Chat and In Game Decorum

[HereBeforeCoachK]

I'm frequently in the game chat, usually during those times when I am otherwise watching a game alone. I pretty much love it the way it is. Everybody is rooting for the same team, and often both positive and negative reactions to what's going on get expressed, just like sports fans tend to do. No one means anything truly negative beyond spur-of-the-moment comments, and I really appreciate the opportunity to express them. There's also usually some person-to-person chatter that is cordial and fun. It's less formal than DBR otherwise can sometimes be, and for the limited purpose of watching games together, I appreciate that.

Agree...I think it's moderated perfectly...for what it is...which is different from the main forum. I think everybody, or most everybody, who visits regularly enjoys it...and isn't that the point? And yeah, we all want the same thing...even if we might not agree with how to get there. That's what makes it interesting...and sometimes the comments are "spit out your vodka" funny. Sometimes Brevity just cracks me up. I always read the comments in bold purple.

[gotoguy]

I'm frequently in the game chat, usually during those times when I am otherwise watching a game alone. I pretty much love it the way it is. Everybody is rooting for the same team, and often both positive and negative reactions to what's going on get expressed, just like sports fans tend to do. No one means anything truly negative beyond spur-of-the-moment comments, and I really appreciate the opportunity to express them. There's also usually some person-to-person chatter that is cordial and fun. It's less formal than DBR otherwise can sometimes be, and for the limited purpose of watching games together, I appreciate that.

My sentiments exactly

[ChillinDuke]

I do wonder if the Chat Room suffers from a bit of generational divide. Chat Rooms - a la AOL / AIM / messenger services - have a very different culture than Message Board, let alone this Board which is head and shoulders and chest above others in terms of decorum.

Chat Rooms, IMO but also from a ton of experience, are used in a much more fleeting, stream of consciousness way. Think: immediate, conversational reactions. Just like someone upthread said: armchair analysis, just like you were sitting at a bar watching a game with a friend.

Boards are much more "forever", at least this one is, where people try harder to think before they click submit.

While I understand the view that a Chat Room can seem overly negative, I think it's important for people to understand this important difference between the two mediums and understand that it is going to be very hard (really, impossible) to change the culture of how people interact with a Chat Room medium.

So perhaps the answer is twofold: (1) collectively try to not be quite so negative / reactionary and (2) understand that a Chat Room will almost certainly never be as well thought out or structured as a Message Board.

- Chillin

[bigperm13]

Agree...I think it's moderated perfectly...for what it is...which is different from the main forum. I think everybody, or most everybody, who visits regularly enjoys it...and isn't that the point? And yeah, we all want the same thing...even if we might not agree with how to get there. That's what makes it interesting...and sometimes the comments are "spit out your vodka" funny. Sometimes Brevity just cracks me up. I always read the comments in bold purple.

You like the chat room, we all get it. That's fine, have at it. Like I said. We have different senses of humor. Also fine. People find different things funny. Saying some people don't have a sense of humor because they have a different opinion about a chat room on a basketball message board is asinine. PS - you don't need the chat room to find any Cam bashing, it's here in places on the main board.

[NSDukeFan]

With due respect, what the hell chat have you been on? I've seen some frustrated and harsh comments, but I don't think I've ever seen any "belittling" or "trashing" going on, unless it's against announcers and/or referees...and half of that is in jest.

Some people's sense of humor bypass operations were way too successful.

Not everyone, not even the majority. But more than to my liking.

Reasonable minds can differ, of course. There are persistently negative folks who may be a minority, but who make it easy for me to just shut the chat off and go elsewhere.

With due respect, I totally reject your premise that the DBR chat is like that.

I expect my oversensitivity and humour bypass operations may have been too successful as DBR chat (I have always enjoyed my limited participation in the crazietalk chat) and in-game threads are too negative for me and come down too hard on 18-22 year olds trying their best for me. This is all just fun and entertainment for me, so I prefer the board’s tone better. I end up recording and watching a lot of games when I can anyway. Unfortunately, it sounds I miss out on some of brevity’s great sense of humor (and I am sure I would enjoy many other posters views as well) but he provides entertainment on the forum as well. DBR has greatly increased my knowledge and enjoyment of Duke basketball and for that I am grateful to the many great posters on this board.

[Dub]

Like many have already said, the in-game thread reeks negativity. As pointed out, there are the “usual suspects” that continually post negative banter. I’ve seen countless negative posts about Cam, RJ, Javin, Tre, etc. Heck, everyone with exception of “Zion our Savior” has been bashed.

It’s honestly sad since this is definitely one of the (IMO) more exciting one and done teams we’ve had. I just hope the “usual suspects” take some time to enjoy the guys while they’re here because come April, it’ll be all over and we’ll start from square 1 once again.

[Steven43]

How anyone could possibly NOT understand ^^^^^^ this is just beyond me. (and yet, some clearly miss it). A chat is totally different from the forum. Totally. A chat is fast moving, there are often 2-3-4 side conversations going on at one time...and popping in after the game to pass judgment on what YOU THINK YOU are reading is simply not going to bring you into context. It is indeed a bunch of Duke fans at a bar IN REAL TIME as things unfold - which is what I told my wife exactly.

A lot of remarks in are in a context of the moment, or sarcastic. ONE EXAMPLE: it's one thing to comment after the 23 point comeback against Louisville in the forum, but it's quite another to comment in chat as Louisville is building that lead, and when the lead is 23, and so on. People rail on TV Teddy and on Bilas and on Vitale and yes there's frustration when the team is 1-19 from 3 or when a certain player continues to turn the ball over and so on...but most of the comments are fun, often funny, and in the moment.

If I could somehow agree greater than 100% I would.

[rocketeli]

I have a friend whose a huge Steelers fan. Always wears steelers shirts, steeler hats, has bumperstickers on his car, the whole works. But I've given up watching Steelers games with him because he's also a huge font of negativity the whole game. Tomlin is a moron who can't coach, the offensive coordinator sucks, Rothliesberger (not going to look up how to spell it) is a talentless waste of space, etc, all interlarded with profanity. He keeps this up the entire game, without pause. Thank goodness he likes them, right?
Now he seems to derive a lot of pleasure from this activity, and thankfully, there are a lot of other TV sets in the world if I want to watch a Steelers game, so no harm done.
But, I think the issue here is, that there is only one DBR. I've also stopped checking out the in-game threads or chat over the past season or so, because there are more bashers (and people do bash players despite what some previous poster may think) and negative nancys who feel the need to share their most fleeting or inane thoughts with the world. I think most of us have already abandoned the chat to those people.
So whither DBR?

[JNort]

I go for the trivia contest. I intend to win that challenge one of these days.

And I certainly enjoy ref bashing. If it's ok with JB in chat that's fine by me. He rides herd loosely but also brings the hammer down when it's warranted.

My opinion.

I always pop in and out of the chat because I hate the bolded part. I think I've said here before that if I ever get mod status I would give temp bans to anyone complaining about refs and missed calls. It might be my biggest pet peeve in all sports.

[Steven43]

Like many have already said, the in-game thread reeks negativity. As pointed out, there are the “usual suspects” that continually post negative banter. I’ve seen countless negative posts about Cam, RJ, Javin, Tre, etc. Heck, everyone with exception of “Zion our Savior” has been bashed.

It’s honestly sad since this is definitely one of the (IMO) more exciting one and done teams we’ve had. I just hope the “usual suspects” take some time to enjoy the guys while they’re here because come April, it’ll be all over and we’ll start from square 1 once again.

What’s with the “Zion our Savior” line? It comes off as kind of mocking or sarcastic. If the guy consistently makes great decisions with the ball, hardly misses a shot, doesn’t ballhog, doesn’t play hero ball, controls his dribble well, passes to open teammates, KNOWS HIS LIMITATIONS, plays team-first ball at all times, doesn’t commit silly charges, doesn’t keep shooting 3-pointer after 3-pointer if he isn’t shooting them well, plays stellar defense, and tries harder than anyone on the court, well, there really isn’t anything negative to be said. Okay, he certainly could improve his free throw-shooting a bit. But that has been pointed out many times about Zion.

If there were things to critique, posters would do so. That’s just being a fan — you point out the good, bad, and the ugly if you feel so inclined. And if the moderators want to slap a poster down, they will. I’m a bit surprised that so many posters seem to think what the board needs is MORE overt control over what posters say. It’s already the most controlled board in existence.

[elvis14]

I'm frequently in the game chat, usually during those times when I am otherwise watching a game alone. I pretty much love it the way it is. Everybody is rooting for the same team, and often both positive and negative reactions to what's going on get expressed, just like sports fans tend to do. No one means anything truly negative beyond spur-of-the-moment comments, and I really appreciate the opportunity to express them. There's also usually some person-to-person chatter that is cordial and fun. It's less formal than DBR otherwise can sometimes be, and for the limited purpose of watching games together, I appreciate that.

I don't get to participate in the chat very often because I watch so many games delayed and/or on the phone with a friend (yes, we synchronize our DVR's like geeks). When I do get to chat, I enjoy it and I don't feel that it's overly negative. I don't feel that discussing moves made or not made by the coaching staff to be negative or bashing. I do complain about the refs a good bit.

After reading this thread, I'll try and be more careful to not be overly negative in chat.

[FerryFor50]

I don't go into chat as much anymore, mainly because the interface is kind of bad. Hard to read and refreshes poorly.

Plus, moonpie spoils the game by watching it from the future.

[HereBeforeCoachK]

Plus, moonpie spoils the game by watching it from the future.

THIS ^^^^ is my only complaint with chat....
With Hulu, I"m time warped behind him....
I had another service that was even worse...I dropped it.

[Devilwin]

Frankly, I find the "Cheating Bastards" blast in the title of a current thread more offensive than negativity in the heat of the moment on the Chat..Even though the people being addressed as such certainly deserve the moniker..lol

[BeachBlueDevil]

Requisite Disclaimer: I am not a moderator just a long time poster

I am curious to gauge the temp of our community regarding in game threads and chat. I have found that the tenor has changed dramatically over the past few seasons. It may be that it reflects a shift in internet culture, sports culture, or our society as a whole, or I may be already getting over my skis.

This is, without a doubt, one of the most closely moderated boards I have ever seen. Those folks do yeoman and largely thankless work here, keeping us roughly pointed in a positive direction. I am very appreciative of that work.

There seems to be a level of acceptance for diversion in the game threads and the chat.

I am sure most of you are familiar with it. A player on our team misses back to back shots, he should be benched. We fall down by double digits and the coaches are idiots for not subbing out a player. A charge is called, and the ref is a moron, the commentators are idiots, and the player should stop driving to the basket.

I understand that these venues exist for the analysis and critique of our favorite team and the players on that team. But I also find some of the directed criticism to cross a line that I find to venture into Terping.

I will readily admit that I am old school. I have a belief in the process, in our players, and in K. They are far from infallible, but as someone recently pointed out, those times of difficulty are when we ought to be MOST supportive of our team.

I do not mean to whine about the general tone of these things here, and I certainly understand that emotions for all of us run strong when our team is not succeeding. But we have a GREAT team, the best coach in the history of the sport, and some truly transcendent talent. We are NEVER out of any game until the last buzzer, as proven several times already this season.

So, you can tell me I am an old fogey or that this board is the only place you can vent among friends and like-minded folks. You can say whatever you want. I am just curious if I am alone in this level of discomfort.

There are six games left, if we are lucky. We won't be constantly playing perfect ball and getting every call. There will likely be times when we are exasperated. But I, for one, would love to see more positivity and support - even when we are losing, behind, missing, or being confounding.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

I'm never in here for the chats as I do most of my forum damage from my phone... But what you brought up, particularly the portion I've put in bold is rampant on the internet. Go join a Duke basketball group on Facebook.... I'm sure what is said in the chat here is tame compared to the trash on Facebook.

Now the unfortunate thing here is that this is a shift in society. It's too easy to get behind a screen and make remarks and call people names with basically zero repercussions.

[wavedukefan70s]

Certain games I dont go in chat .I know me.i have on occasion threw out random stuff just to throw people's minds a bit to calm them down.

[BandAlum83]

What’s with the “Zion our Savior” line? It comes off as kind of mocking or sarcastic. If the guy consistently makes great decisions with the ball, hardly misses a shot, doesn’t ballhog, doesn’t play hero ball, controls his dribble well, passes to open teammates, KNOWS HIS LIMITATIONS, plays team-first ball at all times, doesn’t commit silly charges, doesn’t keep shooting 3-pointer after 3-pointer if he isn’t shooting them well, plays stellar defense, and tries harder than anyone on the court, well, there really isn’t anything negative to be said. Okay, he certainly could improve his free throw-shooting a bit. But that has been pointed out many times about Zion.

If there were things to critique, posters would do so. That’s just being a fan — you point out the good, bad, and the ugly if you feel so inclined. And if the moderators want to slap a poster down, they will. I’m a bit surprised that so many posters seem to think what the board needs is MORE overt control over what posters say. It’s already the most controlled board in existence.

I never get negative or point out the ugly during a game. I try to stay as positive as possible and have stopped watching games with friends or family members who get negative. The time for negativity, IMO, is not during the game.

Geez, I watched and hoped for a turn-around during the 1990 championship game/debacle. I held out hope for as long as I could. Putting negative energy out into the universe is a superstitious thing for me I guess. I just won't do it.

That's why I don't go to the chat room.

[Steven43]

I never get negative or point out the ugly during a game. I try to stay as positive as possible and have stopped watching games with friends or family members who get negative. The time for negativity, IMO, is not during the game.

Geez, I watched and hoped for a turn-around during the 1990 championship game/debacle. I held out hope for as long as I could. Putting negative energy out into the universe is a superstitious thing for me I guess. I just won't do it.

That's why I don't go to the chat room.

How do you feel during a game in Cameron Indoor when Coach K screams invective at a referee or LOUDLY curses in anger or angrily slaps his clipboard against his thigh or gets upset at one of his players? Those are all negative emotions with negative energy.

In fact, the primary emotion I have seen him most often display during games is negative in nature. How’s that for chat and in-game decorum? So you want DBR posters to be in-game chat room choir boys while our very own head coach is anything but? And by the way, I LOVE Coach K for all of this and more.

[hsheffield]

I don't go into chat as much anymore, mainly because the interface is kind of bad. Hard to read and refreshes poorly.

Plus, moonpie spoils the game by watching it from the future.

yes, the moonpie connection to the future can be disconcerting. however, if I'm feeling anxious about how the game is going, a positive moon pie comment can help me settle down-so it's a two edged sword. I also appreciate moon pie's eerie ability to accurately predict we will win, even when the chips are down.

I've had a lot of issues with the interface this year: chat scrolls me up before the last comment every time it refreshes. consequently I frequently have to scroll back down to keep up. anyone else had this issue? I keep looking for a way to reset something but no luck so far.

Mtn Devil: brevity does trivia over halftime.

[BandAlum83]

How do you feel during a game in Cameron Indoor when Coach K screams invective at a referee or LOUDLY curses in anger or angrily slaps his clipboard against his thigh or gets upset at one of his players? Those are all negative emotions with negative energy.

In fact, the primary emotion I have seen him most often display during games is negative in nature. How’s that for chat and in-game decorum? So you want DBR posters to be in-game chat room choir boys while our very own head coach is anything but? And by the way, I LOVE Coach K for all of this and more.

That’s his job. He motivates and works the refs and does what he needs to. My job is to cheer, support and to be positive.