A few observations of late.....

[Steeltrap]

Having read a number of threads lately, I've come to the conclusion that:

1. it's very easy to write something others find offensive.
2. some people are very sensitive on some matters, to the point where expressing any view contrary to theirs is likely to result in all sorts of carrying on.
3. a fair amount of the 'grief' in some posts re GWX has been caused by it being announced and talked about when there is no detail to be given. It's fine not to give detail, but that just leaves the posts open to speculation, which means the original posters end up 'having' to 'defend' a topic about which there are few facts....something of a pointless exercise for all involved.
4. some people appear to be allowed to express their views in highly intemperate terms without sanction, while some others get villified for expressing theirs (even if they expressed theirs somewhat clumsily - see point 3 below).
5. some people interpret any comments about GWX which MIGHT be viewed as critical (especially if the reader is predisposed to be sensitive) as being motivated by being devoted to other mods (the "you must be a fan-boy of NYGM" being one of my favourites - says plenty about the person saying this but not much else).

Seems we might have an easier time if:
1. there were fewer posts inviting comment inevitably based on ignorance because no facts are available
2. some people stopped responding so vitriolically to anything they see as critical of their own view
3. we all read our posts before posting and consider how they might read to others and amend them to the best of our abilities so as to prevent offense
4. modders and users of mods are treated with equal respect (just because I don't mod doesn't make my posting invalid, nor should the fact that someone does mod give them the right to dump on me because I don't....having said that, I always try to make it clear I respect and value the fantastic work modders do)

I am not aiming these observations at anyone in particular, or any mod (I've mentioned GWX simply because some threads have been about it - I'm not at all making any comment about the mod itself). I would respectfully suggest that anyone who feels otherwise might want to ask 'what might I have done that makes me feel any of this applies to me?' before choosing to bark at me for saying any of it.

I invite anyone to comment as they wish (although people would do that without any invitation anyway, I just wanted to make it clear I'm not 'lecturing' and am trying to invite some reflection by all of us....if I'm appearing otherwise that's no doubt due to poor choice of words, not intent).

Cheers