An Important APC Announcement

by Mitchell_M on Oct 3, 2009 8:42 AM CDT Comment 31 comments

To the commenting community of Acme Packing Company,

This week has been one of the most intriguing time periods in the history of the site. As online media continues to grow and the role of reader participation helps shape where it's going, we've seen the most interaction and discussion in the history of APC. Needless to say, this is a good thing. APC and the rest of the SB Nation family of sites takes great pride in the ability for readers to add their opinions and insight to the user-generated posts. APC has had an unprecedented spike in both hits and commentary, and we have you to thank for that.

Unfortunately, whenever you have an explosion of growth from the commentariat, there's one ill-fated side effect.

Flame wars.

I have seen the threads on the stories from the past week. I have read each and every single comment made on Brandon's and my articles. About 90% of the time, I'm pleased that we have such a lively and insightful bunch patrolling the posts. But I've been growing more and more troubled about the minority that use the comments section as an arena to hold their petty arguments, shouting matches, and pissing contests.

I refuse to name any specific individuals here, and nobody else should point fingers here either. But it needs to end now.

Brandon and I have been lenient this week because of the emotional baggage that comes with this week's newsworthy matchup. People need to vent their frustrations somewhere, and this is a good forum for it. But when the frustration turns away from football and towards each other, we have gone astray.

Because this is a community, everyone shares an equal part of the blame for this turn of events. People come here to read Packer news, analysis, and opinions, and that's exactly what they should get. If you cannot or will not contribute to that goal, or at least refrain from blocking it, then we have a problem. Brandon and I do not want to spend our time patrolling the comments section for trolls and fire-starters. But if you cannot police yourselves, then we need to do it for you.

That said, consider this an official warning to everybody on APC. I do not care if you've been here since the beginning or you signed up yesterday. We all have equal standing on this site, and everybody will be held accountable. If you cannot conduct yourselves in a civil manner, we will have to take action. Consider this a blanket declaration of probation for any and all APC members.

Stop the flame wars, now.

No action has been taken yet, and Brandon and I would very much like to avoid taking any action whatsoever. But if the flame wars continue, we will take the necessary steps to end them.

For those of you who feel that this is a form of unwarranted censorship, I kindly ask you to cram it. Flame wars can ruin sites if they get out of hand, and I will not stand idly by and let this wonderful community be undermined by a few people's petty arguments. If you feel this new policy is problematic, please contact me via e-mail with your concerns.

We all have a responsibility to keep ourselives in line. Nobody is above accountability, myself included. Let's cut the crap, ladies and gentlemen. I grow weary of it.

Sincerely,

Mitchell_M

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Comments

And don't even think about starting something in this post

My patience has worn thin.

"Brandon Jennings needs a nickname before he gives himself one. Oh wait, Young Money, he already did."

by Mitchell_M on Oct 3, 2009 8:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

HILARIOUS!

"MY FANS THEY CAN'T WAIT FOREVER FOREVER"

by jcredfern on Oct 3, 2009 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good Day Sir..

I SAID Good Day SIR!

by jeezybaby43 on Oct 3, 2009 9:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm, to avoid coming deja vu, objectivity and well-written narratives can also found at Packer Backer Bog. Afterall it's all good for Packer nation and all writers have equal voices. Fans visit http://www.packerbackerblog.com/

"MY FANS THEY CAN'T WAIT FOREVER FOREVER"

by jcredfern on Oct 3, 2009 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bigger life lessons are woven into this article

…the world of our modern “attack first” politics has created a training ground for highly irrational conjecture-based thinking patterns. (Conjecture- The formation of judgments or opinions on the basis of incomplete or inconclusive information). One of the hardest things to learn in life is that emotions do not equal truth.
The GBPG/Packersnews website has become a stomping ground for propagating this type of insanity.
Thanks for your attempts to keep things conscious, intelligent, and real.

When communicating with emotionally-tainted reactive thinkers I first try to get them to understand the concept of objective thinking.
Objectivity= the ability to perceive or describe things without being influenced by personal emotions or prejudices.
Our world will evolve to much healthier levels if we avoid falling or being pulled into the non-objective trap. Instead take it to the higher levels of thinking, i.e., “don’t feed the trolls.”

by docg on Oct 3, 2009 11:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It's not that hard...

