While doing a pre Christmas house clean yesterday, I was thinking about a few of the FG threads I've been involved in lately and wondering whether it wasn't time to dust the blonde brain as well.
The recent seeming polarisation in FG has made me feel uncomfortable. If you say anything that has any kind of serious content you walk on eggshells and almost always fall foul of someone. This isn't of course new, but now you can fall foul of people in surprising new political type ways you weren't aware you ever had.
I've met some very fine people on line over the years - some in FG. I am not underplaying the social aspect, though I have social interaction off line too. It's undemanding just to switch on the computer and have a cyber coffee and swap smiles.
There are lots of interesting topics on FG, but discussion, dialogue is almost totally impossible - and I invariably end up frustrated, bewildered and feeling like I live in a parallel universe. Maybe we all feel that way.
And yet, I do keep coming back. So I spent yesterday evening thinking about this and have come to the conclusion that it's for three basic reasons.
1 - For the online friendships and potential friendships, the cyber coffee, the exchanging of smiles.
2. - For making the parliamentary type personal explanation. A statement of something or other that is burning me up, which I feel has to be said or I'll burst.
3. - For the possibility of finding in the personal explanations / statements of others a sparky idea which just has to be explored further *
*(- but probably not in FG I've learned by experience. For instance, a sporting group I belong to is currently swapping thoughts - politely, intelligently and mostly on topic - on why anyone would want to lead a good life without pie in the sky as an incentive. We may end up all agreeing to disagree, as we do in the local bookclub, but it will be amicable). But then often, I just take the thought with me to think about and maybe read up on.. like how we know what we know. What something like forgiveness really means.. etc.
My posting here falls into category 2. If you've got to here, thank you for reading.
Housekeeping ...
Housekeeping ...
"Life is too short to ski with ugly men"
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along-for-the-ride
- Posts: 11732
- Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2005 4:28 pm
Housekeeping ...
I came. I read. I responded. And you're welcome.I agree with ya, AussiePam. I come here to visit with friends, share some thoughts, have a laugh, voice my opinion.
All we see as we sit in front of our computer screen are typed-in words. But, we know there are human beings typing those words. They are sharing a part of their time, a part of themselves with us. I always respect that and appreciate their responses to any of my posts.
I do not appreciate, however, a poster who is here just to instigate a conflict among us. And a poster who is disguised as someone else. For them I choose to use the magic word.........IGNORE.
Life is a Highway. Let's share the Commute.
Housekeeping ...
I agree with you both.
Their is such a thing as forum etiquette and if some peeps followed it, alot of other people would feel they could post in more forum threads here with ease.
In schools here they have an online software for school children to access their work. homework and other things, its called Moodle and I love their rules of using the forum.
Be nice
No 'flaming' - in other words, avoid personal attacks, pettiness, abuse. Respect other users, and if you disagree with them, explain why.
No 'trolling' - trolls are posts deliberately designed to provoke an angry response. That doesn't mean you can't be controversial, if you really mean it.
No personal disputes - if it gets personal, take it offline.
Don't be patronising or sarcastic. It comes across about ten times worse online.
Avoid typing in ALL CAPS, which is considered shouting or yelling.
Learn to let go - don't keep harping on about the same thing, or harking back to previous arguments. It is rarely productive to do so, and you always end up going round in circles.
If someone else's post offends you, don't immediately fight back online. Consider whether they really meant to cause offence. It can be easy to sound rude without meaning to, especially if English is not your native language. However, if you really are troubled by the post, don't respond - take it to your lecturer instead.
Be effective
Post in the most appropriate forum (and only in one forum).
Stay on topic - try to focus on the original topic. In particular, don't change subject in the middle of an existing thread - just start a new topic.
Conversely, don't start a new topic if your post relates to an existing one - reply to the existing thread instead. Make sure you reply to the appropriate post, not just the last post in the thread
When starting a new topic, make the subject line clear and informative. It makes the topic easy to find.
Make sure you're understood, even by non-native English speakers. Try to write full sentences, and avoid text-message abbreviations or slang.
If asking a question, provide as much information as possible, what you've already considered, where you've already read etc.
Read what's already there before posting. You may be repeating what others have already said or asked.
Forum Etiquette
I feel personally that I'm unable to post in certain forums because I'm not intellectual enough, I realise that's my own problem but I feel members should be allowed to voice their opinion and leave if they want or stay to explain why they feel that way. Alot of times we have an opinion but are unable to express ourselves as well as others which then makes us look/feel silly. We are all here mainly for the forum friends we have made but it would be nice to feel that anyone can post in any forum, have their say without feeling that their opinion is worthless or needs links and proof. I don't ask people to back up their opinions or views on things, I see it as their opinion and accept it, I may not agree with it but I don't question them on it personally.
Their is such a thing as forum etiquette and if some peeps followed it, alot of other people would feel they could post in more forum threads here with ease.
In schools here they have an online software for school children to access their work. homework and other things, its called Moodle and I love their rules of using the forum.
Be nice
No 'flaming' - in other words, avoid personal attacks, pettiness, abuse. Respect other users, and if you disagree with them, explain why.
No 'trolling' - trolls are posts deliberately designed to provoke an angry response. That doesn't mean you can't be controversial, if you really mean it.
No personal disputes - if it gets personal, take it offline.
Don't be patronising or sarcastic. It comes across about ten times worse online.
Avoid typing in ALL CAPS, which is considered shouting or yelling.
