NationStates Jolt Archive

I have a feeling I need to check something, because it could dramatically affect whether I may report things in future.

I'm new, and as such have been poking around in the General Discussion forums. And some people exhibit some pretty...extreme opinions.

Here's the thing -- some of them are a little TOO extreme. So I had a hunch -- are there people in the Forums who adopt extreme positions as a sort of a joke, only the rest of the group knows about it and is in on the joke, so they're actually not a troll, they're just having a goof?

I think I saw something like this going on in a thread that started off sounding like a white supremacist thingy, but then other posters responded with "ah, it's you, you got me" types of posts and the original thread started dropped character with a couple "yeah, it's me" types of things.

Just wondering whether to laugh along or steer clear of some of the fringe elements.

Players have the rigt to be extreme. If you don't feel comfortable with their positions, you either stay clear of it or debate with them. That is up to you. Do not flame or let it get out of hand. I personally stay clear of everything not being fun or nice, because I know the dangers of extreme discussions here. Before you know it, you get punished, because someone else provoked you. The NationStates forum is not an ordinairy forum. There are nations behind your actions, which you don't want to lose.

Also note that any Jolt general forums are not NationStates forums and are not held to the same standard as NationStates forum posts - post there at your own risk (I personally don't).

Also note that any Jolt general forums are not NationStates forums and are not held to the same standard as NationStates forum posts - post there at your own risk (I personally don't).

I concur with Goober here; not only are their posts not held to our standards, there Moderation staff isn't held to the same standards as ours either.

So I had a hunch -- are there people in the Forums who adopt extreme positions as a sort of a joke, only the rest of the group knows about it and is in on the joke, so they're actually not a troll, they're just having a goof?

Yes, however two points should be made - (1) we (the General populace) do not always know that the puppet nations are in fact just pastiches, and (2) bizarrely enough few if any of those pastiche puppets actually match some of the honest/sincere extremists that have posted on the board in the past.

Edit: if debating/arguing with them just bear in mind the standard forum rules concerning flaming and the like, if you follow them, then the worst that can happen is that you waste an evening arguing with a sockpuppet.

I concur with Goober here; not only are their posts not held to our standards, there Moderation staff isn't held to the same standards as ours either.
Keep in mind: in some areas, those standards are much looser. In others, much stricter. Might be an idea to seek out T&C's to see what Jolt does and doesn't allow on their forums.

Or, do the lurk method that is so out of favor these days (nobody has the patience anymore).

Or, do the lurk method that is so out of favor these days (nobody has the patience anymore).

That's what taught me the Jolt Mod staff, is - how do I put this nicely? - not as respectable as the NS Mod staff.

Let me try to rephrase the question.

Yes, some people's opinons are extreme. I'm just asking if it is a fact that there are some users that are just very, very, very good at parodying extremism.

Let me try to rephrase the question.

Yes, some people's opinons are extreme. I'm just asking if it is a fact that there are some users that are just very, very, very good at parodying extremism.

I would imagine that some people, particularly RP'ers, may take on "extreme" opinions here that they would not in real life. I like something that LadyRebels has stated a few times in the past, though, and that's the fact that even behind the mask of the computer and the forum, one's honor will eventually be seen. You can't hide your own morals, I suppose. In any case, I have to agree that it seems like some people probably act out more and are more vociferous on the forums than they would be in RL. Maybe some are potential thespians? I remember when I used to play D&D that I made decisions unlike what I would do in RL (such as sacrificing henchmen, etc.).

Yes, I've seen General Forum posters also talk about creating puppets to be "extremists" in an effort to either make a statement or to just role-play, because they find that pulling off that "identity" is fun.

I have to admit being a newbie in here too. I have also seen some of the nations opionions that get my short hairs up. I have to assume that it is RP and know that if i join in I will accomplish two things: 1) a discussion that I find repulsive will continue perhaps longer than if I had ignored and 2)I will get riled(sp) up and will forget that this is role playing, and not to be taken seriously as real life


\just MHO

Just ignore them until they trample on your feet and then give the morons your two cents and go on your merry way.

Yes, I've seen General Forum posters also talk about creating puppets to be "extremists" in an effort to either make a statement or to just role-play, because they find that pulling off that "identity" is fun.

Got it. A lot of them seemed to be riiiight on that very thin edge between geniune sincerity and pushing things juuuust too far. The way Swift did with "A Modest Proposal," so I had a hunch. In fact, assuming people are kidding usually was my default up until recently, when I spent more time online and realized some people were actually SERIOUS...

But, kidding in here. Got it.