How do you rate your ability to say your piece online and just leave it at that?

1. 84

   bethperryposted 9 years ago

   How do you rate your ability to say your piece online and just leave it at that?
   
   When involved or commenting in an online discussion or debate, how easy is it for you to just speak your mind ONCE and leave it at this (no matter how many utterly opposing or even hateful comments may be cast your way)? 1. Easy as pie because I say live and let live  2. It takes a little effort but I try very hard not to let the opinions of others get my goat  3. Somewhat difficult  4. Difficult, but sometimes I manage to control the temptation to get in that last word  5. Very difficult for me 6. Just say my piece and give someone the chance to have the last word - are you INSANE??
   
   

   replyreport
2. 0

   Old Poolmanposted 9 years ago

   I have actually had to change my opinion when I get an intelligent response that provides facts I was not aware of.  I get really irritated when someone calls me a liar when they are operating only with the information they got from their neighbor.  Once the name calling starts I am through with the whole thing.

   replyreport
   1. 84

      bethperryposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      That is entirely understandable, OP. I know exactly what you mean.

      replyreport
3. 0

   sheilamyersposted 9 years ago

   I'd choose #2, but to be honest there are times I type before thinking. No matter how mean I feel someone is when leaving comments and opinions, I try my hardest to remember everyone is entitled to their opinion and I shouldn't get angry or upset if I write something that is going to cause debate.

   replyreport
   1. 84

      bethperryposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Sheila, very true. And you are a good soul, I have noticed.

      replyreport
4. 62

   Lisa HWposted 9 years ago

   I'd generally say "easy as pie" if the discussion is just a matter of everyone's kind of adding their own two cents (or fifty cents, maybe), and that's kind of it. 
   
   Whether it's online or off, I'm pretty much never about "the last word"; but if there's a civilized and "legitimate" discussion, and I have the time and/or interest (and someone else has the time/interest) in having a discussion beyond just "everyone adding his two cents to the matter"; I do enjoy a discussion regardless of who has what opinions.  That's CIVILIZED discussion, though - not bickering and name-calling and complete and utter disregard for reasoning, or at least "giving reasons".
   
   All that aside, it's actually easy as pie for me to leave the second things in a discussion start to get unreasonable.  So, I guess, one way or another..    I'd still select ":easy as pie" for one reason or another.

   replyreport
   1. 84

      bethperryposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Cool Lisa!

      replyreport
5. 78

   FitnezzJimposted 9 years ago

   It depends ...
   We’re all different, with different backgrounds and perspectives, and different sets of values.  Some people value only winning, and as consequence are difficult to communicate with unless you happen to agree with them.
   There is benefit to all who might be reading if the discussion remains focused on clarifying a point, or on establishing the basis for difference in perspective.  In such cases, I’ll stay engaged until the exchange becomes tedious or unproductive.
   Discussion tends to be unproductive if it degenerates into hateful comments or name-calling.  Those types of conversations (and conversationalists) tend to be quickly dropped.

   replyreport
   1. 62

      Lisa HWposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Some people won't acknowledge someone else's being right even when they know the other person is right.  That's mind-boggling to me.

      replyreport
   2. 84

      bethperryposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      So true, FitnezzJim!

      replyreport
6. 76

   JohnGreasyGamerposted 9 years ago

   I find it too easy and often I want to learn the ability to speak online in a particular subject for longer than just one post. As an "MVP" of the World of Warcraft forums, I was given green text to stand out because of my helpful and insightful comments but that was when I had a thicker skin; now I can barely manage to stay in a single forum thread without fear of being harassed. That's a big problem with online debates now - we've really hit rock bottom if many are too scared to post because they'll be dogpiled on by faithfuls and "haters" of particular subjects.
   
   I'm developing a thicker skin but the thing is it's just thick; it's not impervious, it's not ever-lasting, it's not indestructable and it does nothing but wear down over time. It requires a lot of confidence to keep that skin in good condition but it's hard to repair, and everyone has different tolerances. If people say someone needs to grow a thicker skin after they run off crying, they were just the straw that broke the camel's back. I'd say everyone has at least once had a thick skin, but the fact is it will wear down at some point. Mine's tattered and thin due to the neglect it's seen, so I can say my piece once and leave fairly easily because it's what the internet has trained me to do.

   replyreport
   1. 84

      bethperryposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Quite admirable lessons to learn, John, though yes I know how you feel.

      replyreport
7. 92

   Phyllis Doyleposted 9 years ago

   I fall somewhere between 2 and 4. Usually I can say what I have to say and leave it at that. However, if someone attacks me personally, I have a difficult time letting that go without a few words of wisdom about "we all have the right to our own beliefs..... etc."  If someone gets really nasty and personal, I just leave it and let them dwell on their own thoughts.

   replyreport
   1. 84

      bethperryposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Good deal, Phyllis!

      replyreport
8. 75

   IndependentMindposted 9 years ago

   I would have to say #2. 
   Everyone has their own views on things, and those opposing views should be respected.  The difficult part is seeing (reading) comments that are nasty and derogatory in an attempt to disprove a point of view.
   I make my case and reply to negative comments in the kindest way possible.  When those nasty comments persist and are illogical, i simply drop any attempt at rationalization and move on.

   replyreport
   1. 84

      bethperryposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Awesome!

      replyreport