Why do forums always end up in flames?

I know the penny arcade theory of internet users (nice guy + anonymity + internet = total douchebag) but seriously: what makes people get so aggrivated and insulting on forums (and it's not just this forum).

There are genuinely some people that aren't trying to troll, they just seem to get so angry that they start acting like above-mentioned douchebags. Why?

Chill people. Remember: It's the wounded dolphin that leaps the highest.

(And yes: I _know_ that somehow this thread is going to start an argument. Sorry in advance but maybe we can study our anger endowed peers and understand their plight? or at least learn how to defuse them.)

Epic quote. And I think people like to basically, this is going to sound weird, live out fantasy lives over the internet I think. Yeah that sounds kinda weird but it is sort of true. The point about the anonymity I think holds the most true. On the internet there are limited rules on what you can say or act like. You don't have to be yourself over the internet and that seems like the main draw. Why do you think you hear so many people acting so racist and saying the N word on XBL? Put them in a real situation and I think more than likely that they will not act the same way. I bet most of the time those people are messing around, but you also see a lot of younger kids in the online gaming sect. Those kids are influenced by those older guys who like to fool around and be racist and sexist and what not. The end result is: My generation of kids are going to become major assholes and douchebags, and unless we get rid of the internet, there is no stopping all of the negative influences that will in turn affect the rest of their lives and ours.

You can thank the gunner for the quote
And the "end result" comment made me lol :lol:

But it's more than just the anonymity. People just get so crazy worked up about things like they're having a heart-attack or something and the only way out is to spew a hot stream of anger through the keyboard.

If I find myself typing up an angry post I just click cancel and stop reading the thread for a day. People need to learn impulse control. Mybe they just don't bother to engage it because they're safe behind the anonymity like you say but I'm sure they're still losing days of their lives to increased stress.

Because its fun. Seriously, that's all there is to it. If I can work someone up to the point where they can no longer contribute anything to the discussion and they result to personal insults or abusive language, that's a lot more satisfying then "post your favorite" type threads. I don't actively refresh the boards looking for new threads to derail, but if I see some of the better players starting a circle jerk, or a call out thread, I'm not above letting them know how I feel about it. I won't say anything on the internet that I wouldn't say to their face, I guess I just like confrontation, or I'm just an *******.

It's just a game. It's just the internet.

Fake edit: I bet a wounded dolphin tastes the best too.

Meh, with one exception I've trolled all forums I'm on in my own way. Personal amusement and stuff.

Oh, if you get upset over an argument you're a retard and deserve to be made fun off.

Um, no. If you think trolling is fun, we don't want you here. I don't care what you think of anyone else. They deserve to express their opinions. Leave us to dealing with idiots. That's why we're here.

As for the issue, I basically can agree with most points as to why it happens. It is increasingly likely when people routinely visit that board. They literally start to think of it as a kind of home and rabidly attack anything that seems threatening. Youth also contributes, that whole "emotional roller coaster" thing.

Too true. Especially an argument on a forum ffs

But how do you tell someone to take a chill pill in a way that doesn't make them explode?

You can't. 12 year olds can not handle being criticized.

becus ur a idiot lol?

You contradict yourself there.

"You can say what you want, except when I'm here because my name is green herp a derp."

If you want people to express their opinions (pro tip: you don't want that all the time) you are not allowed to punish people for that.
Either you can or can't.

On a forum you are allowed to express your opinion as long as it adds to the discussion (which forums are for), if not you get a warning and/or banned. That's how it goes. If you let people troll you are not doing it right.
Might want to take a look at forums where this kind of thing takes place (elitistjerks.com comes to mind).

There is no freedom of speech in forums people.

Its only the Xbox crowd that is really getting mad.

They are like a starved caged animal waiting to be fed by DLC.

Thats the source of anger, when Spunky just launched, lots of smiling faces and happy people.

:lol: Ty for your superb input

He means that mods are there to do policing, not users. Everyone can express their opinion if they want, but if they express it badly the mods may need to step in and kick ***. Users shouldn't tell other users to STFU. Well.. that's the gist of it anyway

You obviously do not read the PC section here. Nothing but negativity.

At least EVERYONE who plays on the 360 has a fully working version of the game.

Doesn't change anything actually.
He didn't write that, I know he meant it but that's not the point.

Maybe I just hang out in the wrong forums (sheesh.. that sounds bad) but every forum has loads of negativity.
Sometimes the users rise above the complaining rabble and sometimes you get epic flamewarz (tm).

I don't think I have anymore to learn, so unless it's a thread I feel I can contribute to, I just **** around.

I think it's because the game is just getting older and older that people have nothing more to talk about. When a new DLC releases, people will have stuff to talk about and the flaming will tone down.

Probably. If ever.

-Make someone angry
-Express dominance
-Evolutionary surge of serotonin

This is what I was talking about...
And I don't have a reason to read the PC section unlike you Stretch. (Being a moderator) I'd feel sort of weird posting there, like I don't belong. :lol:
People just want to act like someone there not, without real life consequences.

I was reading the PC section well before I became a mod.

Oh, well...Blah. I just don't read it. :roll: