World of Warcraft®

In recent times, I've been experiencing this on what is my current home realm and it's made me consider returning to my original home realm, here. But then I remembered that it was the reason I left this realm to begin with.

So then, I feel like it should be addressed. What's your stance on bandwagon hate? Do you ever hate someone/something just because it's popular to do so? How often do you see other people do this? What do you think of them?

08/12/2014 08:25 AMPosted by Ghorfa

What's your stance on bandwagon hate? Do you ever hate someone/something just because it's popular to do so? How often do you see other people do this? What do you think of them?

My stance? I try to avoid it, and the appearance of it, whenever possible. Its easier said than done sometimes since it requires one to step back, take a breath, and wait.

Do I ever hate because it's popular? I like to think I don't, but in truth I probably have and probably will at some point. It's almost unavoidable human nature. When it deals with something/one that you're close to or if you're within that group with whom you are close, then its easy to join in the hate. It can be a sympathetic response of sorts. All the more reason to take a step back, take a breath, and wait to make sure that you indeed feel that way and not "just because".

How often do I see this? It seems to be most prevalent in social media (to include forums such as this). Wherever there are people emotionally invested to someone or in something this will always occur, at least to some degree.

What do I think of them? For the most part its tragic. Jumping on the bandwagon usually hinders any sort of constructive resolve and only further deepens wounds or the divide. Let me explain what I mean.

"Hate" is an intense and passionate response. It's full of emotion.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hate

Almost by necessity it blinds you to the emotions, the feelings, and too often the plights/causes/cases of those on the other end. I would equate it to a biological response that has its uses, since it helps us fight for what we believe in. In that way it is very much a survival instinct. However it can be (and so often is) easily mismanaged.

Hate makes us say or do things on impulse. It clouds our judgement, enabling us to make decisions that we feel were correct or justified at the time, but in the end were actually regrettable. Hence, the bandwagon. Its easy for people that may share such passion to be swept up into the same cause, or in this case the same response.

Stop. Step back. Take a breath. Calm down. Remove as much of that emotion as possible and try to look at the issue with fresh eyes. That's a mark of a mature mind.

Once most if not all of that emotion is taken away, you may find that the other side of the argument at least has a point or a valid opinion. Then by all means if you still feel the need to go ahead and respond, and with passion. But by doing this you have a better chance of responding legitimately from a position of strength to the issue at hand, rather than just simply "jumping on the bandwagon" and "fanning the flames".

You're posing your plight rather ambiguously. What, if anything, have you done to garner this bandwagon of intolerance and negativity towards you? Yes, there is pointless, baseless hatred, but through a medium like WoW, that's mostly avoided. Hard to hate someone over a facet you cannot detect.
Anyone who's played for a long time, or spent time on a PvP realm, knows what this feels like. There will always be something about you society at large will want to change. And, yes, it often comes out with hatred. But most people are wise enough to keep their heads down after being confronted by these negative reactions from others.
And again, there is usually something being done to warrant this negativity. You may not have actually done anything wrong, but someone certainly seems to think you have.
Is it band-wagoning, or rumor-milling?
Before you invest money into changing realms, you should know that all realms are basically the same. What has gotten you chased from one realm will follow you to the next unless you actively change whatever it is you've been doing or saying to be chased in the first place.

Take it from someone who knows.

08/12/2014 08:25 AMPosted by Ghorfa

But then I remembered that it was the reason I left this realm to begin with.

Consider coming back. I'm certain you may find things are different. :) This is a good community full of good and mature people who are willing to look past differences. I personally have found them rather forgiving and tolerant.

Adding to my comments above (and without intent of lumping you into this group) I think that a lot of people tend to desert, or flee, realms because of hate. As much as it can make one respond rashly, it can make another hold stubbornly onto an idea or notion, and defend it even when they're in the wrong.

I have seen members in the community rally against a minority solely because this minority refuses to give any ground. So often it is hate that that unites these defenders, causing them to jump onto a bandwagon of "moral superiority" and flee together to another realm.

Granted, this is not always the case, but in my opinion it has happened more than once. ...and not just in this realm.

Intolerance is bred when neither side is willing to step back and recognize that the other may have a point to their issue or cause. It doesn't mean that you have to agree with them or take up their banner. It is possible for two parties to completely disagree with each other and still exist civialy. This is accomplished only when we can remove the hate between us. Stifle that emotion, and search for goodness and common ground.

