I used to love reading different opinions and different ways of keeping poultry on BYC. Now it seems different than it did even last year at this time. There seems to be more right fighting.I do feel like I see a lot more rude members on this site now than in the past
I've also seen a lot of people reacting negatively to being corrected too, even if you're doing it in a nice way and not being rude. Some members also don't take it well if you post an opinion in a thread that's different from their own, and take someone posting a different opinion than theirs as a personal attack.
An example, an OP of a thread recently posted asking what they need to do to feed their gosling. Single gosling. I answered, then gently pointed out that you need to have at least two, as they are flock animals. The OP posted back that it 'wasn't a thread about raising goslings' and they only wanted info about the feed. Didn't want to hear that they needed another goose.
Another example is recently a member has been making a mistake about the color of one of their breeding birds, and I really wanted to help them and tell them what color it actually is, so that they can know what they are actually going to get when breeding, but I have interacted with this member before, and I know they'll freak out if I try, so I haven't. And it seems no one else is willing to either, probably for the same reason. They are calling the bird a completely wrong color, so I'm sure others are noticing. Basically it's the equivalent of referring to a blue mottled bird as chocolate mottled, super obvious difference, but I know if I say anything, the member is not going to be willing to hear it, so I don't bother. I've seen someone else try to correct this member about the color of one of their birds before, and the member dug their heels in and argued even though they were wrong. It's just not worth it.
It's pretty sad, and I don't know why recently this has seemed to be happening more and more often. I almost blame the internet as a whole for this. People are now able to form groups that will just back them up and never tell them they are wrong, and now it seems people can't handle it when they are corrected or someone posts an opinion that's different than theirs.
I personally just try to offer up my experiences. I don't ever try to say my way is the only way. That's just silly. I do like to learn new stuff and see how others are doing things. Not every way works for every person or set up.
I respect helpful advice. I respect experienced keepers. That knowledge is invaluable on this site.
You do need a thick skin to be online. Meanings are misconstrued often. I hope everyone means well, but I don't know for sure. Some seem down right mean at times.
I think I see more younger people lately joining. Maybe I just don't understand the younger generation. I was raised in a more polite time. You were nice to a person when in their presence no matter what. Now it different because you aren't in their presence anymore. It's easier to hurt people without knowing it, and it's easier to attack someone's character because you don't know them.
Of course that being said, back in the day, 2008, I came on BYC for information but I was too afraid to join because of all the arguments. So BYC goes through these constant changes as members come and go. I guess those that stick around need to adapt or we get lost.
I just don't like rude comments when they aren't necessary. Especially when directed at nice people like @speckledhen . She has earned respect here on BYC, and should be treated as such.
It's also nice to hear someone else is seeing it. I thought maybe I was being too sensitive. I think I spend as much time observing human behaviors here as I do reading about poultry. There are some strong personalities on here. I try to avoid those people if possible, or keep an eye on them at least. Generally I only need to be kicked once in the arse to learn that lesson.
