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

I read a couple debate threads in this section. One about nuclear power, and one about the Catholic church.

I couldn't believe my eyes--the people debated and discussed the issue...like civilized human beings!!!

You think I'm joking. You have to understand the environment I come from. Every political debate I've witnesses, every internet forum, has been rife with verbal violence, from all sides and all people. Each time there was a disagreement (as a debate forum is suppossed to have) a huge flamewar broke out. People were repeatedly called nasty names, steroetyped, and wished death upon one another (no joke--they actually do wish death upon each other).

For example Myspace. Myspace has these "News and Politics" forums where people from all different countries discuss issues. Wait, did I say "discuss"? I meant "rant and insult and wish death upon one another". I even got death wished upon me. My crime? Disagreeing with a man on the issue of the 9/11 conspiracy theories I'm sure you've heard.

So imagine my surprise when I come to this place, check out the debate threads, and there are no insults, no flamewars, people respond to offensive material by calming the offender down rather than flaming back, and the people are actually friendly towards those they disagree with--even going so far as to say "Hi [person's name]" before giving a rebuttal.

Surely I am no longer on Planet Earth. Who are you guys and what planet have you taken me to?

Err! Dude_Bob. I suggest you lie down and take a couple of these small white tablets, because you ain't gonna like what I tell ya!!!

Flame Wars? You should have been here during the Della Wars. It made Star Wars seem like Paint Balling!

You will also find people unsubscribing as soon as a certain someone comes online.

This Community is like all others in some respects. Vicious in one respect, but very friendly in others. Depends on your interaction, response and attitude.

I have been here 3 years and made many friends, and a few people who would rather I wasn't a friend, but I won't allow enemies!

It is up to you to decide how you want to use this site. And I welcome you as a friend!

Just beware the ers.

*I'm not paranoid. They are just out to get me!*

Dude_Bob, it's true that we do have a reputation here for, shall we say, more 'civilised' discussion than some of the other community websites, but we're just as prone to human nature as the rest of them. We have the occasional flame war, there are some people who aren't talking to others and on rare occasions Researchers will gng up on another Researcher, whether it's justified or not.

In other words, things here are not quite the Utopia you've seen so far but we like to think we're a cut above others, and you will find plenty of places on h2g2 where people debate and discuss in a friendly and intelligent manner.

Usually

Pah! You're all Belgians!

Language, Roymondo! Language! Or I'll have to you!

We cannot have that sort of profanity in front of Newbies. Thank you!

No NO NO your all rong... and you all smell

I know! Of Givenchy or Paco Rabanne!

ooo and we ain't always* sensible on here

..And not one of you put the kettle on.. *tsk* Men!!


*looks for the hospitality tin*


Where's the ? I blame 2legs

'Ere, have a and a



Mum!

*begins whipping up the batter for the pancakes on the spot*

Whipping?

Batter?


I worry about that boy, sometimes

You haven't seen him in his thong.

B

That's no Boy! That's a guy with a badger fetish!

No accounting for taste!



* Hi Mum!*

Hello Son!

Oh! I have seen his thong, B!!

Ello Mom! I just did some essential 2 AM online shopping I bought a midi cable and some phono to 1/4" cables and a skype phone thingy Tomorrow i might buy some cheese cheese affects....efects.... fx... me funny *examines the poncho and continues making pancakes*

BABY!!

oo its getting late I oughta think about bed soon

Yep.. me too.. night love

Dude Bob, I'd furthermore like to apologise to you for what you might have seen as a grown-up and mature community.

We hope that, before you leave h2g2 in disgust, you might feel it within yourself to write something within the Writing-Guidelines and submit it to PeerReview as part of the Edited Guide.

B