Like Ketyru stated, your post was a bit equivocal. I’m not sure if you were referring to a general bandwagon mentality or if you were posting in response to something that has happened to you specifically. I suppose it doesn’t matter, for my answer would be the same – ignore it.

I don’t know that I would say I have a stance on bandwagon hate except to just discount it entirely. It’s a group mentality that cannot be broken by someone from the outside. It has to implode.

I don’t think I have reviled someone just because others do. Take Justin Bieber for example. I know a ton of people who seem to have an unreasonable loathing for him. Now, I don’t care for his music, but since I don’t know him personally, I can’t say whether I hate or like him.

Following my previous example of Bieberism, I can say, yes I have seen other people do this. As for what I think of them, well, I try not to. It really doesn’t have anything to do with me. They have their own minds and are free to think on their own or stagger along behind the group as they see fit.

Will you find bandwagon hate on CC? Yes.

Will you also find free thinkers? Yes.

I think a more relevant question is: Will you find what you are looking for in a home realm here on CC? I can’t answer that for you as you have only stated what you don’t want instead of what you do want.

Bad things will happen. Good things will happen too - on this realm and on all the other realms. You have to decide what you will do with both.

I hate all bandwagons. They are noisy, prone to break, and never deliver your goods on time. Throwing a few coppers at an orc orphan to run a package is a way better investment. I think this is how the AAMS moves mail so quickly.

In all seriousness though if I hate on something or someone then it is because they have earned my ire somehow. Sometimes my opinion is the prevailing one which can get me labeled as on the bandwagon or part of the mob mentality. Other times my opinion is the unpopular one which can get me labeled as a contrarian or hipster or some other nonsense.

In other words actually identifying a bandwagon mentaility can be more difficult than one might think. I personally believe that usually things (especially in tight knit communities) are popular or unpopular for a good reason, not because everyone is always a 100% sheep following someone else.

I see the OP is from WrA which means you are crzed with us. If you have any concerns about the community then it is very easy for you to see for yourself before spending any money. Try to attend some events and get a feel for the different personalities.

I like how the responses in this thread are so mature and well thought out, despite me being from MG. I know that my realm's forum-goers would not have shown the same courtesy.

As for what specifically garnered the hate, mostly minor disagreements on various political matters, but here they became so numerous that I got mislabeled as a troll and I drew the line when people started hating on my love of undead (which seemed like something they wouldn't have done if I were anyone else), and on my current realm, a few influential people, in response to my refusing to agree with their delusional opinions, have twisted my words and even made up things I've said in order to lower public opinion of me, and it has gotten to the point where defending myself there is considered trolling, harassment, and stalking, even though I haven't done anything remotely like those things.

08/12/2014 03:48 PMPosted by Ghorfa

and I drew the line when people started hating on my love of undead

That's too bad. I'm sure our general opinion is split on like/dislike for undead, though I clearly can not/will not speak for everyone.

For myself I had a passionate hate for all undead until some years ago. Two very well spoken undead engaged me in a mature and intelligent discussion, and I've since changed my opinion on the matter. I have a couple undead alts that I love to level. :)

But that's all beside the point....

Sorry that's happened to you.

08/12/2014 03:48 PMPosted by Ghorfa

mostly minor disagreements on various political matters

Political matters? Pertaining to in-game "lore" politics?
Interesting.

Political matters? Pertaining to in-game "lore" politics?
Interesting.

I can offer some insight into this. Back when I transferred to Moon Guard from Twisting Nether, the Night Elf community in Darnassus played host to a number of large, specifically Night Elven guilds. These guilds tended to be split along Night Elven political lines - liberals versus conservatives, and very little has changed now that Wyrmrest Accord has largely taken over. The difference is that the IC spats became highly personal.

The most prominent of the conservative guilds was often the target of ridicule and harassment, ranging from a regular presence of persistent griefers who would show up reliably at guild events (such as Horde kill squads who would decide to attack the local area en masse), to doctored screenshots, which attempted to implicate the guild leader in wrongdoings. The guild leader was generally caustic, leading to my fallout with the guild, but the constant attacks weren't warranted, and they weren't that uncommon. - Moon Guard is just like that.

08/12/2014 04:27 PMPosted by Caileanmor

Political matters? Pertaining to in-game "lore" politics?
Interesting.

No no, others would start talking about politics irl and I'd voice my opinion in response. The most common dispute here concerned tax exemption statuses and the most common ones on MG concerned the US Constitution.

If the dispute was merely over in-game politics, I'd be totally fine with it irl and just handle it IC.

If you are referring to several early server dramazors, a lot of those bozos transferred to the coolkid RP server about five years ago. But with humans being humans, dramazors is hard to escape. Some folks are what I like to term as Drama Vampires. They create it, love it, and drink it like water to a thirsty Bedouin in the middle of a drought.

Oh and the obligatory EEEEEEWWWWWW MOOOONGUARD! COOOOOTTTTTTIIIIEEEEESSSSS! *Sprays Moonie Repellant everywhere*

Overall, it is a good server, with good people. Got some bozos here and there, but doesn't ever server? Clowns will be clowns.

08/12/2014 06:52 PMPosted by Ghorfa

08/12/2014 04:27 PMPosted by Caileanmor

Political matters? Pertaining to in-game "lore" politics?
Interesting.

No no, others would start talking about politics irl and I'd voice my opinion in response. The most common dispute here concerned tax exemption statuses and the most common ones on MG concerned the US Constitution.

If the dispute was merely over in-game politics, I'd be totally fine with it irl and just handle it IC.

Tax exemption statuses?

Are you talking about individual forms? Because I'm quite sure none of the filing statuses are exempt.

08/12/2014 11:07 PMPosted by Kyalin

Are you talking about individual forms?

Idk if churches fill out forms or not.

08/13/2014 05:38 AMPosted by Ghorfa

08/12/2014 11:07 PMPosted by Kyalin

Are you talking about individual forms?

Idk if churches fill out forms or not.

Ah, you're referring to tax exempt organizations, rather than individual taxpayers.

Yes, organizations that qualify as being exempt under IRC 501(c)(3) file form 990 - which includes entities set up solely for religious purposes.

Solution. This is easier said than done, as I even want to express my views at times, but ignore the trade channel and other channels (to include guild) when controversial subjects arise.

There will always be someone out there that will want to troll you along for their enjoyment. They might not even care about the subject and just want to see what type of a reaction they can get.

08/13/2014 10:42 AMPosted by Noikona

This is easier said than done, as I even want to express my views at times, but ignore the trade channel and other channels (to include guild) when controversial subjects arise.

Easier said than done indeed.

08/13/2014 10:42 AMPosted by Noikona

Solution. This is easier said than done, as I even want to express my views at times, but ignore the trade channel and other channels (to include guild) when controversial subjects arise.

There will always be someone out there that will want to troll you along for their enjoyment. They might not even care about the subject and just want to see what type of a reaction they can get.

In trade I can see this - hence why I keep the thing turned off. But, I don't generally believe that people should avoid sharing opinions simply because a bad apple here or there will be bent out of shape.

Discussions don't have to be confrontational. In my experience it only gets that way when one side or the other becomes less concerned with the topic and more concerned with "beating" the other person.

This is pretty much why I never talk in Trade chat or any other public channel outside of my guild. As a gamer with a punk upbringing and atheistic view to life, my views are inherently different than the mass population. Talking about those topics in a game strikes me as bad taste, but everyone's views on such also differ and I respect that.

I've managed to stay out of the limelight by playing with my friends, who more often than not feel the same way about things. Vent is always filled with not only joking, but intense conversations about everything under the sun. I love it, in game I will not have issues.

To the person above me, I agree that conversations do not have to be personal, but most of the time when feeling come in to play it can let emotions run rampant. I find that this is when I turn of general channels in game again, heh.

I truly hope you find an escape to this, I would not want to be in that predicament.

"So then, I feel like it should be addressed. What's your stance on bandwagon hate? Do you ever hate someone/something just because it's popular to do so? How often do you see other people do this? What do you think of them?"

I'm a bastard coated bastard with bastard sprinkles. That said? If you felt "hated" by me in the past, there is a 99.9999999998% chance it's because I was actually using my Omega Beams on you through the internet, over something we actually disagreed on, not because other people didn't like you.