Watch out for the “One flavor” opinion forum

Bobhaze · Feb 22, 2020

Obviously, the regular season and playoffs have to be the best part of any football season. On an opinion forum about my favorite sports team, I usually have lots of fun seeing differing opinions about the Cowboys, especially during the long offseason without actual games. Some opinions I agree with, some I don’t, but almost always interesting either way.

Some fans like to focus on all the positive possibilities of the future, some like to discuss the pain and frustration of the past, some like to drill down on the details of the Xs and Os, who we should draft, while others like to propose unlikely trades or free agent moves, etc. I’m cool with any and all of these opinion angles.

In fact, I’ve always liked having multiple choices in ice cream flavors.

But for whatever reason, this offseason I’ve seen way less tolerance for differing opinions than I’ve ever seen around this forum. It’s as if only one way of looking at our favorite team is acceptable. That’s not an opinion forum, it’s a country club.

The day only one way of looking at this team is tolerated is the day this place gets boring.

So if you see an opinion you don’t like, remember:

Offer a different opinion without demanding that yours be the only “acceptable” one.
Disagreement is the coin of the realm around here. It’s what makes this forum interesting.
Telling a fellow fan we disagree with to, “Go pick another team to follow” is like saying “we only serve vanilla ice cream here” to a loyal customer who may also like chocolate or butter pecan. It’s disrespectful to the extreme.
Being a Cowboys fan is always worthy of respect.

I’ve been guilty of intolerance at times too. So I’m preaching to myself as well. I’m glad we have a forum that allows lots of opinions. The more flavors the better. Let’s keep it that way. The day we all have to think alike around here is the day this place loses its value.

Vtwin · Feb 22, 2020

So you don't like vanilla ice cream? HATER!
:laugh:

Bobhaze · Feb 22, 2020

Vtwin said:
So you don't like vanilla ice cream? HATER!

Give me some homemade vanilla any day!

Jake · Feb 22, 2020

Bobhaze said:
But for whatever reason, this offseason I’ve seen way less tolerance for differing opinions than I’ve ever seen around this forum. It’s as if only one way of looking at our favorite team is acceptable. That’s not an opinion forum, it’s a country club.

Garrett got fired, so all of our problems are solved now. You're branded "a hater" and told to "find something else to do with your time" by a portion of the fan base, if you aren't buying the initial reasoning.

kskboys · Feb 22, 2020

Agree.

I've seen some of the strangest responses just in the last few days. When presented w/ a cogent argument, the typical response has become the "Nuh uh" variety. Boooooorrriiiinnngggggg.

I think it's the media. They are promoting an extremely polarized world, not to mention promoting strange ideas. Too many sports shows means they have to come up w/ new ideas constantly, or new ways to present ideas. So, weird ideas are being presented, often as truth.

And then watch the sports shows. Instead of discussion and dissecting ideas, we're getting yelling and shouting matches w/ no one even considering the validity of contrasting ideas.

Twitter and such does not help at all. Everyone just presents their idea, w/ no discussion, no room for thought. Very strange world we're entering into.

superonyx · Feb 22, 2020

Bobhaze said:
Obviously, the regular season and playoffs have to be the best part of any football season. On an opinion forum about my favorite sports team, I usually have lots of fun seeing differing opinions about the Cowboys, especially during the long offseason without actual games. Some opinions I agree with, some I don’t, but almost always interesting either way.

Some fans like to focus on all the positive possibilities of the future, some like to discuss the pain and frustration of the past, some like to drill down on the details of the Xs and Os, who we should draft, while others like to propose unlikely trades or free agent moves, etc. I’m cool with any and all of these opinion angles.

In fact, I’ve always liked having multiple choices in ice cream flavors.

But for whatever reason, this offseason I’ve seen way less tolerance for differing opinions than I’ve ever seen around this forum. It’s as if only one way of looking at our favorite team is acceptable. That’s not an opinion forum, it’s a country club.

