Sick of all the bragging

[sparkytooth]

Because people who have accomplished little in life seek some solace in bragging about their proficiency in a video game to strangers on the internet. Commonly such people will also conjure up an imaginary racing career to throw into their posts about why they are just so exceptionally talented.

Just be happy that you have enough in life to not feel the need to do this, and take pity on the people who do.

And here we go with the tired old argument of skill = no life

It's a terrible generalisation.

 

[MC-Chase]

It would be nice if everyone adopted a policy of only posting if they have something useful, helpful, informative, complimentary or otherwise pleasant to say wouldn't it?

I think the advice to take pity was a helpful and informative piece of advice?

And here we go with the old argument of skill = no life

It's a terrible generalisation.

Not at all, I play with lots of people with what I would consider have lots of skill - I'm sure they all live very fruitful lives, they just don't brag about their skill on the forums or in the words of the OP "...immediately post how great they are, how easy is was for them, did it on the first try".

 

[sparkytooth]

Not at all, I play with lots of people with what I would consider have lots of skill - I'm sure they all live very fruitful lives, they just don't brag about their skill on the forums or in the words of the OP "...immediately post how great they are, how easy is was for them, did it on the first try".

It still doesn't immediately mean that said person who's bragging has no life. You have no idea what they do outside of the game or what their role is in the world to generalise them as no-lifes.

 

[MC-Chase]

It still doesn't immediately mean that said person who's bragging has no life. You have no idea what they do outside of the game or what their role is in the world to generalise them as no-lifes.

Perhaps not, but it certainly says a lot about the type of person they are doesn't it? To keep this on topic to the OP's statement before this rapidly veers on a tangent, my scenario was a common cause of such responses on forums, the reason that the person is simply prone to bragging may be another one.

 

[Vagabond]

Perhaps not, but it certainly says a lot about the type of person they are doesn't it? To keep this on topic to the OP's statement before this rapidly veers on a tangent, my scenario was a common cause of such responses on forums, the reason that the person is simply prone to bragging may be another one.

Does it? Actually it says nothing other than they are arrogant and possibly over-confident of their abilities, whether that be an accurate assumption or not. Further commentary, by yourself or anyone, is nothing more than judgemental and inflammatory conjecture on their life-style choices. Accurate or not, as it may be in some cases, purely coincidentally, that says something about the type of person you are. No-one can stop you being judgemental of course, but choosing to air that on an internet forum is to invite unnecessary conflict and pointless debating about the reasons people choose to be here or to play games the way they do. How does that make what you're saying any better than the self-promoting comments about 'skills'?

 

[MC-Chase]

Does it? Actually it says nothing other than they are arrogant and possibly over-confident of their abilities, whether that be an accurate assumption or not. Further commentary, by yourself or anyone, is nothing more than judgemental and inflammatory conjecture on their life-style choices. Accurate or not, as it may be in some cases, purely coincidentally, that says something about the type of person you are. No-one can stop you being judgemental of course, but choosing to air that on an internet forum is to invite unnecessary conflict and pointless debating about the reasons people choose to be here or to play games the way they do. How does that make what you're saying any better than the self-promoting comments about 'skills'?

It says plenty about them. As you point out it signals the person is arrogant, which is not a positive trait on it's own; but to respond to someones post with the intention of deliberately undermining their abilities by means of bragging and adding of nothing of value (as in, what the OP was referring to) we can also conclude that the person has little concern for others feelings and is trying to make the original poster feel bad by some means. You can call me judgmental if you wish, but ironically you are being so yourself by doing so.

Returning back to my original post my advice was to take pity rather than argue with such posters as the OP was referring to in order to AVOID unnecessary conflict - it seems the pointless debate has started afterwards. Nothing I say is 'better' than anything anyone else says, I was just providing a likely scenario for the OP in order to answer his question of "why" as to reasons why people responded like they did to him, and hopefully making him feel slightly better in the process.

