I see people saying that the arguing and hostility has always been present here.

Well, maybe. But it has gotten so much worse.

I think I joined Renderosity back in 2003, but didn't actually post anything until about 2 years later. Why?  Because I had such a bad experience on other forums in another type of community that I decided I was going to watch and wait and read and see how people acted and reacted on the next forum I joined.  So I lurked for about 2 years sizing up this site and its forums before getting up the nerve to actually make a post.

The reason I decided to start posting is because from what I saw people were nice, friendly and helpful. But most of all, they were courteous and I didn't see much if any arguing going on. Trust me, had it been like it is today, I never would have started posting here.

I have enough conflict in my life, and there is so much conflict in the world, that last thing I want when I'm spending my down time is more conflict.

I still like this site a great deal and count many here friends beyond the internet. However, when I want to post in a forum, I find myself posting elsewhere and when I am here, other than posting in the odd thread to help a newbie or answer a question, I spend my time here in Chat where it's fun and relaxing.

If the chat goes away, I'm likely to too because since the forums are so tense, my enjoyment for Renderosity is purely chat room related.

"It is good to see ourselves as others see us. Try as we may, we are never
able to know ourselves fully as we are, especially the evil side of us.
This we can do only if we are not angry with our critics but will take in good
heart whatever they might have to say." - Ghandi