The day only one way of looking at this team is tolerated is the day this place gets boring.

So if you see an opinion you don’t like, remember:

Offer a different opinion without demanding that yours be the only “acceptable” one.

Disagreement is the coin of the realm around here. It’s what makes this forum interesting.

Telling a fellow fan we disagree with to, “Go pick another team to follow” is like saying “we only serve vanilla ice cream here” to a loyal customer who may also like chocolate or butter pecan. It’s disrespectful to the extreme.

Being a Cowboys fan is always worthy of respect.

I’ve been guilty of intolerance at times too. So I’m preaching to myself as well. I’m glad we have a forum that allows lots of opinions. The more flavors the better. Let’s keep it that way. The day we all have to think alike around here is the day this place loses its value.

Well said.

The other category of fan we have here are the trolls. Just read a Dez thread or a Dak thread or even Zeke thread and you will see them. They get so enraged when you call them a troll and try to pretend its because you dont agree with their opinion ect. The reality is these folks purposely use inflammatory language towards player to upset others and get a response. Then they act like victims. Take Dez wanting to come back for example. Its fine to want him back and its fine to not want him back. But when you post how he is an entitled baby who burned his bridges and is now so stupid that he is broke and begging for a job.... then you are being a troll.

Unfortunately this place has tons of these people. I think they are bored and just enjoy arguing. Especially during this slow time of the year for interesting things to talk about.

kskboys · Feb 22, 2020

superonyx said:
Well said.

The other category of fan we have here are the trolls. Just read a Dez thread or a Dak thread or even Zeke thread and you will see them. They get so enraged when you call them a troll and try to pretend its because you dont agree with their opinion ect. The reality is these folks purposely use inflammatory language towards player to upset others and get a response. Then they act like victims. Take Dez wanting to come back for example. Its fine to want him back and its fine to not want him back. But when you post how he is an entitled baby who burned his bridges and is now so stupid that he is broke and begging for a job.... then you are being a troll.

Unfortunately this place has tons of these people. I think they are bored and just enjoy arguing. Especially during this slow time of the year for interesting things to talk about.

Man, ain't that the truth.

You and I have disagreed, but I don't remember it ever being nasty.

There are several posters who do exactly what you're talking about, saying things in ways that are w/i the rules(Sort of), but are extremely insulting.

ABQCOWBOY · Feb 22, 2020

I KNOW a lot of it is frustration. It's been a long stretch between water holes and if you are in the middle of the Mojave, it can make you a little bit testy for sure.

However, generally, I agree and I commend you Bob. It's a great post you just made, IMO.

CWR · Feb 22, 2020

Bobhaze said:
Obviously, the regular season and playoffs have to be the best part of any football season. On an opinion forum about my favorite sports team, I usually have lots of fun seeing differing opinions about the Cowboys, especially during the long offseason without actual games. Some opinions I agree with, some I don’t, but almost always interesting either way.

Some fans like to focus on all the positive possibilities of the future, some like to discuss the pain and frustration of the past, some like to drill down on the details of the Xs and Os, who we should draft, while others like to propose unlikely trades or free agent moves, etc. I’m cool with any and all of these opinion angles.

In fact, I’ve always liked having multiple choices in ice cream flavors.

But for whatever reason, this offseason I’ve seen way less tolerance for differing opinions than I’ve ever seen around this forum. It’s as if only one way of looking at our favorite team is acceptable. That’s not an opinion forum, it’s a country club.

The day only one way of looking at this team is tolerated is the day this place gets boring.

So if you see an opinion you don’t like, remember:

Offer a different opinion without demanding that yours be the only “acceptable” one.

Disagreement is the coin of the realm around here. It’s what makes this forum interesting.

Telling a fellow fan we disagree with to, “Go pick another team to follow” is like saying “we only serve vanilla ice cream here” to a loyal customer who may also like chocolate or butter pecan. It’s disrespectful to the extreme.

