Is it normal turned into a circle jerk?

50 Comments

There seems to be a prevalence of polls and stories getting hijacked by users taking off in a diatribe of off-topic chatter among themselves.
For example:
"is it normal that I eat meat with a fork?"
User "a" will jump in:
"I'd like to fork user 'b'"
User "b" will respond:
"yes...but user 'c' is more meaty and (insert clever play on user 'c's username)can't use forks..."
...so forth and so on until the thread is littered with 50 replies that have nothing to do with the subject.
Anymore, if I see a large amount of replies, I skip it. It used to be the other way around. Formerly, that implied an in-depth and thoughtful dialogue. Now it tends mean it's a chat room for cliques.

No..it's awesome! Like a happy family.	9
Yeah, it's dominated by cliques and turns me off	14
It is dominated by cliques, but doesn't bother me	6
Mildly annoying	18
Get over it! If you don't get into chat you can fuck off!	10

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Comments ( 50 )

anti-hero

11 years ago

Yeah I hate that fucking shit.

On another topic...

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- anti-hero
  
  11 years ago
  
  I didn't even read all the details, I was too busy standing in a circle jerking it, what are we talking about?
  
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  - Allistalla
    
    11 years ago
    
    Um , Im confused ? what is the OP trying to do ?
    
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    - anti-hero
      
      11 years ago
      
      People getting off topic I think.
      
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      - Allistalla
        
        11 years ago
        
        he saying he is annoyed by poeple who get off topic ?
        
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        anti-hero
        
        11 years ago
        
        As far as I can tell.
        
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dappled

11 years ago

I guess I'm as guilty of this as anyone. Some of it might even be my fault. When I started here, most posts were a string of replies that were largely on-topic. I gradually got into discussions with people that veered away from the topic and were often just jokes or flirting. Now it seems to be almost the norm for many people.

I'm aware that I do have my own little associations here which may be seen as cliques but I do try not to exclude anyone. I'd hate for anyone to think I was unapproachable or that I'd formed a little gang that they weren't part of.

But, yes, I do know what you mean and I hold up my hands for my part in it and all I can do is apologise.

Sorry.

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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  11 years ago
  
  You know...this response did make me reflect on my opinion quite a bit.
  
  I did want to draw attention to how out of control the derailing commentary could hurt the site as well as make people feel excluded, but you are certainly among those who I believe would never mean for that to happen.
  
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  - dappled
    
    11 years ago
    
    Ahh, you shouldn't change your mind just because I'm sometimes the guilty party. :)
    
    I also see whole posts filled with private jokes that I wasn't party to and don't understand. On occasion, I see a very valid question that doesn't get a single valid answer despite having a hundred responses. I know it's nice to be familiar with people but it does make me wonder about my own behaviour and whether people are thinking it about me too.
    
    I really do try not to exclude people. There are a couple of dozen people on the site that I know I'd get along with and wish I knew better but, weirdly, I'm actually quite shy and I tend to wait for people to come towards me, rather than approach them myself. Virtually everyone I know on this site had to make the first move in getting to know me. I know it doesn't come across that way and I think I can appear a bit cliquey because of it.
    
    Where we get the posts that get filled with non-relevant answers, I do try to give a real answer. I initially answered you with an apology, though, because that's how I genuinely feel. I know I'm not the only problem on the site, and I hope others see this and show some consideration. I think you've made a great point.
    
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Shackleford96

11 years ago

I usually try to be conscious of the fact that I need to be respectful of the original poster's question, and try to lend some advice if I can, but I am sure I have been guilty of this a few times...

I just like to joke around really.

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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  11 years ago
  
  Most of us appreciate a good joke...and several of them made me laugh. Redundancy is the problem.
  
  Now..since you guys have already taken it down this predictable path, I'm going to guess this thread will have at least 40 comments on it before it even gets approved...if it does. I'm not nobleserpent, so I won't delete them.
  
  ...then it will be glazed over by the larger audience.
  
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  - Shackleford96
    
    11 years ago
    
    So, were you correct?
    
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    - Anonymous Post Author
      
      11 years ago
      
      Close...
      
