Popcorn Emoticon

[Epcot82Guy]

While I understand it, I think there is another issue here to me. I think it can serve as a form of argument control as well. If people are bickering, they may be less inclined if they realize many many posters are watching this just to see them be infuriated and, at times, stupid. It would (or should) bring about some embarassment. It seems that it is used when there is argument and not debate (hopefully everyone realizes the difference there). So, I think the people flaring tempers deserve to know they are putting on a show and embarassing themselves. Just my personal opinion.

 

[dburg30]

The popcorn smilie usually come up when someone brings up a topic, others disagree, the original poster starts getting upset, then others will sit back and Meaning they are pulling up a chair, eating their popcorn, just to watch what happens in the thread..

Plus on this forum, it will automatically subscribe you so it lets you know when there is a new post to a thread you posted in, since somehow, for some reason the 'show posts by member' doesnt work here..

But it's more an 'oh boy, let's sit back and watch what happens!!'

 

[dburg30]

WOW, I really should look and see that there is another page started on replies.. /sigh. Or I just hadnt refreshed the page or something..

 

[dburg30]

Oh well, my bad. Obviously, I'm the only one that thinks it shows immaturity & doesn't serve a positive purpose on the boards. This thread pretty much reinforces my opinion on the subject. I do think it's a cute smilie, but wish it was used in a more constructive manner.

Oh I forgot to reply to this one.. IT'S THE INTERNET.. It's full of smartass sarcastic, immature people (myself included). I can be very helpful, but if I start to get my spidey senses tingling that somethings just not quite right on a thread, that's when my alter ego come out..

 

[tarheelmjfan]

While I understand it, I think there is another issue here to me. I think it can serve as a form of argument control as well. If people are bickering, they may be less inclined if they realize many many posters are watching this just to see them be infuriated and, at times, stupid. It would (or should) bring about some embarassment. It seems that it is used when there is argument and not debate (hopefully everyone realizes the difference there). So, I think the people flaring tempers deserve to know they are putting on a show and embarassing themselves. Just my personal opinion.

You're right it can serve a positive purpose at times, but I think the reverse is more often the case. I've noticed the trend since the popcorn smilie was added, but a thread I saw this morning convinced me to finally post this thread. The OP of that thread was a new member with only 16 posts. The topic was one that is often controversial on the DIS. Although, it's taboo at WDW, it's common at many other places where there's multiple hotels owned by the same company. For example, the question she had would be allowed at Universal Resorts, but not WDWs. It's not hard to understand why those who aren't Disneyphiles may not know that. Anyway, the very 1st reply to the thread was, "This should be interesting." That didn't help to answer the OP's question in any way, but did set the tone for the thread. Fortunately, an astute moderator quickly closed the thread & deleted that particular post. Some welcoming the OP is receiving from the DIS community.

As a side note, I've never seen that particular smilie used in a manner as is being discussed & thought, "How enlightened that person is. They sure know how to put a stop to the arguing."

 

[ksumn1]

To me, it's really the same thing as people who read a thread about an ilness or death in the family and post a

Without writing a book or response, without getting drawn into the argument you can post and subscribe to the forum.

I kinda feel that you should at least say something, and not just post a but I love to talk so that may just be me.

An argumentative thread is kinda like seeing someone pulled over by the police...you're an adult,you shouldn't care who it is or what happened, but you can't help but slow down and rubberneck anyway. You know it's gonna explode and get combative but you can't help but see what happens, even if you yourself has no desire to get into it. That's the good and bad thing about the internet and forums. Everyone has an opinion and is free to state it. Even if it's ridiculous, wild, or out of this world. I view it as frredom of speech...as long as the attacks don't get personal and too mean spirited.

I think I've a couple of times myself!!

 

[darlak]

While I understand it, I think there is another issue here to me. I think it can serve as a form of argument control as well. If people are bickering, they may be less inclined if they realize many many posters are watching this just to see them be infuriated and, at times, stupid. It would (or should) bring about some embarassment. It seems that it is used when there is argument and not debate (hopefully everyone realizes the difference there). So, I think the people flaring tempers deserve to know they are putting on a show and embarassing themselves. Just my personal opinion.

