I am a backer from the days of yore. My account is so old it wears digital diapers. In that time I have observed lots and commented on lots. I have seen ideas get born and then die. I have been in all the ebbs and flows and shapes this community has taken. I made lots of statements that make people think and some that have caused an uproar. Through all that I have watched as this community has slowly changed from being a thing that was praised for being among the best in gaming. That was due mostly to the fact that people came here from other games and were able to debate about the game rather than the usual nerd venom swaps found in many other places. The SC community was a place to escape much of that balderdash found in other places. The Moderators here had it kinda easy. most people would have their little blowouts, usually about why they left other games, then a few days later come back and apologize etc... There was kind of an ethic that appreciated the fact that at least this wasn't that other place. the community was more mature and accepting of differences. It was a good time. Skipping the past scandals. Things changed. I use to buy into the idea that is was "Haters" or "Trolls" or "Goons". Though, I never accepted that as the total answer. I was keenly aware that the community was becoming more and more aggressive. Not just toward outsiders, but to even fellow citizens. The doomsday clock was ticking. Several things I noticed when I started to evaluate this phenomena. Chief among them was how people were so willing to accept that this is how "The Internet is" To that I have always said Bullshit. That is a cop out IMO. The internet is a strange place, but it doesn't make you a dick. You choose to be a dick. To be honest it is kinda embarrassing to admit that I am a part of this community. Over the years I have come to expect the skeptical scoff. That doesn't bother me. It is the times when that scoff is a judgmental lambaste that coined the term "Shitizen". Mostly because it is correct. Honestly, at this point it does not bother me anymore cause emotionally I am separated from this thing. However, it does make me reflect in a cerebral sense. Why is there so much acrimony here? Why are people so aggressive about a video game? A video game that does not even exist. I don't really have any answers to the questions. Frankly, I think they may just be rhetorical. Still, I find myself making some connections to potential causes. Personally I think most of this boils down to peoples acceptance of shitty behavior on a personal level. Is this really worth being a dick or a shitty person over? If a person thinks that a tool can control them enough to alter their personality; They still can't blame the tool because it just proved they were weak enough to be influenced. TL;DR: The internet doesn't make you a dick. You do. It is also likely influencing why most games become shitty experiences for the majority of gamers. Real entertainment in the verse never had a chance once the population turned into cynical dicks. Something to think about. How have you helped contribute to the toxicity?