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- NoraBaker
  
  11 years ago
  
  Exactly, Shackle! And I think I may want to fork you. Lol :D
  
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  - Shackleford96
    
    11 years ago
    
    As long as we also spoon afterwards! XD
    
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    - NoraBaker
      
      11 years ago
      
      Hahaha deal! XD
      
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      - Anonymous Post Author
        
        11 years ago
        
        Entirely too predictable...
        ...though it still somehow made me grin? haha
        
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        NoraBaker
        
        11 years ago
        
        I'm so glad! As you can see, we are perfectly capable of in-depth and thoughtful dialogue :D
        
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        Shackleford96
        
        11 years ago
        
        Haha, sorry, couldn't help myself XD
        
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flutterhigh

11 years ago

Protip: all communities (of ideal, not location) are circlejerks.

A circlejerk (in the metaphorical sense) is really an echo chamber. A self-congratulatory reaffirmation of internally inclusive, self-perpetuating ideas. What is a community about? Motherfucking affirmation, baby.

All internet communities eventually begin to complain that the site has become a circlejerk, that it's essentially devolved to inside jokes, self-congratulation, and exclusion. That just means that a community has developed.

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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  11 years ago
  
  ...or degenerated...depending on perspective.
  
  Does "self-congratulatory reaffimation self-perpetuating ideas" sound like a healthy community?
  
  I do understand that you shrouded your comment in semi-sarcastic, albeit defensive, humor...as you typically do. It's not lost on me, and I appreciate it on many levels. I just like to respond for the hell of it.
  
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  - flutterhigh
    
    11 years ago
    
    Right, that's why I said "devolve". I never meant to imply that this is a good thing, just a very normal thing. I'm arguing that standing in a circle and masturbating is pretty much inherent to the nature of a community.
    
    Sarcastic, definitely (glad you enjoy it), but not defensive. I'll be the first to tell you that IIN is a circlejerk. Some of my comments get thumbed up for no reason other than that my username is recognizable, and some of them are ignored because they aren't nearly saccharine enough for this site. IIN loves the saccharine shit. Why do you think dappled is popular?
    
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    - Anonymous Post Author
      
      11 years ago
      
      IIN has certainly become benign. I've been a member for about three maybe four years. When I first joined, there was a darker, twisted element that's passed. In many ways I do miss the old days.
      
      Yes..I do appreciate sarcasm, especially when it's deep seated and obscure. I'm glad that you're so happy I enjoy it.
      
      I don't, however, appreciate condescension. I always have to suppress a chuckle or an eyeroll when people overuse flowery vocabulary because it exposes their pretentious mindset, "look at me! I'm a genius..and you're an insignificant ant..." which I find odd because none of us will ever see each other in real life. You have nothing to prove and neither do I.
      You're full of yourself...which means either you really are a genius...or you're the insignificant ant that you metaphorically look up to.
      
      If Dappled is an artificial sweetener, I'd take a cupfull of that over the pretentious prankster who dumps arsenic in the sugar bowl.
      
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      - flutterhigh
        
        11 years ago
        
        I suspect you're not nearly as insulted as you sound, but in case you are, I mean no harm. I'm a jester, not a killer, and dappled and I have a long history of playful fiery banter. He knows I'm just fucking around.
        
        As for your point on condescension - I think vocabulary has very, very little to do with intelligence. I write like this because I want to. I used to be interested in creative writing, and I love to read. So you are all free to project whatever genius-idiot dichotomy you want on me, but I am neither a genius nor an idiot. Not even close to either.
        
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        Anonymous Post Author
        
        11 years ago
        
        Re-reading my last post, I did come across sounding more insulted than I was. I'm glad you read past it.
        A mixture of beer and lack of sleep can do that :)
        
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[Old Memory]

11 years ago

In the words of Dr. Suess:

We are all a little weird
And life's a little weird
And when we find someone whose
Weirdness is compatible with ours
We join up with them and fall in
Mutual weirdness and call it love.♥

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- flutterhigh
  
  11 years ago
  
  You forgot the second part:
  
  And then we stand around
  In a circle, in a room
  We turn off all the lights
  And masturbate furiously
  As we make awkward eye contact. ♥
  
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  - [Old Memory]
    
    11 years ago
    
    Maybe that's what Dr. Suess had in mind. Maybe.
    
    We can all do it, but only if it validates your sense of worth. And with the lights off, I'm sure there are some thirsty IIN members that would jerk it for you.
    
    Time to find a room large enough for all of us.
    Remember: not all of us are human.
    
