[Feral Kid]

I frequent 3 other forums related to computing. I go there to learn and if I can to help others.

When I came across this forum and saw some of the threads, I thought great. A chance to have a rant about Tony Blair; a scoff at people who believe global warming is caused by man; a chance to have a sly dig at religious people, all under the guise of intellectual debate.

Well, I've had my rant, scoff and dig and can tell, after only one day, that my motivation for taking part in these forums will change.

I was wondering, what motivates other members to reply to a thread. What is it that drives you to bother taking the time and expending the effort to write down your thoughts? What do you get out of debating the issues presented in these forums?

Why do I ask? Because I questioned myself and my motivations and wondered what the rest of you thought.

[GooFy]

Originally Posted by Feral Kid I frequent 3 other forums related to computing. I go there to learn and if I can to help others. When I came across this forum and saw some of the threads, I thought great. A chance to have a rant about Tony Blair; a scoff at people who believe global warming is caused by man; a chance to have a sly dig at religious people, all under the guise of intellectual debate. Well, I've had my rant, scoff and dig and can tell, after only one day, that my motivation for taking part in these forums will change. I was wondering, what motivates other members to reply to a thread. What is it that drives you to bother taking the time and expending the effort to write down your thoughts? What do you get out of debating the issues presented in these forums? Why do I ask? Because I questioned myself and my motivations and wondered what the rest of you thought.

if i didnt spend my time dribbling on these sorts of forums i would not get to discuss anything with anyone,i live in the middle of nowhere i can go for weeks without saying a word, or for that matter hearing the spocken word unless i call my dog.........

[latecomer]

Originally Posted by GooFy if i didnt spend my time dribbling on these sorts of forums i would not get to discuss anything with anyone,i live in the middle of nowhere i can go for weeks without saying a word, or for that matter hearing the spocken word unless i call my dog.........

being a city dweller myself, that sounds kinda nice to me... ah, peace and quiet
just out of interest, roughly whereabouts do you live then?

[hairy_Palms]

i think intellectual debate is its own reward, keeps the mind sharp.
and if nothing else helps me procrastinate not doing the washing up

[rjwood]

Great thread, feral kid.

My motives change. I think we all go through differing needs at various times. Sometimes I like the virtual frienship it provides, other times I may need to act out in a combative manor and, there are many other reasons in between those two.

I like to stay in touch with other people so to stay attuned of current events and moods of individuals and groups. I mostly enjoy youth and what it is saying and feeling.

Lastly, I believe since I am now beginning my later years, I have an obligation to bring an older, perhaps more experienced perspective from my unique point of view.

I benefit from you and I hope I provide something in return.

Thanks for asking...................rj

[Moniker42]

I've got a confession to make: I'm not remotely interested in anything on this forum, the people in it and I don't have anything to say. I just want the $100 reward for reaching 1200 posts first!

edit: I was joking, by the way

[matthew]

It's a lot cheaper than psychotherapy.

[bns]

I'm not currently in the vicinity of many people who are willing and able to open-mindedly discuss difficult topics and issues. It's a great outlet for me to get things off my chest, and maybe learn something from someone too.

[bapoumba]

Originally Posted by bns and maybe learn something from someone too.

That's exactly it for me. I read a lot, post rarely, because I do not have always interesting things to say or add. Brainstorming, other ideas, other ways to seeing things, to have my own thoughts evolve.

[Jasper84]

I dont feel i can get discussions about these kinds of things in my environment enough either. Perhaps i should join a debate-club.
I do worry that this forum is too big though. If it is, there are too many posts, causing a snowball effect, because people start repeating eachother due to not being able to read it all.(wel) Perhaps i should try to post a little, but that would kind-of beat the point of a discussion forum.(and i feel i have to reply every time someone says something stupid about physics.) At least i try to keep my replies short.

[SigmaX]

People in real life are great. No offense, but real people beat the socks off all you internet enigmas.

However, real people require a real social game -- which usually means you interact casually with people you see casually.

If I suddenly ask a co-worker "what is the meaning of life?" I get a blank stare or at best a four line response. Here, I can just start a thread, say "what is the meaning of life?" and it's not out of the ordinary to have a ten page discussion ensue, in greater detail then my well-meaning co-worker would ever dare to engage in over lunch break.

SigmaX

[robert98374]

Originally Posted by bns I'm not currently in the vicinity of many people who are willing and able to open-mindedly discuss difficult topics and issues. It's a great outlet for me to get things off my chest, and maybe learn something from someone too.

Hear Hear!

[javaJake]

Originally Posted by Moniker42 I've got a confession to make: I'm not remotely interested in anything on this forum, the people in it and I don't have anything to say. I just want the $100 reward for reaching 1200 posts first! edit: I was joking, by the way

It's a good thing you edited that post.

[brandx]

Why do I bother to post? Well, I find it interesting to see other peoples views on the topics here

[Extreme Coder]

You do not get the chance to vent off what is in your mind to real people, since there's a very rare chance you will have to discuss such bizarre topics(at least to them). Plus, you learn something new everyday when trying to argue with someone or discuss something.

Extreme Coder

[vkkim]

1. I am bored, and reading/writing is entertaining.

2. I'm interested in people and how they think. It's a lot easier to just isolate their thoughts in text on a forum than running around trying to meet people.

3. I want to bounce my ideas off other people and have them prove me wrong. I assume I'll meet a lot of people here that think differently than I do, and I want to hear their points of view. My greatest fear is that I might reach a particular conclusion or worldview based on limited information or faulty logic.

4. I'd like to think there are others out there with goals similar to my #3, and that I'm doing them a service.

[Pi-Rat]

Originally Posted by vkkim 1. I am bored, and reading/writing is entertaining. 2. I'm interested in people and how they think. It's a lot easier to just isolate their thoughts in text on a forum than running around trying to meet people. 3. I want to bounce my ideas off other people and have them prove me wrong. I assume I'll meet a lot of people here that think differently than I do, and I want to hear their points of view. My greatest fear is that I might reach a particular conclusion or worldview based on limited information or faulty logic. 4. I'd like to think there are others out there with goals similar to my #3, and that I'm doing them a service.

I agree with 1-3, but never really thought about #4 to be honest.
I also post because this is my interaction time with others. I am stuck at home most of the time caring for either my mother (who is physically ill and would rather watch tv than talk to me), or my sister (who is odd, a genius that forgets basic daily tasks like feeding the dog, taking out the trash, etc). I don't get to leave the house much besides class (and not a minute more than that), doing the shopping, taking my mother to the doctor's, or other similar errands. I am a member of other forums and spend a lot of time in IRC because I'm starved for interaction besides a cashier. And, once in a while, one of those sources gives me a nice little ego boost.

[stalkingwolf]

I want to bounce my ideas off other people and have them prove me wrong.

Why must your Ideas be wrong? Perhaps some of your ideas are just incomplete? Perhaps you are looking for that one little detail that completes them.

Why do I reply to threads? There are many reasons, depending on the topic.
Sometimes it is to correct misinformation. Often it is to gain further information.
Other times it is just to STS. On some topics (say religion) it is to stir the ****, and interject thoughts and ideas many never consider. By these processes I learn agreat deal about a great many subjects. I really enjoy
posts and points of view that make me stop and go Hmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!

[lyceum]

It is hard to find people willing to talk religion. I post for the conversation.

[Moniker42]

I'm obsessed with my computer, forums and irc prevent me going insane whilst I await the download of games and movies.