Topic: Tone and Content on Army.ca

[Mike Bobbitt]

All,

The Staff of Army.ca request your help in reversing some recent trends.  The purpose of this thread is not to be a one way direction.  It is a chance to hit the reset button on the tone of our forum.  It is also an opportunity to collectively define the ethos we want to project to new members, visitors and the leadership of the Canadian Forces (after all, good ideas posted here will only be taken as seriously as the collective board).

In the first trend, we have observed the establishment of a precedent of personal attacks on politicians and ad hominem.  We do appreciate that emotions can run very high, especially when debating issues for which many of us have buried friends.  However, this tactic does not reflect well on the professionalism of debate at Army.ca.  The target of ad hominem attacks doesn't have to take personal offence because all it takes is one letter from his legal team, or one statement in the house that the uncontrolled statements of soldiers here demonstrates that the Army can't control its people .... however the media wants to spin it to ensure that army.ca gets a pile of unwanted attention.

This is not intended to muzzle any of you, but when we discuss current events here, we need to keep it clean.  There's nothing wrong with debating the issues, and tearing apart what is said in the media or by public personalities (or even other site members) on a point by point basis with counter-opinion and experienced based observations (and the background and skills to do that certainly habituates these forums) ..... but ad hominem attacks simply poison the spirit and credibility of that debate.

We ask everyone to remind themselves of the site guidelines, including the following passages:

Personal Attacks

Army.ca has a zero tolerance policy for personal attacks, whether against another Army.ca member or a public figure. Posts that contain a personal attack should be summarily deleted, and the user should normally receive a warning. Personal attacks detract from the professionalism of the site and can sometimes cause serious problems for Army.ca as a whole.

• You will not post any information that is offensive, defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise violative of any law.

Regardless of our perception of certain public personalities or media outlets, this is about professionalism.

The second trend relates to a tendency for the board to have a mean streak.  In the past some of the users we have banned have accused us of a heavy hand, and in the past they were just whining.  However, lately, we have seen a tendency 'the mob' to tear someone apart for what may be an innocuous error, and then the dogpile starts if they say anything in their own defence. This has manifested itself in what some may see the roving mobs circling, scrutinizing every post for weakness or naiveté or whatever.  Sometimes it's spontaneous, at other times it is the mob following a perceived example set by senior members (unfortunately, there are times when this includes those of us who are DS).

One of the increasingly common "signals" that a thread is about to become unrecoverable is the popcorn eating smiley being posted as a post's sole content.  When someone feels this smiley is appropriate for a thread, they should be hitting the report to mod button and not make any posts.  If anything, this only serves to encourage those that are trolling the boards looking to garner attention through a fight.

• You will not troll the boards or feed the trolls. This is making posts that intentionally create hostile arguments, or responding to such posts in the same hostile tone.

Meaningful friendly advice is easily lost in a storm of sarcastic one-liners and staying out of a fight is also a valid posting choice.  When a poster protests advice they have received, let the original advisor respond. Don't contribute to what may be a simple misunderstanding of flare of tempers.

The strength of this forum, as with any online discourse, comes with debate.  Let’s keep the quality level of debate high.

How do we want to get there?

[PPCLI Guy]

Thanks Mike - I have been becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the tone - and my post count shows it. 

Now I just have to refrain from posting when I come home from the Mess, and my own house will be less transparent...

[MCG]

It seems the throat-punch has grown quite popular here (we're ready to hand them out like candy).  I would caution that putting this in a post adds very little to the debate, but it goes a long way toward making us all look like a bunch of knuckle-dragging neanderthal goons (especially when we are talking about other BBs or Blogs).  I would hope that we could apply Mikes advice to our urges to throat-punch.

You decide how enlightened we come off:

. . . this is how some "true Canadians" are reacting to this article.

...

http://uppercanadian.blogspot.com/2006/10/standing-on-guard-for-thee.html

This just makes me mad, and--short of throat-punching the lot of them--I can't think of a reasoned, measured response.

and the reply (at http://uppercanadian.blogspot.com/2006/10/standing-on-guard-for-thee.html):

By the way, I saw that someone at the Forces forum felt the urge to throat punch me, which is interesting... http://forums.army.ca/forums/index.php/topic,52057.msg464869/topicseen.html

[retread]

I was on this site several years back and just came back to it this past week.  There were problems of this sort all the way along and I expect there always will be some no matter how strong the effort to keep things civilized.  That being said, I would say that overall this site is far more friendly and tolerant than many (or more probably...most) on the net.  The majority of the content on here is informative and the discussions are interesting.  I think the site performs a valuable service in connecting the CF family and enabling us to pool our experience and ideas.  Keep up the good work!

[Michael O'Leary]

Approaches to avoiding unwanted labels

It’s just so easy, especially from the shelter of presumed anonymity, to say whatever you want on line.  Free speech, right?  What’s the price anyway, no one knows who you are.

But that’s not quite true. Others may not know your real name, or where you live, or what you do when you’re not here.  Maybe you’re a Big Brother, or rescue greyhounds, or volunteer with your church.  Maybe you’ve had unique experiences, or have “seen the elephant”, or dedicated your life to a cause without ever having the challenge of being put to the ultimate test and yet still stand for everything it ever meant to you.  Frankly, none of that will matter the first time you drive a foot so deep in your virtual mouth that you knee yourself in the tonsils.

Who you are ceases to be a factor once you blow your own credibility with a hastily worded reply sent without due care for the many factors that you cannot see.  Perhaps the person you are responding to was simply venting, getting something off their chest.  And maybe they were looking for a gentle nudge towards considering factors they couldn’t see from their own very personal standpoint.  Sadly, taking their comments at face value to fuel your own rant in response only doubles the number of participants arguing emotionally instead of rationally.  And the wonders of the Internet allow the group to expand mathematically and to change the focus of the argument from situations to personalities, until no one is even trying to figure out what the original point was, or to help answer it.

Human interaction is a complex vehicle for sharing messages.  Most often it works best in small groups of like-minded individuals speaking a common language.  Similarly it is most effective face-to-face, where non-verbal clues (and personal responsibility for words and actions) support moving towards understanding, rather than away from it.  We all recognize the hazards of relying on pure text to relay emotion and meaning, and yet repeatedly we see people get sucked in by their own willingness to dispense with rational consideration in the heat of the moment.

We understand the concept of common language to support understanding, and how small the groups (though they overlap in many directions) are that share each sub-set of terminology, acronyms, expressions and veiled speech concepts.  We understand the language of non-verbal expression, especially in leadership situations, and that in an online situation acceptance of someone as a leader may be very limited by past appreciation of their conduct and restricted to limited area of expertise.  We understand that official and unofficial leaders exist, in both material and intellectual senses, and that the leader in one area is not always the leader in every specific field within a group’s expertise.

But why, despite these broadly accepted principles of human interaction, do some people always think that their own blunt, rude, and/or outrageous statements should be taken as ‘fact’ simply because they have declared themselves to be more knowledgeable, more experienced, or possessing of more machismo.

Those who do so often gain themselves labels.  But these labels are seldom the ones they think they deserve.

How better to approach such a situation?  What does one do when a post seems only designed to inflame one’s own opinions and to challenge what you ‘know’ to be true?  Rather than hastily pounding out a rebuke, what could a respondent do?

Here are a few options:

1.   Just don’t post. – Walk away, decide that you’re above turning it into an argument.

2.   Wait a day. – Just 24 hours, the thread’s not going anywhere.  And, after a day to reflect, and to watch the reactions of others, you can decide if there is still merit in composing a response.  Then again, it may have to disappear if it turns into a pile of crap, but you can be satisfied that you didn’t lower yourself to that.

3.   Write your response, put everything you want into it, then delete it. – Feel better after getting the words out of your head and onto the screen?  Does a sober second thought make you realize that you’re not really offering anything except challenges, sarcasm or personal insults?  Will the original poster learn from your response, or only react badly, continuing a spiral of wasted bandwidth and damaged online reputations?  So go ahead, spill your guts, just don’t hit the send button.

