|
2nd Worst City in CA8938 Posts
I don't believe it would be too far-fetched for me to say that the attitudes of many gamers nowadays are quite juvenile (note I did not say "all" nor "most" gamers). Of course, a large demographic of gamers are teenagers, and for everyone who has safely made it past adolescence, you may understand what it's like.
Of course, it's not just teenagers who exhibit poor attitudes. We can say that there are those who have taken a long detour through adolescence (of course, we can also say there are those who took a nice short-cut on through). And let's face it, no one's perfect. Even I have bouts of being an idiot. 
However, I am not here today to talk about vulgarity nor immaturity, although such behavior can be attributed to the topic.
You often hear the phrase, "Be aware of your surroundings," as you grow up, or at least I did. It could mean many things, but for the sake of this topic, I wish to focus on being aware (and considerate) of the people around you, whether it's in real life or online.
What prompted me to write this was the many views I've seen people hold about various subjects lately. It seems a great deal of people see the world, or at least a lot of it, in black and white. What I mean by this is, people believe there is a right, a wrong, and nothing else. If they are right, you are wrong, and there's nothing else to it except the insults they'll randomly toss in, as if such things strengthen an argument. There are also those people who think that anything that is best for them and their surroundings is automatically best suited for anyone and everyone else.
Nonsense. Just because you, your sister, your best friend, and your dog like peanut butter, doesn't mean I have to (although I love the darn thing).
Awareness and consideration are great tools in every day life. It shows that you understand, and understanding is a virtue. So what exactly do you need to be aware of?
The most important question you can ask yourself is, "Why?" Why does this person think the way they do? Why is this person disagreeing with my particular opinion? Why do I hold the opinion that I do? It can be a number of things, ranging from age, origin, culture, environment, gender, past experiences, ignorance, etc. In any case, you want to ask yourself why before you jump to any conclusions (for example, don't think just because a person doesn't think democracy is the best form of government for a particular group that they are dumb socialists or tyrants).
Once you are able to understand why, it means you're aware. All that's left is to be considerate. To be considerate, you can accept the person's opinion for what it is--that is, an opinion held because of the person's specific background--and move on, or you can learn from that person's opinion and build upon your own with it. It's never a bad idea to learn from others, especially those of varying experiences.
This is mainly addressed to topics with no concrete answer (hence everyone forms their own opinion). If it's a topic with a concrete answer, just be polite when correcting or answering someone. No need to be a troll nor an ass, though I know that's too much to ask for some people as this IS the internet.
But for those of you, especially the younger ones out there, who actually want to tread through the world with an open mind, positivity, and an awareness of oneself and others, I applaud you from hereon out, and hope my advice can be of use. Being aware and considerate is helpful beyond just addressing opinions as well. I know for me it does wonders, and the benefits include retaining/acquiring great long friendships, respect, wisdom, and an appreciation for the world around you.
NOTICE: I went through great pains not to include anything too specific or controversial so that I wouldn't incite needless debates. Please be aware and considerate of my intentions and keep this thread peaceful.
 
|
Welcome to my life. I learned about it not too long ago. Life is most enjoyable when you do your best to be aware and considerate. Thanks for spreading such wise and beautiful words. 5/5
|
Your paragraph on "Why?" is really good, I agree completely with it. I wish more people would realize the causes and limitations of their own rationality and see how other people come up with their versions of rationality. Every human being is rational (and irrational, which is important to be aware of), but rationality often leads to destructive conclusions.
|
Nice blog entry, but you're preaching to the choir.
Some people simply are not wired to think that way. That isn't how they've been brought up and that isn't how they've been conditioned or socialised. Perhaps they're more prone to seeing and thinking in terms of black and white, dichotomies. In addition, I think people on the internet often model their behaviour on fellow internet citizens, which probably explains why trolling is such an epidemic.
|
On February 06 2011 21:36 BasilPesto wrote:
Nice blog entry, but you're preaching to the choir.
