Flaming and fighting is considered by many to be a great and honorable forum tradition.  It's an ancient rite which dates all of the way back to primal times.  People even used to do it on local BBS's at 9600 baud transfer rates -- if you can believe it !

People can't 'get along' in the forums for the same reason that people can't get along in real life.  It's because they are human.  And humans are what humans are.  And humans do what humans do.  Read some history books.

Humans don't 'get along' too well in traffic situations on the road, either.  So why should the forums be any exception to this general rule?  Frankly, the question is akin to asking why the wind blows, or why the world is round (Note: I did not say "how" the wind blows, as in a technical explanation of atmospheric mechanics: but WHY the wind blows.).

When you come right down to it, we can only answer for the behavior of one (1) person: ourselves.  Not for what others may or may not choose to do in their spare time.  So being a 'nice person' in large measure involves a choice -- a choice to not allow the bad behavior of others to control you internally.  Because doing so gives them far too much power over you.

However: there is absolutely nothing wrong with pointing out bad behavior when it happens.  Even if doing so leads to an argument.  Not all arguments are bad.  We have to acknowledge the possibility that one person is right and that someone else is wrong about something.  Although in many cases: if you really dig into the matter -- you'll discover (surprise! surprise!) that the genesis of the entire argument is simply a matter of pride.  Not a matter of factual debate.

Shake your fist at the wind if you want to.  It'll still blow just as hard as it ever did regardless.

Something To Do At 3:00AM