silver-fox
Well-Known Member
I think you make an interesting point which draws attention to human nature. I believe that when you put some people in a situation where the consequences for poor behaviour are relatively minor then many of their inhibitions disappear and some of us behave badly as a result.
Two examples of this are car drivers and forumites, both groups are protected by anonymity not enjoyed in other walks of life where they behave very differently.
Turning to the opinionated; this is quite a different habit, perhaps prompted by the desire to show off, who knows? I have to say that the people who worry me the most are those that state opinion as fact, sometimes wrongly.
I have received invaluable advice on this forum that has saved me many hours of hard work. I have also seen products, services and sailing practices condemned, out of hand, with little in the way of explanation when I have experiences of the same products/services/practices that are very positive.
In the end of course, your forum ID carries with it a reputation based on the sum total of your contributions. Having been around for a couple of years, I now have formed an opinion about whose opinions carry weight and whose don't.
In that respect the forum is bit like real life, only a bit less restrained. Sadly there will always be the selfish idiot that parks his car in the disabled spot, but most of us don't. Similarly we can ignore those lacking empathy on these forums, because most of us will help if we can.
All in all, I think the forums are great, I appreciate YBW for hosting them and all the valuable and humorous contributions forumites have made over the years.
Sometimes when wrestling with a rusty piece of equipment that just won't budge or a blocked heads that won't unblock, a word of friendly advice over the ether from someone who "has been there and done that" can make all the difference /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Long may they continue!
Two examples of this are car drivers and forumites, both groups are protected by anonymity not enjoyed in other walks of life where they behave very differently.
Turning to the opinionated; this is quite a different habit, perhaps prompted by the desire to show off, who knows? I have to say that the people who worry me the most are those that state opinion as fact, sometimes wrongly.
I have received invaluable advice on this forum that has saved me many hours of hard work. I have also seen products, services and sailing practices condemned, out of hand, with little in the way of explanation when I have experiences of the same products/services/practices that are very positive.
In the end of course, your forum ID carries with it a reputation based on the sum total of your contributions. Having been around for a couple of years, I now have formed an opinion about whose opinions carry weight and whose don't.
In that respect the forum is bit like real life, only a bit less restrained. Sadly there will always be the selfish idiot that parks his car in the disabled spot, but most of us don't. Similarly we can ignore those lacking empathy on these forums, because most of us will help if we can.
All in all, I think the forums are great, I appreciate YBW for hosting them and all the valuable and humorous contributions forumites have made over the years.
Sometimes when wrestling with a rusty piece of equipment that just won't budge or a blocked heads that won't unblock, a word of friendly advice over the ether from someone who "has been there and done that" can make all the difference /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Long may they continue!
