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Why is Boards so different from the "Real World"

2

Comments

  • #32
    OutlawPete
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,689 ✭✭✭✭OutlawPete


    Dudess wrote: »
    Boards also facilitates pot shots against Boards members, ironically thrown by other Boards members, without naming anyone - e.g. this thread. :)

    You said that before on a similar thread, directed at me if I can recall.

    Is it this time again?


  • #33
    liah
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,750 ✭✭✭liah


    OutlawPete wrote: »
    You said that before on a similar thread, directed at me if I can recall.

    Is it this time again?

    Reads to me like it's directed at all the people saying all boardsies are nerdy/geeky/socially awkward etc without a hint of irony


  • #34
    Dudess
    Closed Accounts Posts: 37,214 ✭✭✭✭Dudess


    Oh directed at you but not you alone. I would say to ye folks: glasshouses, stones, whatnot...


  • #35
    OutlawPete
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,689 ✭✭✭✭OutlawPete


    liah wrote: »
    Reads to me like it's directed at all the people saying all boardsies are nerdy/geeky/socially awkward etc without a hint of irony

    You're referring to what Mr Loverman posted (which I read down to on reflection) .. but why would my words be directed at him exactly? Just because he mentioned "nerdy/geeky/socially awkward" types? Makes no sense. My comments may be seen to defend the "socially awkward", I can see that .. but they in no way say or imply anything negative about those that would think the "socially awkward" are not genuine online.
    Dudess wrote: »
    Oh directed at you but not you alone. I would say to ye folks: glasshouses, stones, whatnot...

    Hhmm, well - guess I am taking "pot shots" at myself so, as I said in my post that my comments could also reflect my own Boards persona and who I am as a person in RL. It's actually not just what I feel about Boards.ie as it goes, but all Discussion Boards in fact and also YouTube and the like. I guess sometimes people will see what they want to see.


  • #36
    Smyth
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 714 ✭✭✭Smyth


    The one major difference I find between boards and "real life" people and discussions is the following:

    General everyday:

    "Fcuking banking ****. Should be burnt to the ground"
    "I'm so pissed off getting footed with the bill"
    "These ****ers are putting a debt on every newborn in Ireland"
    "Burn the cnuts"

    boards:

    "tbf, I'm okay with this"
    "I for one welcome our IMF overlords"
    "I think an increase in tax is great. It's what's needed"
    "Revolution? pah. I enjoy a good old fcuk up the arse...mmmm"


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  • #37
    Mr. Loverman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,001 ✭✭✭Mr. Loverman


    liah wrote: »
    Reads to me like it's directed at all the people saying all boardsies are nerdy/geeky/socially awkward etc without a hint of irony

    Ah hello Ms. Strawman, thanks for changing my argument to all boardsies are nerdy/geeky/socially awkward.

    Let's see what I actually said:
    Mr. Loverman wrote:
    Boards.ie has a disproportionate number of nerdy/geeky/socially awkward types.

    It isn't a good representation of the average Irish person.


  • #38
    pragmatic1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,573 ✭✭✭pragmatic1


    krudler wrote: »
    Who's socially awkward? I got out every other weekend and have a good group of friends, doesnt mean I cant post on here all the time (advantages of an office job with no blocked sites :pac: )
    I think its a bit of a stereotype about people who use the internet. But this isnt 1998 anymore. Most people have laptops and PCs nowadays.


  • #39
    hondasam
    Closed Accounts Posts: 34,418 ✭✭✭✭hondasam


    OutlawPete wrote: »
    I think people are the same person online as they are offline, just that they behave differently as they get away with it here, whereas in the "real world" they wouldn't. The cheeky, smartass, rude, abusive users would have their arse handed to them if they spoke to people in real life the way they do online. I don' think social awkwardness has anything to do with it tbh. I would actually say that the socially awkward ones tend not to be the fucktards online.

