Forums and blogs - rambling thoughts

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Forums and blogs - rambling thoughts
Topic Started: Saturday, 6. September 2008, 13:45 (163 Views)
Rose of York	Saturday, 6. September 2008, 13:45 Post #1
Administrator Posts: 14,560 Group: Admin Member #2 Joined: September 25, 2006	I would like to discuss something that comes up on forums, from time to time. That is, the manner in which we communicate on forums, compared to have to discuss in live conversation. Quote: Moreover, I thinks its different to say something on a blog/forum, then it is actually face to face with someone. Our words and mannerisms would be much different. I wouldnt be as blunt. But this is a forum, and things are different. Another poster responded with an opinion that the above is not quite correct, and continued Quote: I mean accurate. Admitedly to argue face to face has certain assets, but putting things on paper requires much more accuracy, and even perhaps honesty. Once written it can hardly be taken back - without apology or retraction that is -but in the case of face to face (thinking of politicians etc. as best example) - speakers can always say afterwards that they 'didn't mean that exactly as taken etc. etc.) I think, that in conversation, one needs to keep up with the others, as when driving on a busy road (one needs to "fit in" with the pace of the others). We cannot give a few minutes to checking on our facts, we just speak, say whatever comes into our heads. On a forum we can google, make sure our facts are right. We can type, preview, consider the posting, edit until satisfied. We can even go off for a meal, and make our contribution later when other participants are not present. At times that is good, because the time lag leads to us calming down. If I speak hastily in a group conversation, later, I might think "why did Thomas frown, why did his wife look upset, and give me a meaninful look as though to indicate that I put my foot in it?" Later I may speak privately later, to the other person, and say "I hope I did not say anything tactless, and upset you." On one forum, not this one, I read a tirade about feckless unmarried mothers, and wondered how many members were unmarried mothers, had risen above their past and raised fine families. Just a few rambling thoughts. Responses welcome, this is not a moderator announcement.
	$Posted Image$ Catholic and proud of it! Talk to God before Mass. Talk to each other afterwards


Derekap	Saturday, 6. September 2008, 14:49 Post #2
Posts: 3,415 Group: Members Member #14 Joined: September 26, 2006	As I have said before, in written debates on forums such as this it is difficult to express the intonation, stress and gestures which would occur during spoken debates. Also, as you mentioned, during the latter there may be a chance to explain a misunderstanding quickly and if necessary apologise. However, despite the disadvantages I think we get along fairly well on this forum.
	Derekap


OsullivanB	Saturday, 6. September 2008, 17:51 Post #3
Posts: 2,203 Group: Moderator Member #205 Joined: August 14, 2008	Online we can even delete, truly taking our comments back. I have often done this and some of my more thoughtles/hurtful comments have with luck never been seen by anyone but me.



PJD	Saturday, 6. September 2008, 19:02 Post #4
Posts: 2,423 Group: Members Member #11 Joined: September 26, 2006	There is another thing Derek. On forums, generally speaking, you are not unduly influenced by the 'other person' i.e. how old they are, how they look, in many cases whether male or female, how they dress, whether they smell or not, whether they represent the high and mighty, etc. etc. How would you evaluate those advantages. If you think they are advantages that is. PJD



