Toby
Member
Registered: Jul 2000
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Posts: 3034 |
quote:
Originally posted by agraham999
I never really participated in discussion boards after a bad experience on the Dell Support site about two years ago. I got on there with a legitimate question, I and got chided and insulted by complete strangers who were also giving other people a hard time just for kicks.
This behavior isn't really limited to discussion boards. Anytime you encounter "experts" there's a chance for their treating "newbies" poorly. Ever seen a mechanic deal with somebody who doesn't know much about cars?
quote:
Once I started writing I decided to start participating in these groups and I eventually started doing it across the web...but I keep noticing the same stuff.
Many humans tend to notice only those things that confirm their preferred belief system. Overall, I'd say that interaction on these things aren't much different than in the real world. Only the devices that people use to intimidate change.
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Many people don't respect anyone's opinion.{...}
Again, how is this different from the "real world"?
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I wonder why it is that people on discussion boards feel they can be rude, insulting, degrading and unpleasant.
Because they are used to having people be rude, insulting, degrading, and unpleasant towards them in real life, probably. When the playing field changes, the rules change. That's one thing I've always found fascinating about the 'net. It turns the traditional societal pecking order on its head. I find it interesting to see how others cope with it.
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You can't even have a good debate half the time without one person calling another an idiot.
Well, I hate to be redundant, but again, I see little difference between this and the real world. Perhaps they may not use the word "idiot" always, but generally most real world debates tend towards that direction anyway.
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It seems to me that with the anonymity of the web, many people have a certain bravado that they wouldn't normally have in person.
Sure, and most people that would normally have that bravado in person lose it because its foundation disappears.
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I have met very few people in my life that were as rude in a live discussion as in some forums. I am six foot, 240 pounds...I doubt that many people would give me any trouble or be disrespectful in public.
Why should you need physical intimidation to get across an intellectual point? Ever consider that you're getting by more easily in real life than you should be because people are afraid to point out holes in your reasoning?
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I certainly respect the opinions of other people in forums all over the web. So why is it we've lost our civility?
We haven't. Those who are civil in the real world are usually going to remain so. Those who are uncivil by nature are going to reveal themselves more easily.
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It is computers?  Is it staring and dealing with computer frustrations that make us take it out on each other?
Unlikely. The computer is only the vehicle...the tool. Those frustrations are likely there in your real world interactions as well.
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Seriously...why is it that you can't write anything that doesn't get completely dissed even if the fact of the matter is...we are all just discussing our opinions?
Because we all have opinions. Also, we all arrive at our opinions on different bases. If I say that the sky is green, should that remain unchallenged simply because I claim it's my opinion? The only thing one can do to mitigate this is to make sure that the foundations and logic of one's argument are as clear and cogent as possible before setting it loose in the wilderness, because once it is there, it should be able to withstand any offense sent its way.
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I generally try not to predict the future...but I do like to discuss technology and debate things. However, none of us are in any position to post our opinions and predictions as anything other than that. When I write an op/ed piece, it is just that, an opinion.
Perhaps, but you have to realize that when you publish something as part of an "authoritative" entity, then people will hold your words to a higher standard than one of their peers. Also, people are quite justified in questioning the bases of your opinion since this is the closest one can get to "proving" or "disproving" an opinion.
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The simple fact that people can get so irate about technology is ludicrous.
Some might say the same about anyone getting enthused about technology. However, without those enthusiasts, places like VisorCentral would have no raison d'�tre.
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It isn't food...it isn't religion, it isn't even politics. Nobody is debating your right to have an iPaq or a Palm. So why do we often see so much frustration? What a waste of time. Is it so hard to say to someone, I agree or I disagree...without saying their idea is stupid?
Do you realize that by taking this position, you are saying that someone else's idea (that their platform of choice is "better", regardless of how well founded that opinion may be) is stupid?
quote:
Sigh.
Does anyone else fell this way?
Not particularly.
Last edited by Toby on 04-16-2001 at 08:30 PM
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04-16-2001 07:29 PM
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