Charlespox on 
I’m a lurker. I like to look at message boards and blogs and just watch. Sometimes, I feel unqualified to add to a discussion, or my points have already been made by someone else. Other times, I don’t feel overly compelled to add to the discourse.
Then, there’s the Wausau Daily Herald Message Board.
I just want to say up front, that this is no indictment of the WDH moderators or employed contributors to the boards. I respect their attempts to mediate disputes and make sure that the entire thing doesn’t devolve into adult third-grade. Unfortunately, at times that seems like putting a band-aid on a gaping wound.
I respect good, honest discussion. I dig the free exchange of ideas meant not to belittle, but to encourage thinking, and, to be fair, you can find that on the boards. However, I find myself continuing to marvel at the level of anger and ignorance that I find on the board, and how, when the two collide, the results can be embarrassingly bad.
Bad, because it continually reminds me that Wausau isn’t as progressive as I thought (or hoped) it was. Bad, because solid ideas get buried under an avalanche of insults, bad grammar and spelling, and statements that seem to be outrageous for the sake of it. Bad, because it seems like people aren’t there to discuss, but to “win.”
Is it me? Am I naïve? Are my expectations too high? I’ll let the CW community chew on this one!
Shawn, I completely agree with you. And anyone who disagrees with us can just go jump off a … sorry, it’s so easy to get worked up. Especially all those stupid … gosh, it’s hard to hold back. Not like the idiots that always … c’mon, control yourself, Tom!
Forum users certainly fall into a variety of categories: pot-stirrers, trolls, sages, goofs, wackos. Spelling, grammar … pretty much going out of style these days. But, to be fair, there’s an enormous amount of insight and clear thinking out there too. Some very articulate people. Kindred souls. But, yes, you do have to contend with the fringe elements. It’s easy to get sucked into combat or at least become a train-wreck observer. But, really, you can never “win.” It’s not that easy to change people’s minds. Usually, that takes a personal, real-world, eye-opener experience of some sort. Thus far, it seems CW has been able to avoid such aberrant behavior. I hope intelligence and respect reign as we move forward.
I’ve had people be snide, snotty and pretty close to rude to me on CW, and I’ve seen people be rude to others. Fortunately it’s rare, but I admit, my strong instinct for self-preservation sometimes prevents me from commenting.
I’m reminded of a Penny Arcade somewhat about this subject:
http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2004/20040319.jpg
I think also that the internet loses context quickly. What might be a light hearted comment might be taken to be a cold, calculated bit of sarcasm. I try not to get too defensive on the net because honestly most people are just like me: folks tossing their pair of pennies around without any malicious intent.
I also “lurk” on the DH blogs…rarely do I comment as it’s usually like stepping into the middle of a bar fight. I am constantly amazed at the one-sided, mean-spirited, care-not-for-the-facts, burn-them-at-the-stake comments on every subject. And yet, I continue to read them day after day. What is wrong with me???
Welcome to the Interwebs.
I think your expectations are too high. Also, the problem is not with Wausau it’s with the internet. Anywhere there is alot of traffic you are more likely to get trolls, hit and run commenters, or just plain angry people. One thoughtless or angry comment multiplies quickly and the measured rational comments fade into the background once a flamewar starts. It’s the natural order of internet discussion.
Articulate internet discussions are like unicorns, very rare but super awesome when you find them.
tron has hit the proverbial nail on the head.
Internet discussions are often on par with those you would find at your local bar. Articulate discussion is left at the door.
normaly i wouldnt post 2 sumthin like this, but i just half to say your all wrong. discussion boreds r 4 ppl to voice they’re opinions . Why u gotta rip?
I do agree that sometimes people get out of line on message boards. Try reading a comment section at foxsports.com. To much free time if you ask me.
The bar conversation comment is right on, though. As a bartender, I spend half my night serving drinks, the other half avoiding conversation.
I’ve had some very meaningful conversations in bars…
I just can’t remember any of them.
(And of course, the more I drink, the more profound I am.)
But unlike some of the message board commentators, I am typically amiable when I drink.