Being a Cowboys fan is always worthy of respect.

I’ve been guilty of intolerance at times too. So I’m preaching to myself as well. I’m glad we have a forum that allows lots of opinions. The more flavors the better. Let’s keep it that way. The day we all have to think alike around here is the day this place loses its value.

Great post. I agree, the differences of opinion on here only serve to make it a more interesting place, AND occasionally someone will educate me and change my mind.

The main thing that bothers me is when fans are unnecessarily rude or mean spirited towards other (Cowboy) fans. We are all Cowboy fans, there is at least some small brotherhood we share there. We (self included) should make more of an effort to be good to one another.

kskboys · Feb 22, 2020

CowboysWillRise said:
Great post. I agree, the differences of opinion on here only serve to make it a more interesting place, AND occasionally someone will educate me and change my mind.

The only thing that bothers me is when fans are unnecessarily rude or mean spirited towards other (Cowboy) fans. We are all Cowboy fans, there is at least some small brotherhood we share there. We (self included) should make more of an effort to be good to one another.

I wanna be good to you. I didn't mean to be bad.

CWR · Feb 22, 2020

kskboys said:
I wanna be good to you. I didn't mean to be bad.

Your always good brother.

CouchCoach · Feb 22, 2020

The problem I have noticed is that we get feud spillover into different threads. Some posters will immediately go on the attack based on the poster, not the post. I've seen this first hand from a few that don't like me. But that's not a problem, I have plenty of discussions and agreements to disagree and still retain respect for that poster and their opinions.

With some, it's like the movie "The Duellists" where they take their fight everywhere and actually seek each other out to continue the duel.

The other issue has been letting one opinion on one topic define a poster in someone's mind and they make assumptions about that person. They also flash on the opinion because it opposes theirs and they don't stop to actually read what that poster wrote.

I try to keep one thing in mind and I get testy just like we all do. That's a human being on that device, how would I speak to them in person. I have a hard time seeing some of the things written here actually said to someone's face but frustrations are high and some people need to take it out on someone and can't do that in person with others.

All in all, I think we do a pretty good job of keeping it in check and many times I've seen posters apologize because they really didn't see the effect of what they wrote until they had the chance to read it.

I do wish other posters would take the "No Hate" pledge that I took, I found myself using that word too much and it is a horrible word. Someone can not be a fan of Prescott as the QB but that doesn't make them a "hater". That gets thrown around way too much.

CouchCoach · Feb 22, 2020

CowboysWillRise said:
Great post. I agree, the differences of opinion on here only serve to make it a more interesting place, AND occasionally someone will educate me and change my mind.

The main thing that bothers me is when fans are unnecessarily rude or mean spirited towards other (Cowboy) fans. We are all Cowboy fans, there is at least some small brotherhood we share there. We (self included) should make more of an effort to be good to one another.

kskboys · Feb 22, 2020

CouchCoach said:
The problem I have noticed is that we get feud spillover into different threads. Some posters will immediately go on the attack based on the poster, not the post. I've seen this first hand from a few that don't like me. But that's not a problem, I have plenty of discussions and agreements to disagree and still retain respect for that poster and their opinions.

With some, it's like the movie "The Duellists" where they take their fight everywhere and actually seek each other out to continue the duel.

The other issue has been letting one opinion on one topic define a poster in someone's mind and they make assumptions about that person. They also flash on the opinion because it opposes theirs and they don't stop to actually read what that poster wrote.

I try to keep one thing in mind and I get testy just like we all do. That's a human being on that device, how would I speak to them in person. I have a hard time seeing some of the things written here actually said to someone's face but frustrations are high and some people need to take it out on someone and can't do that in person with others.

All in all, I think we do a pretty good job of keeping it in check and many times I've seen posters apologize because they really didn't see the effect of what they wrote until they had the chance to read it.

