Star Trek

Lately I've been noticing that members are being harsh with new members on the Star Trek forums here like with randy.kerr for example. Just because they don't write responses that don't relate with the topic/thread it doesn't necessarilly mean that they are spammer or troll. If they don't understand the topic or format of a certain thread then it is OUR job to help them undertand the Star Trek forums/thread. It maybe stressful and  frustrating for some of you but at least you are helping a fellow Trekkie/Trekker to be part of this community. Just be patient. If the new comer is being obnoxious by repeating the same comment over and over again especially after explaining to them about the Forum/thread and is  saying rude comments on here then that is a troll/spammer.

If you are a new member and don't understand certain threads do not be afraid to ask for help or skip to the forums/threads that you can relate too.

Unfortunately, it seems to be a time honored ritual here to show hostility to the newbies. Several factors come into play

1) Territoriality. People want to feel as if they control the site and therefore see newbies as a threat to their control.

2) Use of doubles. This creates suspicion and paranoia.

3) Some times it is just fun to take advantage of the lack of understanding to allusions based on knowledge of each other that goes back in some case for years.

4) As Lady Data indicated, frustration with trying to communicate with somebody who just doesn't seem to "get it".

I agree that hostility is generally unwarranted. Frustration should be handled by silence rather than being abusive. As for having some fun at the expense of somebody's naivete, that is just too hard for even me to resist. Such fun should at least be gentle, perhaps also doubling as a way to test a new persons patience and sense of humor.

Just my two cents, not that I actually expect to change anybody's mind or behavior patterns.

I rarely look at a person's post count or even name when I respond to them.   And if I happen to notice a noob I usually welcome them.   Other than that I just respond like I do to anyone else.

wissa: "I rarely look at a person's ... name when I respond to them."

Hmmm....recent experience would tend to cause me to believe that this is true.

:lol:  I just noticed a couple weeks ago that caltrek and I were on more than one board together 

I have to say when I first started, I took my time and swayed from stating my opinions. Once my count went up I started to spread out. I was "afraid" at first but once I got my feet wet, I went all in.

I think it's sorta like that of being a rookie on a team in sports. Or being a freshman in high school. It's sorta like a right of passage. Not that it's right but it happens.

Reedworftripparis,

Excellent and thoughtful post. Yes, it is like a right of passage. I remember going through that right of passage here at Ten Forward when I was older than most of the "veteran" posters. Didn't stop me from having to learn the ropes.

Being a newb myself. I must say that I haven't experienced any harsh behaviour from any one so far. Must be because I'm such a nice guy.

Not being a nice guy certainly explains why I had to  undergo a rite of passage early on.

Thank you caltrek2. 

How sweet of you LadyData to show your concern, a true lady...

This forum has always been "cut throat" in many ways, you just need to not take such aggressors seriously, many of whom are drunk or on drugs...

btw, cool name LadyData...

thank you Lady Data

sometimes, i feel frustrated when no one responce my comments (did i say something wrong?)

I always wonder what happens if we be nice to trolls? I dont see why we would be mean to newbies.It hard to have a good trek discussion with some one in person becuse there arn't so many trekkies/trekkers out there so why should we be mean to a rare oppertuiny. lm pretty young and all of you are atleast in colledge but when i talk with you guys I totlly forget.

Let us all not forget that we as Star Trek Fans are outcasts in society. We may be more imaginative more enlightened but our society sees us as geeks. I've been lucky in this aspect to look "tough" but I constantly defend the physically challenged Star Trek fans. My wife says that I'm a geek in wolf's clothing. It is important that we respect each other's opinions since we all come from all walks of life. I think Star Trek was a blessing to us all in that we can imagine a world where we are all accepted. Hell Quark married a Klingon woman. If you can imagine it you can achieve it. Be patient with the newbies, it might be you one day getting belittled in everyday life for being a Star Trek Geek.

I see lots of people say this, but I don't see anywhere or anyone who has ever treated me like an outcast because I like Star Trek. I do not see it as any kind of stigma at all. If anything, people usually think it's cool when they find out I'm into Star Trek.