This is probably a very obvious observation, but I felt we haven't had any topics that specifically deal with this aspect of internet forums. Generally this issue appears as an undercurrent in... well most topics actually.
OVERREACTING.
Without the ability moderate your own enthusiasm your point might get lost or even completely misrepresented. The tone of a topic might become nothing more then an exchange of meaningless praise or heated words with no purpose.
But what would we be as a species if we didn't try to better ourselves?
The reasons for overreacting are as varied as there are subjects to discuss. But I find a few things help me avoid this:
I'm sure plenty of us have both endured and subjected others to an overreaction. I'm also aware that it's impossible to avoid this entirely, but trying helps.
As a little bit of an introspective on your own forum habits, What topics have you overreacted to recently?
Acknowledging when and understanding why we overreact helps us to hone our conversational skills.
EDIT: Captcha: "End of Story"
No captcha, you can't just cut off a topic like that. Sheesh, some manners wouldn't go astray.
OVERREACTING.
It's perfectly normal, our minds are actually not inherently programmed to assess the bigger picture or encompass the affects of the passage of time. We are a creature of the present by default. So we sometimes jump the gun on certain subjects, particularly when they resonate strongly with something deep within us.
Whether it's a new game you have been eagerly/reluctantly anticipating/dreading for a long time, a social standard you feel must be defended/challenged for the better of mankind or a subject that you think should be considered/avoided by all, we have all at some point blown subjects way out of proportion in one way or another.
Because of this, one can't really argue against overreacting, since it would more then likely be hypocritical. But it shouldn't be ignored either, after all overreacting is counter-productive to a healthy discussion or a civil debate.
Whether it's a new game you have been eagerly/reluctantly anticipating/dreading for a long time, a social standard you feel must be defended/challenged for the better of mankind or a subject that you think should be considered/avoided by all, we have all at some point blown subjects way out of proportion in one way or another.
Because of this, one can't really argue against overreacting, since it would more then likely be hypocritical. But it shouldn't be ignored either, after all overreacting is counter-productive to a healthy discussion or a civil debate.
Without the ability moderate your own enthusiasm your point might get lost or even completely misrepresented. The tone of a topic might become nothing more then an exchange of meaningless praise or heated words with no purpose.
But what would we be as a species if we didn't try to better ourselves?
- Joining a topic that is only about praising and discussing a subjective topic, like a specific video game or film, in a positive light, only to inject an extreme opposing opinion (like how you hate that game/film).
This is an overreaction in this case because a debate about tastes was not intended nor wanted, yet since an opinion was present you felt you had to weigh your own against it... the reality is you didn't. There are plenty of other topics that ask for a wider spectrum of opinions on this site (let alone the whole internet), so the few that want to keep a topics tone focused or light-hearted shouldn't be derailed in such a way.
- Jumping on a topic just to rail against the Thread title or doing a TL/DR and still adding an opinion.
This one is obvious, read the OP, otherwise you are likely just going to trip over the conditions placed down by the OP or even miss the point entirely. If you don't want to read, don't post.
- Lashing out at an opinion in the middle of a topic that isn't actually discussing such opinions.
Show a little respect for the author of a topic, don't start your own thread within a thread. Just because you disagree with an opinion made for whatever reason, don't make it a personal battle. Find a thread that is discussing it and join there or start your own thread.
- Getting angry.
This may be hard to do, but frankly it's the biggest problem. Why bother? Who on this site is affected by what happens on this site? The answer should be no one if things were ideal. Getting angry obscures rational thought... it just sets you up to be trolled or even worse, to shoot yourself in the foot. I can't count how many people have pushed a debate with me only to just get angry and sloppily piece together as vitriolic a response as they can muster, only to contradict earlier points of their own. Even I have seen red and promptly barf on my keyboard only to get caught out by someone who has his head on straight.
This is an overreaction in this case because a debate about tastes was not intended nor wanted, yet since an opinion was present you felt you had to weigh your own against it... the reality is you didn't. There are plenty of other topics that ask for a wider spectrum of opinions on this site (let alone the whole internet), so the few that want to keep a topics tone focused or light-hearted shouldn't be derailed in such a way.
- Jumping on a topic just to rail against the Thread title or doing a TL/DR and still adding an opinion.
This one is obvious, read the OP, otherwise you are likely just going to trip over the conditions placed down by the OP or even miss the point entirely. If you don't want to read, don't post.