This statement would imply that the whole of TL abides by his standards, which it certainly does not, from my experience. It's a good thing to point out, and even those of us who think we abide likely often have lapses in judgment.
|
United Kingdom3685 Posts
On February 06 2011 20:34 Souma wrote:
No need to be a troll nor an ass, though I know that's too much to ask for some people as this IS the internet.
This is a big part of the problem. Even people who are 'aware and considerate' in real life could turn into complete jerks on the internet due to the anonymity and distance it provides. Why make a well thought-out post when you can post a sarcastic one-liner and never visit the thread again? There are absolutely no repurcussions. At worst, you get a ban from some forums that you might not even have cared too much about anyway.
|
well i think you did a good job putting your thoughts to words, i didn't find there to be anything controversial or overly specific  and i agree.
|
On February 06 2011 21:49 SpiritoftheTunA wrote:Show nested quote +On February 06 2011 21:36 BasilPesto wrote:
Nice blog entry, but you're preaching to the choir.
This statement would imply that the whole of TL abides by his standards, which it certainly does not, from my experience. It's a good thing to point out, and even those of us who think we abide likely often have lapses in judgment.
No, I had in mind that only people who were interested in this topic would take the time to actually come into this blog entry, read it and maybe reply.
Imagine a high school offering a lunch time lecture on 'Improving your time management' or something similar. You're not going to get the dropkicks voluntarily attending. Rather, it'll be the nerdier, more academic types who'll turn up.
|
On February 06 2011 23:13 BasilPesto wrote:Show nested quote +On February 06 2011 21:49 SpiritoftheTunA wrote:On February 06 2011 21:36 BasilPesto wrote:
Nice blog entry, but you're preaching to the choir.
This statement would imply that the whole of TL abides by his standards, which it certainly does not, from my experience. It's a good thing to point out, and even those of us who think we abide likely often have lapses in judgment. No, I had in mind that only people who were interested in this topic would take the time to actually come into this blog entry, read it and maybe reply. Imagine a high school offering a lunch time lecture on 'Improving your time management' or something similar. You're not going to get the dropkicks voluntarily attending. Rather, it'll be the nerdier, more academic types who'll turn up.
Oh, that makes sense. I wonder if the average jerk-off is just completely ignoring this thread or reading it and thinking "HAH this doesn't apply to me." Hmmmmm.
|
On February 06 2011 23:21 SpiritoftheTunA wrote:Show nested quote +On February 06 2011 23:13 BasilPesto wrote:On February 06 2011 21:49 SpiritoftheTunA wrote:On February 06 2011 21:36 BasilPesto wrote:
Nice blog entry, but you're preaching to the choir.
This statement would imply that the whole of TL abides by his standards, which it certainly does not, from my experience. It's a good thing to point out, and even those of us who think we abide likely often have lapses in judgment. No, I had in mind that only people who were interested in this topic would take the time to actually come into this blog entry, read it and maybe reply. Imagine a high school offering a lunch time lecture on 'Improving your time management' or something similar. You're not going to get the dropkicks voluntarily attending. Rather, it'll be the nerdier, more academic types who'll turn up. Oh, that makes sense. I wonder if the average jerk-off is just completely ignoring this thread or reading it and thinking "HAH this doesn't apply to me." Hmmmmm.
I assume that'd be the case. I mean, I too often skip over particular threads, knowing that it wouldn't interest or concern me much.
|
On February 06 2011 22:14 Sayle wrote:Show nested quote +On February 06 2011 20:34 Souma wrote:
No need to be a troll nor an ass, though I know that's too much to ask for some people as this IS the internet.
This is a big part of the problem. Even people who are 'aware and considerate' in real life could turn into complete jerks on the internet due to the anonymity and distance it provides. Why make a well thought-out post when you can post a sarcastic one-liner and never visit the thread again? There are absolutely no repurcussions. At worst, you get a ban from some forums that you might not even have cared too much about anyway.
