Is the Quality of MusicBanter Decreasing?
 

See the catch is, there aren't really too many discussions anymore; people don't respond that often to stuff.

I think it's because there's a negative correlation between the amount of posters and the average post quality ;) I usually have little to add to the one-liners that litter our forums these days.

It's because I've been named the Supreme Ruler of Music Banter.

I absolutely agree with you there, I've been doing my best to get some discussions going... I don't really like making really short posts because I usually feel bad about wasting the space. And btw, welcome back CLLR. Didn't say that before :rofl: I was too busy whining.

I've noticed this. This place needs more regulars.

Or the regulars need to take a more active stance rather than passing the buck and waiting for other people to do the work for them.

I check every day, but there are hardly any new threads or new conversations. It has been bothering me, when I first came back after my absense it was full of life, so what happened?

I think it's a combination of there being such a huge influx of n00bephytes lately and the fact that frankly 9/10ths of the active threads are ****

It's because of the amount of posers who are more interested in projecting a self image instead of actually talk about music.

There are people here with 1000 posts or so and I have no idea what music they listen to. On a music forum that shouldn't be.

Yes. Precisely. This exactly, oh and....

Cannibal Corpse vs. KC and the Sunshine Band

No, the regulars who are here post about music. At least most of them. We need more regulars.

I think there's plenty regulars.

I am always a bit reluctant to start a thread fearing that it's going to get locked due to me not searching hard enough like a lot of mine have been.

I guess that traces back to projecting a self image instead of wanting to talk about music.

Yea I'm guilty of that... Between helping endless amounts of people with their music production issues, computer issues, and having general banter that *omg* isn't related to endless bullshit discussions about who thinks what band is better or worse, or who can send each other the most pirated music at once, I just get a little bogged down.
Especially discouraging is when people like me DO come out and start trying to discuss their opinions about music and get into meaningful music debates, we get insulted endlessly by people like you and that kind of takes the motivation out of the whole thing.

I wouldn't expect you to understand that, because I've witnessed your attitude from day one and if you were capable, or willing, to care enough beyond your own perspective, you would have done so long ago.

Just don't presume to know what's going on with everyone who doesn't meet your expectations for what the ideal community member should be.



P.S. If you want to know what music I listen to, just ask. Otherwise, there are plenty of threads you're probably too good for that could answer your question.

I don't know, I mean I think that I have a good feel for the musical tastes of most members with over 1000 posts that are active. A lot of the new crowd, even with less than 500 posts, have clearly taken an interest in discussing music, and I certainly have a great feel for what they listen to. I think maybe people aren't posting as much these days? Who knows.

And there's nothing wrong with having fun with the games, as long as that's not the only thing you ever post.

I would get more involved if people didn't just talk about Radiohead and other popular mainstream bands. I'm sort of alone on these boards taste wise, except Cardboard Adolescent, and that guy isn't excatly easy to talk to and be on the same level about things without being hyper intellegent.

Haha, me too. Every member that shares my taste leaves really quick. It's amazing how many people come and post here for a week or two and are never seen again.

I moved this discussion to it's own thread as I think it's an interesting topic that deserves a thread.

I don't post that often in musical discussions because 9/10ths of the time, they're discussions I don't care about and there being such a high turnover of members (a lot join up and leave after a couple of weeks), a lot of the posts are made by people I don't know and whose opinions I don't really care about.

There are some people with tastes that I can relate to in the sense that if they like something, I think I might like it too. When they discuss music, I might do as well, but it happens rarer and rarer. I think if anyone wants to find out what I like, they'd have to check out my journal or my last.fm page or something to get a rough idea.

What I absolutely hate is people namedropping lists of artists and albums everyone should check out without writing up or giving any kind of reasons as to why we should. Especially when new guys do it, I just wanna swing the banhammer.

edit :

There's still a lot of quality content here, it's just I think most of it is tied up in journals and review threads and not so much the music discussions in the other forums. ;)

This is why I advocated for the journals in the first place. Through regulation we can ensure a safe haven for quality. The masses wax and wane with thought and intrigue, but the readers section should serve as a bulwark against the crap of the unwashed spammers.

If you think the forums are going down hill, put some thought into why that might be. The new regulars we've been picking up have been high powered trolls.

i'm not really a big fan of the pseudo-intellectual philosophical wankery that i see every so often, it's really just an exercise in intellectual masturbation. that and the politicization of this entire fucking forum, it gets super annoying after a while. it's like people come here with the explicit purpose to act with as much self-importance as possible.

For example.

edit: and what I mean by that is what isn't intellectual but is trying to be?