4.   Offer new information.  – Start you post with “I believe I understand where you’re coming from, but perhaps you also need to consider  . . .”  Contribute, don’t just bash the poster, or his beliefs.

5.   Establish common ground. - Share your own experiences.  Help the poster find a different perspective for comparison.  “Perhaps your situation is unique, but let me tell you what happened to me in a similar situation ….”

6.   Report to Moderator.  -  If the post really inflames you, and you expect it will inflame others as well, head it off at the pass.  Call in the cavalry and let them deal with it.

A credible online reputation means you’ll have people paying attention when you add to a thread.  But it only takes one outrageous contribution that incites or adds to a flame war blow that all away.  And the evidence seldom, if ever, disappears.  And when you set yourself up as a questionable poster, those you could legitimately be helping may avoid your recommendations because they won’t know where you’re coming from any more.

[Spidron]

Bloody good advice O'Leary! Very relevant to the office and the email world we live in. Might have to keep a copy of that list of 'response' strategies in the top drawer.

[Michael O'Leary]

There's a Reason

Any discussion or conversation Etc. such as politics, religion, etc. likely to create discord should be avoided. The names of ladies should not be brought into conversation. Talking shop, (i.e.) daily routine duties, etc., should be avoided. Discussion of general military matters is, however, to be encouraged.  - Hints for Young Officers (RCS of I; 1931)

There’s a reason that young officers, in days gone by, were advised against talk of "politics, women and religion" in their messes.  Quite simply, it's because many normally rational members couldn’t maintain objectivity once they felt their own personal opinions and ardent beliefs were being denigrated.

Objectivity, the ability for rational discourse …. we all want to believe we have it.  Of course, most of us are perfectly capable of discussing controversial issues without emotion, right up until that point where we are blind to the impact of our own emotions.  It’s a natural reaction, we can’t help it, and at the same time we can’t see how it makes us look just as outrageous as "that other guy who can’t see the case I’m explaining."

The internet has great advantages and also great disadvantages for human interaction and communication.  Unfortunately, among its greatest disadvantages is the reality that most people on line are alone, they are without that best register of the effect of their emotions – the presence of others – both friends to caution them against hasty words, and opponents, to see just what effects their words are having.

We’re human, we get emotional.  The internet doesn't convey emotion, but that doesn’t stop each of us from reading what we want in another's words.  If we are already prejudiced against another’s arguments, every word is a personal assault on our own beliefs. In return, each attempt at rational counter-argument is taken in the worst possible light as well, until any discussion on sensitive topics between two ardent supporters of opposite sides inevitably spirals into another thread of on line crap.

What solutions can we offer?  Sadly few. 

"Couples counselling" by registered therapists and subject matter experts is rather beyond the capabilities of this, or any, on line forum.

I would suggest that each of us needs to ask ourselves what our personal hot button issues are.  Then, we need to decide if repeating the same arguments with the same people, or facsimiles of them, is worth the time, stress and effort.

Bigger men (or women) can always walk away. Perhaps after posting one (unemotional) statement of their personal opinion. Or perhaps after posting nothing more than a link to the last time they made that statement, or to a credible third party reference.

The grief, the stress to all involved, to the participants and including to those watching a train wreck of a thread, IS NOT WORTH IT.

Not one thread on politics (which includes gun control issues), gender/sexuality, religion, etc., etc., that has spiralled into senseless circular arguments has been worth its weight in electrons at the end of the day.

It’s time for a more mature response.  It’s time for people to simply start saying "I don’t agree, but I do not consider this worth arguing about."

It’s not surrendering; it's conservation of energy.

Don't feed the trolls; and it doesn’t matter who the troll is, or may be (sometimes it’s everybody still beating the equine after a certain point).

[Michael O'Leary]

ROYAL CANADIAN SCHOOL OF INFANTRY
Halifax, N.S.
Hints for Young Officers
(1931)

http://regimentalrogue.com/srsub/RCSI_hints_1931.htm

[E.R. Campbell]

You know, the standards of good manners do change but very, very slowly.

