commiserate, because negativity garners more attention, which is all most gamers really want: attention.

It is a sad truth, but it is the truth.

Anonymity breeds contempt. They would never act like this face to face, but when there are no consequences, most gamers have evolved into asshats.

"

DivineChampion wrote:

OP now:

"

HwtChirino wrote:

A Community Almost Completely Devoid of Sympathy and Empathy

[...]
other players are inclined to [...] verbally attack them.

[...]
I am shedding some light on how toxic this community can be.

[...]
However, many of you find it acceptable to assault other players

[...]
To those who derive some sort of gratification from initially responding [...] with toxicity, attacks, [...], condescension: are you aware of what you are doing?

vs OP 20 minutes before:

"

HwtChirino wrote:

Learn to read, pal. I was selling, not buying. Dumbass.

https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2748677/page/3#p22812259

"

HwtChirino wrote:

No shit, idiot. Why isnt is a real scenario to use as comparison? Because it's ludicrous.

How about you get a brain?

https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2748677/page/3#p22812274

Very interesting read.

HAH!
Nice. The snowflake melted.