    Anonymity and the platform that is Boards can bring out the cunt in some people for sure. There are some that genuinely don't like Bono, Glen Hansard, read the Irish Times, are mind-their-own-business Atheists, never read a Red Top, listen to only Joy Division, The Smiths and Mozart and never ever watch Sky News, but if these 'perfect' people exist, they would be a very small minority of users and far far from the majority, which is what you would have to believe were you to accpet what's posted as honest and factual.

    Would say that the users that come across as funny, sound, sincere, genuine and where you get the impression they are posting what they believe to their core are just that very same way offline. I haven't been to any Boards events (met 6th once briefly though, sound guy) but have heard a lot of Feedback regarding them and 97.2% of the time people are just how they come across online but then the users that portray themselves to be something online which they are not in real life or just behave rudely and abusively on the platform of anonymity, tend not to attend such events for that very reason I would say. Perhaps that's why I myself have never been to one .. perhaps and that's just it, you never know really until you meet people offline.

    People have different reasons for being online, not everyone projects all aspects of who they are online. Some will just be online to be funny and joke and use Boards for fun whereas some people will use Boards as a means of support and all you will see is the side of them that has health problems or personal issues. Some will just be angry online their life sucks someone has to pay and so they abuse people non-stop. Then there are those who are project 100% of themselves and you might get a bit of everything, not just a one aspect of who they are but all of them, in equal measures. They are the users that I tend to like reading posts from as you get the feeling that if someone is not afraid to show their flaws online as well as all the good aspects to their character, then chances are that they are that way in RL also.

    That is a well written piece pete and It's so true.


  • #40
    OutlawPete
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,689 ✭✭✭✭OutlawPete


    hondasam wrote: »
    That is a well written piece pete and It's so true.

    Thanks, seven or eight typos in it, glad you could see past 'em :)


  • #41
    hondasam
    Closed Accounts Posts: 34,418 ✭✭✭✭hondasam


    OutlawPete wrote: »
    Thanks, seven or eight typos in it, glad you could see past 'em :)

    I did not see them because I was so interested in what you had written. I actually read it again. :)


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  • #42
    Little Acorn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,531 ✭✭✭Little Acorn


    I think people are the same person online as they are offline, just that they behave differently as they get away with it here, whereas in the "real world" they wouldn't. The cheeky, smartass, rude, abusive users would have their arse handed to them if they spoke to people in real life the way they do online. I don' think social awkwardness has anything to do with it tbh. I would actually say that the socially awkward ones tend not to be the ****tards online.

    Anonymity and the platform that is Boards can bring out the **** in some people for sure. There are some that genuinely don't like Bono, Glen Hansard, read the Irish Times, are mind-their-own-business Atheists, never read a Red Top, listen to only Joy Division, The Smiths and Mozart and never ever watch Sky News, but if these 'perfect' people exist, they would be a very small minority of users and far far from the majority, which is what you would have to believe were you to accpet what's posted as honest and factual.


    Good Post. I especially agree with this quoted part. In particular it brings to mind a lot of the religion threads here. I don't for a second think that a lot of the people would be so rude and condescending to people of faith in real life.
    A lot of people probably don't post in other threads, because if their opinion is not the same as the majority, or the popular and "correct" response, they just get ripped to shreds by others. Sometimes it seems a bit like ganging up which could put some people off posting in a thread. So then you just get left with a one sided version response from the more 'vocal' posters.
    [I don't know if vocal is the right word as they are not speaking, but not sure what the equivalent of typing instead of voicing their opinions is?]


  • #43
    RichieC
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,331 ✭✭✭RichieC


    I don't know anyone who's not eating meat today or has a stack of cans ready to go for tonight.


  • #44
    AnonoBoy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,559 ✭✭✭✭AnonoBoy


    OutlawPete wrote: »
    I think people are the the same person online as they are offline, just that they behave differently online as they get away with it there, whereas in the "real world" they wouldn't. The cheeky, smartass, rude, abusive posters would have their arse handed to them if they spoke to people in real life the way they do online. I don't think social awkwardness has anything to do with it tbh. I would actually be of the opinion that the socially awkward ones tend not to be fucktards online.

    Anonymity and the platform that is Boards can bring out the cunt in some people for sure. There are some that genuinely don't like Bono, Glen Hansard, they read the Irish Times, could be defined as 'mind-their-own-business' Atheists, never read Red Tops, listen only to Joy Division, The Smiths and Mozart and never ever ever watch Sky News - but if those 'perfect' people exist, then they would be in a very small minority and far far from the majority: which is what you would have to believe were you to accept what's posted by the 'online majority'.

    Would say that the users that come across as funny, sound, sincere, genuine and where you get the impression from their posts that they are speaking from the heart and believe it to their core .. are just that very same way offline. I haven't been to any Boards events (met 6th once briefly though, sound guy) but have heard a lot of Feedback regarding them and based on that, I would suggest that 97.2% of the time: people are just precisely the same in RL as how they come across online. However, the users that portray themselves to be something online which they are NOT in real life (the type who are constantly behave rude, abusive when they a platform of anonymity) tend not to be the type that would attend events such as a Beers and for that very reason I would say too. Perhaps that's why I myself have never been to one - perhaps .. and that's just it, you never know really, not until you meet them offline.

    People have different reasons for being online too, not everyone projects ALL aspects of who they are online. Some will just be online to be funny and joke and use Boards for a laugh, an escape - whereas others will use Boards as a means of support maybe and all you might see of them is one side that has health problems or personal issues etc and some that will just be angry online their life sucks and someone has to pay and so they abuse people non-stop. Then there are those who will project 100% of themselves, you get a bit of everything with them and not just a one single side to their character or one aspect of who they are but all aspects, in equal measure. They are the users that I tend to like reading posts from as you get the feeling that if someone is not afraid to show their flaws online, as well as the good "socially palatable" aspects to their character, then chances are that they are that way in RL too.

    Liar! I bet you don't even like The Boss! :mad:


  • #45
    Dudess
    Closed Accounts Posts: 37,214 ✭✭✭✭Dudess


    OutlawPete wrote: »
    Hhmm, well - guess I am taking "pot shots" at myself so, as I said in my post that my comments could also reflect my own Boards persona and who I am as a person in RL.
    Fair enough - apologies. I admit I did skim-read it. I admit also I was influenced by that other thread you referenced, which, in fairness was a free-for-all for pot shots. So much so, it was closed.
    Mr. Loverman wrote: »
    Ah hello Ms. Strawman, thanks for changing my argument to all boardsies are nerdy/geeky/socially awkward.

    Let's see what I actually said:
    I would agree you were making a point about an overwhelming number of users - I don't know whether liah meant your post specifically though. I do think it's fair enough to say there are x types of demographic here moreso than others. There is a largely middle-class bias it would seem - and there are constant attacks on people from council estates who have a certain accent and dress a certain way etc. But I find it laughable the way some people barge onto threads saying "You are all a bunch of narky *****" (a simplification for sure, but pretty much what's said) or whatever... even though they themselves are members of Boards and they themselves are being narky.

    Plus, your environment dictates your behaviour. When people say "Oh I'm exactly as I am online as I am in real life" well yeah, no doubt they have the exact same views, sense of humour, aren't consciously putting on an act etc, but the fact is: it's a very different dynamic to face to face interaction, so even if you are adamant you're being totally real (and I would assume most people are) you're still going to engage differently in some ways to how you would in "real life". The cinema shapes your behaviour, a restaurant shapes your behaviour, a stranger's house versus a friend's gaff shapes your behaviour, etc. But behaviour is not personality so I'm not suggesting people are modifying their characters.

    Boards is not comparable to the "real world" anyway because the "real world" isn't a discussion forum.
    Mr. Loverman wrote: »
    Have you ever been to a boards beers? I rest my case.
    Have you?


  • #46
    sock puppet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,586 ✭✭✭sock puppet


    pragmatic1 wrote: »
    I think its a bit of a stereotype about people who use the internet. But this isnt 1998 anymore. Most people have laptops and PCs nowadays.

    But most people wouldn't really be bothered posting on an internet forum. Boards isn't in any way an accurate representation of society. It's disproportionately youngish and male for starters.


  • #47
    liah
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,750 ✭✭✭liah


    Mr. Loverman wrote: »
    Ah hello Ms. Strawman, thanks for changing my argument to all boardsies are nerdy/geeky/socially awkward.

    Let's see what I actually said:

    What are you on about? Do you suddenly constitute "all the people?" It's hardly as though I was singling you out. Plus it was a throwaway comment, no need to go into battlemode ffs.


  • #48
    Son Of A Vidic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,370 ✭✭✭✭Son Of A Vidic


    danh789 wrote: »
    Also the amount of begrudgry here at times is baffling.

    How innocent are you? Sure this nation specialises in cynicism ffs! It's one of the things I hated being reminded of when I moved back here. The constant trying to drag people down and sh1t on success. Are you telling me this now only happens in AH? Fcuk what country are you in?

    danh789 wrote: »
    Has anyone noticed any other examples of this? Why do you think people behave differently on forums?

    This baffles me, why would someones views change on politics, religion, econimics and socio-political issues ect, just because they're online? Mine certainly don't. I think your confusing the Trolls and keyboard warrior types with the normal boardsie's bud.


  • #49
    pragmatic1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,573 ✭✭✭pragmatic1


    sock puppet wrote: »
    But most people wouldn't really be bothered posting on an internet forum. Boards isn't in any way an accurate representation of society. It's disproportionately youngish and male for starters.
    For a country of our size it has a massive following. I'd say its a fairly accurate for the 18-30 demographic.


  • #50
    Jericho.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 164 ✭✭Jericho.


    sock puppet wrote: »
    But most people wouldn't really be bothered posting on an internet forum. Boards isn't in any way an accurate representation of society. It's disproportionately youngish and male for starters.

    This is very much the case imho. The prevailing opinions on boards could well be the prevailing nationwide opinions in 20 or 30 years time.


  • #51
    Mr. Loverman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,001 ✭✭✭Mr. Loverman


    Dudess wrote: »
    Boards is not comparable to the "real world" anyway because the "real world" isn't a discussion forum.

    Of course boards.ie is comparable to the real world.

    "There are disproportionately more nerdy/geeky/socially awkward types using boards.ie than there are in the general population".

    That is a valid comparison, and frankly, it's common sense. Obviously you are likely to find more nerdy types talking on an online discussion forum just as you're likely to find more sporty types at a Rugby match.

    Dudess wrote: »
    Have you? [been to a boards beers]

    I've been to two of them (at the request of a friend, boards beers wouldn't really be my thing). The people seemed friendly enough but I would definitely put them in the 'nerdy' category. Nothing wrong with being a nerd of course.

    liah wrote: »
    What are you on about? Do you suddenly constitute "all the people?" It's hardly as though I was singling you out. Plus it was a throwaway comment, no need to go into battlemode ffs.

    Calm down, you quoted part of my sentence -- nerdy/geeky/socially awkward -- hence why I (and others) assumed you were referring to what I wrote.


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  • #52
    Agricola
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,547 ✭✭✭Agricola


    Its mostly down to the online anonymity. People can say what they like here without any real consequences. We all have to conform to some extent in the real world, most of us have to do certain things and act in a certain way which might go against the grain, but online your free of all that.


  • #53
    Ebbs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,142 ✭✭✭Ebbs


    Paracore wrote: »
    orourkeda wrote: »
    We can **** off coked up hookers and get a blow job every time we eat steak. We get durka durred regularly having had our jobs taken because we got blasted with piss.
    Posters like this would be locked up or sectioned if this were the 'Real World'


    Or they'd be given 2million an episode for a half an hour mid day TV slot.


