urban camo
I haven't been too involved in the current discussions that some may refer to as "arguments", and some are just that... though, i do see that many people fail to realize that we are all individuals, with seperate minds, and that we will not agree on everything. I love the fact that there are people here who do not agree with my every opinion. It gives me a chance to discuss different views on different topics. If we all knew the same things, had the same exact interests, shared the same opinions, and basically had the same minds, then we would all drive the same jeeps, live the same lifestyles, and would hever have a reason to ask any questions or discuss any topics, it would be like logging onto a forum to talk to yourself, or like writing in a personal diary, and actually replying to it (no offense if anyone actually does reply to entries in a personal diary)... there is no purpose for a board filled with people from all over the world, with all different views, attitudes, interests, methods, answers and lifestyles if we could not discuss such differences.
Now I do see that there are limits in such discussions, and those limits come when someone is attacked personally. Though, there is a difference between a criticism, and an attack. For example... if someone states that they don't like the way you do something, or that they don't agree with your view, the way you conduct yourself, or don't agree with a decision you made... that is a criticism... which simply means that they are stating an alternate opinion, which is totally fine. Though if someone intends to insult any one member personally, not by personal opinion, but by calling a person on something with intention of lowering their esteem, or feeling of value, that is an attack. It is quite important to realize that the two are completely different. There have been some things said to me, or maybe even something that had nothing to do with me, that I could have taken personally, and felt that I could have taken a defensive position over... but since we are all individuals, and I don't expect EVERY person here to know my limits, and what may hurt me. And if there IS something I feel attacked by or threatened by, I don't automatically assume an attack, I will first make the assumption of a simple misunderstanding. Now I am not saying that I have wings and a halo, but I have found in the network of people I associate with, that includes every person I have ever dealt with, on any level, that an attempt for an understanding is much more beneficial than an attempt for a defensive retaliation.
Maybe I just typed a billion words of nonsense to some of you... but if it DID make any sense at all, what I hoped to get across is that I don't believe this board has gone downhill at all. Though controversial at times, I believe it makes for interesting topics here and there. Of course there are the useless, pointless, and total waste of time threads and posts... I believe most people here have contributed to at least one... I'm guilty myself of posting a stupid or lame reply now and then. It is not always a bad thing. Sarcasm and humor are an important part in our interaction, to show that we do NOT mean wrong to people. And when sarcasm/humor, or an innocent opinionated criticism is taken the wrong way, it is important to try and understand the lightness of the attitude, and that it is not meant as an attack.
Without sarcasm, I think life would be lame... but then, that is MY opinion, and if someone doesn't agree with that, PLEASE speak up, I ENJOY knowing that people are able to think differently. If you notice that you are bothered because of a misunderstanding or because of sarcasm, and are unsure if it was directed to hurt you... there is a simple way to find out... ASK... a simple "what do you mean by that?" can eliminate an argument way before the pre-stages even begin...
I personally don't see anything wrong with what most people consider to be "arguing"... it is a practice of communication between different individuals. If we all understand that our views ARE different, then that "arguing" can be an informative discussion. I think this board is doing great, and can be doing even much better if we can all accept our differences... if you don't understand a view, topic, idea, concept, then you will never understand it if you do not ask... and that is just what boards like this are put together for... to communicate... so let's please do so... the key to us all getting along is communication
(I hope I made SOME sort of sense)
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