The ‘rules’ governing Mess conduct were and still are based on contemporary standards.  Thus, I suggest, topics like religion and most gossip (except about the CO’s forthcoming posting) is still best left outside the Mess – officers’ mess, sergeants ’ mess or junior ranks’ mess or here on Army.ca.  There is no need to discuss topics which might make other members uncomfortable, or worse.  There is no need for gossip – especially the sort of ill founded gossip which, generally, characterize discussions of women.

Units can be very close communities: it is not uncommon to find that, jus a few years back, Jones dated the gal who, just last year, married Smith and that Green dated Mrs. Jones and so on.  Equally, you might not know that Green’s father is a long time member of the executive of the Liberal Party of Canada – Green might not think very highly of M. Coderre, for example, but he might be gratuitously – and unnecessarily – insulted when you hold forth about the Lieberals.  Finally, beliefs, especially religious beliefs, are, by definition not subject to reason or, therefore, to debate.  You have yours, I have mine, Jones has his and Mrs. Jones may well have others – good manners demands that we respect one another’s privacy and beliefs are a private matter.

[Greymatters]

And if you are not an officer...

THIRD BATTALION PRINCESS PATRICIA’S CANADIAN LIGHT INFANTRY COMMANDING OFFICER’S DIRECTIVE NUMBER THREE:
GUIDANCE FOR NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND WARRANT OFFICERS (Canadian Army)
http://www.army.dnd.ca/3PPCLI/Downloads/CO_s%20Dir%20No%203%20Final.pdf

THE ARMY NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS GUIDE LEADERSHIP AND LEADERSHIP COUNSELING (US Army)
http://www-rucker.army.mil/a1210/Promotion/board%20questions/leadership.htm

[Globesmasher]

Here is a handy training video for "how to behave on an internet forum" ...............


http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-behave-on-an-internet-forum


Sound wisdom.

[MCG]

We seem to be going through another period belligerent tone and shallow content.  The staff is loosing patience with reminding posters that it does not take much for you to make the CF come off as some unsophisticated goon squad.  Here are a few of many examples:

http://forums.army.ca/forums/index.php/topic,78656.msg740681.html#msg740681
http://forums.army.ca/forums/index.php/topic,77903.msg733514.html#msg733514

When an outsider arrives at this site and posts in a poor choice of tone and presents a position dissenting to the majority but little content to back it up, well then there are many here ready to cry foul.  We must strive to maintain the same level of tone & quality that we (this site as a society) demand of those with opposing views.  Not only is this to avoid the label of hypocrisy, but it is also to ensure we reflect well upon the Canadian Forces and to ensure a higher quality of discussion.  Every member of this site should try to meet this challenge:

If you are a thinker, then prove it.  Seize and retain the high ground.  Show us your ability to think and reason and make points without degeneration and the ability to learn from others who have different viewpoints, despite your feelings on them.  It's what makes this board, this resource, so great - the experience and diversity and differing viewpoints, brought forth civilly and rationally (sometimes with help), of its members. 

[karl28]

MCG 
 
              Good post and I am in agreement with you .   As a Civy I tried to read more than post it actually does help you get the feel of the site  .  You can also  tell this by the number of years that I have been on this site and the post that I have done .      I think the problem with any internet based forum is that there are a few posters who believe that because there not face to face with some one they can behave any way they want .
             I personal believe that behavior like this is sad and hopefully through continuing carefull watch of the Mods we can correct anything like this and keep army.ca the way it is a great place for information on the Canadian Army . 

[Journeyman]

That being said.....

.....increasingly on army.ca, some of us feel we're in an ongoing crusade seeking informed opinion, logical argument, maybe avoiding posting altogether when you're self-medicating.....and the occasional use of spell-check.^*  Sure, I leave the ranting about caps lock to others, but we all have our pet peeves.

And when you post something that fails the above criteria, and you get called on it, it's not personal -- putting more effort into your original post, or avoiding posting if it's outside your lane/competency, will save all kinds of heartache later. Very little posted here is that time-sensitive that you can't spend an extra minute proofreading.


Some days I think Diogenes had it easy -- he was only seeking an honest man. 



* May not apply to Radio Chatter threads

[E.R. Campbell]

Please see here for a CAUTION about the law and election results coverage.

Thanks in advance.