If you read my first post here (#6), then you know that I agree that there's no point in removing it. You made another good point that I hadn't even thought of though.

As for the subscribing issue, why don't people just go up to the top of the page of the thread they want to subscribe to and hit the "Subscribe To This Thread" option under "Thread Tools". It isn't necessary to post at all just to subscribe to a thread.

 

[dburg30]

The OP of that thread was a new member with only 16 posts. The topic was one that is often controversial on the DIS. Although, it's taboo at WDW, it's common at many other places where there's multiple hotels owned by the same company. For example, the question she had would be allowed at Universal Resorts, but not WDWs.

How do you know that it wasnt someone just trying to stir up something? Do you have the logs? The IP addresses? To make sure it wasnt someone that's been in trouble before / made another account? If it's anything like the VB forums I run, you REALLY dont like to ban IP addresses in case it's something like a campus dorm, or a non static IP that someone else could get assigned to them then they could'nt log in. The chances are small, but our forum has about 1500 users and I HAVE had people do it before there.

As a side note, I've never seen that particular smilie used in a manner as is being discussed & thought, "How enlightened that person is. They sure know how to put a stop to the arguing."

Well then it's obviously never used in that way since you state it..

 

[dburg30]

If you read my first post here (#6), then you know that I agree that there's no point in removing it. You made another good point that I hadn't even thought of though.

As for the subscribing issue, why don't people just go up to the top of the page of the thread they want to subscribe to and hit the "Subscribe To This Thread" option under "Thread Tools". It isn't necessary to post at all just to subscribe to a thread.

Because of one of my previous posts this is the ONLY VB forums that I've been on that the Find all posts by xxx doesnt work.. If I can see the threads I've responded to by some easier way, let me know. WHY they dont allow it is probably somewhere in this massive forum, but I've never seen it like this before.. Why the arent using the original search engine and such I have no clue.

edit: oh at least here it's a smilie.. lots of places where folks know it's going to get locked / deleted it's either a +1 (to show they just bumped their post count by 1) Or an IBTL is all that's posted. THEN you know it's someone that thinks the thread is heading for the scrap yard

 

[KimmyDisneyNerd]

You're right it can serve a positive purpose at times, but I think the reverse is more often the case. I've noticed the trend since the popcorn smilie was added, but a thread I saw this morning convinced me to finally post this thread. The OP of that thread was a new member with only 16 posts. The topic was one that is often controversial on the DIS. Although, it's taboo at WDW, it's common at many other places where there's multiple hotels owned by the same company. For example, the question she had would be allowed at Universal Resorts, but not WDWs. It's not hard to understand why those who aren't Disneyphiles may not know that. Anyway, the very 1st reply to the thread was, "This should be interesting." That didn't help to answer the OP's question in any way, but did set the tone for the thread. Fortunately, an astute moderator quickly closed the thread & deleted that particular post. Some welcoming the OP is receiving from the DIS community.

As a side note, I've never seen that particular smilie used in a manner as is being discussed & thought, "How enlightened that person is. They sure know how to put a stop to the arguing."

Well since you put it that way.... I now see what you are saying. I truely thought you origninally posted to start an agrument. I also agree, that I strongly dislike when the first post is someone trying to fuel an argument.
Sorry..... I misunderstood.

 

[darlak]

Because of one of my previous posts this is the ONLY VB forums that I've been on that the Find all posts by xxx doesnt work.. If I can see the threads I've responded to by some easier way, let me know. WHY they dont allow it is probably somewhere in this massive forum, but I've never seen it like this before.. Why the arent using the original search engine and such I have no clue.

