RKMBs Forums .::Important::. Fortress of Awesome Chat My Yearly Rant: The RKMBS Community

Recently, my acerbic nature began to dominate. Certain comments I made caused PJP to think I was getting irritated with him. That is not the case, as I think we all agree "Thank God for PJP".

But, I think the concept of repetive jokes around here is a valid criticism. Some enjoy the simplicity of saying and doing the same old jokes over and over. Some don't. Either way, it's a valid topic of conversation and debate.

So, with that in mind, I think a list should be comprised of gripes or complaints about the mindset of the RKMBS community, and/or, things people would change around here if they could.

As such, I'll start it off with my top observations and opinions:

• Obvious Alts : These are the alts that are simply a shadow of someone else's online ID, or, an exact mirror copy. They are generally created to make fun of a specific individual or just troll a forum with a single stale joke. Once, funny. Twice, okay. Three times? Boring.
• Homosexual jokes : It is a positive aspect of guys like Jim Jackson and Klinton that they are not easily offended. If there is one defining aspect of the RKMBS, it is the constant....constant...use of homosexual reference, imagery, and discussions that are used in a negative, deragotory, or insulting manner. Yeah, I too join in on the "___ is gay!" jokes. But, in the end, love it or hate it, it's a repetitive theme that has simply taken over.
• BSAMSing Threads : You know, the very fact that bumping old threads up for no apparent reason other than to clutter a forum is named after a specific poster (Britneyspearsatemyshorts) should tell people that really only one person can get away with it as a joke: BSAMS. Everyone else that does it is simply either trying to "be" him, or, is just following the crowd. Come on. Get an identity. Be yourself. Otherwise, you're just a pale imitation of the man himself.
• Attention Whores : I could spout off a list of posters that simply create useless threads to try and get attention. You know who they are. You know if you're one of them. It's one thing if it's just a one-time, having fun kind of thing. It's another if it's a constant stream of pointless "Hey look at me! I need validation! Your opinion of me is important!" threads where nothing is served and nothing is gained. You know who you are.
• Pick the Victim : Whether it be Rex, Chris Oakley, or any other, there is a serious habit prevalent on these boards of going after a single poster in every possible fashion, and in every possible thread. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm certain some deserve it. However, it's one thing for, say, PJP to tool on Rex consistently. It's almost damn expected, in that sense. It's an entirely different matter for everyone else to jump on the bandwagon and just lambast the guy with sock jokes, for no other reason than to be "included". Group mentality is a dangerous, pathetic notion that is as real here as it is in society. As with BSAMSing threads and being an attention whore, just get an identity. Be yourself, and be unique. Otherwise, you simply blend in with the crowd. And that, in my opinion, is boring.
• Everything is a joke : Unless it's in the Deep Politics Forum...and even then because G-Man and Wednesday are able to sift out the pointless threads...everything in every forum here is a joke. And, I use the word "joke" quite lightly. Generally, ninety-percent of the supposed "wit" that's added to serious/semi-serious discussions are pointless trolling that simply tries to gain them attention, or a pity-laugh. Sometimes...and fuck, I know this will fall on deaf ears....it's okay to allow a serious discussion. If you like comic books, and want to discuss comic books, then, the comic book forum is exactly for that. Certain posters feel that they have to remind everyone, though, that comics can be made fun of, and serious or fun discussions should be broken up with consistent "jokes". And, I just use the comic forum as an example. It's in every forum, in every thread. At no point can anyone express a serious, or valid point about any subject without someone coming along and....quite predictably, I assure you...trying to make a joke about the subject, or belittling the person trying to discuss it. People, really...it's okay to have serious or purposeful talks here. We have plenty of other threads to have fun in, or whatnot. Not every single thread has to be a joke. Really. Swear. Believe that.
• "He's thinking on his own....GET HIM!!" : This is a follow-up to my last point. If someone is critical of anything that goes on here, in the least, the mob mentality turns against them. For example, I'm certain any number of response could...and will...be made about the points I've listed here. If it isn't the oft-norm inferiority sarcasm of "Hey, he's trying to take a message board seriously", then, it will be the creation of a mirror/insult alt, with mocking dialogue to accompany....or, the most common....is to take excerpts from the posters content and use as a sig line to make fun of the individual, claiming some form of "victory". Predictable, assured, and, in the end....only funny to those that have their own inferiority issues. Of course, another response would be an outlash of "Who are you to criticize?" and the like. Also, expected and predictable. In the end, the point that should be considered is, why can't it be discussed or debated without it turning into personal insults? Why skip over the points, just because you either have no serious opinion on the subject, or, wrongly feel singled out, as if the criticism is being leveled at you personally? I think the RKMBS would be better served on a whole if individuals were allowed to speak their minds without the fear of reprisal from those that have inferiority issues, and wish to be the "cool" one. High school mentality will only serve you just so long.

See, these are my gripes and opinions about the repetitive nature of these boards. It certainly isn't universal. And, it is in no way brought about by anything that's personally happened or occured with me. It's all observation and feedback from spending the last five years here. As well as, the things I think need to be addressed if we ever expect to expand the roster of posters beyond MrJLA, and his three-hundred alt-ids.

Now, let's hear from others. What are your gripes or complaints? Don't be afraid to express them. Sure, some simpleton is going to come along and get a new sigline off of you. But, let them. In the end, your voice is heard, and they are still the same, tired old joke.

So, opinions?