Foo - forum dynamics

I find the various ways that people behave on the forums, including myself, fascinating.

With the right thesis, I think there's a psychology grad student study possible in here somehow. Maybe it's already been done. It could involve chat in general whether it be email, chat rooms or forums.

I find the various ways that people behave on the forums, including myself, fascinating.

With the right thesis, I think there's a psychology grad student study possible in here somehow. Maybe it's already been done. It could involve chat in general whether it be email, chat rooms or forums.
I know it fascinates me as well! The anonymity brings out both the best and worst in people!:D

I know it fascinates me as well! The anonymity brings out both the best and worst in people!:D

Doesn't it though? I know I sure have shown both sides!

I've noticed that, at least with myself, anonymity brings out the same personality that familiarity does. In between those two points is when I hold back the most.

Have you folks also found that the level of intelligence and writing skill to be pretty darned impressive for the most part?

I think it depends on a persons mood. Not everyone is helpful all the time, and not everyone is snooty all the time. There are those people always telling OP's to use the search feature of the forum rather than ignoring the question. I think thats an odd one.

The anonymity brings out both the best and worst in people!:D
And it's scary when those are the same sides. :eek:

Have you folks also found that the level of intelligence and writing skill to be pretty darned impressive for the most part?

The spelling needs a little help. Im aware we have members who dont speak english as their first language, and also some younguns who havent completed all of their schooling yet either. I cringe when I see people spell 'definAtely' and 'breaks'.

The spelling needs a little help. Im aware we have members who dont speak english as their first language, and also some younguns who havent completed all of their schooling yet either. I cringe when I see people spell 'definAtely' and 'breaks'.

So havent....does that qualify as mispelling or just a chat room shortcut?

Sorry, couldn't resist. ;)

Just the result of a broken education system - or the fact that English is illogical. I cringe when I read my own post after the fact. Fine, I can spend a lot of time honing my writing - or just spit it out.

By the way, anyone who thinks that he is really good - I am perfectly willing to submit your writting to my wife - WHO IS A PROFESSIONAL EDITOR. Be afraid, be very afraid.

By the way, English is capitilized - just so you know, and when will you finish your schooling? ;)

By the way, part of my excuse is that I speak 3 languages - it scrambles syntax I can tell you!

(and my dear wife will tell you I was confused BEFORE the other 2 languages... )

So havent....does that qualify as mispelling or just a chat room shortcut?

Sorry, couldn't resist. ;)

lol- my gf (who is a teacher) bugs me about that all the time. When im emailing or posting, I often skip my apostrophes because I'm lazy.

I know I have found that I really care what folks on the foum think about me. So much that I think about criticisms waaay too much. Why should I care?

lol- my gf (who is a teacher) bugs me about that all the time. When im emailing or posting, I often skip my apostrophes because I'm lazy.

Why not. I dont blame you and certainly dont hold it against you.

Just the result of a broken education system - or the fact that English is illogical. I cringe when I read my own post after the fact. Fine, I can spend a lot of time honing my writing - or just spit it out.

By the way, anyone who thinks that he is really good - I am perfectly willing to submit your writting to my wife - WHO IS A PROFESSIONAL EDITOR. Be afraid, be very afraid.

By the way, English is capitilized - just so you know, and when will you finish your schooling? ;)

English is the least logical language. I'll never finish being a student, but I'll graduate in a couple of semesters with my Master's Degree. Between that and my music school education, I've never used writing for more than a tool for communication- certainly not an art form like many can use it for.

I don't really care about the spelling or the way one person writes I can generally tell what their trying to say. :)

What is interesting to me is that my wife, who should know, thinks I am excellent writer. But, getting it perfect is her job. She can write well, but it doesn't "sing". There is a difference betwen the mechanics (grammar) and style.

I'm an admin on a car forum, and 200+ of us met (nation-wide gathering) in the summer of '05.

It was amazing to see how different people become when they're online or not.

