If you hang around online discussion forums at all, you're probably quite familiar with those annoying bozos who can't have a conversation without starting an argument, which then often escalates into a flamewar. You don't usually see this happening anywhere near as often in meatspace -- so why are so many people such creeps online?

According to a study, the "disinhibition" factor is partly to blame, along with the complete absence of visual indicators which normally guide and temper our conversations.  Factor in the time lag between posts and replies, and the invisibility cloak people tend to don, particularly when they're posting anonymously, and you end up with a result which isn't much of a surprise to many of us:  plenty of people get mighty brave when they're in front of a keyboard.

Read more at The International Herald Tribune.

Considering the opportunities for "flaming" on this board in particular, the group has managed, somehow, to maintain a degree of decorum while still staying candid.

I participate in one other (unrelated) forum where order is also maintained.

But, that's it.

Quoted from pave

Considering the opportunities for "flaming" on this board in particular, the group has managed, somehow, to maintain a degree of decorum while still staying candid.

I participate in one other (unrelated) forum where order is also maintained.

But, that's it.

We try our best.  

Quoted from ScottJames

:  plenty of people get mighty brave when they're in front of a keyboard.

Or behind the wheel of a car.  Would those people flippin you the finger in their big
SUV do the same if you were face to face in the parking lot?

Quoted from OpenMike

Or behind the wheel of a car

And if they're behind the keyboard of a Crackberry at the same time -- look OUT.

I have visited other sites where this "Flamewar" happens and it does nothing but make me pass by it knowing that I could be missing out on some good converstation, however people who take hold of it and do what you have described Scott, well it is not worth the effort.  

Frankly I rather like the way this site is regulated......  You guys are doing a great job!! Makes me want to check this site first every day when I come home....  

I agree that the administrators have the most to do with making a messageboard a good place to hang out...but I think a lot has to do with the participants too.   If you have a relatively nice bunch of people who know how to be civil when the topics are touchy, then you're doing okay.

I have to say though that the internet sure has shown us the true nature of some folks...yikes.