[chimera]

Re: general tone and tenor of Cardboard discussions of WBB, my sense is that since we became national champ contenders again, we've picked up a lot of bandwagon fans who weren't as interested in following the Orrange/Bird/Karl/McPhee/Smith half-decade of lesser prominence.

And whereas in general I've always liked how the tone of our WBB discussions have been pretty mild mannered, with polite disagreements and occasional pointed criticisms of players/coaches, I think the fans coming from other sports are used to a more rough and rumbling style of fan forum debate. Like most of the longtime WBB fans around here, that speed is definitely not my preference, though I don't mind pushing back hard from time to time.

But I do think for us regulars the atmosphere has paradoxically gotten more pointed and less fun even as we have gotten better and had more to celebrate...

And 81, I totally share your lament, which extends beyond this forum, beyond just WCBB, and to society writ large. These days everything seems be turning into a cash grab that rewards whoever screams loudest. Maybe all the more reason for those of us who prefer a gentler tone to stick around and be the change we want to see. I'm looking at you, Chimera! Stick it out with us! =)

My problem is less those that post somewhat aggressively, though I don't like that style.  It is more posters who want to post aggressively or negatively and then complain when they get aggressive responses.  If you post some version of Tara sucks or is overrated or player A should be benched, cool, but then don't complain when those who do not agree say so.  Preemptively complaining that some post or other will be "attacked" tells me what those posters really want is to be able to say negative things without pushback.  

If you say, "Tara botched the subbing in that game IMO.  She should have done blah blah instead." you will get opinions, agreeing or not on that specific thing.  If you say, "Tara is overrated but you all are too blind to see it." you will get something very different.  If you can't stand the blowback, don't post in a manner that guarantees you will get it.  And don't whine you were attacked when the blowback arrives.  Don't whine when some posters say hey, isn't this board supposed to be better than this when things go sour.

Like many I am tired, tired, tired, tired of these sad, stupid, broken times in the world at large and IMO in WCBB as well with the friggin portal and the NILs.  I want to enjoy posting here.  There is too much attitude lately, and if my mood is not great it really rubs me the wrong way to the point of considering departure.

[chimera]

Re: general tone and tenor of Cardboard discussions of WBB, my sense is that since we became national champ contenders again, we've picked up a lot of bandwagon fans who weren't as interested in following the Orrange/Bird/Karl/McPhee/Smith half-decade of lesser prominence.

And whereas in general I've always liked how the tone of our WBB discussions have been pretty mild mannered, with polite disagreements and occasional pointed criticisms of players/coaches, I think the fans coming from other sports are used to a more rough and rumbling style of fan forum debate. Like most of the longtime WBB fans around here, that speed is definitely not my preference, though I don't mind pushing back hard from time to time.

But I do think for us regulars the atmosphere has paradoxically gotten more pointed and less fun even as we have gotten better and had more to celebrate...

And 81, I totally share your lament, which extends beyond this forum, beyond just WCBB, and to society writ large. These days everything seems be turning into a cash grab that rewards whoever screams loudest. Maybe all the more reason for those of us who prefer a gentler tone to stick around and be the change we want to see. I'm looking at you, Chimera! Stick it out with us! =)

My problem is less those that post somewhat aggressively, though I don't like that style.  It is more posters who want to post aggressively or negatively and then complain when they get aggressive responses.  If you post some version of Tara sucks or is overrated or player A should be benched, cool, but then don't complain when those who do not agree say so.  Preemptively complaining that some post or other will be "attacked" tells me what those posters really want is to be able to say negative things without pushback.  

If you say, "Tara botched the subbing in that game IMO.  She should have done blah blah instead." you will get opinions, agreeing or not on that specific thing.  If you say, "Tara is overrated but you all are too blind to see it." you will get something very different.  If you can't stand the blowback, don't post in a manner that guarantees you will get it.  And don't whine you were attacked when the blowback arrives.  Don't whine when some posters say hey, isn't this board supposed to be better than this when things go sour.

Like many I am tired, tired, tired, tired of these sad, stupid, broken times in the world at large and IMO in WCBB as well with the friggin portal and the NILs.  I want to enjoy posting here.  There is too much attitude lately, and if my mood is not great it really rubs me the wrong way to the point of considering departure.