My English project on the reason why your here.

[brucelee13245]

Hello fellow Escapists,
I am currently doing a ethnographic study for my English class at the University of Cincinnati. I am to pick some sort of discourse community and study that community as well as interview it's members. A discourse community is academic or social group in which creates, and maintains a certain language and way of thinking. From wikipedia, here is the six criteria for a discourse community. ( don't judge me)
A discourse community:

1) has a broadly agreed set of common public goals.
2) has mechanisms of intercommunication among its members.
3) uses its participatory mechanisms primarily to provide information and feedback.
4) utilizes and hence possesses one or more genres in the communicative furtherance of its aims.
5) in addition to owning genres, it has acquired some specific lexis.
6) has a threshold level of members with a suitable degree of relevant content and discoursal expertise.

With that in mind, I wanted to throw out a few questions that hopefully you guys can answer for me.

1) As a member, are you here because you like to partake in the forum threads or because of another reason?

2)Are there groups on the escapist that you are part of and regularly interact with.

3) Why and in what ways? (playing games together, conversation, etc.)

4)Do you post on the forums frequently?

5) What threads do you particularly focus on and why? ( political, gaming, etc.)

6)How do you answer in these threads? Do you like to troll or give intelligent answers, or maybe give your brief answer and move on.

7) What makes you answer this way. What interpretation do you have of the forum threads on the Escapists?

I should have a few more questions but here is a start. Any answers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys

 

[Palademon]

1. Yes. I also like being witty.

2. I'm apart of several gorups, but the new or chats are rarely alive, and I don't feel like a big part of it.

3. N/A

4. Yes, but sometimes I decide not to post something I write.

5. Usually ones trying to be fun, or talking about certain games. But I do post in a lot of things.

6. I try to give an answer that says all I need to. Sometimes I don't bother because it's already been said. I don't troll because here it's a bit pointless. I'd rather troll stupid people. But I do make the occasional joke as a post.

7. I think we're all fair people trying to enjoy our entertainment, and I think amusing ourselves on forums is an extension of that.

 

[Marter]

English project isn't going to go well if we're incorrectly using "your."I'm just messing with you. =p

Okay, I'll help out.

1) It used to be because I wanted to post in a lot of threads. Now it's mostly just because I am being forced by my overlords enjoy posting my film reviews. Oh, and keeping the User Review section of the site clean is a fun job.

2) Well, <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/2-50-Reviews>mine, which gets updated daily with a new review. Not really active in any others.

3) I post my reviews, that's how. I'll also answer questions on it, if someone asks me.

4) I used to, but nowhere near as frequently anymore. (At one point, I averaged 87 posts a day, almost all of which were in off-topic.)

5) Nowadays, I'll just post on whichever one interests me. I'll read almost all of the User Review threads, though, and post on the occasional one.

6) If it's in off-topic/gaming/Pub Club, it'll be an answer to whatever topic the OP gave, or at least something that contributes to the discussion. In User Reviews, it'll either be to help the reviewer, or comment on the subject matter which was reviewed.

7) I'm not quite sure what you want here. I answer that way because it's who I am. Answering differently would not be an accurate representation of me. And that's just silly.

 

[Knusper]

1) I enjoy quite a lot of what is on offer, I go on the forums, read the articles and comics and regularly keep up with most of the videos
2) I'm a member of the Pony, Miracle of Sound, PC Gaming and Frozen Synapse groups. I really only use them as outlets of information and to see all the PMVs or Pony fanfiction.
3) N/A I guess
4) Yes, although most of them are Skyrim threads recently, so I can't be bothered to post.
5) Any. I just keep an eye on the Latest Threads and Hot Threads tab
6) Depends on my mood,Often I'll try to give an intelligent response.
7) Because I'm not a very good troll or very good at making my posts funny. Take this one as an example.

 

[Logiclul]

1) I made an account to post topics that I couldn't get a good discussion in real life with; and to do some of the quizzes. Mostly though I read the articles/rare comic that looks relevant to me.

2) Nope, I'm not a regular, lurk more than I post.

3) I'm guessing this doesn't apply to me, but in case you still want an answer, I dont' belong in any group here because I haven't keenly identified myself as anything recognizable on the forums.

4) Look at my post count, I'm not a regular.

5) If anything looks philosophical, I'll read it. That should make me visit the religion forum, but that place isn't how one should discuss a concept of god. But other than that, gaming.

6) I only comment if I feel I have something interesting and worthwhile to add, if that answers your question.

7) I interpret them as a bag of Berty Bots Every Flavored Jelly Beans (that's probably not the name, I mean the harry potter jelly bean things that have weird flavors), most look gross, but some of the gross looking beans are actually not too bad; the ones that look good though, always get eaten (read).

Good luck with your research!

