h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I so wish I wasn't so sensible at times. But I usually am. So I won't ask on Ask what you think the review forums here are for. Are they exclusive? Should only those comment who have intimate knowledge of the subject? I think not. I understood that everybody is welcome to comment as long as they are nice. Am I wrong?

You are right. You may have very valid points on so many things other than the topic!

Sounds like the usual suspects at their usual fun and games.

I know exactly where you're coming from, Bel, but even when I swing by PR (which isn't terribly often, I admit) unless it's a topic of particular interest to me (or written by a friend), or something I would expect to have special expertise about, I tend to skip on down. Otherwise I'd spend hours making vague and blandly helpful comments of no particular use to anyone.

Just so there is no confusion, I'm NOT talking PR here, but I think that if you submit something for review, you shouldn't attack the reviewers/commenters. I certainly won't ever comment on anything from this person again. I didn't want to initially, but thought I'd be nice. My bad.

I could be speaking out of turn here, Bel, but I really think that we as a community have to take the bull by the horns (or the elephant in the room by the horns) and publicly call bad behaviour when we see it, whether we're a volunteer or not.

You have brought up children so you know all about positive reinforcement and all that, but you also know that there are times when you have to be very clear and say "it's not acceptable to do that".

For my part, that's how I'm going to be here on h2g2, because some behaviour is getting on my (and other peoples' nerves now)

Awix, it can be difficult to comment if you don't have any expertise, but I think it is valid to say what you feel about the piece or just say that you don't understand it. Then the author could make an attempt to explain (if it is explicable).

Bel,I often lurk the AWW and saw what I think you are referring to. Consider the source.

My take on it is that if you are going to absolutely refuse to take constructive criticism when it is offered, if you are going to look for a reason to take offense, then why bother to post your poem, article, short story or whatever? If all you want is for someone to tell you how wonderful the piece is, post it in your journal so your friends can see it and perhaps encourage you.

Sho, I'm a coward.

Good to know whom to send if I need a 'big brother', though.

Another thing, who is to say you're not qualified to havce an opinion?

Coward? Why? Because someone who is being obnoxious might say mean things to you? That came out more blunt than I intended

I'm intrigued now though, and I want to see it haha

For PR (which is the only review forum I go to) I like to leave a comment which encourages the writer if it's a subject I don't know about. there's one about the Irish Olympians - something I totally didn't know about, and I think it's perfectly valid to leave a comment saying that, and saying why you think it will grab a reader.

If its a review forum then its expected that people will comment on whatever the work is thats in there. That means being critical as well as complimentary about the piece. It wouldn't be a review forum otherwise.

Ahh, Hyp, that's what I feel, too. Trouble is, there is no reasoning with some people, so I'd waste my breath trying to explain how a review forum works, or should work. Plus, I really do not want to engage with some people because of bad experiences.

but that just means the idiots win... It's what I always say about our overwhelming (and for me, overdeveloped ) sense that h2g2 must be hugely inclusive. Some people just don't know how to play with other people, and if researchers stay away from one thread at a time where the eejits are, pretty soon we're all confined to our journals.

I think it's better to nip it in the bud. I think you'd probably be pleasantly surprised just how many people will
a) agree with you
and
b) be more likely to call people on their bad behaviour the next time they encounter it

All the review fora should be open to everybody, say I. No certificates of high-falutin'ness required or accepted.

The AWW isn't full of experts. People hang out there just because they're trying to write stuff.

And we don't have to agree, either. One person likes something, another - for reasons that are just as valid - doesn't. We do need to be more civil and respectful to each other, though. (You should hear me and some other parties differing on HP Lovecraft. I try not to be rude...)

I have been accused of quite a few things in the AWW. I can even spell some of them.

oops, so many s here.

Who is to say that I'm not qualified to have an opinion?

Weeeelllll, I admitted that I'm not an expert in that field, and apparently in that case I was offensive by posting in the first place. Ho hum.

You've been accused of things, Dmitri?

Bel. you are not a coward!

you're Auntie Bel! Wonderful Bel! And anyone who has upset my Bel has me to answer to!

Let me at em. Let me at em! (in the words of wonderful Scrappy Do)

Poor Bel

I find people here are much ruder than they were at the other place.

Don't worry about it - I don't.

Ahhh, VV, I wouldn't bring you in trouble on my behalf.

You're the only one here calling me auntie.