It's not for lack of trying, the amount of decent music threads about is substantial, it just seems the site is swarmed with morons/ too many discussions on religion (just a SLIGHT case of flogging a dead horse?).

Well, for the most part I think the discussions stay within their respective forums and I don't think a discussion on religion in a forum which is part dedicated to discussions on religion is much of a problem.

What annoys me is I feel there's generally a tendency where's there's a lack of effort. It seems many posters want to get their message across with as few words as possible and, preferably, without reading the other posts first. The random namedropping lists I complained about where people recommend artists and albums without writing anything about them is an obvious example.

Sorry for ripping on you 86 position, but here's another post of the sort I find annoying :

It's a recommendation of a mixed artists album called winter chill, please note the minimalistic style in which it has been written.

Should moderators be stricter and delete more posts?

My point about religious discussions was that people seem more intent on talking about god then they do music, so its inevitable the quality will lessen

If we have forums that are dedicated to non music related topics, then we have to accept that while members aren't discussing music in the music related forums, then there will always be threads about whether God exists, conspiracy theories, politics etc.

I don't have a problem with the non music forums because I think they serve an important role in helping these boards become more of a community.
People don't just come here to talk about music, they also come here because they want to banter with other members they feel they've made a bond with.
Finding out more about anothers personality can be more interesting than what bands they listen to.

What really pisses me off are the members who post very little about music, other than to criticize others taste and then spend most of their time trolling the 'silly threads'.
They bring nothing of value here and show little interest in other members especially when the subjects are off topic.
I wish they'd just fuck off!

I think the answer is to delete more members.

http://www.musicbanter.com/current-e...e-not-god.html

http://www.musicbanter.com/current-e...ink-about.html

basically just an attempt to wax philosophical for an excuse to flex the limits of vocabulary and pretend to be intelligent.

if i wanted to hear an exercise in grandiloquence i'd read the fucking dictionary.

Grandilowhat?

exactly.

I spose its because i've always seen musicbanter as an outlet to discuss music, that to me is what this site is about, so it frustrates me when i see the lounge heaving and decent music threads barren. I'm not bothered about a community as long as i can talk about music.

I do concur with the other point made though, people like that do my nut.

Stu's position I can relate to, also god knows when I post regularly I am not much of a thread starter (unless you count occasional band threads that sink without a trace)... perhaps a more concerted effort is required, because you can't rely on a constant influx of new blood =/
What disappoints me is that one-time regulars get disillusioned and keep a low profile or leave altogether, like loose_lips - I can assure you that your tastes are not unique on MB,

As a new member, I'll give my perspective: I haven't seen any decrease in quality at MB over the last 5 months and, in fact, the longer I stay the more interesting I find the site, especially because through it I've met quite a few people whom I care about (such as AwwSugar, VeggieLover, kayleigh, Schizotypic and others). I admire the oldtimers, too, because I see how their friendships must have built up over the years. I hadn't expected to have meaningful personal connections via MB, and so that was a pleasant surprise.

I feel the lounge discussions add to the site because I view music as being, fundamentally, people's expressions of their reactions to life...and so the issues discussed in the lounge section are usually reflected somehow in music. I don't see a dichotomy there. I also like trying to get a broader picture of people by seeing their opinions both on music and anything else under the sun as we lounge in the lounge.

If I had more time, I would definitely dive into the music journals more often than I do, because they are a great way to learn about music and get ideas about songs to listen to...especially ones in genres that are new to me. I agree with those who recommend visiting the journals if ever they feel there is a lack of substantive commentary on music in the regular music board.

Now, I have never been accused of writing short posts (heh heh!), and I do try to put effort into them. I enjoy the debates, including and especially religious ones. In non-computer life, how often does one get to discuss religion in depth with those who have a very different perspective? Not often, in my case. I think the debates in an online community are an especially good way to learn about the opinions of (relatively well-off, English-speaking, computer-owning) people all over the world!

If I'm ever feeling that things look dull at MB, then I just go check out what boo boo, Tore, addidass, FD, Neapolitan, the vegetarians, and other favorites have last posted...and, of course, I comment on the writings of people in the songwriting section, my MB home.

I suppose the one part of MB that could be troubling to me is the occasional antagonism or maliciousness people show...but I understand people have their moments (days, months) of ill-humor, and sometimes people vent life frustrations here. I haven't noticed any increase in antagonism. There have only been 2 people whose posts during the last 5 months made me fear they might be psycho-murderers.

