Some Cast of Characters

[DisInsider]

I have read and played on these boards for a long time. I recently added this name as an alias to my...alias. When it comes to these boards we are all strangers. But there are those who think that they are so much better than the rest. No matter what the subject, somebody knows everything.

Most recently, I was reading, and even participated on a thread titled "Stop Being Silly over POTC". I was amazed by the amount of bickering and bad-mouthing being done by some people who have been on these boards for years. You know who you are. It has gotten to the point where many people have had to assume new "fake" identities just to get a word in edgewise.

What is even more troubling to me is how the moderator of this board allowed this crap to go on for so many weeks. Over 200 posts, many of which were from the same individuals. Back and forth arguing that should have taken place in private. The moderator of this board finally closed that thread down after a "warning" that she issued "several pages back". But I have seen other threads on this "rumors and news" board, shut down by her much more rapidly, and without any warnings. Why?

I believe in the case of this particlular thread, the moderator played favorites because she knew many of the players. In doing so, she allowed and encouraged a few people to continue this hostile and negative debate, which they dominated.

It's sad that there are people who have nothing better to do with their lives but sit in front of a screen and keyboard and act like they rule the world and know everything that there is to know about Disney. It's even sadder that some people call this kind of thing fun. I find it lame and ignorant, and I will no longer be a part of it.

For the people who are trully earning their ears, good luck. You're gonna need it. To the moderator and the rest of this cast of characters, you have turned Dis into DISS! You should all be ashamed of yourselves.

SO LONG DISBOARDS! I'M SPENT!!

 

[pedro2112]

Please, don't be coy, tell us how you really feel.

 

[YoHo]

If I can have an affect on peoples lives, then I've had a good day.


he faccts of Disney's history and current business plan and how they do things aren't opinion. There is one correct answer and there are a few people who know more about that answer then others. Have better contacts, maybe even used to work for the company. And there are some that just believe what makes them happy inside. Obviousl nobody has the whole story, but the biggest problem is that there are a lot of people on this Website unwilling to admit Disney might do something wrong, or has done things wrong under Eisner. I don't understand why. These are the same ones that don't understand how I can be critical of the company and still love the parks and their faded glory.

Also, there are plenty of people on either side of this debate that know each other. In fact, I know and have met people that disagree with me. It's been this way for 7 years. I'm not going to feel bad about the way I act here.


Of course, I have to wonder just who you are.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Wow, the day I start taking a message board that seriously I will throw my computer out the window...

 

[Sarangel]

DisInsider -
I'm sorry that you feel that the Pirates thread got out of hand before I thought it did. Equally, I'm sorry that you feel that I play favorites. I try very hard not to do so.

As for the name calling, I issued a warning about playing nice and things got better for a little bit and then they deteriorated once again. In all cases on this thread I felt that posters were skirting the edge of the line without actually crossing over into "you're a #@$#* idiot".

If, as you say, you've been around for a while, you'll know that I very rarely close threads. When I do, they are for serious violations of the rules. Sometimes, things go on for longer than I would like because I don't spend 24/7 monitoring what people are posting and for that I also apologize.

As always, if anyone feels that a moderator is failing in his or her job, you are always welcome to contact the site administrators and let them know about the situation.

Sarangel

 

[Rence]

I don't envy the moderators. They have to walk a fine line between keepings things under control and lettings ideas flow freely. If they are overly hasty in locking down threads they will be accused of censorship, stifling expression etc. Folks will be reluctant to post if the moderators use too heavy of a hand.

I get upset, angry etc, with some of the items that I read on the disboards. That is bound to happen, there is a diverse group of folks here with a lot of different opinions.

I avoid threads that I think will get my blood pressure up. The specific thread that you mentioned "Stop Being Silly over POTC", is one that I chose not to read. I don’t really have any strong opinions about the changes to the attraction, but a title like that is a red flag that it is going to lead to heated discussion. I read almost every thread posted on the rumor and news board, but the title of that one said ‘stay away’.

I have found myself getting into back and forth discussions with some users in threads. After a couple of postings it becomes clear that we are not going to see eye to eye. At that point, it is best to drop it. I do not feel that I have to have the last word on everything. No ones opinion is going to change, so why keep the battle going? In some cases the person(s) involved have gotten under my skin. I am free to sit at my PC and verbally say anything I want about them, I just don’t bother to post it. In a few extreme cases I have actually opened my word processor, written up the post that I would love to submit, telling them what I think of them and their ideas. I type it all up, and then delete it. I got it out of my system and no good would ever come of actually posting it.

The opinions of a bunch of strangers on an Internet forum shouldn’t really matter all that much. If I find myself starting to get worked up, I just remind myself that it really isn’t that important and I may avoid the forums for a couple of days or at the very least avoid the postings that are getting to me.

