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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2021 11:53:23 GMT
I’m not sure whether it is just me or whether others feel the same but having been an avid reader and occasional poster on this forum for years - it seems to me that it has / is becoming much more divisive and borderline aggressive…
I’m not sure why it is - whether lockdown and the strain of the difficult environment we have been living in these last 18 odd months, coupled with the on field decline in our team has affected things or not; but every single thread seems to be so binary and just turns in to borderline aggressive arguments - there seems to be no empathy from anyone and I find it really sad how toxic this forum seems to be becoming.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all up for debate and good discussion but views seem to be so extreme these days that pretty much every thread seems to be such a depressing read…
As a fan base our strength always was in how we could unite to support the club and team (even if we didn’t always agree amongst ourselves) and we were the true definition of faithful and true through all sorts of adversity we have faced. I’m not 100% sure these days though!
The kit launch, Ayunga, new signings, #hergametoo and Cash, pre season friendly games, the quarters, Joey Barton, Widdrington, Covid restrictions at the ground, the shop not being open, pretty much any communication that’s currently being released etc - everything seems to be criticised and pretty strongly non stop.
Now don’t get me wrong, when it comes to JB he is a marmite character and he has ‘history’ that influences people’s opinions and views - I get that. What I find disappointing is that without knowing facts or even any of the story, people take a sensationalist headline and immediately demand he is sacked. Now I am in no way condoning anything and I am firmly of the opinion that if found guilty then he should be sacked for misconduct and bringing the reputation of Bristol Rovers into disrepute. However, learning from the Caroline Flack incident which the CPS progressed and sadly caused her suicide, and it was later proven that what was reported was grossly exaggerated and unsupportable - I do believe that a person should be treated as innocent until proven guilty. However, I can understand other peoples views and whilst I may not wholly agree with them, I’m not one who has a given right to say their view is any more or less valid than mine - I think we can agree to hold different views and leave it at that rather than trying to argue one view is right and the other wrong.
On other things, I just don’t get why we appear to be so binary and divisive.
I used to believe that this forum was the most balanced between here and the other one but these days I don’t believe it is. I have toyed with deleting my profile on here and coming off of the forum completely but I know that within a week or so I’ll end up just wanting to rejoin and I’ll only end up continuing to read it all anyway as a ‘guest’…
So all I can do is politely ask that we take a step back and look at ourselves individually and learn to and show more respect to each other and look to discuss and debate with a level of empathy? It’ll make this place better and more fun again. It will also hopefully make the mods lives on here easier as I’m pretty certain some of the stuff on here has gone pretty close to the time out or ban lines!
Thanks !
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Post by Dirt Dogg on Jul 27, 2021 12:03:37 GMT
Good post, to be honest with everything going on it’s the first time I’ve ever questioned is it even worth it supporting Rovers. We were more positive after getting relegated to the conference!