I do wish other posters would take the "No Hate" pledge that I took, I found myself using that word too much and it is a horrible word. Someone can not be a fan of Prescott as the QB but that doesn't make them a "hater". That gets thrown around way too much.

Yup. Happens way too many times.

Often I get untrue crapp thrown at me due to an opinion, especially as it concerns Dak. Say anything about him, and one side will take offense and start insulting.

Funny thing is, I think most people think of Dak as I do, a pretty good player, but not worth 40 mil yet.

CouchCoach · Feb 22, 2020

Bullet, please find another analogy instead of ice cream. There is no such thing as bad ice cream. Even that Blue Bell Listeria tasted pretty good going down.

CouchCoach · Feb 22, 2020

kskboys said:
Yup. Happens way too many times.

Often I get untrue crapp thrown at me due to an opinion, especially as it concerns Dak. Say anything about him, and one side will take offense and start insulting.

Funny thing is, I think most people think of Dak as I do, a pretty good player, but not worth 40 mil yet.

A lot of posts remind me of the old comedy bit, especially the ones with Prescott, Garrett and Romo was classic. "Niagra Falls??? Slowly I turned, step by step, inch by inch…."

Runwildboys · Feb 22, 2020

I think the worst is when people insinuate that there is an "agenda" for some people not being all in on a certain player. It's clear what they're trying to say that "agenda" is, but since they're not allowed to use the word, they keep repeating "agenda", in the hopes that the mere thought of being "agenda based" in that way will make the other poster stop stating his opinion. It's a cheap, dirty, cowardly tactic, and there's no place for it...anywhere.

kskboys · Feb 22, 2020

Runwildboys said:
I think the worst is when people insinuate that there is an "agenda" for some people not being all in on a certain player. It's clear what they're trying to say that "agenda" is, but since they're not allowed to use the word, they keep repeating "agenda", in the hopes that the mere thought of being "agenda based" in that way will make the other poster stop stating his opinion. It's a cheap, dirty, cowardly tactic, and there's no place for it...anywhere.

Ouch!!!!!!!! I absolutely abhor that crapp.

CouchCoach · Feb 22, 2020

Ya know, it's OK not to like someone. But if you find that really does influence your posts, better to just avoid them. I've never used the Ignore feature but I've had threats from others to send me there. I even had a poster take me off Ignore to tell me he was sending me back. That's going the extra mile.

I think Reality should serve these posters better and actually have a PM sent to a poster put on Ignore "Dear CouchCoach, this will serve as formal notice that ____________ has exercised their right to Ignore you. Please do not try to contact this Member and stay at least 10 posts away. If this Member decides to forgive your impudence and actually acknowledge your existence once again, you will be contacted. As a reminder, it is against the rules to Ignore this Member now as the Ignorer has the first right of Ignoring over the Ignoree".

CouchCoach · Feb 22, 2020

Runwildboys said:
I think the worst is when people insinuate that there is an "agenda" for some people not being all in on a certain player. It's clear what they're trying to say that "agenda" is, but since they're not allowed to use the word, they keep repeating "agenda", in the hopes that the mere thought of being "agenda based" in that way will make the other poster stop stating his opinion. It's a cheap, dirty, cowardly tactic, and there's no place for it...anywhere.

I sense a "hidden agenda" here.

Watch out for the “One flavor” opinion forum

Bobhaze

Vtwin

Safety third

Bobhaze

Jake

Beyond tired of Jerry

kskboys

Well-Known Member

superonyx

Well-Known Member

kskboys

Well-Known Member

ABQCOWBOY

Regular Joe....

CWR

Well-Known Member

kskboys

Well-Known Member

CWR

Well-Known Member

CouchCoach

CouchCoach

kskboys

Well-Known Member

CouchCoach

CouchCoach

Runwildboys

Confused about stuff

kskboys

Well-Known Member

CouchCoach

CouchCoach