Isn't it interesting how discussion forums are the same - no matter what the topic?

[wyldwolf]

Something I noticed a long time ago but never mentioned here. Perhaps you've noticed it.

I visit discussion forums that aren't politically related - specifically on the topics of radio (I worked in that industry for years) and science fiction. It's funny to listen to trekkies bash each other over who the "real trekkers" are. And a civil war of sorts erupted last summer on one board after Superman Returns was released. Seems some felt Brian Singer was trying to bury the legacy of Chris Reeve by, well, paying homage to Reeve in the movie. For that, "Reeviacs" were going to boycott the new movie.

Right now, I'm watching a thread unwind at a radio board where the OP demands people quit bashing Clear Channel because COX radio is just as corrupt.

Politics is politics - wherever you go.

[crud76]

1. Hah!

CBS and Entercom aren't exactly pure as the driven snow either.

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. Yes - I participate in several gardening forums. A few consistent

things I've noted - things can indeed get passionate quickly, but I think there is definitely an impact that people's various personalities (Myers Briggs types - Extrovert vs Introvert, etc) have. Also the ratio of those who actually post frequently to those who join and rarely post is tiny - on a few of the boards I go to, at least 50% join and never post, and perhaps 10-20 out of 1000 members dominate. The other thing I've noted is that the polarization of our society also comes through, so people find ways of injecting their politics into non-political topics. Quite a time we are living in - and quite a tool (the Internets) we have to make our views known!

[zanne]

3. Great observation.

I've also noticed that, as a country, we're all getting better at arguing; not debating--arguing. There is always someone avoiding a question, or going "down the street and around the corner" about it. Also, changing the subject is very common. But the most frustrating tactic is "going on the offensive". Yup, we're all learning, but are we getting any smarter?

[Forkboy]

4. Life is politics

Wear pads if needed.

[treestar]

5. Yes!

No matter what the subject, there are always those people who try to tell everyone else what they should and should not post. I think of them as the people who are leaders in person and can get everyone in a personal meeting on track to what they believe is important. The internet is bad for them, because no one responds to their personal magnetism and they do not have nearly the control they are accustomed to.