- Lashing out at an opinion in the middle of a topic that isn't actually discussing such opinions.
Show a little respect for the author of a topic, don't start your own thread within a thread. Just because you disagree with an opinion made for whatever reason, don't make it a personal battle. Find a thread that is discussing it and join there or start your own thread.
- Getting angry.
This may be hard to do, but frankly it's the biggest problem. Why bother? Who on this site is affected by what happens on this site? The answer should be no one if things were ideal. Getting angry obscures rational thought... it just sets you up to be trolled or even worse, to shoot yourself in the foot. I can't count how many people have pushed a debate with me only to just get angry and sloppily piece together as vitriolic a response as they can muster, only to contradict earlier points of their own. Even I have seen red and promptly barf on my keyboard only to get caught out by someone who has his head on straight.
The reasons for overreacting are as varied as there are subjects to discuss. But I find a few things help me avoid this:
*Reading the OP (and not posting if you don't). As suggested above it is the only way to understand what is being discussed, but not only that, it's simple manners. You wouldn't, typically, walk up to a crowd, not know what they are talking about and then decide to join in just for the heck of it. It doesn't add anything, and can be very disruptive towards other peoples discussions. Reading the shortest follow up comment is not a compromise either.
*Getting angry? Walk away. Honestly, I can't think of a practical way to get around this and still contribute to a topic at the same time. Come back later when you have time to process the info you have taken and are able to articulate a response.
*Don't get personal. Regardless of how much you may disagree with someones opinion, don't attack the person. It's poor form in debating and the lowest level of engagement in a discussion. If you feel the need to respond do so while keeping on topic and not getting angry. Target their points, disprove their claims or just weigh in your own opinion and walk away.
*Be open minded. This may be impossible for some as we all have certain preconceptions of how things should be... but the fact is that what are parents, schools and leaders tell us aren't always true or even for our own benefit. We as the generation that takes after our parents are obligated to root out flaws in prior generations, not enforce them.
As a general rule of thumb, being open minded means being able to read any opinion and not act instinctively, but rather thinking hard before responding, weighing the reasons and rational behind their opinion. If you just read something and immediately start forming an argument against it, that isn't being open minded. Also if your own opinion is rife with strong feelings of hatred towards someone/something or if it's loaded with gross generalisations, chances are you have not been open minded.
*Getting angry? Walk away. Honestly, I can't think of a practical way to get around this and still contribute to a topic at the same time. Come back later when you have time to process the info you have taken and are able to articulate a response.
*Don't get personal. Regardless of how much you may disagree with someones opinion, don't attack the person. It's poor form in debating and the lowest level of engagement in a discussion. If you feel the need to respond do so while keeping on topic and not getting angry. Target their points, disprove their claims or just weigh in your own opinion and walk away.
*Be open minded. This may be impossible for some as we all have certain preconceptions of how things should be... but the fact is that what are parents, schools and leaders tell us aren't always true or even for our own benefit. We as the generation that takes after our parents are obligated to root out flaws in prior generations, not enforce them.
As a general rule of thumb, being open minded means being able to read any opinion and not act instinctively, but rather thinking hard before responding, weighing the reasons and rational behind their opinion. If you just read something and immediately start forming an argument against it, that isn't being open minded. Also if your own opinion is rife with strong feelings of hatred towards someone/something or if it's loaded with gross generalisations, chances are you have not been open minded.
I'm sure plenty of us have both endured and subjected others to an overreaction. I'm also aware that it's impossible to avoid this entirely, but trying helps.
As a little bit of an introspective on your own forum habits, What topics have you overreacted to recently?
Acknowledging when and understanding why we overreact helps us to hone our conversational skills.
I recently saw red when in the middle of an exchange with another and consequently obscured the actual topic at hand under several walls of texts which eventually ended up with me being trolled by the guy (by throwing up image macros). The topic was on art and games (a touchy subject) and I was just livid at some of things this guy was saying. I should have gotten the hint earlier... the guy didn't invest much effort in responding and I just kept reacting to his blanket statements and contradictions with, ironically, blanket statements and contradictions. I avoided getting personal but when I revised what I had said earlier I realised I had done more damage to my opinion then I had supported it.
EDIT: Captcha: "End of Story"
No captcha, you can't just cut off a topic like that. Sheesh, some manners wouldn't go astray.