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Post by Hugh Jarsole on Jul 27, 2021 12:04:31 GMT
I’m not sure whether it is just me or whether others feel the same but having been an avid reader and occasional poster on this forum for years - it seems to me that it has / is becoming much more divisive and borderline aggressive… I’m not sure why it is - whether lockdown and the strain of the difficult environment we have been living in these last 18 odd months, coupled with the on field decline in our team has affected things or not; but every single thread seems to be so binary and just turns in to borderline aggressive arguments - there seems to be no empathy from anyone and I find it really sad how toxic this forum seems to be becoming. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all up for debate and good discussion but views seem to be so extreme these days that pretty much every thread seems to be such a depressing read… As a fan base our strength always was in how we could unite to support the club and team (even if we didn’t always agree amongst ourselves) and we were the true definition of faithful and true through all sorts of adversity we have faced. I’m not 100% sure these days though! The kit launch, Ayunga, new signings, #hergametoo and Cash, pre season friendly games, the quarters, Joey Barton, Widdrington, Covid restrictions at the ground, the shop not being open, pretty much any communication that’s currently being released etc - everything seems to be criticised and pretty strongly non stop. Now don’t get me wrong, when it comes to JB he is a marmite character and he has ‘history’ that influences people’s opinions and views - I get that. What I find disappointing is that without knowing facts or even any of the story, people take a sensationalist headline and immediately demand he is sacked. Now I am in no way condoning anything and I am firmly of the opinion that if found guilty then he should be sacked for misconduct and bringing the reputation of Bristol Rovers into disrepute. However, learning from the Caroline Flack incident which the CPS progressed and sadly caused her suicide, and it was later proven that what was reported was grossly exaggerated and unsupportable - I do believe that a person should be treated as innocent until proven guilty. However, I can understand other peoples views and whilst I may not wholly agree with them, I’m not one who has a given right to say their view is any more or less valid than mine - I think we can agree to hold different views and leave it at that rather than trying to argue one view is right and the other wrong. On other things, I just don’t get why we appear to be so binary and divisive. I used to believe that this forum was the most balanced between here and the other one but these days I don’t believe it is. I have toyed with deleting my profile on here and coming off of the forum completely but I know that within a week or so I’ll end up just wanting to rejoin and I’ll only end up continuing to read it all anyway as a ‘guest’… So all I can do is politely ask that we take a step back and look at ourselves individually and learn to and show more respect to each other and look to discuss and debate with a level of empathy? It’ll make this place better and more fun again. It will also hopefully make the mods lives on here easier as I’m pretty certain some of the stuff on here has gone pretty close to the time out or ban lines! Thanks ! There's been a few times I've written an epic ranting post only to read through it before sending it and thought... Nah, and deleting it, sometimes just writing it casts out the demons in my head |
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Post by cockergas on Jul 27, 2021 12:04:48 GMT
Excellent post 👍
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Post by simonj on Jul 27, 2021 12:15:14 GMT
Good post, to be honest with everything going on it’s the first time I’ve ever questioned is it even worth it supporting Rovers. We were more positive after getting relegated to the conference! TBH DD, i think the lockdown has taken its toll in more ways than one. My own household doesnt have much harmony let alone work and sport. I cant wait to get to the Mem and see the team, whoever is in charge and whoever starts i want to be there and shouting the lads on. Ive renewed my ST and cant wait to get away from the house. |
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Post by GasAttacK on Jul 27, 2021 12:25:47 GMT
Great post bluestickgas.
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Post by Hugo the Elder on Jul 27, 2021 12:29:09 GMT
Yeah, good OP that.
In fairness I don't think we as Mods are necessarily setting the best example either.
I know I'm not.
But it's probably a fair reflection on how we are all feeling.
I also believe there are still one or two posters on here, some with multiple accounts who are only here to stir the pot and disrupt the forum.
We are gradually weeding them out.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2021 12:33:15 GMT
Great post bluestick I too don't post much these days for the very reasons you've outlined.
I would hope that some of those who act as judge, jury and executioner might take a moment to reflect.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2021 12:33:21 GMT
Good post, to be honest with everything going on it’s the first time I’ve ever questioned is it even worth it supporting Rovers. We were more positive after getting relegated to the conference! TBH DD, i think the lockdown has taken its toll in more ways than one. My own household doesnt have much harmony let alone work and sport. I cant wait to get to the Mem and see the team, whoever is in charge and whoever starts i want to be there and shouting the lads on. Ive renewed my ST and cant wait to get away from the house. Always good to take a step back and breathe. Memories of walking up Filton Ave, Pint in the Inn on the Green or the Welly, Thatcher's Slush getting through the Turnstiles stood behind the goal with your kids with there mates somewhere at the back of the Blackthorn with your younger ones with their mates next to you watching the build up. That's what its all about, and thank god we are not far away from that reality again. Great Post well done and UTG. |
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Post by gashead1981 on Jul 27, 2021 12:33:58 GMT
Yeah, good OP that. In fairness I don't think we as Mods are necessarily setting the best example either. I know I'm not. But it's probably a fair reflection on how we are all feeling. I also believe there are still one or two posters on here, some with multiple accounts who are only here to stir the pot and disrupt the forum. We are gradually weeding them out. Probably because we have always viewed ourselves as posters first and mods second. I often find it a hard thing to balance as I can be quite opinionated by nature. Going back to the OP, I think it’s been a frustration of a terrible mix of pandemics, lock downs, for some, deaths in their family or severe illness even loss of employment. The one release we have is Rovers and even that’s turned out to be an utter mess, with not being able to watch it and then getting relegated. One thing is for sure that the goodwill that was shown in abundance at the start of the pandemic has well and truly run out. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2021 12:50:35 GMT
I think the thing that binds the majority of us together is that we truly care for our Club...
