Quoting manikbastrd:
Furthermore, I feel like us calling people out on their stupidity is what keeps this an intelligent group. Normally if someone posts something dumb, we advise them how to fix it and how to use the search feature...only when they fight back or take no criticism does the trolling begin.
^This times a million.
The only members (if you can even call those who never actually contribute here members) I've ever seen get "personally attacked" were those who brought it on themselves. Say or do something dumb, and the community will probably let you know. I know it's happened to me personally, so it's not the end of the world when it happens. It's how you respond to the criticism here that decides how pleasant your future stay will be. For the most part, if you stay out of the anything goes section, you will avoid trolling, personal attacks and NSFW content all together.
I keep seeing people bring up the mods not being proactive enough here on the forums, and I completely disagree. Whether by coincidence or by policy, the mods are pretty hands off here, and I think that's how it should be. This is the ONLY forum I've ever been on where the mods seem to stay out of all the pissing contests between members, and that's f***ing rare. I believe this is the key to keeping this place impartial, and allowing the more outspoken members (you know who we are) to voice opinions without fearing retribution from some mod who has a hard-on for whichever party they may favor.
It's pretty rare for someone to get the ban hammer, and as you've all seen as of late, you have to do some pretty dumb things (like turn this place into a virtual church) before you get hit with it. The mods are doing their job if you ask me. They let the forum police itself, and give idiots the boot when shits gets wayyyyyy out of hand. Until then, they keep to themselves, which is how it should be IMHO.