Tell me something.

Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:23 am

How much do you judge people by their posts on messageboards?

I mean, I used to. Then I met someone, thought they were a cool guy, and then found out they were someone I HATED on WOTC. Ever since then I have forced myself to remember that these messageboards give far from a complete picture, and it has been proven every time I have met someone from a messageboard face to face. They have been much more likeable than I thought they would be, even Gideon .

Now I am sure I will eventually meet someone who I won't like, but so far I have been proven far too wrong to base my opinion of someone by messageboard comments.

So what do you do?

BTW, this was brought up by someone accusing me of being "egotistical" or something to that effect over on RPGNet, so after I got done laughing I told him that was his problem not mine.

I told him if he wanted character references I have met plenty of people from various RPG boards face to face to let him know how I really am.

Right Breakdaddy, Bowbe, Gideon, Trolls, etc...?

Edit:RPGNow to RPGNet (spent too much time somewhere buying pdf's lately.)

JediOre · Post by **JediOre** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 3:30 am

Yea, I judge a person by the words they type. I do understand that isn't going to be an accurate meter, but it's all I got.

Sometimes a person types something with a certain inflection inferred, but infections and subtle meanings don't come across well in the written word. So as written, the commit may seem arrogant or rude but that is far from what the writer was attempting to convey. That I get.

When I start "pigeon-holing" folks is when they swear, use vulgar language, or continually get "in your face" with their comments. That behavior isn't required to get across a point and does nothing but offend people.

I can think of several posters across several boards I frequent (here, Necro, Goodman, Dragonsfoot, & Piped Piper) that I started out not fond of, but as I continued to read what they wrote, realized first impressions were incorrect. Of course the opposite is true too. And sadly some never impoved!

Someday I hope to go to a Convention and meets folks from the boards. Then they will get to know me & Jediore will be issued a blanket ban from all the forums for being a Missouri Goober!

Veritas · Post by **Veritas** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 3:55 am

Well, it's been proven again and again by the internet that anonymity can sometimes make an a*sho*e out of even the best of people.

I try to remind myself that given this medium, we very often only have our own assumptions to work off of. I've had plenty of times that people have assumed A LOT of stuff from my posts, all based on their own experiences, expectations and the like... and I've been just as guilty of doing the same to others.

I try to post pretty much how I'd act in real life, and I'm very mindful of not letting "anonymity" enter into the equation. This makes me pretty low-key on pretty much every forum I'm on, but I find it's the most respectful way to conduct myself.

gideon_thorne · Post by **gideon_thorne** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 4:17 am

One thing I have found about the internets is this. There is no real way to judge a person via what they type. There is no real tone, no inflection, and its far far too easy to emulate a persons particular literary style.

This is why I enjoy going to conventions and breaking away from this thing called the internets. Incidentlally, this is why I also avoid online gaming like WOW and D&D online and similar things. I enjoy people.

Ive even met the odd critic of mine offline. And they are quite different in person. Although, *faint smile*, one did their level best to make a point of avoiding me at a con. Which is indicative of many things.

Being online is like wearing a mask. And it's been proven time and again in various psychological tests that people act quite different when they have anonyimity than they do in person.

So, this is why it's so easy for me to shrug off much of the viterbation I am subject too. Its just text on a screen after all. And if the more vehement aren't prepared to brace me with the same tone in person, I'm inclined to regard such excess of personality as so much impotent wind and move on.

I, certainly, can't be judged by my literary loquatiousness online. I tend towards introversion in person untill I get used to someone.

But thats what being social is all about I spose? Hence much talk about the social crippling caused by the internet, even though more and more people from all over the world are able to talk to each other than ever before.

I'd much rather bullshit in person. I like looking into a person's eyes, so much more can be learned about their character than all the endless chatter on forums.

*chuckles* The only thing my large volumes of text say about me is that I really need to get out more.
PS: Character references are $200 a head.
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Orpheus · Post by **Orpheus** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 4:29 am

gideon_thorne wrote:
This is why I enjoy going to conventions and breaking away from this thing called the internets. Incidentlally, this is why I also avoid online gaming like WOW and D&D online and similar things. I enjoy people.

Hmmm. I admit that I don't like WoW as a game AND I don't like the people (for the most part). I love playing DDO (in fact I'm reading this during a break between quests with some real life friends) and I have an awesome time with the people on there and have had a lot of laughs with total strangers. Especially the Aussies. Those guys are all fun! Hop on Gideon, we'd love to have you play with us. As for the topic: I try not to judge people by their posts TOO much. I mean with all of that bad grammar and spelling....

gideon_thorne · Post by **gideon_thorne** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 4:33 am

Orpheus wrote:
Hop on Gideon, we'd love to have you play with us.

*chuckles* Mate, I don't have time. I spend all day working on the computer as it is.