I was also a co-sysop on a BBS back in the early 90's. Of course, that was a local crowd, but there were probably 40 of us at a renaissance festival one year. Same thing. Most of the big talkers were pretty sheepish in real life.

Honestly, I think online is where we can become who we wish we could be. We can exaggerate a little and not get caught. If we do get caught, the chances of someone actually knowing us are slim to none. There's no real punishment for little white lies or huge overblown fish tales, for that matter.

Things that we're self-conscious about become moot. It's a level playing field. The people who always got picked on can now figure out what it's like to be the instigator. The shy wallflowers who were always ignored can finally wave their "give me attention" flags. The people who never had many friends can reach out and partake in an online community where people know each other, and like reading everyone else's daily wierd foo. Online, many people make up for things that they lack in the real world.

The interesting thing about forum dynamics is that sometimes, your online persona finally starts to manifest itself, usually when you finally start meeting other community members face to face. For those who are instigators, it takes a once mellow, humble person and turns them into a bit of an a-hole. For those who were never good around people or good at making friends, it breaks the ice and suddenly they become a little more extroverted. It's a double-edged sword.

I'd say it could easily make a thesis paper. There are so many variables to consider, and online communities are starting to get really huge. It's definitely a very complex subject, if covered in its entirety.

I think communication in forums is more like spoken communication for most of us. I can clean thing up and make it clear and concise - and at times I do so in order that I am not misunderstood.

Just generally, I just let it fly - just like when speaking.

Yes, it would probably be a fascinating subject to look at. I'd also love to know what was written in those thousands upon thousands of posts that were not posted at the very last minute :D. I know I've written many replies that, for some reason or another, I've decided not to post.

I have without really thinking about it or trying, changed this from a thread about dynamics to a thread about the English language. :p

gbcb got it back on track.:)

Yes, it would probably be a fascinating subject to look at. I'd also love to know what was written in those thousands upon thousands of posts that were not posted at the very last minute :D. I know I've written many replies that, for some reason or another, I've decided not to post.

Me too.

gbcb got it back on track.:)

Actually, I was just slow to respond :p :D

I'm an admin on a car forum, and 200+ of us met (nation-wide gathering) in the summer of '05.

It was amazing to see how different people become when they're online or not.

I was also a co-sysop on a BBS back in the early 90's. Of course, that was a local crowd, but there were probably 40 of us at a renaissance festival one year. Same thing. Most of the big talkers were pretty sheepish in real life.

Honestly, I think online is where we can become who we wish we could be. We can exaggerate a little and not get caught. If we do get caught, the chances of someone actually knowing us are slim to none. There's no real punishment for little white lies or huge overblown fish tales, for that matter.

Things that we're self-conscious about become moot. It's a level playing field. The people who always got picked on can now figure out what it's like to be the instigator. The shy wallflowers who were always ignored can finally wave their "give me attention" flags. The people who never had many friends can reach out and partake in an online community where people know each other, and like reading everyone else's daily wierd foo. Online, many people make up for things that they lack in the real world.

The interesting thing about forum dynamics is that sometimes, your online persona finally starts to manifest itself, usually when you finally start meeting other community members face to face. For those who are instigators, it takes a once mellow, humble person and turns them into a bit of an a-hole. For those who were never good around people or good at making friends, it breaks the ice and suddenly they become a little more extroverted. It's a double-edged sword.

I'd say it could easily make a thesis paper. There are so many variables to consider, and online communities are starting to get really huge. It's definitely a very complex subject, if covered in its entirety.

What did I say about intelligence on this forum? Here's an example right here. Some excellent, thought provoking explanations.

I'm actually dumb but I wish I was smart so I post like I am. Google is my brain.

:lol:

I don't really care about the spelling or the way one person writes I can generally tell what their trying to say. :)
and that's the point... if you got what the person was saying then why make a deal out of grammar?
it's the same as having a very important discussion with your parents lets say, and they stop you to pronounce a word correctly..
always makes you feel like the person on the other side didnt listen to you.

