Do you think the General Thread is a fair mix of the opinions of SL?

Do you think the General Thread is a fair mix of the opinions of SL?

Option E, the forums are an irrelevant cross section of SL composed mostly of a small, vocal percentage that is only tangentially tied to the "reality" of SL in the first place.

Hello Cat,

It's a mix, but as to whether it's "fair", I don't believe so: I could stand to see more diversity in here. Obviously in the SL Forums, some opinions are skewed and get hyperbolized rather quickly, in some cases taking on an inworld life of their own. Other meaningful posts, expressed with much thought and sentiment, are glossed over and disappear really quickly -- only perhaps to be brought up again a few months down the road. I know of some very, very insightful avatars inworld who don't say much -- or anything -- on the Forums for various reasons. One reason is past negative experiences on here, and another would be that they know how much this is like a pro wrestling match at times. I'm convinced there's a lot of wise things that need to be listened more to, but that advice must be meekly sought out.

The more individuals we get involved in here, the more "fair" it may be in proportion to the entire population of SL. However, as that will not practically happen since we are each unique individuals yet part of a bigger community, I'm just counting on continuing to chug-a-lug on the discussion train and see where this all leads. I also encourage newbies to tough it out on here and not to get discouraged, and to voice themselves if they have something they'd like to share. It's good to keep the humorous perspectives in mind...

Ty Torley very well said, god if I had your gift with words my life would be so much easier here lol. Bravo Bravo!

your name will not be shown in the poll results. Sorry got several PM's.

Would you be whinging like this if everyone agreed with you on the other threads, Cat me old mucker?

Can I get a Linden to shut this (cencored self) up?

Oh the irony of your continued rude and harrassing posts.

I have no idea what you mean.

... and now back to the poll please vote

Cat

Where's the option for pie? I want pie, I refuse to vote in any thread without the pie option.

And now back to the regularly scheduleded thread.....

I generally don't hop into a thread unless it's something of interest to me and I have something to say about it. I know usually it gets skipped, or someone reads it and gets angry and posts some contradicting statement, but once it starts getting into personal attacks, that's when I stop posting. I don't think it's a fair mix of opinions because the only way it would be a fair mix is if everyone came onto the forums to post, and people wouldn't attack others. That's why alot of people don't come onto the forums, and it's the reason why I mostly lurk and don't really post too often unlessI have something to say. I think everything would be alot better if everyone stopped taking posts so personally or felt others weren't idiots. I'm all for disagreements, but can do without condesending words and personal attacks. If you feel someone is an idiot, that's fine, but you don't need to say it or let that feeling creep into your responses.

I actually was gonna post about this. Thanks Catherine!

1) People often site the fact that only 10% - 20% of SL residents post in/read the forums as a reason as to why these forums are not representative of the populous as a whole.

2) Also, they site the vituperative nature of people's responses ("People can't possibly be that mean!" as more evidence of this.

3) Finally, they like to point out that since everyone is disagreeing with them in the forums, obviously that means that everyone that does agree with them constitutes the 90% not reading the forums.

I think people are deluding themselves somewhat when it comes to this:

1) 10% is a very good sampling of a population if you're looking for overall trends, especially a set of people as large as SL.

2) People do tend to be more evil inForum than inWorld. However, I think this is a function of forumousity, and not evidence that SL's forums are specifically an evil magnet. Look at any other online forum. They're all like this. I think if the uninitiated 90% were to participate in the forums, they'd have just as many mornings of "Why in the world did I post that?" as the rest of us.

3) LOL

Does this mean the population of SL is evil as a whole? No. I think that things do get blown out of proportion on the forums, but in general, the underlying opinions are fairly representative of the general populous. Could people be nicer on the forums? Definitely. Will they any time soon? Probably not. My best advice - if someone is getting to you in the forums, seek them out inWorld, sit down, have a cup of tea with them. I think you'll find they're a much more rounded person than they present in the forums.

Anyway, just my .02

Thanks again for the poll Catherine!

What ONEi said!

A-men, Brad. Good advice -- advice I probably need to heed as much as the next guy/gal.

Dammit Onei your not suppose to out us geesh.....

Shadow..The Ancient with more ass than the forums have Teeth

I'd say that the forums are exactly representative of those people that bother to participate in it. It would stand to reason that those people who are concerned that the forums aren't representative of their voice should speak up. If there's blame to be had for any perceived misrepresentation of the larger SL community by the active forum participants it rightly belongs with the silent.

Absolutely not. A lot of people who play aren't even aware that the forums exist, and most don't pay any attention to them. Most people who actually play, you know ... PLAY. You only even see people like me here when SL is down.

I have to disagree with part of this post. You are right that silence is basically taken as concurrence but there is a vast majority of the SL world that doesn't post to the forums.
A lot come to find information and use the forums for research. They use it as a tool instead of a discussion board.

Forums, in general, can be intimidating especially in the General Discussion areas where you see many opinionated arguments and flame wars. Not to mention to find real information in a thread you have to sift through several pages of flirting, witty comebacks, LOLs or bullying bullshit. IMO, people like to exert their superior post count abilities instead of thinking if their post will have any relevance at a later time.

just my uncalled for two cents

I agree with you Blayze, but no one can change someone's silence but themselves.

Very true, Chip but I think the point I am making is that they choose to be silent
because they are here to play a game. I know for me, in more than one thread,
I have refrained from posting only because I saw no point in getting into a political or
opionated debate over game matter. hmmm wonder what made me decide to take it on today? lol <--oops busted with an LOL

I rarely come here, I know others who shun general, it's like Cordova, full of people you don't really wanna be around.

$$$ sigh

now, it appears that some people think by posting a lot on the forums, (clapping themselves on the back for their 1000 posts or 2000 posts) that they somehow garner a reputation or some goal. this is simply amusing. posting just to post seems to be of some importance and waters down any real opinions that might be present.

i am not concerned that the forums dont represent the majority at all. the forums are irrelevant. what is of concern is that some lindens might actually think something important is being said in the forums. that is scary.

in any attempt at a serious thread u get maybe four people who address the issue itself. the rest, and i am guilty of this myself, will take off on tangents and play with it, start some flame fest, or talk to each other about irrelevant but humorous asides.

the forums can be amusing. thats all they are though.

marilyn

forums are useless, they have their ups but alot of downs- my opinion, thats all

Yes, but your tangents are funny!

The forums are part of the game to me.

It's also a good way to be "in touch" with other folks in the game without having to actually fly over there/hang out with them/whatever. Tons of people know me in SL just because I post too much

Lately though the signal-to-noise ratio is sadly approaching 1:1 and below. It's even getting on MY nerves. Why are we flaming newbies for asking questions, anyway?

LF