  • #54
    RichieC
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,331 ✭✭✭RichieC


    I don't think the opinions here are far removed from the real world, it's just a few conservative hold outs (presumably like the OP) wanting to marginalise the opinions hoping thats enough to stop the inevitable slide of their opinions to the margins.


  • #55
    no_bother
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 ✭no_bother


    Agreed - am new to this and certainly don't see opinions that are particularly marginal - and I am outside the age range seen as norm here - as in over 30 - the only thing perhaps is how opinions (a little agressive sometimes) are put across as opposed to the opinions themselves.


  • #56
    sock puppet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,586 ✭✭✭sock puppet


    pragmatic1 wrote: »
    For a country of our size it has a massive following. I'd say its a fairly accurate for the 18-30 demographic.

    Possibly. I'd like to have seen the boards GE poll results having taken demographics into account. I still think we would have gotten way too many SF and Labour TDs and not enough FF TDs

    edit: I do think that sometimes threads can be taken over by obsessives which puts people off posting in them. It probably makes it seem like boards is more polarised than it actually is.


  • #57
    Donal Og O Baelach
    Closed Accounts Posts: 534 ✭✭✭Donal Og O Baelach


    I made a comment about Dave McSavage earlier in the thread and it got deleted. I know he's not everyones favorite comedian, but has he turned into Boards.ie's Lord Voldermort?


  • #58
    OutlawPete
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,689 ✭✭✭✭OutlawPete


    Dudess wrote: »
    I admit also I was influenced by that other thread you referenced, which, in fairness was a free-for-all for pot shots. So much so, it was closed.

    So because you felt that I (and others) were throwing "pot-shots" at "specific" users on a similar thread a year ago (I wasn't then either by the way) you thought it enough to just "skim-read" my post here and throw out the same accusation all over again .. and all because the topic of the threads are the same .. are you serious like?


  • #59
    Duffy the Vampire Slayer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,385 ✭✭✭Duffy the Vampire Slayer


    krudler wrote: »
    Who's socially awkward? I got out every other weekend and have a good group of friends, doesnt mean I cant post on here all the time (advantages of an office job with no blocked sites :pac: )

    I also go out regularly and have a great group of close friends but it doesn't prevent me from being the most socially awkward person in existence.


  • #60
    Dudess
    Closed Accounts Posts: 37,214 ✭✭✭✭Dudess


    OutlawPete wrote: »
    So because you felt that I (and others) were throwing "pot-shots" at "specific" users on a similar thread a year ago (I wasn't then either by the way)
    You weren't? Pull the other one. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=65131244&postcount=63

    How come you didn't defend yourself on-thread so when I made the remark re pot shots? Very uncharacteristic of you not to do so...
    you thought it enough to just "skim-read" my post here and throw out the same accusation all over again .. and all because the topic of the threads are the same .. are you serious like?
    Holy sh1t, that must have taken a while with the limits of the new search function... No, I didn't decide to skim-read your post here on the basis of that thread - that is in YOUR head. I had skim-read this entire thread.


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  • #61
    OutlawPete
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,689 ✭✭✭✭OutlawPete


    Dudess wrote: »
    You weren't?

    No Dudess, I wasn't.
    Dudess wrote: »
    How come you didn't defend yourself on-thread so? Very uncharacteristic of you not to do so...

    Oh, so that post was directed at me then? Thanks for clarifying that. I did not get a chance to "defend" myself from your nonsensical accusation as the thread was locked by the time I seen it.
    Dudess wrote: »
    No, I didn't decide to skim-read your post here on the basis of that thread - that is in YOUR head.

    Really??
    Dudess wrote: »
    I admit I did skim-read it. I admit also I was influenced by that other thread..


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