Rose of York	Saturday, 6. September 2008, 20:30 Post #5
Administrator Posts: 14,560 Group: Admin Member #2 Joined: September 25, 2006	PJD Saturday, 6. September 2008, 19:02 On forums, generally speaking, you are not unduly influenced by the 'other person' i.e. how old they are, how they look, in many cases whether male or female, how they dress, whether they smell or not, whether they represent the high and mighty, etc. etc. How would you evaluate those advantages. If you think they are advantages that is. PJD Interesting! Show me four Catholics in the flesh, I will jump to conclusions. In my imagination: The man in the suit and the woman in a smart frock and court shoes attend Latin Masses. They are very conventional Catholics. What the Pope says, goes. The man who attends Mass attired in a flowery shirt and Bermuda shorts is the sort who says "No man has any right to control my mind. Morality is a personal matter." The young vivacious pretty woman is most definitely not the Parish Alpha Female who must be obeyed by all including the parish priest. On a forum: Its the other way round. I make assumptions, based upon a person's forum postings. I'd better not say which men wear suits, which women wear staid classic suits tailored in grey wool, who wear jeans, who looks a mess. I do feel free to say nobody on here smells. Each one of us turned up here like a blank piece of paper. Nobody knew a thing about any of us. Now we know each other well - or do we?
	$Posted Image$ Catholic and proud of it! Talk to God before Mass. Talk to each other afterwards


PJD	Sunday, 7. September 2008, 09:52 Post #6
Posts: 2,423 Group: Members Member #11 Joined: September 26, 2006	Each one of us turned up here like a blank piece of paper. Nobody knew a thing about any of us. Now we know each other well - or do we? We do not of course, mostly, who is male and who is female. It does affect things slightly - but as regards male generally speaking they are inclined to more affection and gentleness to the female - that is nature! As for the rest - surely we go by the texts they put on. Forums are not ideal obviously; but I contend they are more efficient. For example if the Pope were to come on advertising his person, would we act naturally. Perhaps some would, others not. Many here I think would act very similarly as they already do; and not subject honesty to the person. Or have I got this right. We need a psychologist here to answer? PJD



Derekap	Sunday, 7. September 2008, 19:26 Post #7
Posts: 3,415 Group: Members Member #14 Joined: September 26, 2006	A point suddenly occurred to me earlier today. Opinions expressed in a live debate in a meeting room or hall may well remain in the room or hall or among those present. However, on line we have not only active members but the possibility of anonymous observers, or at least observers frm all countries who remain anonymous, and opinions expressed may well go much further and are more likely to be repeated out of context which can cause misunderstandings.
	Derekap


Derekap	Sunday, 7. September 2008, 19:31 Post #8
Posts: 3,415 Group: Members Member #14 Joined: September 26, 2006	Like Rose, I do have imaginative ideas of contributors but I fully realise they may not be anything like the persons really are. I certainly don't imagine Rose wearing a green cardigan! I bet she hasn't worn one for years in case she is wrongly accused!
	Derekap


Clare	Monday, 8. September 2008, 14:57 Post #9
Wacko Schismatic Traditionalist Woman Posts: 3,093 Group: Members Member #70 Joined: March 27, 2007	OsullivanB Saturday, 6. September 2008, 17:51 Online we can even delete, truly taking our comments back. I have often done this and some of my more thoughtles/hurtful comments have with luck never been seen by anyone but me. Some forums don't allow you to delete or edit posts.
	S.A.G. My attempt at a blog.


CARLO	Monday, 8. September 2008, 15:02 Post #10
Posts: 1,691 Group: Members Member #27 Joined: September 28, 2006	I enjoy the forum very much. If anything it has taught me a degree of gentleness and give and take that was not always evident prior to my forum days. Yes I know - laugh of you want! Oremus Let us pray CARLO[redit][/redit] Edited by CARLO, Monday, 8. September 2008, 15:03.
	Judica me Deus


Rose of York	Monday, 8. September 2008, 15:13 Post #11
Administrator Posts: 14,560 Group: Admin Member #2 Joined: September 25, 2006	CARLO Monday, 8. September 2008, 15:02 I enjoy the forum very much. If anything it has taught me a degree of gentleness and give and take that was not always evident prior to my forum days. Yes I know - laugh of you want! Oremus Let us pray CARLO I'm not laughing, I've known Carlo since he first registered on a UK forum, years ago. What he has written he has written, and IT IS TRUE. So there. Homest, Guv, I'm not laughing.
	$Posted Image$ Catholic and proud of it! Talk to God before Mass. Talk to each other afterwards


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