Also, to be honest, I miss the Unfan. His perma-banning, for me, was one change over the last 5 months that I view as a loss. I am sad that he can never visit my thread again and blast my vegan songs, then finally discuss with me exactly where he and I differed in our opinions, as we were doing shortly before his perma-banning. I wish he were allowed to come back. I wish there were a democratic, member-based way to veto a perma-banning, such as by posting a thread on behalf of a member whom moderators want to ban, and if enough people (a critical mass) say to keep the person in the community, then the permanent ban gets reduced to a temporary ban. I suppose it is a challenge when one individual is hurtful to some but not others, because of course one wants to respect and protect those who have been hurt (called mean names, etc.).

I agree, Conan. I also like the humor in the music section, too (such as in "Good Covers of Bad Songs"). I think the joking around by members, regardless of the topic, is what I like best about MB! Looking back through old posts (2003), I see the humor throughout the site. Like music, MB makes life more fun (at least, that's how *I* feel) because MB helps me realize that all our individual threads (of life) are linked together by playful fondness. And then we die. But it is fun while it lasts! --Veg

Something tells me I cause this comment:(

Anyways I usually try to put some time in to my posts, and if I'm making a point about a specific band I won't just say "omg listen to these guys they are the best". Also I try to make sure that I'm not inflicting my tastes on others if they don't agree with me.

I didn't read most of your bitching because frankly, this thread has too steady a recurrence for me to pay it much attention. Musicbanter is the best it's ever been. And this is coming from a person who has been here 4 and a half years and STILL comes here several times a day. So shut up and pick up a book if you're bored.

Also, I'd like to suck vegangelica's brain through a straw. Thank you... :|

No, it's not any one post. It's something I see a lot of. I think some people think namedropping long lists of artists adds inches to their e-peens. If there was one post today (now deleted of course) which made me think of how much I hate it, it was this one :

.. These kind of posts make me want to swing the banhammer. :rolleyes:

Hey, what's with ruining the begative and cynical vibe we got going with your pleasant, positive perspective? I thought we had some good complaining going on! Jokes aside, though, I really appreciate your positive attitude and your contributions to the site. You're a ray of light on these boards :) When are you gonna write a journal by the way?

I'll chip in and say that I too appreciate the non-music discussions on the site. As RT mentioned, I think they help make this a proper community and I too feel more interested in other people and what they listen to when I also get to know them through discussions on other topics.

Also to counter Big3's post a bit, I don't think musicbanter is going down the hill - absolutely not, it's just many of the music discussions which are lacking a bit in quality I think. It's perhaps a problem that we moderators can help with through stricter moderation and so on, but another thing could also be to just encourage people to participate more. I'll give it a shot and try to engage more in discussions on the music forums. :)

As for the Unfan and turning permbans into tempbans, I think that discussion would be more appropriate in the Announcements, Suggestions, & Feedback forum.

Wow Tore that list is.... ridiculous

And I'll just add that I too enjoy musicbanter and in the time I've been here it's just gotten more and more enjoyable for me. There really isn't a member here that I would take away (a well-established member, that is). I also like the journals and reading what people post, because that is undoubtedly the place where people spend the most time on their posts and definitely try to talk about music.

How dare you?

When I joined this forum it was thriving with discussion about every think music-related, and since the beginning of 2009, I feel as though it's gotten consistently worse. Why? You may ask. Well...

1.In the past 8 months or so there has been constant influx of flakey n00bs with big egos and no knowledge of music. This is how I was when I joined MB, I was willing to stay and mature though, not start stupid arguements and get myself banned, or leave the first time I disagreed with one of the members. there have been exceptions to this, I'm glad members like Antonio, LoathsomePete and BTown787 have all been great additions to this forum's regulars...but...

2.It seems like most of my favorite posters in my first six months here, have become less and less active. Jackhammer, lucifer_sam, sweet nothing, just to name a few, were all people I loved to discuss music with that aren't nearly as 'regular' as the one were, I think that's because post quality has gone seriously downhill. One reason could be...

3.The f*cking lounge. Yes, I enjoy some of the threads in it, and admittedly, regularly post in 'rate the person above you' threads. The problem? It's probably about tripled in size I joined. I think alienates some of the more frequent members(such as I0, because it gives them the feeling that no one wants to talk about music anymore...or at least that's the impresion I get.

Solutions?
Just generally be stricter about what gets posted. I'm not saying everything needs to be a serious discussion, I love the hilarious banter that occurs here, what I'm saying is there needs to be a lot more on-topic posting, and a lot less lounge bullsh*tting, especially when it spills out into the music forum.

I think perhaps counter wasn't the right word. Feel free to mentally replace it with "reply to" :p:

The negetivity of this website always dissapoints me.

Am.... am I a good noob?

I know we haven't really spoken over the forum at all.