I think this is very true. A lot of people are way more concerned about their behaviour in real life than on the Internet. It has always been that way, but as far as I have seen it has somewhat gotten a bit better. Probably because it has gotten more common to sooner or later meet people you communicate with on forums and such, in real life. At least when it comes to the gaming community.
Part of why it is easier to misbehave and be rude/flame online than in real life is that you don't see the person you are flaming. You don't hear his/her voice and you don't see his/her face reacting to what you just said. Another thing is that sarcasm, irony and pure jokes so easily can be misinterpreted when written. I am sure half of the rudeness/flames/bad manner we see online were not really intended to be that way.
Then there are these people who intentionally make an effort to come off as jerks online, maybe they do it because they think it is cool or they somehow find pleasure in upsetting other people and creating flamewar just for the entertainment of it all. It is kind of sad, but there are always gonna be haters, and they always gonna hate.
|
I love the thoughts expressed here
|
I have to agree with some of the earlier posts, people who aren't considerate probably don't care about the OP even if they read it.
Jefferson was somewhat incomplete in his statement, I'll add to it here:
"the price of freedom is eternal vigilance... and mass stupidity."
|
I have to tell you, this is one of the best blogs on TL.net. It's so quality, unlike all these threads that are coming along. In response to your post, and I'm not bragging or whatever, but Awareness and consideration is the reason why people love hanging out with me and respect me so much(so i understand the importance of it). It's one of those virtues where it is very hard to find in a person. If you find someone that has these qualities you feel like they're one of those people who you can be really good friends with. I find that, the downside to having this virtue is that it's very annoying if you know someone and they have no idea how to be aware and considerate. On the topic of teenager's attitudes online... We just have to understand that it's a new generation, and there are going to be a lot of idiots online. (and boy, there are A LOT of them)
|
Should be main page. Took like a minute to read and well articulated. A funny intro but it's definitely gonna work for your target audience. I believe in the above fully and I get called opinionless... They however don't realise my scope of interest is in a wholly different avenue to them so I approach a lot of conversations with people quite neutrally.
Make the most of everything, everyone. =]
|
i sort of learned this when i first became a teen. Didn't help at all though because it contradicted the popular fads like everyone lieks it so you should too or you dont blend in.
|
2nd Worst City in CA8938 Posts
Hi guys, just woke up and I'm glad to see some interest.
While writing this I was aware that I might be coming off preachy, but I was not concerned about that.
I was also aware that it might spark debate about why people act the way they do on the the internet, which is a hot topic nowadays, and I guess that was inevitable to say the least. But again, I'm fine with that.
However, the reason why I ended up posting this entry anyway was because what if there was that one person who, often treading between right and wrong, sees this and thinks, "Wow, he's right. I do seem to fare better when I'm able to be aware and considerate."
I am not an idealist, not by far. In reality, there are those who like to teach and those who don't, those who like to learn and those who don't. Then there are those who had no idea that they actually like to teach or learn. I was one of those who had no idea that, although I whined often about school and the like, I actually really liked to learn when I came across something that may be of use to me.
Like you guys mentioned, as most of the people who post in this thread are probably those who are already well aware and considerate, there may still be that one person who stumbles upon this post and just thinks, "I can really learn something here." In that instance, my battle is won.
i sort of learned this when i first became a teen. Didn't help at all though because it contradicted the popular fads like everyone lieks it so you should too or you dont blend in.
Being aware and considerate does not contradict popular fads. In fact, it helps you blend in even more. You are aware of what others like, what these "popular fads" are, and since you understand this, you have the option of blending in yourself and picking up this popular fad, or you can just go along and pretend. Like I mentioned, being aware goes beyond just forming opinions. It can help you form many friendships and networks as you grow older.
|
I read this like you suggested and I'm not sure exactly where you are going or what you are trying to say to me, so come out and say it.
It was also a sub-par read.
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPT
