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Flaming: The IdiocyWhat exactly starts a "Flame War"? In the most frequent instance, flaming begins with simple discussion. When the parties involved in this discussion have a conflict of views, opinions or interpretations, flaming is likely to develop. Flaming can consist of strongly stated opinions completely contrary to the opinions of the other party, or it can devolve into outright insult. If derogatory language is used to describe the opposing party, flaming has indeed begun in earnest. Unfortunately, flaming is often continued. Once one party has retorted with a flame to the other party, that other party will feel obliged to give a similar retort. This is often traded back and forth, escalating and involving other people to validate their point - which still does not make it correct. People not involved in this flame war may throw in commentary on it to perhaps help the situation, but once the flame war has reached it's peak, neither party is willing to give in, and commentary is treated in turn with more flaming. How do we stop flaming? The simple answer is: We can't. However, to avoid epic flames, people not involved should learn to hold their own opinions to themselves to avoid the flamers becoming even more irate. The actual ending of a flame war is decided only by the flamers themselves - and this is a difficult business to do without losing face in the eyes of others that might be watching the battle. One party must admit that they are wrong to halt the flaming, and admitting you are wrong after such a heated debate is extremely difficult. To avoid becoming embroiled in a flame war yourself, the only advice that can be offered is to use your common sense. Once the other party has crossed from strong discussion into open flaming, it is up to you to bow out of it gracefully. However, bowing out of the discussion with snide comments or "Last words" only opens you up to further flaming. As an example of how to end a flame war, try something along these lines: "I no longer wish to continue this discussion. Our views are different, and I cannot see a resolution to this discussion. Therefore, I leave you to your own views, and will hold my own in kind - outside the public eye." This may not be ideal in some situations, but common sense should dictate what would be appropriate. Above all, be polite, be more mature than the flamer. Resist the urge to retort in the same manner as the flamer...there is rarely a clear winner in flame war. All of what has been said is only intended as a rough guide to the idiocy of flaming, and the most important lesson of this is to be mature when discussing in public forums.
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