Objectivity & Subjectivity, user posting styles

Yewen · 2 Jul 2006 at 14:21

Quite a open ended one and something I have been curious about for quite a while.

When I read people posting on the forums I see their responses as a person, or an online identity of that person, some responses are good and some are bad and from these I can develop a mental picture of what I asume the person is like in there day to day life.

However talking to other people on msn has highlighted to me that some people take the text posted really seriously, or just glance over it as though it was a bulleted statement and stay comletely emotionally detracted from the threads. (Usually people who have been posting on forums for a long time.)

The killer question I have for OcUK is how do you post, be it a subjective emotionally engaged response to every thread where comments towards you are taken personally, or are you the type who likes to take the objective post and see the forum as a collection of statements to be read and disregarded as you see fit?

Personally, I am a bit of both, if people and nice and chatty in their posting style towards me then I will be nice and friendly back, but if the person is asking for cold hard facts that is how I will reply to them. When I make a thread myself asking for something it is usually one I will be posting in subjectively as I personally have an interest in it.

I do not want this to be a poll, more of a response on how people see themselves and others when they post. Sorry for the length of this opening post but it really is something I would like to find out about.

badgermonkey · 2 Jul 2006 at 14:27

Generally its a mix, if i feel particularly strongly about a subject I would post a fairly subjective argument, whereas if i had views or ideas about said topic, but no particularly strong opinion (or perhaps one hasn't yet formed or I realise i am missing many facts) then it would be more of an objective argument.

penski · 2 Jul 2006 at 14:28

None of you exist past my monitor so my responses to your posts are irrelevant.

*n

Yewen · 2 Jul 2006 at 14:30

penski said:
None of you exist past my monitor so my responses to your posts are irrelevant.

*n

Brilliant reply!

If I was reading this thread objectively then I would class that as spam, yet as I am engrossed in its outcome at a personal level I can find your point in that post, and a classic reply.

SiriusB · 2 Jul 2006 at 14:31

I think it largely depends on why I am replying to a post.

If it is something in GD, like now, I will put some emotion in my posts as I am usually forwarding my opinion. Or attempting humour :rolleyes:

Somewhere like in GH or Harddrives I will be a little less emotional in my replies but I always try to come across as friendly and I always try to avoid a slanging match. I am always open to someone elses opinion and I am willing to concede a point and admit when I am wrong.

SiriusB

Nitefly · 2 Jul 2006 at 14:32

A bit of both really. I don't talk 'coldy or harshly' as then your personality does come across. I can take things personally sometimes, and so can other people a bit too much I think!

penski · 2 Jul 2006 at 14:33

Yewen said:
Brilliant reply!

If I was reading this thread objectively then I would class that as spam, yet as I am engrossed in its outcome at a personal level I can find your point in that post, and a classic reply.

Bingo.

In all seriousness though, my 'online persona' is identical to the way I am in real life; I'm flippant, antagonistic, sarcastic, dry, cutting and very, very laid back. However, I am also prone to bouts of extended ranting and, when I know I am right, I will never back down.

But then again, I will often sit back and take everything in, choosing to comment when it is most pertinent.

*n

me227 · 2 Jul 2006 at 14:33

The majority of posts i'd be objective to as i'm honestly not fussed by them usually.

The majority of threads I'd read would be technical help threads or GD no brainers, so I don't take them seriously. And i'm not really going to get wound up or subjective about technical help.

I generally don't post in Speakers corner but read it a lot and i'd say i'm quite objective as well and detached in a a way.

Nix · 2 Jul 2006 at 14:34

I think most people are aware of my posting style now. I tend to make fun or joke a lot. I'm usually friendly on most topics, but become a bit more distant when debating. If I'm trying to help someone, be that GH, CC, Photograhy or GD I think I'm a mix between the two.

I try not to post as much anymore though because some individuals choose to hold my PC against me.

me227 · 2 Jul 2006 at 14:36

Nix said:
I try not to post as much anymore though because some individuals choose to hold my PC against me.

