Joined
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298 Posts
So I've noticed in the few forums I've joined (three in the past year), that people over the internet are unnecessarily aggressive to others..
I guess I make this point because on this very forum, I feel that when I offer my own personal experiences or opinions, often someone might attack me, seemingly out of no where..
It's like a culture of disagreement when the purpose of these forums is to help others. Sure, we might disagree on which products are best, or what behaviors to correct or change, but why, oh why, does the tone always seem aggressive?
Maybe it is just me taking things way personally, But I have often noticed that people's replies to my opinions and/or experiences are negative, and they try to show where I'm wrong, or how their method is better.
What ever happened to "That's a good thought, and it might work for you.. but"??
I feel like people can become nasty, aggressive and argumentative behind the wall of the internet.. and that affects me! Some people who are shy and passive in person go onto the internet and become seriously aggressive to others they don't even know!
I guess for anyone reading is, some people are highly sensitive to the responses of others. Some of us reach out to internet communities because our own personal relationships are lacking or unsatisfying. But then, (at least for me), I find even more frustration in trying to connect with people on forums when everything I say is somehow wrong, or easily contradicted.
I suppose, for myself, the only way to ensure my own comfort on forums is to call out people who are unnecessarily aggressive or argumentative. THis can be done constructively.. "Hey, I'm sorry you disagreed with what I posted, but can't you understand that I might have a different opinion or experience? Are I not entitled to share without being torn to shreds?"
Or, as some members poignantly offered, perhaps I am too sensitive for internet forums. I refuse to be defeated. But I also refuse to be trampled upon. I guess I just gotta stick up for myself and my beliefs.
I guess I make this point because on this very forum, I feel that when I offer my own personal experiences or opinions, often someone might attack me, seemingly out of no where..
It's like a culture of disagreement when the purpose of these forums is to help others. Sure, we might disagree on which products are best, or what behaviors to correct or change, but why, oh why, does the tone always seem aggressive?
Maybe it is just me taking things way personally, But I have often noticed that people's replies to my opinions and/or experiences are negative, and they try to show where I'm wrong, or how their method is better.
What ever happened to "That's a good thought, and it might work for you.. but"??
I feel like people can become nasty, aggressive and argumentative behind the wall of the internet.. and that affects me! Some people who are shy and passive in person go onto the internet and become seriously aggressive to others they don't even know!
I guess for anyone reading is, some people are highly sensitive to the responses of others. Some of us reach out to internet communities because our own personal relationships are lacking or unsatisfying. But then, (at least for me), I find even more frustration in trying to connect with people on forums when everything I say is somehow wrong, or easily contradicted.
I suppose, for myself, the only way to ensure my own comfort on forums is to call out people who are unnecessarily aggressive or argumentative. THis can be done constructively.. "Hey, I'm sorry you disagreed with what I posted, but can't you understand that I might have a different opinion or experience? Are I not entitled to share without being torn to shreds?"
Or, as some members poignantly offered, perhaps I am too sensitive for internet forums. I refuse to be defeated. But I also refuse to be trampled upon. I guess I just gotta stick up for myself and my beliefs.