 

[Johnnypenso]

OP: Hey guys, I'm having a tough time winning Race A in Series B. I need something that'll help me win.

Person A: No problem OP, use Car ABC, I won easy on the first try.
Person B: No problem OP, there's a little trick, if you get car DC5, just hit restart until you get car AY4 on pole and you'll win easily on the first try like I did.
Person C: Piece of cake, try this car with this tune and you should have no problem like I did.

Cynic: You guys are bragging, you must have no life, you must play all day...

Normal Person: Thanks for the help guys appreciate it:tup:👍

I still don't get how a person who is looking for an easier way to win a race or series, gets responses telling him that others found it easy with a certain car or through some certain method, exactly what he is looking for, and somehow there's something wrong with the people that respond.

 

[Dusty1990]

I think you're well within your rights to judge someones post if it offers nothing but 'bragging' about an achievement.

Theres plenty on here who have an above average ability (and nothing more) and post in a superior complex kind of way.


Its a sad day when you can't call out these 'sorts' through fear of being ridiculed.

 

[Vagabond]

It says plenty about them. As you point out it signals the person is arrogant, which is not a positive trait on it's own

No it isn't. Neither is passing comment on the lifestyles of people you know nothing about. I'm not judging you, I'm pointing out that its unnecessary and potentially inflammatory.

I think you're well within your rights to judge someones post if it offers nothing but 'bragging' about an achievement.

Yes you are, within the confines of your own head or in the privacy of your own home. You are not entitled to do it just to irritate someone and cause an unnecessary argument, which it does in such cases. Its poking someone with a stick until they bite, then pointing the finger at them as the trouble maker.

 

[Dusty1990]

No it isn't. Neither is passing comment on the lifestyles of people you know nothing about. I'm not judging you, I'm pointing out that its unnecessary and potentially inflammatory.


Yes you are, within the confines of your own head or in the privacy of your own home. You are not entitled to do it just to irritate someone and cause an unnecessary argument, which it does in such cases. Its poking someone with a stick until they bite, then pointing the finger at them as the trouble maker.

Ain't you inflaming a situation here?

You're suggesting I'm creating a flame war when I've not even said what my reply would be? I might have just said in a PM "Hey, you are coming across as a big head, calm it down mate"


I've recently deleted a friend as he was being a wide boy, did all through pm's and thrashing him on the track (brag, brag)...

 

[GBO Possum]

OP: Hey guys, I'm having a tough time winning Race A in Series B. I need something that'll help me win.

Person A: No problem OP, use Car ABC, I won easy on the first try.
Person B: No problem OP, there's a little trick, if you get car DC5, just hit restart until you get car AY4 on pole and you'll win easily on the first try like I did.
Person C: Piece of cake, try this car with this tune and you should have no problem like I did.

Cynic: You guys are bragging, you must have no life, you must play all day...

Normal Person: Thanks for the help guys appreciate it:tup:👍

I still don't get how a person who is looking for an easier way to win a race or series, gets responses telling him that others found it easy with a certain car or through some certain method, exactly what he is looking for, and somehow there's something wrong with the people that respond.

Better put me in the "cynic" class.

When I look at the posts of Persons A, B and C in your post, they are all speaking more about their achievement than the recommendation, and all emphasize how easy they found it.

Now if Person A had posted something like "you might find Car ABC works well for you, I found this to be quite a good choice", then I'm not hearing a boast, I'm hearing a suggestion.

 

[Johnnypenso]

I think you're well within your rights to judge someones post if it offers nothing but 'bragging' about an achievement.

Theres plenty on here who have an above average ability (and nothing more) and post in a superior complex kind of way.

Its a sad day when you can't call out these 'sorts' through fear of being ridiculed.

An above average ability (and nothing more)? Really? You know about the people who post here and their personal lives in their entirety? If you want to see someone with a superiority complex, look in the mirror bud.

Better put me in the "cynic" class.

