Are internet forums just an excuse to complain about stuff?

[I.R Joey]

K here goes again.

[James Harvey]

What kind of question is that? While some people may whine on forums, they are full of great discussion like this place.

[Nightflower]

Not "just", IMO. But yeah, a great deal of activity at various forums is just whining and ranting. Heck, that's what make blogs and other "online journals" so popular ^_^

[Calhoun07]

I think that online forums such as this are a great way for people to express thoughts in a variety of ways, not just complaining. Why do you ask, Joey? Do you think all we are doing here is complaining?

[James Harvey]

I also think these forums are great for upcoming and in-training writers, journalsts, etc. They help them hone their writing, give and take valid opinions, etc. And as a budding Journalist, I like to contribute as much as I can to these forums.

[James]

I also think these forums are great for upcoming and in-training writers, journalsts, etc. They help them hone their writing, give and take valid opinions, etc. And as a budding Journalist, I like to contribute as much as I can to these forums.

Totally agree.

Nothing better than having your arguments questioned to invoke stronger, more unbeatable arguments - ha ha! One day I will have the perfect unstoppable argument. I will become obsessed with arguments until - as in all good Batman stories - I meet my end via the irony of being beaten by a good argument...

Oh, and I learn the value other peoples opinions - of course....

Great forum, great debates!

[DR. BELCH]

Originally posted by DickGrayson :
I...think these forums are great for upcoming and in-training writers....They help them hone their writing, give and take valid opinions, etc. And as a budding Journalist, I like to contribute as much as I can to these forums.

Exactly what I'd have said as a writer and former journalist. I admit I've used message boards as gripe forums/propaganda soapboxes in the past...currently I'm banned from one for just that sort of thing. I was belligerent, whiny, crass, insulting, rude, argumentative, mean-spirited, trollish, and in short conducted myself in the manner of an equine posterior. In the words of Bob Dylan, "Ah, but I was so much older then; I'm younger than that now."

[Nightwing]

Agreed.

Are they for complaining? Depends on what you're talking about. If these boards are about open minded, kind, curteous people getting together to vent about the crapy world we have to live in (which they are) then I'd say yes, but only because that's healthy. But that doesn't happen to often. 99% of these boards are of intelligent discussions from open minded people. And that's what's so great about them.

It's just that, anger is an extremely powerfull force. The smarter you are, the more in control you potentially can be. But I'd say our posters handle it quite well.