As far as the dynamics here I really like it. :) I have visited other sites and I have always come back to BF's. Here its like a tight-knit group where other sites its all about how much you know, or who has the best ride or blah, blah, blah!!!

I think everyone here brings such diversity that it makes it a place to come back to!! :)

I'm actually dumb but I wish I was smart so I post like I am. Google is my brain.

:lol:
2/3 of intelligence is knowing where to look for information!:D

Snowy, I will have you know I am perfectly normal - so where does that put the rest of you? ;)

I likes me my Foo. :D

I don't really care about the spelling or the way one person writes I can generally tell what their trying to say. :)

+1

2/3 of intelligence is knowing where to look for information!:D
Where did you dig up that little gem?

I think it would be much more interesting to find out why people use internet forums -and the like- in the first place

I don't believe people come -here- just to lose themselves.

I think people see the internet as a place where they can get to know people
as intimately as they wish they could get to know people in real life
The internet is anonymous
That is why we can "trust" one another to share of ourselves

People can be serious here
Be serious in real life and you're likely to be called dramatic or soft or gay or a downer or whatever else

This isn't going to go over very well her ein Foo
But I cannot understand why Foo needs to exist on the internet
Life is Foo.
Our lives are not that stressful. Even when truly bad things happen in life we try to ignore it as much as possible
Probably because we aren't sure of what to say or how to act
That is why people are online -imo
To talk about the things unspoken in real life
The things we care the most about but have been told not to think about due to their "complexity"
Not that anything is all that complex
That's just laziness speaking
That's our belief that we have done so much for the world through our 9-5 that we deserve to rest without worry.

I wonder if Foo is around only because it has become ingrained that all deeper discussion needs to be tempered with the trivial so that we all don't become depressed little ****s moping around dirty streets asking why we are here

Which -may- be true to some extent
But I think we see all around us what comes from trying to forget and pretending that everything is as perfect as can possibly be/is how it is because perfection is what -must- be left when all substance gets boiled away

Yes
water=substance

We need more space
We need to be a little thinner
We need time to stop and smell the roses
We need to become more like soup
and less like stew
But our society sees time not doing something "productive" as a waste
So we boil away all our time, energy, and emotions to get to the big beefy things we believe are important cause they bring "progress"
But all that progress does is change the recipe
The recipe that has been around since forever and has always tasted great
It doesn't give us anything that we didn't already have to some degree and usually takes some things away from us altogether

And I think that's why people are here
They're testing out the water
Just ask yourself if you're any happier today than you were twenty years ago
I doubt it. If you do believe that you're happier
Ask yourself what it is that has made you happier
It doesn't take much to be happy. You don't even have to be healthy to be happy.
What's really important to us? I think people are important to us. Respect, friendships, and love. Love.
If people do not feel respected
Loved
in real life
That accounts for their online persona

Snowy, I will have you know I am perfectly normal - so where does that put the rest of you? ;)
Boring!!!

I think he looked it up somewhere...

I think he looked it up somewhere...
Yeah, but where? I wanna look smart too. :D

I got a 20 for bF that says the SoS post is about this










































long

Ouch! that hurts... Hmmm, I have to admit to being a tad be off bubble or I am boring.

Let see, living in a third world nation by choice, growing trees for reforetation, living in something that currently looks almost like a shack - riding a bike for commuting up and down roads that make single track look good...

Yep, totally normal.

Ouch! that hurts... Hmmm, I have to admit to being a tad be off bubble or I am boring.

Let see, living in a third world nation by choice, growing trees for reforetation, living in something that currently looks almost like a shack - riding a bike for commuting up and down roads that make single track look good...

Yep, totally normal.

I don't about anybody else but I'm impressed crtreedude. You rock man!

Ouch! that hurts... Hmmm, I have to admit to being a tad be off bubble or I am boring.

Let see, living in a third world nation by choice, growing trees for reforetation, living in something that currently looks almost like a shack - riding a bike for commuting up and down roads that make single track look good...

Yep, totally normal.
What's 'normal' the paradigm changes depending on perspective.

