Forum Discussion - is it just me...

[Allan]

... or is this not a very strange form of communication?

I mean, I read some of the stuff I've posted over the years and it's almost like I'm reading a whole other person sometimes. Did I say that? I took this thread that seriously? Man, did I ever have a hard time grasping symposium!!

I've said the oddest things "in front of" 100's of people and it's a matter of public record for anyone to look up and read, anytime!!

I'd simply write this off as my ample insecurity rearing it's ugly head, but I hear/read people say much the same thing, frequently.

Now, some people I look back on and they've hardly ever said anything weird, controversial or seemingly out of character (though they are generally the ones that don't post very much). But I also know that I'm not alone in having completely contradicted myself or said stuff that I SO wished I had phrased another way.

It's been more than once now that I wish I'd never posted anything at all, ever. The misconceptions people can get about you based on such a thin slice of your soul is scary. The tendency for me to judge people based on that much I find even scarier. Preconceptions suck. But it is *weird* knowing someone (or thinking that you do) before you even meet them.

In many ways, posting on these forums has taught me a lot about myself and even more about footbag. In many ways it's also taken away from my enjoyment of the game. It's frustrating trying to talk about something that's hard enough to express in spoken words in an even vaguer context and when you mix in personal politics in trying times, well, it's even more so.

I feel misunderstood in this community because of this medium, but it is the same medium in which I learn so much and maintain many friendships through and I find it a hard balance, sometimes, between not posting at all, not even reading any of it, and wanting to talk to everyone on every thread.

So, in short, I think I just wanted to say "Horrah!" for everyone who's ever said anything stupid on the Internet. For those of us who struggle with trying to say what we mean (and *how* we mean it), this buds for you Or at least I think that's what I was trying to say......

[Shredster]

I remember when i first posted on footbag.org, you (allan) and steve goldberg seemed to get on me for every post I had made. For that, i didn't respect you guys as much as I thought I did before.

However, posting is a completely different method of speech. I respect everyone that plays footbag, regardless of how "sour" they may sound at times. I've sounded pretty bad sometimes as well, but I never mean it.

Even though i have had some weird responses from people, I still respect them.

As for you allan, you are a really good shredder I think really good is an understatement, and I wish more people with your level of play posted more often.

[habitat]

I wish more people with your level of play posted more often.

Me too, I like hearing from the top pros and top notch level players from around the world and what they think about things. Its also a cool surreal feeling to know that, Wow, I just talked to a world champ or BAP or someone really fucking good. I'd love to talk some smack and joke around with and learn something from people like vasek, Ryan M. , Peter Irish, pretty much anyone better than me

[Allan]

For that, i didn't respect you guys as much as I thought I did before.

Hm. Sorry for getting on your case.

regardless of how "sour" they may sound at times.

Many people have the habit of being facetious and at times quite sarcastic (me especially) and that doesn't translate well at all. I think a lot of the time we think someone is saying something "sour" it's really intended to be said with a smile and a nudge.

Sometime people are just plain nasty too

I've sounded pretty bad sometimes as well, but I never mean it.

Me neither.

and I wish more people with your level of play posted more often.

Um, well, thanks I wish more experienced players would post more as well.

[Outsider]

Ya, its an interesting observation.

I too have noticed I have a tendancy to be much more of a smart-ass in this particular medium of communication. I'm not sure why that is. Perhaps because the forums seem to be the very oposite of serious conversation to begin with. Not that I don't take the subjects seriously, but while I'm serious about the topics at hand, I'm often not feeling too serious about this particular conversation I'm engaging in.

Like you, Allan, I worry a little about what I might have said here. I think, though, that I worry in advance of hitting the submit button, and often delete whole posts after having written them, re-read them, editted some, and still decided that it would just be best to keep my mouth shut.

[MegaFighter_X]

True. Stuff you say in the past makes you feel kinda foolish. But it's how you felt then. It's like watching yourself evolve. It's facinating, actually.

[SlashC]

It IS strange to think about it... This online "forum" of communication is essentially no different than posting on a public bulletin board in a public place. I can picture myself writing this very reply on a piece of paper and then walking up to a bulletin in the central academic building of my university and then tacking it onto the wall. Whenever I get to the bboard I always pause before I tack it in. There is always hesitation... did I spell things correctly? did I communicate effectively what I meant to say? is someone going to shred it to pieces? is anybody even going to read it?

The bboard method of online communication is completely different from what I'm accustomed to. It is quite uncomfortable and awkward relative to direct in-person communication. Yet it allows people from all over the world to communicate at a relatively low cost and high convenience...

As I write this reply... I ponder... could there be a better way to communicate through the internet medium?

[Frenzal]

Better probably comes at a price. http://www.sparknotes.com has forums that branch and allow you to reply directly to one person, but it must use alot more space and other computer stuff i don't understand.

[LameR]

Better probably comes at a price. http://www.sparknotes.com has forums that branch and allow you to reply directly to one person, but it must use alot more space and other computer stuff i don't understand.

That's a good and bad idea. People would end up responding in the same way to the author of the first post due to them not being able to see that someone has already said that.

[Tsiangkun]

I wrote what jon wrote, edited it, deleted it, then wrote this.

[NotHisRealName]

Maybe it's just me, but I think that (in general) communication with others is hard... especially over the internet.
For example, Road Rage is such an issue in some places, and many believe it's just because you can't see the guilty look on someone's face when they realise they've just cut you off. The internet is the same thing. You don't have that opportunity to see someone's facial expressions as they are communicating with you.

I think we should all remember that when reading someone's post, and not take whatever is said to heart.


But, more on these sort of forums. Although it is wierd to communicate via written text to someone you've never met, seen, or spoken with, it's a testimant to the sport that you can have a discussion with someone like Allan Hagget, or Peter Irish, or Eric Chan (or even me ), and be so open.
I think, all in all, that if it weren't for the internet, and forums like the mighty Modified.ca, then footbag would have died a wrongfull and lonely death a long time ago.

Keep posting all. Keep the sport growing, and keep playing.


EDIT: You know, I think thats the first time I've ever been mentioned in the same sentence as Allan, Peter and/or Eric.
I think that's cool (even if it was me who made the reference )

[Outsider]

I wrote what jon wrote, edited it, deleted it, then wrote this.

Smart-Ass! (I meant that in a good way)

[max]

a good rule of thumb is to not post while drunk. UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES

and to use the preview button.

[Tommy]

i think that our personalities are slightly different online than in real life. sometimes people are just more outgoing on the internet than in person. not everyone is like that. most are tho i think.

[Flipsider]

Allan, I feel ya buddy, I really do. Then again, we can all be thankful we're not Damon Matthews. Just playin around, Dominator.

I've said the oddest things... and it's a matter of public record for anyone to look up and read, anytime!...

We can also be thankful there are guys like Brad Kaplan around to accidentally delete all our posts from time to time.

[carl winslow]

its ok only nerds read internet forums anyway