When I look at the posts of Persons A, B and C in your post, they are all speaking more about their achievement than the recommendation, and all emphasize how easy they found it.

Now if Person A had posted something like "you might find Car ABC works well for you, I found this to be quite a good choice", then I'm not hearing a boast, I'm hearing a suggestion.

Duly noted, and an excellent example of cynicism it is indeed, ultrafine hairsplitting as well. Well done:tup:👍

 

[Vagabond]

Ain't you inflaming a situation here?

If by inflaming you mean explaining what isn't acceptable in terms of judging other members and aggravating them unnecessarily by commenting on their lifestyle, then yes.

 

[jonboy1066]

OP: Hey guys, I'm having a tough time winning Race A in Series B. I need something that'll help me win.

Person A: No problem OP, use Car ABC, I won easy on the first try.
Person B: No problem OP, there's a little trick, if you get car DC5, just hit restart until you get car AY4 on pole and you'll win easily on the first try like I did.
Person C: Piece of cake, try this car with this tune and you should have no problem like I did.

Cynic: You guys are bragging, you must have no life, you must play all day...

Normal Person: Thanks for the help guys appreciate it:tup:👍

I still don't get how a person who is looking for an easier way to win a race or series, gets responses telling him that others found it easy with a certain car or through some certain method, exactly what he is looking for, and somehow there's something wrong with the people that respond.

This is brilliant and exactly the way I see it.

 

[cjr3559]

Person A: No problem OP, use Car ABC, I won easy on the first try.
Person B: No problem OP, there's a little trick, if you get car DC5, just hit restart until you get car AY4 on pole and you'll win easily on the first try like I did.
Person C: Piece of cake, try this car with this tune and you should have no problem like I did.

I think it's the choice of word "easy" that puts people off. It may be easy for you, but could still be difficult for someone else.

"Easy", "Piece of Cake", "No Problem" may seem encouraging, but they can seem a bit elitist.

How about "you shouldn't have much problem" or something similar.

Easy and hard are too black and white. And trust me, there's a lot of gray area with people that play GT.

 

[Johnnypenso]

I think it's the choice of word "easy" that puts people off. It may be easy fot you, but could still be difficult for someone else.

"Easy", "Piece of Cake", "No Problem" may seem encouraging, but they can seem a bit elitist.

How about "you shouldn't have much problem" or something similar.

Easy and hard are too black and white. And trust me, there's a lot of gray area with people that play GT.

I'll add you to the cynic list as well..

 

[Dusty1990]

An above average ability (and nothing more)? Really? You know about the people who post here and their personal lives in their entirety? If you want to see someone with a superiority complex, look in the mirror bud.

I was referring to the people I've seen bragging on here, if you look at their post and know what they're actually 'bragging' about then yea.


Please elaborate on what you 'think' you know about this 'superiority complex' I have?

 

[MC-Chase]

Sorry, I had to .

 

[jimipitbull]

I think it's the choice of word "easy" that puts people off. It may be easy fot you, but could still be difficult for someone else.

"Easy", "Piece of Cake", "No Problem" may seem encouraging, but they can seem a bit elitist.

How about "you shouldn't have much problem" or something similar.

Easy and hard are too black and white. And trust me, there's a lot of gray area with people that play GT.

If easy seems difficult, just chill out and listen to some Faith No More

 

[GBO Possum]

Duly noted, and an excellent example of cynicism it is indeed, ultrafine hairsplitting as well. Well done:tup:👍

I don't truly see myself as a cynic, nor as a hair splitter! I'm hoping you don't either, so I'll accept the two thumbs up, thanks!

However, I do regard language as tool which, when used carefully, can be used to convey as much by implication rather than bold assertion.

The suggested line "you might find Car ABC works well for you, I found this to be quite a good choice" for example, doesn't actually say that the writer found it easy or a piece of cake. It does convey that the writer used Car ABC and liked it. That's enough. It is also conveying deference and a certain quantity of humility. It is designed to avoid emotional polarization, and encourage the reader to embrace the idea and become more connected with the writer.

