Poll: Are you desperate to be seen as smart on the interwebs?

[Reeve]

Are you desperate to be seen as smart on the interwebs?

Maybe I'm just a misanthrope, but this is what I imagine the motivation is for posters who post inordinately, long walls of text on, often, minor issues. I'm talking about the posts where they throw in "clever phrases" or what the poster seems to think of as a witty manner of speaking. (That feels like it has been ripped directly off the script of some random American TV drama)

 

[Vault101]

no...

to be een as "right" however...well

anyway no matter how clever I may feel at times there are countless people who are smarter than me..its just a fact, I'd say I'm average [i/]at best[/i]

that said intelligence is hard to measure...because we all ahve areas we are better at....

of coarse its all more practice than talent

 

[tippy2k2]

I wouldn't say Desperate but I would like to think that people see me as smart (or at least not dumb). I suppose I can't care that much for sometimes it feels like I'm the only person on the internet who is willing to change their mind (or at least admit it). If I'm debating, I will use logic and cite sources but I do that to try to show you my way of thinking; not a way for me to try to impress someone I don't know how smart I am.

At ta vary leest, I haz gramar an spealling skillz good so dos that kount az beeing smmart?

 

[Colour Scientist]

Well, some people post like that because they genuinely are clever, while others cover up the fact that they're not actually saying anything worthwhile with needlessly long words.

I used to care about it when I first started using forums but I don't give too much of a shit now.
I don't feel the need to continue arguing with someone just so I don't look like I'm giving up if I've become bored with the debate and I don't feel really embarrassed when someone picks at my posts anymore.

I remember when I first came here, I was so scared that people would think I was stupid. If someone pointed out something wrong or disagreed with my post, I could go weeks before working up the courage to post again. Now I write lots of meaningless crap everywhere.

 

[an annoyed writer]

I can't say that I'm desperate about it: I've got bigger issues to take care of. If I do have something of substance to say though, I tend to leave a rather long, detailed, and didactic response as to why I think what I do. I imagine that people usually skim over my responses at most, unless they've specifically asked me a question about something. From what I've gotten from feedback my point usually gets across pretty well though, so I guess I can feel a little intellectual security there. I don't really try for it though: I just do what feels natural, and apparently decent grammar and well-explained points are natural to me.

 

[PsychicTaco115]

No, I'm desperate to people think I'm funny/nice, which is probably harder

I am, right people?

People?...

I'll see myself out .__.

 

[Lucem712]

Eh, I'm of average intelligence, so I don't sweat it too much. I mean, I try to spell right and not mangle the great English language too much as any credibility you have can be thrown out if you spell things like, 'i rite, u rong'.

I do want to be seen as friendly, approachable, and funny. Though, I'm not really that funny, so I'll just have to settle for the other two. >_>

 

[Marter]

Of course.

Why else would I say all of the clearly genius things that I say?

In other words, no. Think what you will (because you will anyway).

 

[MajorTomServo]

Not really. I'm smarter than average, I think, but I'm by no means a genius. There are tons and tons of people smarter than me, and I can accept that. Most of my self-esteem points are in other categories, so I don't need to go out of my way to puff out my chest of knowledge in front of a bunch of strangers.

 

[BathorysGraveland2]

No. However, I have no wish to look like a fool, either. I have learned through embarrassment and verbal massacre in the past when I have said stupid shit about things I know nothing about, and wish not to experience that kind of thing again. Which is why I very rarely, if ever, voice my opinions in the Religion & Politics forum.

When I do put forth my views and opinions though, I try to have as little pretense as possible. I'm not trying to exaggerate my (admittedly small) intelligence.

 

[Euryalus]

Not really, Doing some topics justice requires more time and effort than I'm willing to put in, in conversations with strangers here. I'm much less reluctant with my 'pist friends and have had some very awesome and insightful conversations though. If I've had one with you then you know who you are... Or maybe not. I'm not particulary secure in how intelligent I am so I could just be a well spoken fool. Who knows?

 

[hazabaza1]

I have a lot of short posts that are generally filled with "yo" "****" or "dickwaffle", I make dumb jokes fully admit to enjoying games like Vanquish and Saints Row 3.

Whaddaya think?

 

[BrotherRool]

Definitely. I find it hard to understand people who lurk. Why wouldn't you want to give your opinion on something? People who can read other people's comments and decide that those people have covered the subject adequately are humble in an incredibly awesome way that will do them well in life. If everyone could parse opinions without needing to let their egos get in the way then so much of the crud in the world would just go away. I wish I could do it, but I can't and I post because I consider my opinion important and I want to see what other people think about. If people disagree I can sometimes recognise my mistake and change my mind more towards what other people have suggested, but that's a small grace covering a bigger flaw

EDIT: I should add that it's wrong to suppose writing big posts takes a lot of effort or time or is consciously crafted though. At least on my part, I write a normal comment, I like my comment to be evidenced and have enough reason to be what I would consider fairly watertight, sufficient to be useful and then sometimes I look back and realise that it was a page like post on ponies.

 

[Frission]

There should be an option for not appearing like an idiot, and failing... badly.

Seriously, speaking it's the internet. If you can't let go of your ego here, then where else will you be able to do it?

 

[Vausch]

Kinda.

It's not so much that I want to be seen as smart, it's more that I don't like seeing people proud to be wrong about something. And I'm not talking like an opinion, I mean something like a person saying straight faced "Obama didn't state any programs he would cut in the budget" or "The Earth is 6000 years old". I believe wilfully spreading misinformation, whether you believe it or not, is as bad as a lie.

 

[Extra-Ordinary]

No, but I don't want to be seen as dumb or "wrong" either.
That's why I don't usually post in things that involve clear, objective, non-opinionated answers, because the internet has picked me apart on more than one occasion because I got something wrong.
Semi-off-topic: That's why I REALLY like the Escapist. You guys usually find a need to teach instead of just scream about how wrong people are.
Well, most of you seem to, anyway.

 

[piinyouri]

Desperate may be stretching it as bit, but yeah. probably.
I have inferiority issues that stem from me being a submissive, quiet, shy overly introverted child, which I barely resemble now.
I guess I feel I have to compensate.
Or I'm just insecure.
Lol women.

 

[sageoftruth]

On a forum like the Escapist, it's no wonder everyone comes across that way. Say something that's not thoroughly researched and backed up with supporting evidence and people start to tear you apart. I like quality that when something interesting is being discussed, but I have another forum for pure unfiltered socializing.

 

[geK0]

I wouldn't say desperate, but I'd prefer that people think I'm at least somewhat intelligent.

 

[SomeLameStuff]

No, I'm desperate to people think I'm funny/nice, which is probably harder

I am, right people?

People?...

I'll see myself out .__.

You were trying to be funny?!

HA!

OT: I only try to seem like I'm educated. Anything beyond that is probably unintentional.