Forums v Social Media

[Janx]

A few of my friends on Facebook (not to be confused with Facebook Friends) who used pseudonyms have been forced to use real names, due to complaints from other users (specifically, politically motivated pages).

With my motorsports photography and chainmailing/jewellery sidelines I specifically use Facebook to somewhat increase my profile though I don't promiscuously 'friend' people, nor do I leave my security settings wide open.

That's likely the kind of stuff I stay away from, precisely because I wish to simply use FB to communicate with my actual friends. I don't like video links or pictures of memes, or ranty articles about injustices or what have you on FB. I also refuse to install FB Messenger.

I am most likely not the target demographic of FB because I use it wrong.

I'm on LinkedIn with my real name, but I don't login or look at it very often. Since that has people I work with, too much activity on there, and my bosses would see when I'm using it and not working.

 

[Ryujin]

That's likely the kind of stuff I stay away from, precisely because I wish to simply use FB to communicate with my actual friends. I don't like video links or pictures of memes, or ranty articles about injustices or what have you on FB. I also refuse to install FB Messenger.

I am most likely not the target demographic of FB because I use it wrong.

I'm on LinkedIn with my real name, but I don't login or look at it very often. Since that has people I work with, too much activity on there, and my bosses would see when I'm using it and not working.

Well technically speaking I don't use it "right" either. If I did, I would have far more open security and sharing settings. For example Jen Page posted pictures of a couple of simple jewellery pieces I made and couldn't link to me on Facebook to credit me. She did post the address of my website though,. which was preferable

 

[Hand of Evil]

To me Social Media is like throwing rocks at road signs from a moving car, you are just trying to make a sound by hitting it, you then move on to the next sign. There is no true conversations, just a lot of statements that may or may not be noticed by the public or relate to the subject.

Forums on the other hand is like a break room, you have conversation, point and counter point, added information and so on. People can ask questions or post comments in a detailed format, it is more about collaboration.

 

[Kramodlog]

Forums are a better place to meet people who do not think like you.

 

[Morrus]

Forums are a better place to meet people who do not think like you.

I dunno that that's true - otherwise how would so much harassment go on on social media? It's famous for it! BY definition people have to be interacting with those who do not think like them for that to happen.

 

[Umbran]

There is no true conversations, just a lot of statements that may or may not be noticed by the public or relate to the subject.

Having just been in a conversation (about economic systems in live-action games) yesterday, I can state that the absolute "no" is not correct.

Most social media is not designed to support long or deep conversations, so it is not used for that very much, I agree. But sometimes all you have is a hammer, so you use it to drive in the screw anyway.

 

[Kramodlog]

I dunno that that's true - otherwise how would so much harassment go on on social media? It's famous for it! BY definition people have to be interacting with those who do not think like them for that to happen.

Are those being harassed famous in some way that made them known before? When I think social media, I think of media were I selected who I'm connected with. It doesn't mean someone I know can't retweet some stupid comment I made and make me famous/viral, thus succeptible to harassement by others. Or have an ex stalk them.

 

[Morrus]

Having just been in a conversation (about economic systems in live-action games) yesterday, I can state that the absolute "no" is not correct.

Most social media is not designed to support long or deep conversations, so it is not used for that very much, I agree. But sometimes all you have is a hammer, so you use it to drive in the screw anyway.

I have plenty of decent conversations of length on Facebook. It's what you make of it. It's more disposable, true, and the conversation isn't archived well (thought the data is still there, so it only takes a change in the way FB operates to make it so).

 

[Morrus]

When I think social media, I think of media were I selected who I'm connected with.

Facebook requires mutual friendships, so not so much on FB (although depending on their algorithm that month - I frequently see FB posts from people I've never heard of because a friend "liked" it, so it's weak mutual). So yeah, FB will be more echo-chambery because you select who you interact with.

Twitter is one-way though. Anybody can follow you, tweet at you, etc. That's non-selective, and where much of the harassment I've heard of appears to take place. I've had the odd obnoxious tweet directed at me, though I haven't been harassed there.

G+ I never quite understood how all the circles worked.

 

[Ryujin]

Facebook requires mutual friendships, so not so much on FB (although depending on their algorithm that month - I frequently see FB posts from people I've never heard of because a friend "liked" it, so it's weak mutual). So yeah, FB will be more echo-chambery because you select who you interact with.

Twitter is one-way though. Anybody can follow you, tweet at you, etc. That's non-selective, and where much of the harassment I've heard of appears to take place. I've had the odd obnoxious tweet directed at me, though I haven't been harassed there.

G+ I never quite understood how all the circles worked.

Forums or Social Media; I think that the lack of any real connection between users results in much of the abuse. It seems like some users easily convince themselves that others online aren't real people, and so feel free to tear them up.

I don't think that anyone really 'gets' Circles.