how does this happen?

at some point, FC used to be a friendly, chummy, wry wit kind of place.

then it turned into a sarcastic, snitty sort of place.

note how to understand Jayel's post, you'd have to know his background - it's 'humor', but it's a biting, bitchy humor from a group mod.

then note the one user who doesn't know Jayel and who is likely new to the group.

because the post's irony is lost on her, in her mind, she is saying, "hey, can't we be friendlier?"

and the response to her is, "you are an idiot since you don't get the irony."

so... where does that culture go? can it ever be turned back to a friendlier, wry yet welcoming place?

FC had much worse times, during which blatant aggression was the norm. I tried to bring it back to a more respectful level...

And I think it improved a lot during the last year.

Then again, when the site's staff themselves project a clear dismissive and passive aggressive tone... the culture can't be good.

Certain moderating elements give up and move out.

simple. all the nice people moved to utata, and brock was made an admin, institutionalizing his attitude.

the utata model is best. people can get bounced merely for being impolite, whereas brock's whole schtick is impoliteness.

can hardly disagree with that...

about the "not getting it"... there is this culture of saying the most obnoxious things and later disclaiming as "a joke! hahaha".

how come I'm not seeing my reply to this plurk?? weird.

you replied to this plurk?

oh, I didn't have the whole background on brock before. Makes sense.

yes, I replied saying that this plurk had prompted me to actually reply in that thread.