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The great thing -- and largest drawback, of course -- about an internet forum is that it allows individuals to somewhat-anonymously post their raw, unrestrained opinions about a variety of subjects. Discourse in these forums is usually much more open than in the real world, where people are more worried about the public impression they give and tend to speak their mind through the filter of "appropriateness."
Here, we receive others' opinions and can then use them or refuse to use them to form our own. I am a big fan of the way that this forum is run -- minimal rules based upon the concept that opinions which contribute either way to discourse are to be allowed, while posts that contribute absolutely nothing (spam, flames, et cetera) to discourse are not allowed. These are the free-speech principles upon which the United States was initially formed, and they hold true today. The basics of the principle are these: only through unconstrained public vetting can the truth be found.
For this reason, I think that it's fantastic that people are complaining about the graphics and that Bungie is allowing them to do so. For every complaint that is "spammed" into the Halo 3 forum, valid rebuttals are quick to follow. An intelligent person will read the opinions, read the counter-opinions, and then make his or her own decision in the end. What many people do not realize is that spamming your opinion as many times as possible does not make it more convincing. For those of us experienced in persuasion and debate, it becomes obvious after a time that the only way to convince people of anything is through logic, reasoning, and well-thought-out and intelligent discussion with adequate support and backup.
I doubt that anyone is going to see 15 threads saying "Graphics suck b/c it doesn't look like GoW" and then change their mind because of it. The only way to truly convince a person of your point of view is through the methods previously stated. Most of the "grafix sux" threads are sorely lacking in this regard, while the rebuttals (especially those from experienced Bungie fans and Achronos) are patient and polite in pointing out why they are wrong.
In the end, most people, I think, realize that the technologies behind Halo's graphics are objectively impressive, while the subjective thought of the art style is purely a matter of opinion. Some of the spammers are intentionally trying to mislead people to believe that a subjective dislike of an art style can be translated into an objective lack of refinement. I doubt that most of us are stupid enough to believe this, despite what the spammers say. This is evident in the numerous responses contradicting and patiently explaining this basic concept to the "graphics haters." Not everyone likes the cubist art style of Picasso or the impressionist style of Monet, but it is difficult to sound sane while arguing that these artists had no skill. The same thought can be applied here, and I truly do think that most people can appreciate this simple idea.
To bring this back to my original point, though, the best thing about the Bungie.net forums is that such opinions are allowed to be aired and vetted here. This, in my opinion, shows Bungie's supreme confidence in both its work and its loyal Community. Censoring negative opinions is something that should never be allowed, and in my opinion, Community members should never be told to "shut up and show some gratitude." In this respect, I agree with RhythmKiller, though for a slightly different reason. Such actions lead only to dissension and more disinformation. When ideas and opinions are allowed to be discussed in the open public air, their falsity or truth can be much more easily discovered.
Argue, debate, and discuss, but do not censor. As Bungie itself practices this mantra, so too should its Community.
For this reason, I disagree with the original thread author.
[Edited on 07.12.2007 1:04 PM PDT]