How important is your written Language?

[WhoFlungpoo]

After spending some time on the forums over the years. Written language is something I find something of importance to me.

Can you tell the temperament of the person posting or is it open to subjection and suggestion?

Is agressive posting and indication someone feels passionate about what they are saying or bordering on abusive character?


So my question is how important is language it to you?

 

[mrldii]

Extremely. The way one chooses to express their thoughts is extremely indicative of how they are, in real life, whether they realize it or not.

One-trick-ponies online are one-trick ponies in real life; if the only thing they can talk about IS politics (and how screwed up everyone else is), it's indicative. If they attempt to talk about something else and religion and/or politics *sneaks* into their posts, it's indicative. If they have a tendency to put down others for their contradicting beliefs/values/opinions, it's indicative.

It's indicative when people hide behind "it's only the internet" and/or rely on the anonymity of the internet WHEN sharing their thoughts.



Oh, and men who are condescending, rude, and verbally abusive to those other women will be condescending, rude, and verbally abusive to YOU, under the *right* circumstances, even when you, yourself, do not consider yourself one of 'Those Women'. I would imagine the same is true for men with women, but because I'm heterosexual, I wouldn't know. Though I DO know if I find a man to be a spineless wonder online, he'll be a spineless wonder in real life, too...because it's indicative.

runk:

 

[WhoFlungpoo]

I agree with you except one thing. Some people have character behaviour that isn't a true reflection of who they are. More of trying to play a role of an online image.

Examples: Mr Niceguy. He's nice to ou until he's not getting the reaction he wants or craves. This I've found upon meeting the person. Not seen online.

 

[Rooster]

Extremely. The way one chooses to express their thoughts is extremely indicative of how they are, in real life, whether they realize it or not.

One-trick-ponies online are one-trick ponies in real life; if the only thing they can talk about IS politics (and how screwed up everyone else is), it's indicative. If they attempt to talk about something else and religion and/or politics *sneaks* into their posts, it's indicative. If they have a tendency to put down others for their contradicting beliefs/values/opinions, it's indicative.

It's indicative when people hide behind "it's only the internet" and/or rely on the anonymity of the internet WHEN sharing their thoughts.



Oh, and men who are condescending, rude, and verbally abusive to those other women will be condescending, rude, and verbally abusive to YOU, under the *right* circumstances, even when you, yourself, do not consider yourself one of 'Those Women'. I would imagine the same is true for men with women, but because I'm heterosexual, I wouldn't know. Though I DO know if I find a man to be a spineless wonder online, he'll be a spineless wonder in real life, too...because it's indicative.

runk:

Sure, it can be indicative but I think it's also important to remember that how we perceive others also plays a role.

Sometimes our preconceived notions get in the way...

 

[Dee]

Extremely. The way one chooses to express their thoughts is extremely indicative of how they are, in real life, whether they realize it or not.

This. I have a passion for written language, and I try my best to respect its rules. Sometimes I will allow myself a moment of jest by mocking those who don't bother to use proper English (though this is all dependent on the situation), but it is something I take seriously.

 

[mrldii]

Sure, it can be indicative but I think it's also important to remember that how we perceive others also plays a role.

Sometimes our preconceived notions get in the way...

I am A-OK with having a "preconceived notion" and [properly] labeling something that waddles in my front door, quacks twice, and drops little avian feces on my newly-laid carpeting


and saying, "Oh, look! It's a duck!!!"




While it may be true that doing the same thing over and over and over and expecting different results is "insanity", personally I believe it's more insane to meet/see/hear the same thing over and over and over and expect IT to be different, this time.

 

[Rooster]

I am A-OK with having a "preconceived notion" and [properly] labeling something that waddles in my front door, quacks twice, and drops little avian feces on my newly-laid carpeting


and saying, "Oh, look! It's a duck!!!"




While it may be true that doing the same thing over and over and over and expecting different results is "insanity", personally I believe it's more insane to meet/see/hear the same thing over and over and over and expect IT to be different, this time.

