Why Do you Post?

[JustAskJulie]

Ok, not in general... I have a more specific answer.

A lot of times it seems like the topics that get the most contraversial do so because people who aren't remotely interestedin the topic jump in and throw out their 2 cents on a topic that wasn't directed at them. The most common examples are on threads relating to playing with single guys (and those posting being those who refuse to play with single guys - even if the thread had nothing to do with whether you would or not or why) and male bisexuality (with those posting being those who are adamantly not bisexual, even when the thread was not remotely directed at those who are not).


So my question is this... if you see a thread posted and the topic is obviously something that does not interest you, why do you open it? And once you open it and confirm that the topic is not of interest to you, why do you keep reading and more importantly why do you feel the need to post only to say that you are not remotely interested ?

And one last night, as it relates to this site. If you could "ignore" threads (turn them off so you can't see them) that don't remotely interest you, would you choose to do so?

[theboy]

Originally Posted by JustAskJulie

So my question is this... if you see a thread posted and the topic is obviously something that does not interest you, why do you open it? ....

And one last night, as it relates to this site. If you could "ignore" threads (turn them off so you can't see them) that don't remotely interest you, would you choose to do so?

When I post on forums, as I'm starting to do for this one, I generally read just about everything. Most of the fun of such a site for me is reading divergent opinions about mostly anything.

I'm not bisexual, but it was interesting to me to read the opinions of those who expressed them in the thread that I think you're referring to. It's a whole different world, and that's something that is interesting to read.

That said, I definitely wouldn't want to ignore threads.

Speaking as someone who has moderated a large forum in the past, you're never, ever going to get rid of posts like those that you're talking about. That forum that I moderated was a sort of 'industry' forum, where people put their business name and such in the signatures of their usernames. Even the thought of losing money because they were posting controversial opinions (we had political and 'general' forums as well) didn't sway them. I think it's human nature to comment, read, and find interesting things that we find 'outrageous'.

[Spoomonkey]

I post to threads like this when I feel the position of the "uninterested" is being misrepresented or misunderstood. For example, when being straight is equated with homophobia or hypocrisy.

I think this topics are important ones as they do affect the lifestyle as a whole and the perception of what the lifestyle is by those who might lurk here. If a thread on single males was posted to only by people with glowing experiences and enthusiasm, it would seriously misrepresent what is really going on at the local swing club - where some even ban single men, either completely or on specific nights.

Granted, there are people who make a lot of noise here - me being one of them as my post count would indicate. But the majority of use that this board gets - I would be willing to bet - is from people passing through or here to try to "understand" what they lifestyle is all about. When I read a thread that I have no interest in, I always ask myself if I were new, would I understand the lifestyle after reading this thread?

Often the discussion clarifies itself - sometimes, on particularly stubborn issues, it does not.

Spoomonkey

[personal416]

It seems to be quite common issue on forums in general sexual or non-sexual. Many like to voice their opinions in "drive-by" fashion.

One factor... certainly not "all-inclusive" one since everyone has their own reasons... is to participate in a thread that is getting lots of action and ensure they aren't sitting in the corner by themselves, thus garnering a bit of attention.

[Tia Vampire]

I will open a thread just to see what others have to say on the subject. As far as posting goes, even if the post does not pertain to myself, sometimes there has to be something off the wall said to provoke the posters to post. Then the poster come out of the wood work. Makes for an interesting thread afterward. No i'm not a drama queen.

[two4youinswva]

Originally Posted by JustAskJulie

So my question is this... if you see a thread posted and the topic is obviously something that does not interest you, why do you open it? And once you open it and confirm that the topic is not of interest to you, why do you keep reading?

Sometimes even if the subject matter doesn't apply to us, I have still learned some valuable lessons and gained some insight to how folks think. Some of the subjects do make for some decent reading.

and more importantly why do you feel the need to post only to say that you are not remotely interested ?

I really try not to post to those threads. If it doesn't apply to us, I figure my thoughts would add very little, if any value. I can't say I never have posted in them, as there have been quite a few, but I do make an honest attempt at showing restraint.

And one last night, as it relates to this site. If you could "ignore" threads (turn them off so you can't see them) that don't remotely interest you, would you choose to do so?

Yes I would. I do this on some of the vanilla boards I am known to frequent.

[good times]

for me, the reasons are the same as Spoomonkey stated so well. I post in threads that do not really apply to me when I think my point of view on the subject isn't being represented, or is falsely represented.

As far as why I open these threads in the first place goes, all I can say is their are very few things that don't interest me at all. Even if I am not interested in something, I often still have an opinion about it.

I doubt if I would block from view any threads even if I could.

[sweet_tna]

Why do I open threads that do not apply to me? Quite simply, I'm nosy. Sometimes the thread title draws me in, or I see that someone who's posts I enjoy has responded to the topic.

I usually only POST in these threads if I actually have something to say. Either I have an opinion on someone else's response, or feel that my view hasn't represented. And that's pretty much why I post in any thread, whether it "applies" to me or not. (Now that the T-shirt war is over)

=)

[Bama0468]

I don't think I reply on threads that don't apply to me, however if the title insinuates a oppinion I may read and if so led I may post, heck sometimes I don't even post on the threads that apply to me lol, but I post when I feel led to do so or something strikes me

[BiloxiCouple]

Some of us "holler out the car window" when we drive by controversial subjects. Guilty.

When it is a good subject and people post to it we still want to say something, but we'll sit at the kitchen table and do it.

Both of these will probably get more posts than a "repeated" thread we've seen many times before.

But, once in a while a member will get things totally stirred up...

[ross_sally]

Originally Posted by Tia Vampire

I will open a thread just to see what others have to say on the subject. As far as posting goes, even if the post does not pertain to myself, sometimes there has to be something off the wall said to provoke the posters to post. Then the poster come out of the wood work. Makes for an interesting thread afterward. No i'm not a drama queen.

Tia, very well said!!

[fun4Ds]

We all have to be somewhere..... we're here


Blocking or ignoring threads of no interest ? No can do for us. We have never used the block/ignore users here, since the beginning. We wouldn't want to block the threads either. The people here and their thoughts are way to interesting .

[prettylady]

How can you grow as a person if you don't look outside your own box?
I have on several occations past over a thread because the topic is just not my cup of tea, but then I read it and find out that there are some interesting things being said. I will post to a thread that does not pertain to me if I have a question. Take for example Poly lifestyle, its not for me. That doesn't mean it doesn't intrique me. I have ask question on that forum for no better reason then to be nosey....and learn more about people I have found intresting in other forums.
Life in gerneral can be tidious and boring, so why not peak into someones windows and see what makes them tick.
Your friend,
Prettylady

[sexcupid]

Originally Posted by sweet_tna

Why do I open threads that do not apply to me? Quite simply, I'm nosy. Sometimes the thread title draws me in, or I see that someone who's posts I enjoy has responded to the topic.

Totally in agreement here.

Besides, you never know where helpful little nuggets of wisdom will be found.

[sereneiders]

As I see the question, the board have two purposes: the first one is to answer the OP question, which is the one addressed by Julie. The second one is to answer the lurkers questions by means of what was already discussed here. So the Board becomes a repository of experience that, whether we like it or not, portrays the lifestyle, and portrays us all.

I agree with Spoo here. I ask myself the same question "how this discussion portrays the lifestyle? how missleading something being said could be for the lurker?".

After all, when we contribute, we're not talking just about the OP question. Mostly we're talking about ourselves, even to point out when something doesn't portray us, or to depart ourselves from what's being said by others.