Many users on here always talk about how they cannot have an opinion on here, but I honestly don't believe that's the case at all. Rather, I think some people on here have issues with the manner criticism is received from other members on here.
As we know, one particular Nice guy (ahem) made a thread concerning the overwhelming amount of criticism he received, and I believe it proved two things:
1) VGChartz will give you shit if it is believed necessary
2) Most people here don't have a limit as to how harsh they can be
Are my two observations good or bad? That's not for me to decide - it's simply what I saw. At the same time, I made this thread for me to offer my opinions on how to possibly improve the manner in which criticism is given or received
1) No personal insults
Unfortunately, some users may go about calling someone an idiot, racist, bigot, libtard, or whatever the hell is on their mind the moment they criticize someone. There truly is no benefit to doing this, and it doesn't help the issue whatever. It simply creates a more toxic environment. Try working around it, and you'll probably see less people focus on your word choice and more on what you actually say.
2) criticism shouldn't be a personal attack
There isn't any need for being personal when criticizing a person. Focus on their thoughts, not them. If you're in the weekly "shit trump says" thread and someone disagrees with you, don't go about being a dick and calling them an sjw evil liberal or whatever terms Infowars makes up. At the same time, conservatives exist, even if some users on here think they're all obese racists from Alabama. If you truly believe they're wrong, then there isn't any need at 'tu quoque' arguments.
3) Say as you want, but be prepared for any criticism
If I say something stupid, I'll be called out on it. That's how life works, and people shouldn't deflect criticism by dumbass responses (such as):
1. Yeah, but your response is shit lol (someone actually did this to me and it infuriated me to no end)
2. Gosh why can't people just accept my opinion without attacking me? Where's dah free speech?!
3. Well, you called me an idiot, so I'll just disregard your argument and focus on that.
These arguments are used often, and the third one shows why I don't think personal insults should be used. One user on here butts heads with me often in the political discussions (Aeolus), but I won't go and call him something retarded such as a conservanut or whatever the hell people use nowadays. If we can talk it out like grown adults, then there isn't any need for childish attacks or responses. There honestly isn't
4) If a bunch of people attack you, then chances are there's an issue
If I make 99 negative Nintendo threads and 1 negative Sony thread, then people will call me bias. Why? Because if an overwhelming number of your posts are focusing on the negative aspect(s) of only one company, then you will be called out on it. Back before the Switch launched, many people talked trash about it and how it'll be Wii U 2.0 (I won't put names here). They were called out, and once the Switch was on a roll, they were gone. Why? Because the users who criticized them had a point.
I may go and say that I accept Sony isn't perfect, but words don't mean much when a lot of my posts are spent bashing Nintendo. Some users here may think I'm taking a dig at one person on here, but I'm not. This applies to everyone, regardless of whether it's for Ninty, Sony, or even companies such as Apple.
5) Your choice of words matter
"The Switch can still become even better" VS "Things the Switch is making out that makes it terrible"
These two topics focus on the same issue, but the manner in which one goes about it makes such a difference. I believe most toxic criticism on here would be removed if people went about their day more carefully on here. Am I saying you should create five drafts for whatever you want to say? No, but just try to not be so pessimistic. Honestly, life has enough assholes - I'm sure no one on here comes to see people being assholes online as well. People may still criticize you, but at the end of the day it'll probably be much less.
You can go on about how X fans are all so defensive, but truth is this website criticizes Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft all the time, which leads me to point 6.
6) Stop complaining
Literally no one on here treats any company like Christ himself. Nintendo fans are willing to admit that the Switch has flaws, and Sony/Microsoft fans can accept the issues too. Instead of just whining, maybe see if you yourself can improve your own threads.
A meaningful discussion about Nintendo with a great starting post will probably have more respectful (and serious) responses compared to, say, a full-out negative gloom-and-doom thread about Nintendo with exaggerated claims and the typical "I was a Ninty fan" statements.
TL;DR Criticism isn't too hard to understand. Don't be an ass, try to be reasonable, and understand you will be criticized. Accept it and stop complaining for god's sake.
