Ultimately asking "Are Chief Delphi users thin-skinned?" is akin to "does the sky have clouds". The answer to both is yes. I think we are all a bit over sensitive to a topic and even the way something is said. This is invariably a part of human existence, we tend to to be a little of everything (sometimes all at once). Sometimes we can be very sensitive to a subject and other times we really couldn't give it a second thought if we tried. That in itself doesn't matter, what matters is how we react to it.
Of coarse we should look at our posts and construct them to be intelligent, well thought out, pearls of brilliance. Do we try to do this? Yes. Do we always manage? Of coarse not. And even when we do make such pearls should we also sanitize them of feeling that went into their making? I've seen many references to the responsibilities of the writer, but what of us the reader? If a statement clashes with our ego is it devoid of merit? I think responsibility also lies in the reader who finds themselves bothered enough to stand up and do something to first look at whether or not they themselves are possibly, as hard as it is to admit, being a little thin skinned.
Now onward to the reputation system. Many people mention various unjustified neg reps that they have been the victim to. They happen. However, I submit this to you. What about positive reps? How many of you have positive reputation points that truly say nothing about your character but because you made a good joke or some other useless bit. How many of you are victims of positive reps? It all adds up in the end and a person's reputation will show through. My only grievance with the use of the rep system is it really doesn't give a person a chance to talk. If someone posts something you thoroughly enjoy drop them a mail, you might make a new friend. If they post something you don't like drop them a mail too, you might find it a misunderstanding. Plus some of the people I enjoy talking to the most are people I also find myself at odds with. That doesn't excuse a person from rudeness but it does mean taking a deeper look at something we don't always agree with.
Many people on the Internet are infected with the God syndrome. We assume something is right or wrong, this way or that and apply it to what we read on the Internet. ChiefDelphi is, if nothing else, a community. Communities are made of people and those people bring their opinions and personalities to hopefully contribute to the group, this at least the goal we should shoot for.
I'm sorry if this is a little long and rambling but I had a urge to write down some feelings. If you read it all I very much appreciate you taking your time to listen. Finally in answer to the question that spawned this whole debate. No I don't think Ive ever seen any team look down on a rookie team and I hope I never do. Even experienced teams are made of rookie FIRSTers.
