ArsTechnica is struggling to forum (Criticism)

by Vortech , A Fourth Wheel, Tuesday, January 16, 2018, 11:40 (2292 days ago) @ dogcow

Yeah. It's a shame. Ars forums used to be a beacon on a hill. Second only to the Suck.com forums for me. Macintoshian Achaia is still a mostly flame and idiot-free zone but it's not nearly as smart and helpful or interesting as it was.

I could blame a few things (linking the story comments and the forum together, adding sections for gaming and cars — not communities known for calm and reasoned positions) But mostly I think it is just the idea of forums/message boards falling into anachronism. Too many people find a thread not because they are a member of that community and they read most of the threads, but because a google search sent them there as a stranger who is neither aware of local custom or likely to feel any sense of personal responsibility to what they dump there. God help the forums that don't even require a signup - or let you roll over your google or facebook account.