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

1) As a member, are you here because you like to partake in the forum threads or because of another reason?

Mainly because my friends are here now. I don't do Off Topic as much as I did two years ago.

2)Are there groups on the escapist that you are part of and regularly interact with.

The forum gamer community. I'm also involved in the MOS fanclub (which I run) among a few other groups I frequent.

3) Why and in what ways? (playing games together, conversation, etc.)

Mostly for conversations, friendly interactions, being silly.

4)Do you post on the forums frequently?

*looks at post count*

5) What threads do you particularly focus on and why? ( political, gaming, etc.)

Hard to say. I like a good variety although threads that allow for me to be silly attract me a fair bit. I don't mind looking in on political discussions from time to time but I'm less inclined to comment on them.

6)How do you answer in these threads? Do you like to troll or give intelligent answers, or maybe give your brief answer and move on.

Intelligent answer or brief response before moving on. Depends on the flow of the thread and what has been said before. I also like to derail liven things up a little by having fun

7) What makes you answer this way. What interpretation do you have of the forum threads on the Escapists?

It really is a mixed bag. You'll see a ton of threads about one thing for a period of time and then they'll vanish. The more I comment on one topic (over multiple threads), the less likely I am to reply or reply in full. There usually is a good variety of topics out here but I'm lazier than I used to be and I usually don't go past page three in off topic. Forum games on the other hand...

 

[Crazy]

1. I am here to make this place more sexy. There's a lack of sexiness here.
2. Yes, there's one.
3. They're ripe for the picking.
4. Very.
5. A wide variety.
6. I look like a sexy member.
7. I'm the damn princess and I do as I damn please. Oh, and some of them are sexy while others are boring strict folks who deserve some love.

 

[AlAaraaf74]

1. I like to partake in forum discussion.
2. No
3. -
4. Yes
5. Various, mostly opinion sharing
6. I give intellegent/honest answers
7. I have no reason to troll.

 

[dead.juice]

1) As a member, are you here because you like to partake in the forum threads or because of another reason:
I'm here because Zero Punctuation is here.

2) Are there groups on the escapist that you are part of and regularly interact with:
Ironically, I never interact with the ZP fans much. I always forget that when a new review comes out, that a forum topic on the video pops up.
I try to stick to general games discussion.

3) Why and in what ways? (playing games together, conversation, etc.):
Discussing video games, trolling heated discussions, pointless discussions, sarcastic discussions, your-brain-cells-pop'd-so-did-mine-yay discussions

4) Do you post on the forums frequently?:
Every other day, for an hour or three.

5) What threads do you particularly focus on and why? ( political, gaming, etc.):
Gaming threads. I stay away from serious threads unless I have something worth saying about a subject.

6) How do you answer in these threads? Do you like to troll or give intelligent answers, or maybe give your brief answer and move on:
I try to have clarity and be entertaining and informative. I usually just wind up making cheap jokes, or if I think someone is being an complete idiot, I start trolling.

7) What makes you answer this way. What interpretation do you have of the forum threads on the Escapists?:
It not always the most insightful community, and there is a lot of stupid to go around, but generally its a lighthearted and down-to-earth community with just the right amount of immaturity. It's taught me to just have fun and be entertaining instead of being pretentious.

 

[Strain42]

1) As a member, are you here because you like to partake in the forum threads or because of another reason?

I'm here mainly to watch videos. Zero Punctuation, The Big Picture and Escape to the Movies.

2)Are there groups on the escapist that you are part of and regularly interact with.

No.

3) Why and in what ways? (playing games together, conversation, etc.)

Not really on here enough to warrant that.

4)Do you post on the forums frequently?

Every so often. Mainly if I see a topic title that interests me I'll click it and throw in my two cents

5) What threads do you particularly focus on and why? ( political, gaming, etc.)

Most of the threads I actually post in are gaming related. I do read quite a few political ones though.

6)How do you answer in these threads? Do you like to troll or give intelligent answers, or maybe give your brief answer and move on.

I give my honest opinion. Sometimes people get mad, sometimes people agree. I just say that I would say and move on. I try to avoid major arguments, but sometimes they happen.

7) What makes you answer this way. What interpretation do you have of the forum threads on the Escapists?

I consider myself to be a fairly intelligent person capable of making rational decisions. I see no need to lower my personal standards of maturity just because I'm on the internet.

 

[Evil Top Hat]

1) As a member, are you here because you like to partake in the forum threads or because of another reason?

2)Are there groups on the escapist that you are part of and regularly interact with.

3) Why and in what ways? (playing games together, conversation, etc.)

4)Do you post on the forums frequently?

5) What threads do you particularly focus on and why? ( political, gaming, etc.)

6)How do you answer in these threads? Do you like to troll or give intelligent answers, or maybe give your brief answer and move on.