Learn to let go - don't keep harping on about the same thing, or harking back to previous arguments. It is rarely productive to do so, and you always end up going round in circles.
If someone else's post offends you, don't immediately fight back online. Consider whether they really meant to cause offence. It can be easy to sound rude without meaning to, especially if English is not your native language. However, if you really are troubled by the post, don't respond - take it to your lecturer instead.
Be effective
Post in the most appropriate forum (and only in one forum).
Stay on topic - try to focus on the original topic. In particular, don't change subject in the middle of an existing thread - just start a new topic.
Conversely, don't start a new topic if your post relates to an existing one - reply to the existing thread instead. Make sure you reply to the appropriate post, not just the last post in the thread
When starting a new topic, make the subject line clear and informative. It makes the topic easy to find.
Make sure you're understood, even by non-native English speakers. Try to write full sentences, and avoid text-message abbreviations or slang.
If asking a question, provide as much information as possible, what you've already considered, where you've already read etc.
Read what's already there before posting. You may be repeating what others have already said or asked.
Forum Etiquette
I feel personally that I'm unable to post in certain forums because I'm not intellectual enough, I realise that's my own problem but I feel members should be allowed to voice their opinion and leave if they want or stay to explain why they feel that way. Alot of times we have an opinion but are unable to express ourselves as well as others which then makes us look/feel silly. We are all here mainly for the forum friends we have made but it would be nice to feel that anyone can post in any forum, have their say without feeling that their opinion is worthless or needs links and proof. I don't ask people to back up their opinions or views on things, I see it as their opinion and accept it, I may not agree with it but I don't question them on it personally.
Housekeeping ...
AussiePam;1089937 wrote: .....The recent seeming polarisation in FG has made me feel uncomfortable. If you say anything that has any kind of serious content you walk on eggshells and almost always fall foul of someone. This isn't of course new, but now you can fall foul of people in surprising new political type ways you weren't aware you ever had...........but discussion, dialogue is almost totally impossible - and I invariably end up frustrated, bewildered and feeling like I live in a parallel universe. Maybe we all feel that way............
I feel I know what you're saying.
I read some of the serious posts, but only just recently posted a few comments because I just could not keep silent.
The reason I don't involve myself in these posts is because they seem to be very exclusive, between select people of opposing views who are out to jam their "facts" down anothers throat while ridiculing them for their ignorance in the process.
I feel I know what you're saying.
I read some of the serious posts, but only just recently posted a few comments because I just could not keep silent.
The reason I don't involve myself in these posts is because they seem to be very exclusive, between select people of opposing views who are out to jam their "facts" down anothers throat while ridiculing them for their ignorance in the process.
"Out, damned spot! out, I say!"
- William Shakespeare, Macbeth, 5.1
Housekeeping ...
I come here to make contact with friends mainly. I like to have a look around, sometimes i laugh sometimes i frown. i dont usually join in the heated debates as my post often gets lost in between the posters who are more interested in proving they are right and the other one is wrong:rolleyes: i do read some of the more serious threads and debates, and some of them have made me think,,, but if i feel inclined to post i usually keep it short now and then leave it, i suppose it just makes me feel better sometimes to say what it is im thinking. i also read some threads that i never, or hardly ever post in,,, im not sure why or if i can explain properly why,,, i like to get to know people and this is a way of doing it i suppose,,, sometimes i like to keep up on whats going on in peoples lives even though i may hardly interact with them... like you pam .. i dont get the chance to talk with you much but i like reading your posts and seeing whats goiung on with you:) ... plus i guess im just plain nosey
D
DFOC THREAD PART1
In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.
Martin Luther King Jr.
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chonsigirl
- Posts: 33633
- Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 8:28 am
Housekeeping ...
I like to stroll by FG and chat with friends, and have a smile or a laugh, a hug for those who need one.
Housekeeping ...
And to learn new words, Chonsi. That bit's important too.
Nullius in verba ... ☎||||||||||| ... To Fate I sue, of other means bereft, the only refuge for the wretched left.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
When flower power came along I stood for Human Rights, marched around for peace and freedom, had some nooky every night - we took it serious.
Who has a spare two minutes to play in this month's FG Trivia game! ... My other OS is Slackware.
Housekeeping ...
Thank you all for your replies. And thank you Spot for your useful comments in another thread about meaningful dialogue needing some common ground, overlapping backgrounds, shared discussion techniques.
I wasn't really asking anything. And it wasn't any kind of "I'm going to leave" thread or an insecure search for approval. Though hey, a hug is always welcome. I needed to make a few comments - and didn't want to attach them to any particular thread.
I'm accustomed at this time of the year to mentally-review the year, take stock and - where I can - clean up my act, work out new ways to stay out of trouble, get rid of baggage and/or things that get me down. I spend a bit of my recreation time in FG, often come to grief in here, and wonder why I do it. I set out my three conclusions. That's all.
I wasn't really asking anything. And it wasn't any kind of "I'm going to leave" thread or an insecure search for approval. Though hey, a hug is always welcome. I needed to make a few comments - and didn't want to attach them to any particular thread.
I'm accustomed at this time of the year to mentally-review the year, take stock and - where I can - clean up my act, work out new ways to stay out of trouble, get rid of baggage and/or things that get me down. I spend a bit of my recreation time in FG, often come to grief in here, and wonder why I do it. I set out my three conclusions. That's all.
"Life is too short to ski with ugly men"