Yes, there are problems with the Search feature. If you read a thread that you want to subscribe to, but perhaps not post on at that point, you can go to the Thread Tools option located on the thread page just above the first post on any page. Select "Subscribe To This Thread". Then if you want to see all threads that you have subscribed to, go to the User CP option located at the top of any Dis page. I'm by no stretch of the imagination a Dis expert, but I am finally learning my way around here. Hope this is helpful.

 

[dburg30]

I know how it works, I was just saying that getting people to use it that have used VB at other places is going to be hard. Heck about ANY forum software will let you click on yourself and see your threads and no have to do some silly subscribe thing..

 

[lyzziesmom]

If I can see the threads I've responded to by some easier way, let me know.

When you respond to a thread, you are automatically subscribed to that thread. You can then click on "Quick Links" on the toolbar near the top of the page, click on "Subscribed Threads" and presto! you will see a list of all the threads you have ever responded to. No need to post a stupid popcorn smiley. You can also add threads to the subscribed threads list by manually subscribing as the PP mentioned.

What is IBTL?

I've always seen the popcorn smiley as meaning, "I'm going to sit back and watch this" as in, you eat popcorn when you're watching a movie. I find it completely useless and pointless, and when I see people use it I think they are not smart enough to figure out how to subscribe to a thread or clever enough to come up with something to actually say. It's annoying, but not really a big deal one way or the other.

 

[darlak]

When you respond to a thread, you are automatically subscribed to that thread. You can then click on "Quick Links" on the toolbar near the top of the page, click on "Subscribed Threads" and presto! you will see a list of all the threads you have ever responded to. No need to post a stupid popcorn smiley. You can also add threads to the subscribed threads list by manually subscribing as the PP mentioned.

What is IBTL?

I've always seen the popcorn smiley as meaning, "I'm going to sit back and watch this" as in, you eat popcorn when you're watching a movie. I find it completely useless and pointless, and when I see people use it I think they are not smart enough to figure out how to subscribe to a thread or clever enough to come up with something to actually say. It's annoying, but not really a big deal one way or the other.

Thanks lyzziesmom, I think you made my point better than I did. I just can't understand why anyone thinks it's a big enough problem to request that it be removed. Seems we're being way overly sensitive here. If you don't like it, then don't use it. As I've already said, I have never used it and probably wouldn't, but it certainly doesn't bother me if other folks want to use it.

 

[dburg30]

IBTL is 'In Before The Lock'

 

[Oh Bother!]

If you think the popcorn is bad, what about the Poop Stirrer?? I think it's really cute (though I haven't had the inclination to use it), but its sole purpose seems to be to "stir the pot", so to say.

 

[kathie859]

Really, isn't it more important the content of the post and not the emoticon? People who are deliberately confrontational and irksome will continue to be so whether they have a matching emoticon or not. And frankly, I rather enjoy the diverse points of view on various subjects....yeah, even those who I think are in left field! It doesn't bother me at all if someone comes on strong. Heck, I enjoy it in a perverse way.

 

[bargain71]

As a long time lurker - new poster (just today), I have to say that I really like the entertainment aspect of the Disboards. And...much of this entertainment comes from the lively debate found in some of the threads...

There have been some threads where the icon really does sum well what is happening: a few disers debating their pov vigorously and lots of disers observing!


Michael

 

[tinklvr64]

OP...it seems you are by even bringing up the subject...now you have a thread with a debate and you are

 

[bumbershoot]

Am I the only person who would like to see removed from available smilies? I normally couldn't care less about that type of thing, but this emoticon has been widely abused since it's inception. There's way too many posts that include this particular smilie & nothing else. It's almost always used in a confrontational/ troublemaking way. I feel the board isn't enhanced by that type post in any way. If anything, it's an easy way for some to clutter the boards.

I agree. Recently I've even seen mods commenting negatively on the emoticon, and all I can think is..."well it's not the users that put it there...take it away!" i can't think of a single real reason to use it, other than to indicate that you'll be sitting back and watching what happens.

Since you can subscribe to a thread and watch without ever posting on it, I just don't see the emoticon's point.