First off, Id like to say for the most part, I think our forum is pretty much head and shoulders above the others I see out there, both from a quality angle, and respect. As we sit on a 3-4 record...and after a bitter defeat like last week, its not easy to see emotions getting to the better of us. So, I would like to know what you all believe a good thread or reply consists of. What can we all do as residents of this little corner of the world do to take our own game up a notch, regardless of which direction the Phins are going. I think that is something we actually have control over. For me, a quality thread or reply, is something that adds value to the discussion. Value needs opinion, obviously, but it also needs substance. It doesnt need to be a thesis, obviously, but some degree of supportive argument. Simply stating, Ryan Tannehill is our franchise QB, really isnt any better then Ryan Tannehill sucks. The other thing is a thread or reply should avoid instigation. Please...now especially. Whether we like Tannehill, want Ireland fired, always see the bowl as full, or empty, we wouldnt be here if we didnt love this team. Heres to a great second half of football potentially, and a great second half of football discussion definitely.
Any thread or post that makes the reader think and offers a solid, level-headed debate is what I consider to be the best of the best. I've soured on twitter recently for this very reason. Most fans I encounter there are all about knee-jerk reactions and acting like they're smarter than everyone else. There is a ton of venom spewed on twitter that has made it unenjoyable for me. That's why I love it here. I won't always agree with everyone, and visa-versa but I know we will usually get respect and good discussion.
IMO it's all about adding to the discussion. If all a poster does is reiterate an agenda over and over with the same arguments (or less) then I don't see much value there. It's not even about whether it's positive or negative. I have both types on my ignore list although it's clearly slanted towards the negative since those tend to post more often. In general I tend to fist bump posts that provide info like a link or some take on something I had not considered or provide a well reasoned argument whether I agree with it or not. I also tend to fist bump posts that are just funny. I do sometimes hesitate to fist bump a post I disagree with although I thought the poster did a good job just b/c people assume I'm agreeing with or endorsing it and everything in it. Sometimes I just enjoyed a post or some portion of the post and I appreciate the effort.
So many different reasons come up to post there are just going to be some that have alot more meaning than others. Most on here want to know if player x has a hang nail or if all the coaching staff just got fired, ones more important and carries longer merit as a thread but we want to hear both.
I think its going to depend largely on what you come here for. When I log into thephins.com I kind of imagine myself in a particular environment. I'm sure many of you do too. That environment for me, is sitting down in the bar with a ice cold hook talking about the Dolphins or other teams in general. My posts will reflect that in that they won't be too long or too in depth to the point of 3 pages because I have a full time job and I save lengthy book reports for the people that pay for my analysis on my area of expertise. However, I understand that some people this is a serious thing for them. It's their primary hobby, they are coaches, or hell some write for blogs and media. We are an effective sounding board for a lot of their content, and I get that too. Some people are at different levels of maturity in their fanhood. Some of our members are probably 13, and haven't been watching football as long as some of us...same with the 20s, 30s, 40s.....etc. I say all of that to say this. There are many reason why people come to thephins.com. Similarly, there will be many different responses or replies to the same experiences shared. Because of that, "quality" will be highly subjective from one member to the next. As long as respect is shown, obnoxiousness is kept to a minimum, and TOS aren't broken, then heck...I think they are all quality. Sometimes "quality" gets in the way of enjoyment....hell some people might even be intimidated to post. Everyone has an opinion and IMHO, they are all quality. Just don't spill my beer.
Exactly, however that being said, if you start your thread that way, and then give a reason as to why that's well thought out with FACTS as to why you believe that needs to happen, and our course of action after that happens, then I don't have a problem with it. To me, the key is substance. I may not agree with everything I read around here, but even if its something I disagree with, I'll read it, and analyze it myself and offer my own opinion on it. Who knows, if its a good enough initial post or idea, then I very well may even change my mind about the issue and support it. To me, it's all about substance. Make your point, and explain why, and be ready to defend your point, because not everyone will agree. If you can do that, whether I agree with the thread or not is irrelevant at that point to me, because it would have been a good, well thought out, well presented arguement. As for replies... Again, anything respectful, that provides further insight to the original post, whether in agreement, or disagreement is a good reply to me. If you disagree with something. A simple "I disagree, if you think that, you're blind/stupid" isn't a useful response IMO. Tell us why you disagree. If you agree, and simply provide something like "Great points, I agree, thanks!" Is fine, unless of course you can expand more on the original post with stats, or what your take is on the issue you agree with. Basically, I want good quality threads and replies to discuss the matter at hand reasonably, not with sarcasm, stupid pictures etc. etc. Also, if you come into a thread with the same reply of "Fire Jeff Ireland, or nothing will change" or "Tannehill sucks" etc, etc. that doesn't add to the discussion, its just the same pointless posts over and over in alot of cases that people just tune out because it doesn't generate conversation. I think the addition of the rants forum was excellent, as it moves the "Fire ______ because I think he sucks" threads to a place where we generally don't have to see them unless we look for them. Just my two cents anyways.
when the moderators or administers don't look out for other posters because the poster kisses their ***. also banning every jests fan that comes here. now THATS a quality forum.
I went to Finheaven a few times, whoa! That place is out of control. This place is like heaven, on earth
Any post I reply too is a good post. If I don't comment in it, it's a bad post. I agree with Rafael too.
For me, these two posts sum up my feelings on the matter pretty well. It doesn't have to be a well-researched, long descriptive post to be a good one (although some of those are great). It simply has to add to the discussion without getting overly emotional. Saying someone "sucks" at something without giving any real evidence or reasons to support that claim is a big pet peeve of mine in posts.
Trying to understand the mindset of the poster that your responding to.. folks express their frustration differently, so I try to understand their pissed off ness.