Suggestion: Monthly Discussions Rule Clarification

[sylvre]

Throughout October and November especially, the monthly pet discussion threads have been filled with nothing but bickering between members about "disrespecting pet outcomes." Traditionally, a lot of this fighting takes place at the end of the month when members post their overall opinions of the month's outcomes, but in the last two months especially, the arguing has been consistent month-long. Personally, I find it irritating to check the discussion thread only to find arguing about how Jane Doe's comment disrespected the artist, but John Doe disagrees and Jane Doe is completely baffled at the accusation.

There's already a rule in play about criticizing artists' work:

November Discussion Thread


Rules:

-nipsnipsnipsnipsnipsnip-

- Do NOT, and I repeat it, do NOT bash any outcomes/lineart on this thread or any other. This means being incredibly rude to the artist, and that you are breaking one of CS' rules, which is to respect other members. Yes, artists are members as well.

-snipsnipsnipsnipsnipsnip-

But I think the rule needs to be clarified. There's a huge difference between constructive criticism and being outright rude, and I don't think a lot of those offended by comments are making that distinction. "do NOT bash any outcomes/lineart..." is vague and leaves a lot of room for negotiation.

Could this rule please be specified as to what exactly "bashing" might mean?
Or could an example please be added to the rule to provide a more clear definition?

[da .pimp. is here]

I'd have to agree on this. I've been seeing others fighting over their opinions on the outcomes lately and it's really annoying >-<

[nickjr]

Yes please. The main reason I don't comment on outcomes is that I'm terrified of someone jumping onto me and saying that I'm being rude when all I really want to say is "This outcome looks really, really awkward O.o awesome color combination, but the ____ is seriously throwing me off xD;"

A lot of people are going "Please don't flame me for this, but -insert rude comment here- ._." and then they don't get flamed... and then there are the really polite people who go "This isn't my cup of tea, but I really like this, this, and this; it's just not my cup of tea, that's all ^__^" and then they get flamed. (those were exaggerations, but I don't think that it's that far off)

Not saying that anyone should be flaming people in the first place, of course, but... if you're gonna flame someone, at least make sure that the post is flame-worthy in the first place O__O makes no sense to flame the nice person and leave the rude person alone...

I think people need to have some kind of clarification on what is rude and what's not rude, as odd as that sounds...

[Shian]

YES PLEASE!
Examples of what is and is not okay would be nice, especially if the latter comes with warnings.

[Fat Unicorn]

I'd have to support.
I had posted in the November Discussion Thread saying I did feel neutral about a staff pet, but a few things the artist had done were a bit baffling to me so I questioned a few bits and pieces/offered a suggestion and then I got immediately pounced on by somebody.

It's not a really nice feeling not being able to share your opinion. ^^;

[Hoof]

I would also have to agree. Ever sonce the Halloween event, I haven't felt comfortable to use the monthly discussion threads. I don't want to be a part of something where everyone is fighting all the time.

[Cherry]

I agree. I never say negative things about pets in public, but I have the occasional "that tail is so unnatural!" comment in real life.
I think it should be clarified what is allowed and what isn't. I've seen some artists that don't mind critique, but I really don't want to PM them about what they did "wrong."

Every official artist on here is amazing, but sometimes a line art edit or an extra purple spot sets people off.
They may love the pet aside from a small (or large) detail and want to say why, but they certainly don't deserve to be bashed on for "bashing."

[sylvre]

Thank you for all the support!
I hope something can be done to make the rule a bit clearer.

[.Pardalis.]

I also would find this extremely helpful.
I don't pretend to know how everyone feels, but from a artist's standpoint sometimes it's helpful to
have unbiased observations from fresh eyes.

Like a " I winder why they put those colors there?" kind of thing.
You learn from it, see what works and doesn't.

But I don't feel comfortable on most of the forums anymore, not just one particular thread.
The people have been really catty in the last few years, I've even heard of a mod or two snapping.
Maybe clarifying the rules more would help a lot of that from happening.

[Toppyrocks]

This would be so, so helpful. I mostly just avoid any monthly dicussion threads or art threads for this reason, unless I'm asking a question or am completely in love with something. I've just seen too many people get pounced on for something that didn't come across as rude to me, and then there'll be people that ARE rude that get away with it.

Clarification on lots of the rules that had to do with rude/not rude and other communication rules would be much appreciated.