With all that has gone on in the World we truly need BRFC as our 'escape' and something to hopefully get positive over.
Sadly our club has been horrendously mismanaged over the last few years by Boardroom and Touchline frauds and what was once our 'escape' has now dragged us down with all the other crap going on.
Throw in the odd on here who thrives on sh** stirring and it's no wonder the forum is now a Roller Coaster of Emotion !!
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Post by baggins on Jul 27, 2021 12:56:32 GMT
I think the thing that binds the majority of us together is that we truly care for our Club... With all that has gone on in the World we truly need BRFC as our 'escape' and something to hopefully get positive over. Sadly our club has been horrendously mismanaged over the last few years by Boardroom and Touchline frauds and what was once our 'escape' has now dragged us down with all the other crap going on. Throw in the odd on here who thrives on sh** stirring and it's no wonder the forum is now a Roller Coaster of Emotion !! I think the Boardroom frauds were shown the door a few Seasons ago. As were a few forum trouble makers (although I'm sure a few are still hanging about). But mis-managed? Not sure about that. |
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Post by gasify on Jul 27, 2021 13:00:54 GMT
I think the forum is just reflecting what is happening in society at the moment.
There has been a few events that have massively divided the population:
Brexit
BLM
Lockdowns
Mask wearing
England Football
Tory vs labour
If anything the whole country is more divided than it has every been and of course we here echo society.
I see on various Rovers Facebook groups that the stock answer some times is bell end, muppet, get down to Ashton Gate and other abuses.
If you find yourself abusing the poster, rather than the post then take a rest from the forum. Life is too short for that kind of stress.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2021 13:02:02 GMT
Good post, to be honest with everything going on it’s the first time I’ve ever questioned is it even worth it supporting Rovers. We were more positive after getting relegated to the conference! Ironic that this forum was formed at that time. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2021 13:05:47 GMT
Great post 'bluestickgas - exactly what I would like to have said, but you've said it so much better. UTG
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Post by purdownpoacher1 on Jul 27, 2021 13:11:37 GMT
Ali want to do is get back to watching The Gas - COVID and controversy free ! Will that ever happen ! 😩💙utg
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Post by CrispPusher on Jul 27, 2021 13:13:40 GMT
A good point well made.
As someone who reads and occasionally uses both this and the Alternative Forum, I'd like to add I find the piety and attitude on this forum towards the members of the other forum pretty vile.
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Post by axegas on Jul 27, 2021 13:16:22 GMT
A good point well made. As someone who reads and occasionally uses both this and the Alternative Forum, I'd like to add I find the piety and attitude on this forum towards the members of the other forum pretty vile. In fairness, I’ve seen comments made from members of the other forum directed to this forum that have been just as insulting. Never understood why there has to be a rivalry to be honest, we’re all just Gasheads. |
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Post by Hugo the Elder on Jul 27, 2021 13:19:57 GMT
A good point well made. As someone who reads and occasionally uses both this and the Alternative Forum, I'd like to add I find the piety and attitude on this forum towards the members of the other forum pretty vile. So do I. |
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Post by Hugo the Elder on Jul 27, 2021 13:20:21 GMT
A good point well made. As someone who reads and occasionally uses both this and the Alternative Forum, I'd like to add I find the piety and attitude on this forum towards the members of the other forum pretty vile. In fairness, I’ve seen comments made from members of the other forum directed to this forum that have been just as insulting. Never understood why there has to be a rivalry to be honest, we’re all just Gasheads. Completely agree mate. |
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