I have just returned, suitably scathed and chastened, from a short stay on a forum where people exchange views on subjects close to their heart. I was labouring under a misapprehension. In my innocence, I thought that all opinions would be welcome, if expressed in a civilised manner, but this turned out to be not quite the case. In my experience, these message boards are places where people come to air their obsessions which all tend in the same direction, leading to a claustrophobic and all too often toxic atmosphere.
Each post starts off reasonably enough with a well-written introduction post by the blogger, but since everyone is in agreement with this introduction, it seems that the only way to add a bit of spice to the proceedings is to descend, very suddenly and violently, into abuse and worse.
It's a bit like falling off the continental shelf.
Oh dear, extending a sympathetic hand! I only read your blog and one other so hadn't realised they are mainly aimed at the "already converted" - well, yours isn't but is more a stream of consciousness or whatever it is currently passing through your mind! And on the whole you take the disagreement of others' quite well! On Facebook the most used mantra is "Stroll On By", and perhaps you need to apply this to political blogs.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Barnaby
ReplyDeleteIf you were an investor you would find that much the same applies to investing forums (Latin plural?) eg adfvn where some people go far too far in endeavouring to rubbish other posters' investing comments.
Blog posting is more satisfactory in my view so keep yours going.
Often though going back to investing, one can discern some interesting point being made behind the rudeness and expletives so forums can on occasion,have their positive points.
I tried those comment sections. The abuse was so awful that I vowed never to do it again. I discovered that people can get incredibly nasty when safely behind their screens.
ReplyDeleteI've only ever commented on this blog, which is reasonably safe. But why have they been culled?
ReplyDelete