And you know I was only kidding. :love:

I would be more impressed with me if I wasn't having so much fun...

It's likely that people that post regularly to forums are smarter than average.

However, that one can do research before posting, and doesn't have to answer questions immediately or sometimes at all, can lead to the impression of greater intelligence than actually exists.

Since this is the case, I try to look at the point of view being offered, its depth and originality, to make determinations about people on forums.

Yes I'm judgmental; no you aren't cool.

Of course Stacy.

Besides, it was pretty nice to actually have someone think I was boring for a change.

Usually they are just scared.

It's likely that people that post regularly to forums are smarter than average.

However, that one can do research before posting, and doesn't have to answer questions immediately or sometimes at all, can lead to the impression of greater intelligence than actually exists.

Since this is the case, I try to look at the point of view being offered, its depth and originality, to make determinations about people on forums.

Yes I'm judgmental; no you aren't cool.


I don't try to be! :D

What's 'normal' the paradigm changes depending on perspective.

And you know I was only kidding. :love:

More of those terribly interesting forum dynamics at work.

I had recently posted a controversial rant and fellow forumites were all over my butt about it. It put me in a freaking funk for a couple days. Now that it's resolved I feel like a huge weight has been taken off my shoulders. And this comes from a guy who really lives a pretty normal, successful life, not a madman psychotic moron. What's up with that? Maybe I really do need help!

You need affection from strangers?


P.S.

Few people like to be disliked. It's normal.

I'm an admin on a car forum, and 200+ of us met (nation-wide gathering) in the summer of '05.

It was amazing to see how different people become when they're online or not.

I was also a co-sysop on a BBS back in the early 90's. Of course, that was a local crowd, but there were probably 40 of us at a renaissance festival one year. Same thing. Most of the big talkers were pretty sheepish in real life.


I started out in a similar fashion in the mid 80's. I did find this in the past when people were first learning what online was. Heck I remember when it was out of fashion to be connected and no matter who you were, if you even knew what a bbs was your were a geek. I do miss the small intimate feel of a 2000 person bbs.



Honestly, I think online is where we can become who we wish we could be. We can exaggerate a little and not get caught. If we do get caught, the chances of someone actually knowing us are slim to none. There's no real punishment for little white lies or huge overblown fish tales, for that matter.

Things that we're self-conscious about become moot. It's a level playing field. The people who always got picked on can now figure out what it's like to be the instigator. The shy wallflowers who were always ignored can finally wave their "give me attention" flags. The people who never had many friends can reach out and partake in an online community where people know each other, and like reading everyone else's daily wierd foo. Online, many people make up for things that they lack in the real world.

The interesting thing about forum dynamics is that sometimes, your online persona finally starts to manifest itself, usually when you finally start meeting other community members face to face. For those who are instigators, it takes a once mellow, humble person and turns them into a bit of an a-hole. For those who were never good around people or good at making friends, it breaks the ice and suddenly they become a little more extroverted. It's a double-edged sword.

I'd say it could easily make a thesis paper. There are so many variables to consider, and online communities are starting to get really huge. It's definitely a very complex subject, if covered in its entirety.

I guess for me, maybe the years of being online, my personality online is the same as offline. I can at times be abrasive yet fair and am more than willing to speak my mind about a topic I have an interest or skill in. However if it isn't my forte than I don't bother raising my hand because it would just be bull**** anyways. I also rarely ask questions as I was raised on the mantra "rtfm", so quering every little thing in life seems an odd way to exist.

I do agree with your assessment for the most part, but of all the people I have met online, maybe I am naturally drawn to this type in the first place, they are identical offline as online. I find it is very...very easy to tell when someone is being fake. Fake people annoy me greatly, so I tend to mock and/or ignore them.

By the way Stacey, normal is defined by those around us. Given I live where the average height of males is 5'4" and they weigh about 125 lbs - at 6'2" and 195 I am sure I am the reincarnation of Herman Munster.

You need affection from strangers?

I guess. Weird eh?