But what I mean is that we may treat others differently and not even realize it based on our preconceived notions.

And our preconceived notion could be about anything, gender, race, political ideology, etc.

As an example, let us say I am talking to someone on the internet, and based only on their posts I decide that they are politically opposite of me...But they have never stated what side of the fence they are on. Do I subconsciously treat them differently?

Does it make their words any more or less valid, just because I "think" they are _________ . (Fill in the blank)

Language is incredibly important when sharing ideas on the internet. But it's not the only thing that's important...

 

[mrldii]

But what I mean is that we may treat others differently and not even realize it based on our preconceived notions.

And our preconceived notion could be about anything, gender, race, political ideology, etc.

As an example, let us say I am talking to someone on the internet, and based only on their posts I decide that they are politically opposite of me...But they have never stated what side of the fence they are on. Do I subconsciously treat them differently?

Does it make their words any more or less valid, just because I "think" they are _________ . (Fill in the blank)

Language is incredibly important when sharing ideas on the internet. But it's not the only thing that's important...

Obviously, I disagree. I especially disagree with this part: "Language is incredibly important when sharing ideas on the internet. But it's not the only thing that's important..."

?!?

What other things might someone use, "while on the internet"? Inflections of vocal tone? Hand-gestures? Body language? Facial expressions?


If one is a normal, well-adjusted adult who has spent some time dealing with others in the real world and in real-world situations, one should feel comfortable and confident when sizing up others on the internet, especially since - on the internet - others are pared down to ONLY their words which are used TO reflect their thoughts.

You appear to be of the school of thought that EVERYone deserves to be given a chance and/or 'Do NOT judge a book by its cover'; again, I disagree; if someone doesn't want to be seen as a duck, they should lose the waddle, silence their quacking, and stop pooping avian feces on my rug.

 

[DrLeftover]

Many years ago I was asked what I thought was the most important human invention of all time.

Such was my answer:

The Most Important Invention of ALL TIME


©01 The Media Desk

• The Wheel?
• Artificial Lighting?
• Cast Iron or Steel?
• The Computer?
• Maybe the Steam Engine.
• Refrigeration?
• The Telephone?

Or maybe something offbeat? Velcro or plastic soft drink bottles?

Nope. None of the above.

More:
http://www.themediadesk.com/files2/invention.htm

But I think you can guess the answer.

 

[Rooster]

Obviously, I disagree. I especially disagree with this part: "Language is incredibly important when sharing ideas on the internet. But it's not the only thing that's important..."

?!?

What other things might someone use, "while on the internet"? Inflections of vocal tone? Hand-gestures? Body language? Facial expressions?


If one is a normal, well-adjusted adult who has spent some time dealing with others in the real world and in real-world situations, one should feel comfortable and confident when sizing up others on the internet, especially since - on the internet - others are pared down to ONLY their words which are used TO reflect their thoughts.

You appear to be of the school of thought that EVERYone deserves to be given a chance and/or 'Do NOT judge a book by its cover'; again, I disagree; if someone doesn't want to be seen as a duck, they should lose the waddle, silence their quacking, and stop pooping avian feces on my rug.

What other things might someone use?

"Perception".

Yes, language is important, one should always try to be precise so that the correct thought is conveyed. But there are two people in any conversation, even on the internet. How your thought is perceived, is also important. Or, as Doc might say- "As long and the writer and the reader understand what is meant."

And yes, I understand we have no control about how our words are perceived. But it is still a factor in any conversation, in "real life" or on the internet.

It's much easier when we speak "in person", to understand one another. As you pointed out, there are visual clues. Hand gestures, eye contact, facial expressions, tone of voice. All that is absent when we speak on the internet. All we have are words, and how we perceive them.

As you might recall, at the start of our conversation about this, I originally said-

Sure, it can be indicative but I think it's also important to remember that how we perceive others also plays a role.

Sometimes our preconceived notions get in the way...