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Julian Grimm · Post by **Julian Grimm** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 5:26 am

I'm actually goofier offline than I am here. But I'm nowhere as good looking as my avatar.
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Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 5:53 am

Oh, I agree about people using profanity and "getting in your face", but what got me is I just bluntly said (roughly, I am not quoting myself)

"Don't waste your time beating your head against my wall to try and change my mind, this is something I am not going to change my mind about."

Then several people started getting all huffy about how elitist/egotistical/whatever for saying things like that. Then I said (again not direct quoting), "I don't worry about tring to say things "right". I don't like people wasting my time, and I was just telling people, very honestly, don't waste your time trying to convince I'm wrong."

Another poster then jumped in essentially saying I was proving how big my ego/elitist attitude was.

Oh, and this also started off with an RPGNet monitor "admonsihing me" for my attitude. No cussing, no insults, just this "attitude" I apparently am extremely good at conveying over messageboards.

Oh well, like I told them, I have far more important things to get upset about or worry over.

Gideon, you seemed like a very cool and laid back kind of guy to me at GenCon, my daughter and I really enjoyed talking to you and meeting your folks. We got a "real good folks" kind of vibe from all of you.

I hope to make the LGGC's (both of them) and Trollcon V as well as GenCOn next year and I hope your at all of them. Plus many other board members, even Ser.

gideon_thorne · Post by **gideon_thorne** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 5:59 am

Treebore wrote:
I hope to make the LGGC's (both of them) and Trollcon V as well as GenCOn next year and I hope your at all of them. Plus many other board members, even Ser.

Im sure on all of em except the Winter event. All that snow and ice, unless I can afford an airplane I don't see myself being there.
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Omote · Post by **Omote** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 11:10 pm

I don't judge people on the messageboards at all. I think everybody I've met from online, has been at least somewhat different in person. Most have been more different then I have imagined. I shrug and don't worry about it.

............................................Omote

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Post by **Breakdaddy** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 2:26 am

What Treebore said

serleran · Post by **serleran** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 3:33 am

I have been called many things online. Some are true. Most are just intrepretations given to me by the readings of others (ranging from being a Nazi for quoting Mein Kampf to an "arrogant, pompous ass." All I do is state what I think... sometimes its blunt and less-than-eloquent, but I am only as much me online as I am me offline. To do otherwise would be a roleplay I'd rather not indulge in.

So, no, I don't judge people by what they type here, or anywhere else.

The few people from the boards I've met have been decent enough, though I've not spent a tremendous amount of time with any of them... except Doc and Nym who are both in my playing group, and Peter who I yell at when he's around.

joewolz · Post by **joewolz** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 6:12 am

I don't judge based on message boards. I try not to do the politics thing too much and with gaming, no one's opinion is gonna destroy my life y'know? Plus, there are very few posters out there I wouldn't buy a beer!
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Maliki · Post by **Maliki** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 2:00 pm

The only people I know from message boards are from my own group, but reading their posts shows that their online persona is quite different than they are in person, so I try not to judge people by their posts.
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gideon_thorne · Post by **gideon_thorne** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 3:59 pm

*chuckles* It's been suggested that I am the sort of person who tells people that there is only one way to play an rpg. Course, this comes from people who tell folks that there is only one way to play an rpg. But, the funny bit is, that this impression of myself supposedly comes from my online posts.
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Nelzie · Post by **Nelzie** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 4:27 pm

Not to drag this whole thing into the realm of the political...

I have been called a Neo-Con on one board and a Bleeding Heart Liberal on another. In reality, my politics are very centrist and based upon being fair and equitable to as many people as possible.

Of course, I can only assume that the people calling me such things were sitting at the political extreme of the opposite of what they called me.

Personally, I attempt to put little thought into who a person is, over the Internet, unless they are extremely forthcoming about who and what they are all about. Then, it's a little difficult to stick to the principle of reserving judgement.
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johns · Post by **johns** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 5:36 pm

In order to avoid the pitfalls of judging someone by their online behavior, I just roll their personality up randomly using the tables in B2 and then act accordingly.

Julian Grimm · Post by **Julian Grimm** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 6:04 pm

Nelzie wrote:
Not to drag this whole thing into the realm of the political...

I have been called a Neo-Con on one board and a Bleeding Heart Liberal on another. In reality, my politics are very centrist and based upon being fair and equitable to as many people as possible.

I've been called a bigot, cruel, narrowminded and immature. I think neo-con would be a step up from what some think of me.

Quote:
Of course, I can only assume that the people calling me such things were sitting at the political extreme of the opposite of what they called me.

I just assume they're idiots.
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Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:13 pm

johns wrote:
In order to avoid the pitfalls of judging someone by their online behavior, I just roll their personality up randomly using the tables in B2 and then act accordingly.

Now that is a darn good idea!

miller6 · Post by **miller6** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 12:39 am

"It's-not-about-me. Tonight's show is about YOU. I'm-only-here-to-help you...find-the-YOU-you...inside-of-you. Let's-see-if-we can't help YOU...by-talking-about ME."

- Kevin Pollak impersonating William Shatner for the "You show".

Brian Miller
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