At least, that is what I intended when I chose the wording as an example of a way to provide supportive advice.

I'm a technical guy with an engineering background, not an English Major, so I could well have failed in my objectives!

 

[Johnnypenso]

I was referring to the people I've seen bragging on here, if you look at their post and know what they're actually 'bragging' about then yea.

Please elaborate on what you 'think' you know about this 'superiority complex' I have?

No need to elaborate, I quoted you directly. The incredible elitism and a superiority complex inherent in the statement:

Dusty1990 said
Theres plenty on here who have an above average ability (and nothing more) and post in a superior complex kind of way.

You pass judgment so easily on others who appear to most of us non-cynics to only be trying to help.

The suggested line "you might find Car ABC works well for you, I found this to be quite a good choice" for example, doesn't actually say that the writer found it easy or a piece of cake. It does convey that the writer used Car ABC and liked it. That's enough. It is also conveying deference and a certain quantity of humility. It is designed to avoid emotional polarization, and encourage the reader to embrace the idea and become more connected with the writer.

No offense, but I'm not that sensitive. When someone adds the qualifier, "It's a piece of cake" or, "it was easy with this setup" I'm not thinking they aren't expressing humility or deference. I'm thinking that they are just saying without malice or ego, "it's easy with this setup and it should be easy for you too". I see it as a form of encouragement. Hence, why I would see you as a cynic, because you're looking at the worst, most negative interpretation of a post, without knowing a single thing about the posters motives.

 

[Dusty1990]

No need to elaborate, I quoted you directly. The incredible elitism and a superiority complex inherent in the statement:



You pass judgment so easily on others who appear to most of us non-cynics to only be trying to help.

Wow, you are getting ahead of yourself there jonny, looks like you're gunning for an argument, maybe?

I'm merely pointing out theres guys on here who achieve 'AVERAGE' times on a VIDEO GAME and go around like there some kind of hero..... nothing more, I'm not holding judgement on anything they do outside of this little game of ours!


good show anyway.. pat yourself on the back

 

[watermelon punch]

"It is scarcely necessary to say that one whose tactless remarks ride rough-shod over the feelings of others is not welcomed by many."
--Emily Post

"Scarcely" is a relative term perhaps.

And

1) the internet is a place where a short amount of text in a quick comment can come across as a tactless remark, even when it wasn't intentionally meant that way, and the person who did it might not even realize how it came across. It happens.
2) OTOH, some people don't want to be welcomed, maybe they want attention, even if it's negative, or maybe they just don't care, or they think it's entertaining... and so post inexplicable comments or trolling remarks or whatever, for whatever reason. It happens.

There's no way to know sometimes which category the post fits into. So I give the benefit of the doubt and think it might be #1 at first, until/unless it becomes clear with more evidence that it's #2. (At which point I use the wonderful "ignore" feature that most internet forums have, and this one does too. )

 

[Johnnypenso]

Wow, you are getting ahead of yourself there jonny, looks like you're gunning for an argument, maybe?

I'm merely pointing out theres guys on here who achieve 'AVERAGE' times on a VIDEO GAME and go around like there some kind of hero..... nothing more, I'm not holding judgement on anything they do outside of this little game of ours!

good show anyway.. pat yourself on the back

If that's the case why add the qualifier (and nothing more)? You should choose your words more wisely on a public forum. Note also I've quote that phrase twice and you've never directly stated what you meant when you said, "and nothing more".

I've also yet to see anyone posting average times and making out like they are a hero. I don't think I've ever seen anyone posting incredible times, including top of the TT times, and making out like a hero. You have some examples for us so we can talk specifics, or do you wish to hide behind generalizations?

 

[Vagabond]

"Scarcely" is a relative term perhaps.

Some things are more scarcely relative than others. I'd like to 'like' your whole post twice at least.

looks like you're gunning for an argument, maybe?