 

[MJMcBride]

I think the problem is, you can't take these things too seriously. Over the past few months, I have bickered and argued w/ YoHo and others over various things, such as the POTC thread thats referred to here. Its all in good fun. Thats what a debate is, isn't it? I don't take it personally. If I did, I'd have to strangle YoHo and DancingBear.

By the way, the moderators do just fine.

 

[YoHo]

The funny thing is that a year ago Dancing Bear and I were at each others throats. One of us! One of us!

But yeah, you can't take this stuff too seriously.

The Dis in general is a heavily moderated site. I'm glad that Sara and Lrodk before her gave us the freedom we have.

 

[All Aboard]

Everybody's gotta find thier home on the 'net. Every place is not for everybody. There are Disney rumors boards out there where it's all snowglobes and limited edition pins. There are others where it's all inverted 4.0 g's and virtual whatever. This one happens to be populated by people who have a lifelong affiliation with the Disney company as guests and in some cases as CM's. At their core, all of them want the best for the company. Strong opinion and strong debate ensue. Believe me, there are places where it is even more tilted in that direction. The good thing about the Disboards is that there are several dozen boards within it. There's a place for all sorts of different discussion.

And, building on what YoHo said, Sarangel does a very good job of moderating this site. She clearly ignores the fact that she knows some people personally and makes clear, unbiased decisions. And, if anyone is wondering, I am not someone she has personally met.

 

[Sarangel]

Just to remind you all - I'm no longer the only moderator on the board. Crazy4WDW also has the magic moderator powers, and while he & I 'talk' we have different views about stuff. So you aren't limited by a single person's perspective.

Sarangel

 

[YoHo]

Not only do you have different points of view, but the amount of hush money he's demanding is totally out of proportion to your fees.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Just to remind you all - I'm no longer the only moderator on the board. Crazy4WDW also has the magic moderator powers, and while he & I 'talk' we have different views about stuff. So you aren't limited by a single person's perspective.

Sarangel

Yes, folks, there is another moderator for the news and rumors board. I am a quiet person, but I carry a big stick. Everyone please abide by the rules. As Sarangel mentioned, I have also been monitoring the "pirates" thread and IMHO it has not reached the point where it needs to be closed or deleted. As much as possible, the boards need to allow people to express themselves without crossing the line. There was a thread posted this morning that did cross the line and it was deleted.

I check-in on the boards two to three times per day. I also search the web several times a day looking for Disney related news that everyone here maybe interested in.

You may PM me with any concerns/criticisms.

crazy4wdw

 

[MJMcBride]

Plus, the one thing thats certainly going to spark a heated debate is any messing around with POTC. So its all Disney's fault!!!!

 

[manning]

DisInsider -- let me guess, your angry.

I have found Sarangel to be fair. She will give you a warning before shutting the thread down. I have seen other sites shut down without warning leaving posters to be frustrated and confused. Here you will know when and why you have entered the red zone.

 

[YoHo]

Plus, the one thing thats certainly going to spark a heated debate is any messing around with POTC. So its all Disney's fault!!!!

Stupid Disney. Just for that, I'm cancelling my order for the special edition Jack Sparrow Snowglobe.

 

[MJMcBride]

Stupid Disney. Just for that, I'm cancelling my order for the special edition Jack Sparrow Snowglobe.

And I'm taking down my vintage Mr. Toad's Wild Ride poster.

 

[plutospup]

POTC - I'm sure it was all Ei$ner's fault!

Sarangle & crazy4wdw...Thanks for all you do to keep this a nice little corner where we can play.

 

[exDS vet]

I agree with both sides.
Sarangel came to my aid once when people were viciously attacking me on a subject relating to The Disney Store. While I am as passionate as anyone else on these topics, I don't attack others. I state opinions and then I get the wrath of a few. But when people attack me because they feel they are right, and then make it personal, the gloves tend to come off.

If you appreciate the real Disney and have a negative view of today's Disney, you are percieved by many as being an old timer and stuck in the past. Having been born five months after Walt died, I am too young to be either.

I jump on board here from time to time when I feel passionate about something. Sometimes it's fun to watch how others behave. I'll admit it's also fun to put people in their place when they deserve it.

As I say at work, "HAVE FUN, GOOD LUCK!"

 

[DancingBear]

Some of us enjoy a spirited debate among passionate advocates. Many things which are taken as attacks to the thin-skinned among us are actually just strongly-asserted differences of opinion (you CAN attack someone's position and not be attacking the person). The moderators do a good job of cutting short the actual ad hominem attacks but allowing the debate to continue. The style may not be for everyone, but there are lots of other boards here for posting smilies and giving hugs.

 

[MJMcBride]

The style may not be for everyone, but there are lots of other boards here for posting smilies and giving hugs.

Yeah? Dang! Where are those?