Too bad

[highpeaksdrifter]

about the Global warming thread, it was an interesting discussion. What do you think it is about Internet forums that make people hypersensitive? Why can’t intelligent adults have a discussion about an important issue without becoming angry in a forum?

When I go to a party the host doesn’t set down rules about what can be discussed. Even when people have had a few too many things seldom get out of hand. Is it just because we’re not speaking face to face?

 

[Greg]

Is it just because we’re not speaking face to face?

Probably, yes. That and the fact that everything on a message board is intepreted literally. Emoticons helps, but unlike a face-to-face conversation, things like facial expression, body language, tone of voice, etc. are not there. A good rule of thumb here is to not post something you wouldn't say face-to-face. I also don't know that many people that openly discuss their political beliefs in a public setting either.

 

[ctenidae]

I also don't know that many people that openly discuss their political beliefs in a public setting either.

We've clearly never met.

 

[SnowRider]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

It was a good thread. But doesnt it seem that all the threads i start become wars! Think about the East, West thread. That got bad 2.

Why can’t intelligent adults have a discussion about an important issue without becoming angry in a forum?

Hey, i'm only 13! LOL. Just kidding. Maybe they just really want 2 be right.

Is it just because we’re not speaking face to face?

I am about to make fun of myself. When in middle school you have yur first "relationships." These are often a joke and when online boyfriend girlfriend wont shut up. In person they say one word a day "hey" and then the girl sais "hey." Just popped into my mind when I read that comment. What I am trying to say is online people arnt scared 2 say stuff cause it is not to the persons face.

SnowRider

 

[Greg]

I also don't know that many people that openly discuss their political beliefs in a public setting either.

We've clearly never met.

I'm not saying that over time, discussions of politics, etc. don't take place, but you don't normally jump in with political comments soon after meeting someone, do you?

 

[ctenidae]

You're absolutely right, Greg, and I was actually just about to add a :beer: there, cnsidering how that comment does sound a bit snarky.

/I have been known to jump right into politics, though

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

You're absolutely right, Greg, and I was actually just about to add a :beer: there, cnsidering how that comment does sound a bit snarky.

/I have been known to jump right into politics, though

I like talking about politics, I think it's interesting and almost everyone has an opinion.

 

[ALLSKIING]

I like talking about politics, I think it's interesting and almost everyone has an opinion.

But as you can see its never a good thread.....Lots of :argue:

 

[Greg]

But as you can see its never a good thread.....Lots of :argue:

I'd be curious to know if anyone has ever been swayed to an opposing view by a political thread on a message board. It seems to me that most folks that get involved usually do so with a lot of passion and are probably pretty set in their views. After all, politics are often times intertwined with peoples' religious, spiritual, or morality beliefs. I think that's why folks are so defensive in those types of thread - it's taken somewhat personal. It also seems like sometimes political posts are so well-thought out that the poster thinks it's impossible that other users could possibly think otherwise. Perhaps folks are aggrivated by that.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

But as you can see its never a good thread.....Lots of :argue:

But it was a good thread and arguing doesn't have to be a bad thing. Debate and desent are two of the things that made ours a great country.

 

[ALLSKIING]

I'd be curious to know if anyone has ever been swayed to an opposing view by a political thread on a message board. It seems to me that most folks that get involved usually do so with a lot of passion and are probably pretty set in their views. After all, politics are often times intertwined with peoples' religious, spiritual, or morality beliefs. I think that's why folks are so defensive in those types of thread - it's taken somewhat personal. It also seems like sometimes political posts are so well-thought out that the poster thinks it's impossible that other users could possibly think otherwise. Perhaps folks are aggrivated by that.

I have a very strong opinion on this stuff. I never share it on AZ because I think its to hard for me to get my point across on a forum as well as understand the other persons point. I think it just becomes to hot of a topic.

 

[skibum1321]

I get pretty heated on the political stuff too. I try to stay out of threads that I see heading in that direction. That one was inevitable.

 

[SkiDog]

It was a good thread...and it just slipped somewhere...it is a very politically intertwined topic so it is tough to keep politics out of it....however politics aside..we should be able to have discussions like adults..the problem is they sometimes tend to get into personal attacks..and so on and so forth.....even if the discussion is direclty about politics we should be able to debate like adults no???? Debate is GREAT sometimes it looks like a "fight" even when its not..

I can fully admit I am a VERY PIGHEADED person...once im set...its tough to move me

M

 

[ctenidae]

Global warming is one subject that's particularly prone to a political devolution. Early on, the science was questionable, and proponents got pigeonholed as crunchy enviro-hippies. It kind of stuck. Now the science is a little more firm and the question has changed from "IF" to "How Much". Unfortunately, the discussion requires a lot of science and numbers, many of which are not readily available to the majority of people. When faced with an overwhelming weight of facts, people tend to fall back on their original gut reaction.

However, it is one of the few politicized issues which people's opinions of can be changed based on facts and logic.

 

[YardSaleDad]

about the Global warming thread, it was an interesting discussion. What do you think it is about Internet forums that make people hypersensitive?

The problem is using theories and beliefs interchangably. Science is not a faith based activity. Unfortunately a large portion of the populace thinks it should be.

 

[JimG.]

The problem is using theories and beliefs interchangably. Science is not a faith based activity. Unfortunately a large portion of the populace thinks it should be.

YSD, even this comment borders on a political statement. I don't want to become the censor police, but it's a position all of the mods are pretty adamant about. And I want to add that I am about as apolitical as they come. I don't have political affiliations and I debate based only on facts or lack thereof.

Please, NO politics.

 

[Greg]

Thanks Jim. The mods and I have been discussing the increasing amount of political posts lately (I'm a bit guilty too). Even if the line is only lightly treaded, we will be taking a harder stance on political posts. Individual posts may be deleted to maintain the integrity of a thread if its truly non-political. Any thread that is predominantly political will be locked. Please review the forum policies.

 

[andyzee]

I thought it was a good thread, some interesting ideas were brought up. But at the same time, when politics or religion start getting into the mix, there is a good chance of it getting out of hand. That's one reason I try to avoid both, not only on the net but in person as well.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

I thought it was a good thread, some interesting ideas were brought up. But at the same time, when politics or religion start getting into the mix, there is a good chance of it getting out of hand. That's one reason I try to avoid both, not only on the net but in person as well.

Good point. It's funny how times change. It use to be that talking about politics or religion could cause an arguement. Nowadays they are both in the same conversation.

 

[YardSaleDad]

Thanks Jim. The mods and I have been discussing the increasing amount of political posts lately (I'm a bit guilty too). Even if the line is only lightly treaded, we will be taking a harder stance on political posts. Individual posts may be deleted to maintain the integrity of a thread if its truly non-political. Any thread that is predominantly political will be locked. Please review the forum policies.

Mea Culpa. I used a politician to illustrate a point. Maybe it's time to remove :flame:and :uzi: from the emoticon tray.