OOTS #857 - The Discussion Thread

[Jay R]

No, we're really not. My initial post was probably poorly worded, but the point I was trying to make was that I thought we should give the dragon comic less weight because it was a scene that was only being played up for laughs, thereby excluding everything else. The inclusion of that one word probably would have saved us a couple of posts.

I'm sorry if it seems like I'm being pointlessly argumentative. We really do pretty much agree on this issue.

It's not pointlessly argumentative. We eventually understood each other and came to a mutual conclusion. That's what argument is for at its finest.

[oppyu]

You two must be the wisest posters on the internet. Please teach the rest of the internet. Starting with this forum.

[lio45]

You two must be the wisest posters on the internet. Please teach the rest of the internet. Starting with this forum.

Honestly, it's not as bad as you make it sound. I often see reasonable users coming to mutual conclusions, or at the very least, narrowing down the argument to "we realize we agree on mostly everything, but disagree on this one core point, which is more or less a matter of opinion anyway (like deciding what weight should be assigned to a marginal piece of comic evidence, for example), so let's stop there."

[rewinn]

Honestly, it's not as bad as you make it sound. I often see reasonable users coming to mutual conclusions, or at the very least, narrowing down the argument to "we realize we agree on mostly everything, but disagree on this one core point, which is more or less a matter of opinion anyway (like deciding what weight should be assigned to a marginal piece of comic evidence, for example), so let's stop there."

Sometimes it seems that the structure of internet forums reward argumentation. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it may explain why we seem to spend so much time disagreeing when, really, we mostly enjoy the comic and each other's company.

I theorize that a comment like "I really liked the punchline in the last panel" doesn't really offer much of a place to go for conversation, because there's not a lot in it to disagree on, and merely saying, "Yes, I agree" is not good conversation. Some people give detailed analysis of WHY they liked a particular strip, and I find that interesting, but again, not much room for conversation.

OTOH a comment like, "The Order should warn every power on the planet about the existential threat posed by Xykon" lead to a bit of argument, probably because there are a lot of things in it that people can disagree on and therefore make a long conversation.

I suppose the important thing to keep in mind that we argue because we enjoy interacting with each other. Other types of interacting encourage different ratios of cooperation and disagreement, e.g. wiki development, gaming.

[Jay R]

Sometimes it seems that the structure of internet forums reward argumentation. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it may explain why we seem to spend so much time disagreeing when, really, we mostly enjoy the comic and each other's company.

Assume 100 people on a forum agree, but two people disagree about one abstruse side issue. After the points everyone agrees on have been made, that discussion is over.

But the two who disagree on a side issue keep talking. This is a feature, not a bug, as long as you remember that the goal is to consider other ideas than your own, and to let other people consider yours.

[Smolder]

Sometimes it seems that the structure of internet forums reward argumentation.

Actually, forums that score their posts don't have such problems. The trolls and morons fall to the bottom and the insightful posts float to the top. The problem is that chronological ordering of posts rewards the people who post the most often, even if they're just arguing pointlessly or trolling for reactions.

[Fitzclowningham]

I wish I had something to talk about here.

[Forikroder]

Actually, forums that score their posts don't have such problems. The trolls and morons fall to the bottom and the insightful posts float to the top. The problem is that chronological ordering of posts rewards the people who post the most often, even if they're just arguing pointlessly or trolling for reactions.

TBH i dont think those sort of forums are good for having discussion since posts move around so much its hard to really get a discussion going its really only effective to put your opinion

[rewinn]

I wish I had something to talk about here.

I especially liked the drawing of Blackwing in panel 7, with the wing arranged into a finger pointing for emphasis. Blackwing is showing real character growth balancing a practical attitude toward the problem at hand with an unsentimental analysis of V's past biggest mistake.

[arcticintel]

I love how Zz'ditri is pointing out the trap as its smashing the mummy into the pit. I imagine he's using a real sarcastic tone of voice, in as much as he uses different tones.

[rewinn]

I love how Zz'ditri is pointing out the trap as its smashing the mummy into the pit. I imagine he's using a real sarcastic tone of voice, in as much as he uses different tones.

A sarcastic stage whisper carries extra sarcasm!

[Monation]

{{scrubbed}}

[EmperorSarda]

3 weeks since last update. Wow.

Patience young padawan. The Giant has the Kickstarter issues to deal with. We'll get an update soon.

[Chessgeek]

3 weeks since last update. Wow.

Elan was put in charge of the "update schedule" after the Kickstarter fund. He has since decided to add several dramatic pauses to spice up the action.

But in all seriousness, just wait a little bit. The Giant is trying to make everyone happy, so it's taking a little while.

But look on the bright side! The longer we go without an update, the more intellectual the discussion gets!

[oppyu]

Elan was put in charge of the "update schedule" after the Kickstarter fund. He has since decided to add several dramatic pauses to spice up the action.

But in all seriousness, just wait a little bit. The Giant is trying to make everyone happy, so it's taking a little while.

But look on the bright side! The longer we go without an update, the more intellectual the discussion gets!

Roy has boobies! *giggle*

[Kaulguard]

Sigh. And people thought the title of 854 was screwing with them...





*Harrumph* Yes, yes, Kickstarter and whatnot. *Ahem* Hear, hear, cheerio! Schedules to keep and so on and so forth. Admirable, really, wot wot? *Harrumph* Elven military, you say? Do go on, old boy!

[Finagle]

Patience young padawan. The Giant has the Kickstarter issues to deal with. We'll get an update soon.

It's not kickstarter. It's summer vacation. The kickstarter has changed priorities. Updating the online comic is way, way down there now. Working on actual moneymaking projects, and taking some time off now that it can be afforded, are the priorities now. It happens to everyone who "makes it" at their formerly unprofitable job. It happened to me...except I hired people to do all the new work. I imagine it's a bit tougher to hire someone to update the online comic as it's all one man's style.

[Mike Havran]

Sigh. And people thought the title of 854 was screwing with them...

Well, the current title may also foreshadow how this forum is going to look like

[EmperorSarda]

It's not kickstarter. It's summer vacation. The kickstarter has changed priorities. Updating the online comic is way, way down there now. Working on actual moneymaking projects, and taking some time off now that it can be afforded, are the priorities now. It happens to everyone who "makes it" at their formerly unprofitable job. It happened to me...except I hired people to do all the new work. I imagine it's a bit tougher to hire someone to update the online comic as it's all one man's style.

I only say Kickstarter based on the update he sent last week.