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- Saycheese
  
  11 years ago
  
  Love this. :D
  
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  - [Old Memory]
    
    11 years ago
    
    Thank you. ;)
    
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NotFloydzie

11 years ago

And why does this bothers you?

I don't see the problem.

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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  11 years ago
  
  Of course it's not going to bother the members of the clique..why would it ever offend the offenders themselves?
  
  ...but when the dialogue turns off topic it destroys the thread and renders the subject matter useless. Not to mention the fact that other users, those who can't afford IIN Gold, or who are inept in chat rooms, become outcasts.
  
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  - NotFloydzie
    
    11 years ago
    
    So I'm part of a "clique"? Sounds like you have something against people who have actual friends here.
    
    People are free to comment on a story and say whatever they want, so might as well let them. If the OP doesn't mind, there shouldn't be a problem. Don't see how it's reasonable for it to bother you if it's not your story or poll.
    
    It's the first time I ever here someone say that someone who can't afford IIN Gold, or aren't part of a "clique" are an outcast. Do you see it that way? Very shallow opinion, if you ask me.
    
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    - Anonymous Post Author
      
      11 years ago
      
      While you make some valid points, they fall on deaf ears when you attack me on a personal level. I'm certainly not shallow by any means. I'm among those who defended you when you were being publicly smeared by some childish user. I exposed their petty behavior and berated the Management for approving their story "people who like Pink Floyd are sluts..." really? C'mon!
      
      I never faulted anyone for becoming friends on this site. That's a good thing. I'm trying to point out the fallibility of rendering those without IIN Gold impotent within the approval process and how several among you have formed an elite and exclusive group who yes...make others feel like outcasts while littering a thread with pointless, off topic conversation.
      
      I'm sorry if I offended you on a personal level...that was never my intention. I certainly didn't mean to drive you to hostility and personal attacks. I'm one who believes in speaking...and listening...in dissagreement for the sake of valid debate.
      
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      - NotFloydzie
        
        11 years ago
        
        I didn't attack you, I told you how I felt. I apologize if you saw it that way. I never said you were shallow, but your opinion is and I made that clear.
        
        I don't think considering users who aren't part of "cliques" or who don't have IIN gold to be an outcast. But that's just my opinion.
        
        We're all equal here, having IIN Gold or having close friends here doesn't make anyone better than the other.
        
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        Anonymous Post Author
        
        11 years ago
        
        Point taken. I apologize for not reading it the way you intended.
        
        That being said...we are far from equal. Look...already there are 20 comments on this poll...
        
        ...and I stand alone...defending myself from a barage of criticizm prior to the approval where "outsiders" can give their input.
        
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gloryholeflasher

8 years ago

I read your post wondering who are you calling "jerk?" By the time I got to the "jacked" part my mind was in the gutter. Sorry, but I'm easily swayed and MANipulated sometimes!

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shade_ilmaendu

11 years ago

Welcome to the internet. >.<

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Allistalla

11 years ago

This does annoy me especielly when someone is just spamming insualts at each other or the person posting with no relating content to the original question .

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ebulliance

11 years ago

Am I part of a clique?

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- Justsomejerk
  
  11 years ago
  
  No.
  
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  - ebulliance
    
    11 years ago
    
    I know i don't think there are IIN cliques. People don't neccesarily like me but they don't gang up.
    
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Anonymous Post Author

11 years ago

Isn't it also ironic that as this poll awaits moderation, the very people it's critical of have unobjective license to tear it apart? Meanwhile, those who might agree are silenced because it won't be available to them for a few days.

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- Compazine
  
  11 years ago
  
  Too bad they don't care enough to get gold eh?
  
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  - Anonymous Post Author
    
    11 years ago
    
    Yeah...some of us, like myself, are working class and can't afford such luxuries.
    
    ...this from a capitalist..I just also believe in offering my own voice...
    
    It's not that we don't care enough as much as that it just can't happen.
    
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    - Justsomejerk
      
      11 years ago
      
      It doesn't really bother me but I can't dissagree with you. This community has cliques like any other but I wouldn't say they are as bad as most.
      
      This is probably the most interesting post of the day btw.
      
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      - Anonymous Post Author
        
        11 years ago
        
        Thank you.
        
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Are You Normal?

Is it normal turned into a circle jerk?