Wow, Chrissy, same as me. Lately I've started a reply, erased it and started all over again...…….after doing some thinking. I guess that old saying "learn from your mistakes" can be true.
I participate in forums to learn from others. You'd be surprised the number of things I have learned from y'all. Now, if I can just remember it.
Great point. It goes both ways, too. We can be teachers and students, given that we come from a wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, etc.
I like reading the different opinions of others. I like at least feeling like I have become friends with people I dont really know...but I learn something about them. There are many on this forum who have a talent or an appreciation for something shared that the rest of us find intresting..or funny or that we can relate to personally. I feel comfortable and at home on here...unlike FB which is still my least favorite.
To a point, you can. My wife and I met on a forum. It was an internal forum associated with the Open Directory Project, a web directory that we both began working for in 1998. Although the forum was set up to discuss directory business, there was a section for regular discussion as well. After knowing one another on the forum for a couple of years, we met and were married soon afterward, after learning that we were who we seemed to be on the forum. Not only did my wife and I meet there, but a few other people who I feel very close to, but have met in person only once, were people I met there, as well. Through a couple of these people, we have found a few jobs, including the one we've had for the past eight years or so, and we've gotten a few clients through people we knew from the ODP.
I became aware of online forums some years ago. I started commenting on TV broadcasts and discovered that the community did not only talk about those but about a wide range of issues, mostly political ones, though. When the TV channel closed its forum because FB had become more in vogue I didn't want to do without online forums and began to actively look for alternatives. For me, online forums are an indispensable supplement to talks that I have in real life and they have some advantages: When I want to meet up with friends it usually takes some planning and negotiating a time that suits both or everyone involved. Sometimes expectations are high. But then we usually talk about private affairs, family, the challenges of daily life and business extensively. Only after a period of time conversation gradually shifts to such matters that are frequently and normally discussed on online forums such as political affairs and a wider range of more specific questions, topics, and interest. When it does, it's often time to say goodbye. I repeatedly notice that the exchange of opinions and ideas is not as satisfying and inspiring as on online forums because people didn't have time to inform themselves about those topics, have never heard about something etc. So real life conversations tend to be not as well-informed and interesting as some online discussions. Online discussions also take less planning. You can join and leave them as you like. I have benefited from researching a subject raised by others and discussed on a forum and I appreciate the wider range of opinions voiced by people I'd normally not have a chance of talking to. Contrary to what can be read in this thread I have absolutely no intention of even trying to persuade participants in a discussion. My motto is "Let's agree to differ." The fact that I usually don't reply to an argument more than once does not necessarily mean, however, that that's the end of the road. I just don't want to be argumentative. Having left my scent mark, so to speak, is enough in most cases.
I like forums because I really like putting my thoughts down on "paper" more than speaking them orally...and I also like discussing a wide range of subjects with others who do too.
I think forums are great for provoking and stimulating thoughts, and seeking communion with like-minded spirits. They help fight the isolation which many of us can feel from time to time...
I always post what I want and let the chips fall as they may. I am not afraid of criticism or disagreement.
I suppose I participate for a number of reasons already voiced by other memnbers here on the forum. For the past thirty minutes or so I have been reading posts while I blow my harmonica. I read a little each day, I blow my harp each day. Therapy for emphysema related COPD. I retired in '96 because of emphysema. A number of doctors have said I should be dead but I keep on surprising both doctors and family by bouncing back and I am generally in good health. I no longer use my nebulizer although I have it handy if needed. No longer take Albuteral except PRN and that's once or twice a week before bedtime. I've even surprised myself a couple of times. For those of us who are mostly home bound and need a little help now and then, this forum is good news and not all forums are equal. This one seems a cut above. Makes one feel less isolated, less friendless, and maybe realize we are not alone in our misery and happiness, others share similar problems and interests. I sometimes say things I wish I had not said after thinking about it and wish I could take them back. That just reminds to be more thoughtful before I speak, sort of like engaging the brain first. I'm beginning to ramble.
I participate in Online Forums because there are such things. While exchanging posts with others, I find it surprising how many truly intelligent-sounding people there are, and by the same token, how many dull-sounding people there are. Hal