so, i was sifting through the threads of this forum and, like always, i noticed most if not all threads were pretty senseless in one way or another. a few examples would be "what was the most girly/manly/x-esque thing you've done today" or "what is your favorite beverage".
OPs in these threads are always going in for the personal opinion, because it's the best way to get a ton of replies with as little meaning associated with them as possible. i mean, who cares what the most manly or girly thing you've done today is? who cares whether your favorite beverage is mountain dew or whatever? who is going to read through all the entries in a thread like that, and for what? whenever i see a thread like that it makes me think of virtual, endless trash bins, where people can "fire-and-forget" their opinions into cyberspace.
the problem is hardly a new one; it has arguably persisted since the creation of the forums. it could well be the original intent of the forums was for threads like these to happen, so that users would have stronger associations or bonds with the magazine and thus more loyalty towards the corporation behind it (i am onto you, escapist). sadly, the problem has escalated to the point where repeated content happens every day and where people don't think before they write thread or post.
i have a personal stake in this. i'd like to consider myself fairly intelligent. at the very least i can keep up a reasonable discussion, granted that it is somehow worth my time; i.e. a discussion where i can learn something from reading and/or participating in it. on the escapist, these discussions happen a lot less than they should.
i bet there are at least a few of you that aren't here digging for achievements/gold, high post-counts, celebrityhood, or other equally vain reasons. a few of you that still have some intent of going to a place to listen and learn, rather than just spitting out an opinion and leaving. this thread is for those of you.
the premise is simply to discuss any well founded ideas or arguments that you might have and not know where to spill. this includes the discussion of this post itself, as i think it is in everyone's favor that the escapist becomes a more intellectually driven forum rather than a digital garbage disposal. feel free to post suggestions as to improve on the current state of forum affairs.
OPs in these threads are always going in for the personal opinion, because it's the best way to get a ton of replies with as little meaning associated with them as possible. i mean, who cares what the most manly or girly thing you've done today is? who cares whether your favorite beverage is mountain dew or whatever? who is going to read through all the entries in a thread like that, and for what? whenever i see a thread like that it makes me think of virtual, endless trash bins, where people can "fire-and-forget" their opinions into cyberspace.
the problem is hardly a new one; it has arguably persisted since the creation of the forums. it could well be the original intent of the forums was for threads like these to happen, so that users would have stronger associations or bonds with the magazine and thus more loyalty towards the corporation behind it (i am onto you, escapist). sadly, the problem has escalated to the point where repeated content happens every day and where people don't think before they write thread or post.
i have a personal stake in this. i'd like to consider myself fairly intelligent. at the very least i can keep up a reasonable discussion, granted that it is somehow worth my time; i.e. a discussion where i can learn something from reading and/or participating in it. on the escapist, these discussions happen a lot less than they should.
i bet there are at least a few of you that aren't here digging for achievements/gold, high post-counts, celebrityhood, or other equally vain reasons. a few of you that still have some intent of going to a place to listen and learn, rather than just spitting out an opinion and leaving. this thread is for those of you.
the premise is simply to discuss any well founded ideas or arguments that you might have and not know where to spill. this includes the discussion of this post itself, as i think it is in everyone's favor that the escapist becomes a more intellectually driven forum rather than a digital garbage disposal. feel free to post suggestions as to improve on the current state of forum affairs.
OFFENSE INTENDED
