Through out the years I've been on here, I've read a lot of posts and made a fair amount of them myself (most of them rather long, I'll admit). Over the course of those years, I've developed some strong opinions of people that I've never met based on their posts. Some people I've really come to respect even though I've disagreed with them. Some people have been so illogical, close minded and hateful in their posts, I now put zero credibility in anything they have to say. In other words, they've lost the ability to make any convincing or persuasive posts on issues because of their past posts. Do other people find themselves doing the same thing? Not interested in attacks on specific posters (would violate the rules, so please don't do it), just generalites.

YES - and I assume there are opinions about me.

Since I've been a member on here I can only think of a couple that have bothered me. I really take most of this with a "tongue and cheek" attitude.

I probably shouldn't but alas I do.

I try not to make solid opinions on members of the online community. After all, you never know what kind of mood somebody is in when they're posting, or how much they really care about what they say. Some people just like to get a rise out of others, and some people are just trying to be informative more than opinionated, but that information can seem bias from time to time.

 

So no, not really for me. Even if I continuously disagree with a poster on BGP, I could probably get along with them just fine in the real world.

I do not base my opinions of people based on their political or religious beliefs. If I did, it would be impossible for me to have any respect for most of my coworkers. I have learned that otherwise intelligent people can hold some very irrational beliefs about American politics and politicians and I assume that others have reach the same conclusion about my opinions.

 

I do form opinions of posters based on how they choose to debate issues. As long as people are willing to engage in honest debate, they have my respect. My goal here is not to convince others that their positions are wrong, but to develop my own opinions by articulating and defending them.

With people able to hide behind a user name and a picture, many people can/will adopt a different online persona than they may have in real life (although I'll confess I'm like that about music all the time). Some may have a bit softer edge in person than online, since it's a bit tougher to rip on someone if you're looking at them face-to-face.

 

I have had a couple of people say they would not like me in person based on things I wrote in the P/R forum, and I found that to be sad. Especially when you consider that I have been known on more than one occasion to try to ruffle others' feathers, and usually just for laughs. I have the deepest respect for my opponents who don't take it personally.

 

Others who do take it personally ... well ... I may just be having a laugh at your expense while you sit back and fume.

Keep in mind, often Members are discussing topics with varied opinions. Some will agree and others, may have a slightly different take on the same subject. Some members have a vast array of sports knowledge, while some prefer one sport over the other.

 

Some like racing, outdoors, P&R, while others prefer General. Point being, we each have a thought process and means to communicate. Some of us are blunt, while other articulate but each can be construed differently.

 

Mods and Administrators, have different rolls for the most part, while also enjoying reading your posts. I think we all form opinions on some but must consider, they may come across one way but meant comments, in a totally different manner.

 

Isn't it wonderful though, BGP has such a great meeting place for us all....:thumb:

With people able to hide behind a user name and a picture, many people can/will adopt a different online persona than they may have in real life (although I'll confess I'm like that about music all the time). Some may have a bit softer edge in person than online, since it's a bit tougher to rip on someone if you're looking at them face-to-face.

I know exactly what you mean. Having met probably dozens of BGPers, I've found that "real-life" persona's are, very often, polar opposites of what you find on here. I'm sure more than a few people would probably say that about me as well. For instance, here on BGP, I can't stand Jim Schue; he annoys me to no end! But the real-life Jim Schue is a good guy.

 

I think it would be a mistake to completely shut your mind to what certain people have to say, based solely on things they've said in the past. If you do that you might miss something that changes your mind on an issue. They might just say something that makes sense, for once. Or they might even come around to your way of thinking. But if you ignore them, or pre-judge them, how will you know when that happens?

 

I'll admit, I do form opinions about posters based on their comments. But I try to leave open the possibility that the person behind the keyboard is someone totally different from their on-line persona. I try to treat them, almost, as separate people entirely.

This site provides a great place to fish....

 

Lay out a line with some bait and it is easy to get a catch.

I guess I'm confused. What else could we base opinions on other than member's posts? I don't think it's possible to NOT form an opinion.

I guess I'm confused. What else could we base opinions on other than member's posts? I don't think it's possible to NOT form an opinion.

 

Agree. :thumb:

 

For instance, I've formed the opinion that leatherneck's favorite two books are 'War and Peace' and Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.

Some people have been so illogical, close minded and hateful in their posts, I now put zero credibility in anything they have to say.

Just call me out, why don't ya? :irked::irked::irked:

 

I do this all the time. I am especially prone to "grouping" certain posters together because their views mirror each other so closely. LN, you really don't have anyone else in your group.

 

Where has Hearsay been? From his posts, I view him as the wise elder of P&R.

Just call me out, why don't ya? :irked::irked::irked:

 

I do this all the time. I am especially prone to "grouping" certain posters together because their views mirror each other so closely. LN, you really don't have anyone else in your group.

 

Where has Hearsay been? From his posts, I view him as the wise elder of P&R.

 

Put me in with LN, it's just that by the time he's finished posting, there's nothing left to say.

I'd rather make opinions of people by thier posts on here than almost any other way. People speak thier mind and may say something they may not even say face to face.