[Eclipse]

Yeah, call it an ironic post. I mean nothing really happens with posting opinions, it's totally passive and yet I and many other people continue to do it.<br><br>
This exludes the posts asking for advice, these types of posts are functional.<br><br>
Just because I posted something on population control, appalling waste in society or maturnity leave to give a few examples, nothing happens.<br><br>
My posting about these issues did nothing to help them. It's unlikley any of these posts will be read and acted upon by someone who could make a difference in these areas. I was thinking, how pointless...why post about these social causes etc etc, when my post does nothing, but is read by the general public and possibly discussed by more people who won't help these causes.<br><br><br><br>
I tried to think of why ever post anything like this and I came to the conclusion it does have two fuctions: To educate other people so they can work collectivly towards change ( voting on issues) and to practice activism. When you write an activist letter (which I'm ashamed to say I havn't done much of myself), you need to be well read and your opinion well thought out so you are "heard" and your viewpoint valued.

 

[Skylark]

I have read many posts from a variety of opinions over the years on VB, and they have helped me formulate my views on certain issues. Of course, everything in life helps formulate a person's views, whether it's a dinnertable conversation, classroom debate, or simple banter on a message board.<br><br><br><br>
It's not useless. It just doesn't serve the same purposes for everyone.

 

[Sevenseas]

Posting opinions helps me clarify my own views to myself. Also if someone responds with a different view, this either strengthens my own view or makes me change it. Of course, if by posting opinions you can change someone else's ideas, that's great also because ideas influence actions. But this post has sank to the depths of overtly general blahblah.

 

[Shadowlee]

It is similar to a common teaching tool that was used in my university when I studied sociology and political science. The tutors there would regularly start discussions in small groups on the various subjects we were studying. We weren't "achieving" anything in the wider world by discussing these subjects in class, but it helped us understand them better.<br><br><br><br>
Debating helps you think deeper on a particular subject and organise your thoughts on it. If people discover they have a strong reaction to a particular topic they read on a forum, it may motivate them to act further IRL - even if it is nothing more then to go and do some research to help support their arguments and learn something!

 

[Ludi]

For me, it's a way of interacting with other people, a social outlet - I rarely see people in person and even more rarely have an opportunity to share opinions with them.<br><br><br><br>
I like to hope I can share information and learn from others, and exercise my brain which would otherwise stagnate, turning in upon itself with the same repetitive thoughts. Messageboards keep me challenging myself, and emotionally, require that I strengthen my self esteem, which is really really crappy but getting slightly better.

 

[GhostUser]

I believe using the internet to express my opinions and debate with others strengthens my ability to do the same in the "real world." And like skylark said, many of the posts I've read here on VB have educated me and inspired me to learn about other topics I otherwise wouldn't have researched.

 

[slp2b]

I think it is important to keep an open mind and to see through other people's (and animal's) eyes.

 

[Gnome Chomsky]

It amuses me.<br><br><br><br>
ebola

 

[synergy]

I use message boards to communicate with a group of people who have similar interests to me, so we can discuss things that not everyone in my RL wants to talk about, ie) vegetarianism.<br><br><br><br>
I also find it fascinating how message boards and the internet are changing social interaction and communication.<br><br>
Even back in the day people corresponded with others over large geographical distances, and sometimeswith people they had never met (penpals), but now we can do that and get an almost instant response.<br><br>
It's crazy, but fun (and, somewhat addicting) <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[Ludi]

Yep, the internet is an amazing thing that allows us to do some things we might not otherwise be able to do. For instance, not too long ago I emailed a question to the son of my favorite author/artist, and he emailed back, and briefly, we were chatting in real time via email. He lives in England and I will never meet him in person, but I got to "talk" to him thanks to the internet. That's one of my favorite things about messageboards, too, getting to chat with folks from around the world whom I'd never otherwise meet .

 

[troub]

Whats the point of anyone sharing their opinions anywhere? If views on forums are nill, then so are views shared on radio talk shows, tv, books, and every other medium.

 

[Life2k]

I think it makes a big difference. The people on this board have surely change my thinking about what I eat, but what surprises me more is that I am changing in the way I think when I shop for clothes, etc. Movies I used to love, now make me think twice if there are animals in them that even appear to be misused or hurt. I didn't used to be that way. This board has changed this in me. Pat yourselves on the back, people. Oh, and lest I forget, I am thinking greener all the time.

 

[Scythe]

For fun (i.e. to annoy people).

 

[Life2k]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Scythe</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
For fun (i.e. to annoy people).</div>
</div>
<br>
That I have already figured out about you, Sweetheart.

 

[Ludi]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Life2k</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
I think it makes a big difference. The people on this board have surely change my thinking about what I eat, but what surprises me more is that I am changing in the way I think when I shop for clothes, etc. Movies I used to love, now make me think twice if there are animals in them that even appear to be misused or hurt. I didn't used to be that way. This board has changed this in me. Pat yourselves on the back, people. Oh, and lest I forget, I am thinking greener all the time.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br><br><br>
Same here, big changes thanks to this board!<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/carrot.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":vebo:">

 

[bigdufstuff]

It is mostly for entertainment.

 

[karenlovessnow]

Fun, information, reaching out to others in some small way.....

 

[karenlovessnow]

Maybe making a teeny tiny difference for someone.....