One of the hardest things to learn in life is that emotions do not equal truth

I learned that when I was 5. Of course, that was back when they could still punish you in kindergarden. I’m old.

by RobertArthur on Oct 3, 2009 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good post

I agree with you, debate is good but when it gets personal that’s no fun.

by Pack Man on Oct 3, 2009 11:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Fire TT/MM!!!

blarghblarghblarghBrettFavrerabblerabblerabble

That’s the only comment that keeps getting on my nerves. I love this site because it’s the only place I feel that’s for and by Packer fans that offers nice, objective analysis and debate. I’m a member of the Blazersedge blog that’s also part of SB-Nation and they have one of the biggest followings in the blogosphere in general, so that’s what led me here (that and that I own a messageboard where people from all over the country discuss sports and other things and I didn’t want to keep overwhelming everyone with my Packer opinions) but it’s sad to see that some of the TT/MM trolls (what’s so hard about spelling out Thompson or McCarthy, anyways? Is it that novel that they happen to be two people with duplicate letters for initials?) that you see so often in the Journal-Sentinel/GBPG comments section make their way over here.

It’s giving my flagging finger nice exercise, though. I suggest others do the same. Mitchell and Brandon are doing a great job as far as I can tell, and it’s great to see the community is alive and growing. But there’s no need to respond negatively to people, i.e. feed the trolls- just flag ’em and move on.

by vitaminx on Oct 3, 2009 2:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You're Right

And I’ve fed the trolls when I shouldn’t have as well. The thing that is weird to me is that I can completely see a teenager or a pre-teen making comment after comment on every Packer board about how they hate Thompson and McCarthy (I didn’t put MM and TT just for you vita) and how they love Favre and he’s the greatest, but I’ve come to believe that most of those are middle age guys trying to rile people up. It just boggles my mind.

Most of us here just want to talk about straight Packer football and it is so nauseating when some posters have to bring up their hate for our management every post. People are gonna have disagreements and it’s even ok to get mad and not be that polite on occasion, but as long as it stays on Packer topics that’s how it should be.

by GGGamer on Oct 3, 2009 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

at the same time,

we don’t want to censor opinions that we don’t share. people may not like McCarthy or Thompson for several reasons, and they should feel able to express that on this site. Of course, as long as they’re able to avoid trolling, which is hard to do.

"Brandon Jennings needs a nickname before he gives himself one. Oh wait, Young Money, he already did."

by Mitchell_M on Oct 3, 2009 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

No one should have their opinions censored when it comes to the Packers, it’s when other things are brought up that get people going. This is a Packer site so McCarthy and Thompson will definitely come up and that’s fine. I always stayed away from message boards and things like this cause I knew I would get wrapped up in these discussions but I never expected there would be personal attacks and so much off topic stuff going on. I’m sure 99% of fans on here will be 100% happy if we talk Packers and only Packers.

by GGGamer on Oct 3, 2009 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Like or dislike has nothing to do with it

It’s not personal with Thompson or McCarthy (I will stop using internet shorthand to identify them, at the request of vitaminx), or even Favre. It’s a simple matter of evaluating their performance. I have set out my opinions and my skin is thick enough to deal with anything anybody wants to dish out.

by ktenreb on Oct 3, 2009 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks Mitchell

You and Brandon do a great job running the site and writing your articles, keep it up!

by bizzle4 on Oct 3, 2009 3:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree...

…wholeheartedly. We’ve all mentioned before that the great writing and previously absent flaming were what drew many of us here. There is a huge difference between censorship and moderating within a community. I consider this a democracy of sorts. If the majority of well meaning members here feel any particular poster has moved the conversation into counterproductive and mean spirited paths, they should be limited in their participation. If the moderators overstep their role I am confident the rest of the community wil make their feelings known.

by soliman on Oct 3, 2009 7:04 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

If the moderators overstep their role I am confident the rest of the community wil make their feelings known.

Blast! My scheme for an online totalitarian state…RUINED!

"Brandon Jennings needs a nickname before he gives himself one. Oh wait, Young Money, he already did."

by Mitchell_M on Oct 3, 2009 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Keep the water bucket handy

Removing posts that are tangential to the purpose of the site is not censorship. It’s just good sanitation.

by 50 years and Counting on Oct 3, 2009 5:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

APC is a great blog

I like the SBN blogs a lot, another I frequent is blazersedge.com, which has done a phenomenal job of dealing with an influx of readership while keeping the quality of their comments high. We as members of this community just have to do our best to respect each others’ opinions and engage in intelligent debate rather than let our comments deteriorate into baseless accusations and trolling.

Things happen for a reason they say, but I say there's a reason things happen.

by sixth on Oct 3, 2009 5:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

One more thing

I mentioned blazersedge. One thing they have done an excellent job of is they have not hesitated to hand out short-term bans to first time offenders. They also often ban both parties involved, it takes two to tango after all.