Johnny is always gunning for an argument. Only he argues in a manner consistent with informed debate, has good manner and presentation and doesn't resort to personal attacks or conjecture about people's lifestyle choices or dietary habits.

 

[Dusty1990]

Johnny is always gunning for an argument. Only he argues in a manner consistent with informed debate, has good manner and presentation and doesn't resort to personal attacks or conjecture about people's lifestyle choices or dietary habits.

In what way is he 'informed' about the context someone posts?

In what way am I 'attacking' someones lifestyle by calling them an Egomaniac when I read a certain post of theres?
If a post says "I BEAT YOUR TIME EASILY ON LAP 1!!!! " and that ONLY am I not within my rights to call him out? Or should I always hold judgement as he may drunk or having a 'bad day'?

 

[Vagabond]

In what way is he 'informed' about the context someone posts?

You can post a context? I suppose I should be impressed. 👍

In what way am I 'attacking' someones lifestyle by calling them an Egomaniac when I read a certain post of theres?

The problem there is you have assumed for some reason that all of my reasoning was aimed at you. Let's call it a double barrelled shot-gun.

If a post says "I BEAT YOUR TIME EASILY ON LAP 1!!!! " and that ONLY am I not within my rights to call him out? Or should I always hold judgement as he may drunk or having a 'bad day'?

You're within your rights to call him/her out indeed, by way of asking for some sort of verification or challenging them to friendly competition, for instance. You are not entitled, however, to judge their potential personality disorders, domestic arrangements, parenthood, body weight, attractiveness to the opposite sex, relationship status, and/or education or lack of it.* Are you getting it yet or shall I draw a picture of me hitting you with a stick?



*Disclaimer - These are theoretical examples and do not indicate your actual posts have contained any of these.

 

[Dusty1990]

You can post a context? I suppose I should be impressed. 👍

The problem there is you have assumed for some reason that all of my reasoning was aimed at you. Let's call it a double barrelled shot-gun.

You're within your rights to call him/her out indeed, by way of asking for some sort of verification or challenging them to friendly competition, for instance. You are not entitled, however, to judge their potential personality disorders, domestic arrangements, parenthood, body weight, attractiveness to the opposite sex, relationship status, and/or education or lack of it.* Are you getting it yet or shall I draw a picture of me hitting you with a stick?



*Disclaimer - These are theoretical examples and do not indicate your actual posts have contained any of these.

Ok, as long as I have 'your permission' to 'call them' out, thats all I wanted 👍

As I suggest so did the OP, thank goodness 1984 was just a year....a




Edit, thanks for the like, vags.

Can I make a small judgment on Jonboys need to visit a redlight district?

 

[Aroc23]

I see it a lot on Gamefaqs, but not on here.

 

[GBO Possum]

I'm guessing what we are seeing here is a discussion fueled by cultural differences. While each geography tends to have variety in "normal" behavior, there are certain trends or tendencies which stand out.

We are, in GTP, a multi-cultural community. That's very evident!

Where I was born, it is regarded (generally) as bad form to be a self-promoter. That culture admires the achiever who shows humility and self deprecation. People who mumble something about their success being due to a modicum of good fortune, help from others or who suggest that those who admire the success are maybe exaggerating somewhat are regarded in esteem. One of the worst sins in Australia is to be regarded as a guy who is "full of himself".

Visitors to Australia from other lands where a more boastful style is common, find themselves looked down on as "up themselves", and sometimes, due to a lack of appreciation of the situation, may attempt to improve their perception by the community with even more elevated bragging language. The result is not pretty.

The cultural and historic balance between competitiveness and cooperation can be a factor in defining what is acceptable about how positively we describe ourselves. It is my belief that Australians are the way we are as a consequence of the need for cooperation to overcome a harsh environment even going back to European settlement. By contrast, much of North America was settled in an environment where harsh competition was rewarded with success.

Whatever the cause, we "hear" different voices in the written words.