Whats wrong with your PC?? :confused:

Also I try to post a bit of humour but the majority of my humour is one liners or you got to be there for it kind of thing, so it usually doesn't come out well at all in my posts and I usually end up writing a post and then scrapping it and not submitting it.

Gilly · 2 Jul 2006 at 14:37

penski said:
n all seriousness though, my 'online persona' is identical to the way I am in real life; I'm flippant, antagonistic, sarcastic, dry, cutting and very, very laid back. However, I am also prone to bouts of extended ranting and, when I know I am right, I will never back down.

Sounds a lot like me that. I'm not very laid back (though a lot more than previously) but the rest fits.

Well, how I see myself. I know for a fact some see me differently. Others don't though :/

Borris · 2 Jul 2006 at 14:39

I read all posts as if I had Asperger's syndrome.

As with Asperger's, I am unable to read any other signs that are essential to communication - eyes, body, mouth, tone etc... and can only act on the content of the text.

Smilies only go so far, in terms of conveying emotion.

In fact, I read all of your posts as if you had Wizard of Oz Munchkin voices. It makes you all sound more intelligent.

Any subjectivity is entirely in the eyes of the beholder, and is completely inferred.

William · 2 Jul 2006 at 14:40

Dunno, just kind of how I am sort of .... easy.

Gilly · 2 Jul 2006 at 14:41

Actually, I think the individuals here are the only people not qualified to answer the question, weirdly enough. I know you're asking how people see themselves, but how others see you is probably more important on this subject.

Nix · 2 Jul 2006 at 14:42

me227 said:
Whats wrong with your PC??

Also I try to post a bit of humour but the majority of my humour is one liners or you got to be there for it kind of thing, so it usually doesn't come out well at all in my posts and I usually end up writing a post and then scrapping it and not submitting it.

I've had a few people snipe at me about it being so high, I only registered in Dec' 05. It ruins the community for me and after all it's only bits of data. I have recently found GD a bit tiresome and repetative and now only post in it occasionaly, residing to posting in SC and CC.

William · 2 Jul 2006 at 14:42

Gilly said:
Actually, I think the individuals here are the only people not qualified to answer the question, weirdly enough. I know you're asking how people see themselves, but how others see you is probably more important on this subject.

True, how do you all see me?

Pain in the arse would be the most common I expect.

penski · 2 Jul 2006 at 14:43

Gilly said:
Sounds a lot like me that. I'm not very laid back (though a lot more than previously) but the rest fits.

I'm laid back to the point where it actually makes my girlfriend angry.

Nothing gets to me; I'm very detached...

I was on a bus yesterday, it hit a lad on a scooter, did an emergency stop, old ladies flew down the centre aisle and hit their heads/sides/arms.

So...A lot of screaming, blood et cetera.

I looked at the time and calmly asked the bus driver if I could just get out and walk as I was close to my destination.

But then; it's a boon of the way I think, I suppose. It gets me in trouble from time to time but I genuinely feel nothing for those who are not very close to me personally.

So nowadays, I just avoid discussions about large-scale tragedies and so on.

*n

Yewen · 2 Jul 2006 at 15:08

Gilly said:
Actually, I think the individuals here are the only people not qualified to answer the question, weirdly enough. I know you're asking how people see themselves, but how others see you is probably more important on this subject.

Ahh but if I phrased my question like that then I would not care for the responses, unless I know the person then their opinion of me, be it my posting style or personality holds little significance to me.

I can know people on msn, or in person, but someone who has not gotten a well rounded portion of my personality I would ignore if they made a comment on how they perceived me, as I would think it as trivia if I was feeling touchy.

Spacky · 2 Jul 2006 at 15:10

Yewen said:
Ahh but if I phrased my question like that then I would not care for the responses, unless I know the person then their opinion of me, be it my posting style or personality holds little significance to me.

I can know people on msn, or in person, but someone who has not gotten a well rounded portion of my personality I would ignore if they made a comment on how they perceived me, as I would think it as trivia if I was feeling touchy.

Or you judge someone by their actions and what they do on a forum.

Gilly · 2 Jul 2006 at 15:10

Ah but then you wouldn't be getting their opinion of you purely from forums, which was the subject broached.

[edit]Aimed at Yemen