We, all of us, have preconceived notions about what the meaning of words are. Sometimes they do not match, sometimes that gets in the way.

 

[mrldii]

@ rooster:

Well, since the question was directed at each of us as to how important WE find (our) written word, I'll continue to believe that I do not need to reinvent language nor the definition of "a duck", whether online OR in real life.

Kudos to those of you who DO find it refreshing to redefine and "see with fresh eyes" each and every bird you encounter, wondering what type of mythical beast this might be. The world IS big enough for all of us.

 

[Rooster]

@mrldii

Thanks for the kudo. (I think )

I think you understand now what I am talking about, but I am not 100% sure, mostly because you keep bringing up the example of the duck. Which, I suppose, is exactly what I was talking about. My preconceived notions of you might be getting in my way...

So, if I might, let me try an experiment to further illustrate my point.

I am going to post a series of descriptions of myself. Probably 5 or 6 posts about 10 minutes apart, not sure yet how many, but I will let you know when I have posted the last one. You don't have to respond at all, but if you do decide to, I would appreciate if you waited until I have all the posts done.

And of course, if you do decide to respond at the end, it is very much appreciated.

What I am trying to do here is see what someone else might think of me, based on my descriptions of myself.

Here is the first one...

 

[Rooster]

I am a Conservative...

 

[Rooster]

I am a Conservative, A "True" Conservative, in that I wish to conserve what we once had.

 

[Rooster]

I am a Conservative, A "True" Conservative, in that I wish to conserve what we once had. Constitutional government, and the Rule of Law.

 

[mrldii]

@mrldii

I think you understand now what I am talking about, but I am not 100% sure, mostly because you keep bringing up the example of the duck.

I'm not sure why the fact that "(I) keep bringing up the example of the duck" is throwing you off-course. It's a standard axiom: "If it waddles like a duck and quacks like a duck...chances are, it's a duck!"

When I encounter something that waddles and quacks, it takes me but a nanosecond to recognize it as "a duck"; others apparently spend time second-guessing their logic, language, and listening skills and actually say to themselves, "Hmmmmm...I wonder if that's a wolf...or a sheep...or perhaps it's just a bull."

I don't have time to reinvent the language just to assuage myself that he really IS A Great Guy, even though he doesn't *type* like he is.




As to the rest of your post and the game you've introduced at me...I'll play along.

 

[Rooster]

I am a Conservative, A "True" Conservative, in that I wish to conserve what we once had. Constitutional government, and the Rule of Law. So I am NOT a Conservative as it is popularly thought of at Fox News or MSNBC.

 

[Rooster]

I am a Conservative, A "True" Conservative, in that I wish to conserve what we once had. Constitutional government, and the Rule of Law. So I am NOT a Conservative as it is popularly thought of at Fox News or MSNBC.

This places me at odds with those who describe themselves as Conservative, especially those in the Republican party. George W. Bush called himself a conservative, he is not.

 

[Rooster]

I am a Conservative, A "True" Conservative, in that I wish to conserve what we once had. Constitutional government, and the Rule of Law. So I am NOT a Conservative as it is popularly thought of at Fox News or MSNBC.

This places me at odds with those who describe themselves as Conservative, especially those in the Republican party. George W. Bush called himself a conservative, he is not.

As you might recall, I once said I would support Elizabeth Warren over Hillary Clinton. Now I will tell you something else. I, a conservative, would support Elizabeth Warren over any other candidate if she proves to be the kind of person I suspect she is.

I believe we no longer live in a Constitutional Republic (if we ever did), I think instead we live under an Oligarchy.

And if any candidate, upon election, would begin to reverse that and start to return some of the power back to us...That is the candidate I will support. Be they conservative, liberal, whatever, I don't care...

 

[Rooster]

Ok, That's the last one, thanks for playing....

Now, if your opinion of me changed between the first post, where I just describe myself as "conservative", and any of the other posts, if it changed even one iota...

Then that is what I am talking about.

Your idea of conservative and my idea of conservative, were not the same.