Can I ask you honestly, since you seem to differentiate between internet culture and 'real' culture: which format do you prefer?
There's no differentiation. Just like life, this forum has a bit of everything to offer - you only simply need to look at other sub-forums and/or thread titles. Stick with what appeals to *you.* One might point out that how we carry ourselves online is a reflection of our reality. I'd agree to an extent. Some reveal more of themselves in the forums than they may in-game, or vice-versa, but in 99% of the cases if you meet them, regardless of what you see of them on the internet, I bet you'll find most are civil and polite within their own character.
While flamers and trolls can be found anywhere, including in person (hello gossips and busybodies?) bear in mind you are also on a unique website for an awesome game revolving around <cough> air combat in WW2. This involves blowing up stuffs. And ranks and scores. Egos everywhere! Including your own.
I'd rather see people arguing about their mad cartoon pie-let skillz than politics and other useless stuff. Now, when people start to get personal... ehhhhh... i.e., when they step outside of the confines of the game. This is why throughout my long history of "smack talk" I have ever only been auto muted maybe a handful of times, and received a week radio ban *once* and wrongly imho but, meh. Don't think I've ever been forum hammered.
Actually, if you knew my flying better, you'd see I'm having a dialogue with midway pretty much how I fly, both reactive to miscues and manipulating those to a desired target solution.
But of course, you have most of the convo on ignore. I'm fine with that. I'm with Coombz on the issues, which is why I felt I could give my perspective.
<edit: mutters about Generation ADHD and their insatiable desire for instant gratification.>