Things happen for a reason they say, but I say there's a reason things happen.

by sixth on Oct 3, 2009 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

don't tell me how to party!

this one time, when I was four, I got a kernel of corn stuck in my nose… I love this site, and Wisconsin football. phase 1 complete- go packers! by the way, did you see the gopher mascot sporting a favre jersey? the energy was all wrong, as if the game matters less than "sticking it to Wisconsin. seems more like an inferiority complex caused by years of suckitude

by warvette on Oct 3, 2009 7:23 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Stop the wars. Treat others with respect. It isn’t their fault they’re Vikings fans.

by cr8f on Oct 3, 2009 9:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We've had several posts along this line over at Bleed Cubbie Blue.

One thing I have always tried to do there is have nice conversations with fans of other teams. I really think it adds to the site when fans of other teams join the conversation … you get a perspective you might not have gotten otherwise.

Clearly, there are the people who will cause trouble. But I have almost never had a problem with an opposing fan.

Also, I think the fact that Brett Favre is playing against the Packers has something to do with the animosities that we have seen here.

"I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."
-Anne Frank-

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Oct 3, 2009 10:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

screw the cubs

;)

Or if Peterson's "troublesome" back gives out. Because he's, you know, carrying the team. And some of those guys are heavy.

Mitchell M

by blackoutsox on Oct 3, 2009 11:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, we (the Cubs) suck.

At least, it’s going to make the playoffs easier to watch.

"I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."
-Anne Frank-

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Oct 4, 2009 12:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry

For any dumb arguments I’ve been a part of. You know how it can be when someone puts down your beloved Packers haha.

But you and Brandon do a great job running this site, and I really appreciate it. Thanks!!

by packallday555 on Oct 4, 2009 2:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Flaming Haiku

Brett Favre is on fire
Packers play “Douse the Diva”
4’s flames fizzle
http://FavreHaiku.com

Clark Osborn - PackerHaiku.com | FavreHaiku.com | BadgerHaiku.com

by PackerHaiku on Oct 4, 2009 7:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

milwaukee bears fan/eternal favre hater here

i enjoy the good work you boys do over here. it’s a great place to come and get perspective of the other team. keep up the good work gentlemen!

"This one means 'Kill Kirk!!!!'... And also, 'hallelujah'... Depending on the context."

by trippingandy on Oct 4, 2009 6:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bringing some light-hearted humor to the APC!!!

DON’T BE THIS GUY!!!

I appreciate the work done here, and the arguments that take place. I am on various forums covering a multitude of subjects. Flame wars only keep people away who are on the fence about sharing their ideas. At another forum where I moderate, a lot of times you will get PM’s about a subject since the person is too afraid to share something due to the quick and heavy hand of someone who will flame them. So I appreciate the method of discussion here. :)

Looking to buy: General Manager Deputy Badge

by Bush League All Star on Oct 4, 2009 9:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

good post

and probably a good idea the day before Brett Favre beats his old team.

by dsludo on Oct 4, 2009 10:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

As a new reader/member, I'm SHOCKED that only 2 people run this place. I'm impressed.

Having troubles with wrapping my mind around Kirbir listening to T.I.

by Dikembe Meiztombo on Oct 4, 2009 11:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ah, I see some of my boyz are here, too.

Niceness

Having troubles with wrapping my mind around Kirbir listening to T.I.

by Dikembe Meiztombo on Oct 4, 2009 11:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree On Post Thoughts

I dislike the many yahoo “fan” comments I see on Yahoo commentator’s posts reference not only GB/Vikings, but all other teams….I do not even bother reading them anymore, because is mainly just garbage and hate….I “discovered” the SB nation sites oh I guess over the summer….thank goodness!

Your site and DN site (and others) are for me a place as a “vikingfanfrom afar” I can come to and “feel” that mid-west groove lol! The discussion can get heated at times and certainly there are barbs between posters, but in a manner that is civilized for the most part…Also there is some good football info passed between the fans…a good thing…

If what it takes to keep it that way is a post such as this, I am all for it. I am a Vikings fan, but also a Mid-West fan. We are some of the best people on earth hehe! I have been to many places and always enjoy meeting someone from there….this extends all the way into Canada (Ontario and Manitoba) by the way…

Keep up the good work and let’s have a great game tonight, no matter who wins (probably Vikes lol)….Either way, there will be a second chance for the losing team….Looking forward to that one too! Version 1.1!

SKOL!

I would rather be IN the Arena than watching from the stands...That is my life!
* Read Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" if you need further explanation...

by vikingfanfrom afar on Oct 5, 2009 6:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs