[ethanx]

I have been posting here for a few months now and i notice a rather disturbing and very childish trend. When you read this do take into account that I fully realize that this is a post board open to all types of debate on fantasy lit. One of things that disturbs me though is the need for people to say that one author is better than another. Whether it be for pure academic writing skills, storytelling or originality. Tolkien is the best, Jordan is king and on and on. Everytime I look back on here I see a new string of an already overdone topic. The thing that strikes me funny is that poeople actually believe that by bashing one author and praising another that this will change that person's opinion. If anyone has any background whatsoever in psych they will realize that this does not work. Everyone has their own opinion, and most people will become very defensive and less open-minded to the blatant disregard for something they believe to be true if this tact is used. Now I am not saying that I do not have opinions myself. Right now I am a huge fan of Martin's series and less than enthused with Jordan. The point of all this is that I will still read Jordan's work as well as Martin's, whether someone posts that Jordan's new book is garbage or Martin's new work is under par. The one thing that ties us all together and makes us post is our common love of fantasy in general. It gets to the point where the critics become so rude that you would think they owned stock in these authors. Until an actual published author gets on here and says that another author's books are terrible does anyone have more credibility than anyone else here? I doubt that if a bunch of authors got together on a message board that they would be sitting there like children saying that there work is better and the other author saying that his is. Something constructive that they might do is brainstorm ideas for books or to toss around new concepts. Now I know that people will read this and diregard it and still post new topics such as "Why Jordan makes me break out in hives" or "Goodkind can beat Tolkien in hoops", but I for one am rather bored with it. So instead of cutting down an author who makes his living of off writing, why not throw some ideas out yourself and we can have fun with that. String creative writing is a rather fun and interesting venue that people can have fun with and take some pride in. SO IMHO debates on who is better or the best will never be resolved here, but we can actually make this a place that an author would be proud of.


(If anyone is interested in starting an open string story let me know.)

[mybeaker]

Here here! I agree wholeheartedly. I think some people just like to look at their own words on a screen (the internet equivalent to liking to hear the sound of your own voice). I believe that there is no such thing as "the best" author, just a different style of writing that appeals more to some than others. And it isn't limited to just fantasy, all genres share this quality.

I'm just glad to see someone that shares my opinion http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif


(Oh and yes I'd be interested in open story writing on the board)

[FitzChivalry]

I'm sorry ethanx, when i read your post i became very defensive and less open-minded so i can't agree with you on that.
j/k there.

seriously, if people enjoy argueing about authors there's nothing wrong with that. the whole point of this board is having fun talking about fantasy. it's pointless because nobody will convince nobody else, but if someone enjoys it, be my guest.

[Eventine]

Having been posting on this board since there were about 10 other people, I have noticed this trend increasing lately. It is still fun to have an interesting discussion, just not a mindless argument.

What annoys me though, is when people don't try to back up their argument with reasons. Saying "Goodkind sucks" is pointless. Saying "Goodkind sucks because " and giving out a few reasons is where these discussions make sense, because it is like minded people presenting opinions, not bashing each other mindlessly.

Which is why I am considering stopping reading the reviews on this site. It seems to me that every Goodkind review goes something along the lines of "This book is great, and the series keeps getting better. Yay goodkind" (Sorry - not trying to single out Goodkind there - he was the first example to come to mind.)
They don't say why the book is good. They often don't use grammar or punctuation or more than 3 sentences, and usually submit as Anonymous. Which in my mind doesn't make it a book review. I'm not sure what it makes it.

So, in summary, when you are trying to put an opinion across, at least back it up with some reasoning, evidence or at least correct spelling. It makes for intersting discussion, not mindless arguments.

[This message has been edited by Eventine (edited November 20, 2000).]

[Pluvious]

I agree with Eventine. Eventine rules! Is that more than three sentences?

Anyway, I too wouldn't mind some more in depth posts. I enjoy giving examples and explaining why or why not I like or dislike something. But I also realize some people don't think very deeply about why they like something. Right Goodkind fans! (ha ha)

Arguing opinions rocks! Complaining about other people's lack of imagination or critical thinking is pointless. Give me a good topic to debat and I'm there...

[Rob B]

YOU ALL ROCK!! JUST BECAUSE!!

Seriously, though I agree with Eventine about the reviews and people saying This author sucks, without back up, or the whole "Goodkind/Jordan rules" thing.
I don't think this is a new problem, one of my first posts was
Anything other than Goodkind or Jordan? (http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000049.html) back in May.

Yes ethanx! People also should check other threads and topics before starting a new topic and read the previous comments in the thread they are posting, so as not to repeat.
How many posts are there for recommendations now?

Something else that has really annoyed me--People should also put SPOILERS in the topic line when a spoiler will be discussed or at the very top of their post if the post contains spoilers and give some blank space before the spoiler if the book is fairly new.
The only person that is going to convince me if an author "sucks" (or to be PC if I don't like them) is the author themself, as Robert Jordan says--READ AND FIND OUT.

BTW--Stephen is King, not Jordan or anybody else. j/k http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/wink.gif

I think we can all agree that people need to think before the type and think again before they hit the SUBMIT button.

I hope this hasn't come across too cranky.

[drakon]

i would like to post an objection to what ethanx said ... but i can't 'cause i totally agree. i am a new member to this forum and i must admit that after first posting criticism about Jordan (which btw i backed up) i grew tired of all the "He's so gggrreeaattt" etc. posts and looked for more interesting subjects.

I love the idea of starting an open string story!!! ( although i'm not sure i'll be very good at it as english isn't my mother tongue

[Liselle]

I agree with ethanx and Eventine both: I cannot stand those endless discussions about who's the best author anymore, but maybe we can give them a new sense adding a 'because' to every opinion we give. Of course, everyone has his own preferences and likes, but it can be quite interesting to discuss such things to earn new perspectives.
A story to continue online would be great, though I think there'll be some difficulties such as: you have to read everything to know how to continue eventually (this means being online for ages), and you have to be fast with your version of the story, otherwise someone else might give the story a completely other direction and you have to order your thoughts and ideas again.
Nevertheless I think it is worth a try!

[Lani]

I agree with people who posted that some more depth in discussion would be definetely a plus. It does gets boring to read all those "Jordan rules!" type of things even if you believe that it is so.
On the other hand about changing minds with arguments and such... Did you ever saw a person who, for example, stated that Goodkind suck and then after hearing even a reasonable argument against that started to tell people that Goodkind rules? I didn't and as long as I know 99% of arguments are just a waste of time because nobody is changing mind. So we argue just for fun. But anyway let's have a thoughtful fun!

[Eventine]

FitzFlagg has made a good point with the spoilers comment.
A while back someone was revealing most of the Wheel of Time plot on a board. Having never read the series, but contemplating it, I didn't want to see the events of book 6 laid out before I could read the first one.

(our moderator, if you're listening), is there anywhere where standard ettiquete for the board is posted? It's not obvious if it is...
I's a pretty simple list:

Check old posts before starting a new thread.
Think before you write - offer a discussion point not an opinion.
Respect others - don't flame and warn for spoilers.

Any other suggestions?

On another note - I am never going to not read an author because of what has been written on this board. I will read an author if I am convinced by a lot of good comments however. By reading a bad author once, I have cost myself a few dollars for a book. By not reading a good author, I've cost myself a lot more than a few dollars...