What's with all the new folks?

[Lady_Acoma]

You're all wrong!! Its an ooze reading a book.....

Eating or reading?

 

[Crothian]

Eating or reading?

reading....oozes a big fans of books

 

[fusangite]

I'm someone who makes use of post count statistics in that I am much more likely to respond to people with high post counts. And it's for a pretty simple reason; I want to know that what I am writing will (a) be read and (b) get a response. The lower someone's post count, the less likely they are to read what I have bothered to write or respond to it.

But post count is a poor substitute, in my view, for having written something memorable. The biggest factor in whether I read or respond to someone's post is whether I can predict, based on their record here, that they will have something interesting to say, something worth debating.

As for this idea of elitism, how does this manifest? I don't understand, operationally, how people on message boards are elitist or non-elitist. I guess I just need some clarification there.

 

[AntiStateQuixote]

I'm someone who makes use of post count statistics in that I am much more likely to respond to people with high post counts. And it's for a pretty simple reason; I want to know that what I am writing will (a) be read and (b) get a response. The lower someone's post count, the less likely they are to read what I have bothered to write or respond to it.

Hm . . . this is interesting. You are using post count as an indicator of the likelihood that someone will read your post? That's a really poor indicator. Using post count as an indicator that you will get a response? Yeah, that makes sense. I read an awful lot on these boards, but I don't post so much. In fact, I didn't even get an account until very recently, but I've been lurking for a year or more.

But post count is a poor substitute, in my view, for having written something memorable. The biggest factor in whether I read or respond to someone's post is whether I can predict, based on their record here, that they will have something interesting to say, something worth debating.

But how will you ever know if someone has something memorable or interesting to say if you don't read what s/he says because s/he has a low post count?

As for this idea of elitism, how does this manifest? I don't understand, operationally, how people on message boards are elitist or non-elitist. I guess I just need some clarification there.

Actually, you have perfectly described yourself as acting in a way that I would consider the only brand of elitism that one can have on a message board: you ignore new users with a low post count. Message boards are all about two-way broadcasting communication. Being ignored on a message board is cyberspace ostracism. What better way to illustrate your own superiority to the n00b than by ignoring his/her post and/or not responding to it?

[shameless-baiting]
In fact, based on your message, which I am quoting, it is unlikely that you will even read this post, much less respond to it, because my post count is low.
[/shameless-baiting]

Hm . . . interesting, I say.

 

[Goblyn]

It kind of read that way to me, too, Brent.

Actually, when I first rea the thread title, I thought that there seemed to be something noticeably different about the new people(What's with those guys?).

Wait aminute ... I guess I'd be in this group of 'new' too, wouldn't I?

Look. I ramble pointlessly. Well, geez. I had something to say but forgot what it was. For once I was going to meaningfully add to a conversation. Dammit.

 

[BSF]

Actually, Fusngite would probably read it, but ht elikelihood of responding is lower.

So am I a veteran? Am I a blabbermouth? I have noticed more new posters lately. Unfortunately, some of them I have noticed because they are acerbic. Others I have noticed because they give me pause to stop and really think. Some of them I don't even really notice. But for me it is all about join date as to whether they are new, post count is a strange way to judge a new member. Even join date is flawed since somebody can lurk for a long time without joining. But I am glad to see new members because that means new conversations with new viewpoints. That's always a good thing.

 

[Lady_Acoma]

You know the way this topic has turned it is suddenly all about elitisim I myself post soley to the off topic threads pretty much because I know I am goofy and make inane useless posts most of the time in an attempt to make myself and others laugh. But, whether someone has a high post count or later join date has nothing at all to do with how relevant their posts will be and looking at either to determine that without reading and judging for oneself is just, sorry, but idoitic. More faces with more and varied ideas is a Very good thing for ENWorld and this convo is very much looking like something that is out to practically bash them. If I were still lurking and saw this it would very much turn me off the site all together now and I don't think it is getting anyone anywhere because we are all going to hold our own opinions regardless. I think that for the new people it should be the site as a whole that determines if they wish to join and if they wish to speak, and for the rest of us it is our own responsibility to listen to what they have to say and respect them for their ideas and respond where warranted.

Thank you that will be the end of my somewhat frustrated ramble, I will now go back to bumping in another thread.

 

[smootrk]

I stopped commenting on this topic for a little while because I wanted to see the opinions expressed. I also thought that possibly I came off a little 'preachy' about it without really meaning to.

So far, there has been many who take little notice on post counts or like to see them for their own amusement, and I believe this is the majority of the folks out there. I myself enjoy seeing my own post count.

But... I have also noticed there are some who use post counts and join dates as measurments of the quality of advice.

While observing the posts, more interestingly, were the posts that seemed to say that the individuals needed to 'thicken their skin' or otherwise toughen up, if they want to be a part of a community of opinion sharing.

While the most interesting point is that with all the posts here, with all the opinions being shared, that everyone here is not that small minority that is uncomfortable in sharing their views.... great irony there.

Those folks who are not posting, are do exactly that.... not posting. You won't see their opinion. We should all do what we can to include all who have opinions that need to be shared. I am one of those hopeless optimistic motivator types who thinks we can make changes that continue to improve this forum.

 

[smootrk]

As a side note, take a look at how this particular individual was received while asking a question.
http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=133784

 

[Jdvn1]

As a side note, take a look at how this particular individual was received while asking a question.
http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=133784

Yeah, I think that's due to a misunderstanding, though.

That happens sometimes, due to the nature of an all-text form of communication.