7) What makes you answer this way. What interpretation do you have of the forum threads on the Escapists?

1) I'm here for the forums alone.
2) I'm part of the escapist's nerdfighteria group, but I'm not a terribly active member and I don't communicate much with the other members of the group.
3) N/A
4) I don't visit much, and when I do, I post only when I have something valid to say, that hasn't been said to death already.
5) I lurk around a lot, reading many topics but not posting, the topics I do post on are usually discussion topics. I usually reply to other people are try to start conversations, so the topics themselves usually contain issues or subjects that are to do with viewpoints and opinions, rather than light hearted topics.
6) I don't try particularily hard to make what I write fantastic in quality, I just try to make it easy to read and understand. I also tend to correct grammar mistakes and reword sentences that don't read very well, but that's just a habit.
7) I answer this way because I don't post here to appear friendly or non commital. Honestly, I wouldn't call posting here "fun", just interesting. I like to hear other people's points of view, voice my own opinions, and generally to have worthwhile conversations.

 

[Hero in a half shell]

1) I came here because of the gaming videos, and entered the forum because I liked the gaming and technology discussions there.

2)No

3)N/A

4)maybe 5 out of 7 days a week

5)I enjoy anything historical, literature or news related, but also humourous threads.

6)To non-serious topics I like making a funny post, but for a serious discussion I will try and be as accurate and informed as possible, reading everyone elses posts to see what has been said and researching the topic firsthand online as I create a response

7)I like the heavy moderation that keeps serious discussions free of flamers, trolls and personal insults. It means threads are less likely to derail into personal slagging matches and proper discussion can be created.

 

[Scarim Coral]

1) As a member, are you here because you like to partake in the forum threads or because of another reason?
While I do post my opinion on the said topic but I'm also part of role play story in this forum as well.

2)Are there groups on the escapist that you are part of and regularly interact with.
Yes

3) Why and in what ways? (playing games together, conversation, etc.)
You mean the group? In that case I just talk about the topic going on at that time or post some images or videos.
If you mean the forum, I just want to partake in the dicussion or make a topic.

4)Do you post on the forums frequently?
Yup, normally around 5-10 or more per day.

5) What threads do you particularly focus on and why? ( political, gaming, etc.)
Off topic, role play and gaming.

6)How do you answer in these threads? Do you like to troll or give intelligent answers, or maybe give your brief answer and move on.
I just post my opinion as I am given them a piece of my mind while remaining polite (non aggressive).

7) What makes you answer this way. What interpretation do you have of the forum threads on the Escapists?
I lack the vocabulary to post my opinion in the most intelligence. As for the forum threads, all I can say is that the forum search should be mandatory.

 

[Puddleknock]

1) Came to site for extra credits but stayed for the forum.

2) Nope, my presence is not felt on the site in anyway.

3) n/a

4) 2-3 times a day.

5) Try to stick to gaming as much as possible (as its a gaming website).

6) My answers are normally short and often very basic but I try to be as relevant as possible.

7) Anxiety and general fear of people keep me from typing anything lengthy. As for the forum itself I generally quite like it, the moderation is at a very acceptable level and I do like the content of the forum.

Hope my answers helped.

 

[mcdain]

1) I came here for Zero Punctuation, but I occasionally like to weigh in on threads that pique my interest.

2) I'm a member of the Team Three Star group, but I've never actually interacted with them. So no, I suppose.

3) I joined because I love Team Four Star. But again, I've never actually said two words to them.

4) Not really, no. Just the odd post here and there.

5) Usually gaming, or just general chatter.

6) I try to answer as best I can. How long the answer is depends on the question.

7) I just say my piece and move on to something else. It generally seems like a nice place to be, though.

 

[Edd4224]

1) Came because of Zero Punctuation and stayed for some of the other shows and became a member to post on forums.
2) No
3) N/A
4) I have posted more recently but I would not say that I am a frequent poster
5) Often the ones that pose questions like the superpower ones or the ones asking about advice, simply to see what people answer.
6) Combination of intelligent and brief. I only usually answer if I can add something or if I feel like adding my opinion.
7) What makes me answer this way - my brain. As I tend to not speak unless it is necessary or relevant in real life, it would mark me as the quiet one both on and off line. Also I think that the threads here are quite varied and interesting with some jovial humour thrown in and some inevitable trolling for good measure.

 

[mb16]

1) i came for Zero Punctuation back in 2007 and joined the forums in 2008. i would say it was both the video content and forums have kept me interested

2)part of, yes. interact regularly with, no.

3)use to play games together, but we havent for an age

4)i post in bunches. so i may be inactive for 3weeks and then post 50 times the next week

5) political, gaming

6)if i can i try to give an informed, intelligent answers.

7)probably due to my ego (im kind of a "Mr know it all") and the fact im an engineer so enjoy fact based debates