Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Does being an active forum member make you feel.... sad?

I think what's really sad is when people are so uncomfortable with themselves that they can't do what they want because they are afraid what society, or other people, might think of them.

I don't care if you have no idea what a 'forum' is, you aren't living life until you start living to satisfy yourself and not those around you.
 
I like these forums hence why I participate in them and converse with people that have the same sorts of interests

I don't play video games really and don't watch tv. This is how I choose to spend my time

To each his own though
 
I'm dealing with so much crap right now in my real life that this is one of my escapes. (Mostly PRSI.) No way am I going to feel guilty about it.
 
Do whatever makes you content. Don't worry about what it may be or what others may think.

I really only come on here when things are slow at work or if there is a really hot topic, such as a new product. I don't surf the web much at home, but that is because I have other hobbies and things to do.
 
Coming to a forum and interacting with others isn't bad in itself. If it begins to take precedence over real live interaction with family and friends I can see it being an issue, but in the meantime it's fine. The stigma that gets attached to it is the image so many people have of overweight, hairy middle-aged men with an attraction to teens and a love of WoW. People who prefer to sit in a dark corner of a basement (theirs or their mother's) rather than actual human interaction are the sad ones, not normal people who simply choose to forego a hobby or TV time to interact w peeps on MR.

I have few friends but the ones I have are very close, almost too many good acquaintances, am fit also (thx, Abstract), have a dream job (for me, at least), a close family, a cat who loves me, and I'm confident enough in myself and independent (in the good way) that I'm satisfied w my own company if there's no body else around. Sometimes I get out and about just to interact with people on a human level. I enjoy it.

I come here for tech support, fun, and interaction. I'm intelligent, look like David Tennant with a less pointy chin, and have a good grasp of organization and language. More importantly, I have hope. Life is what you make of it; if it doesn't fit, you make alterations. Am I sad? No.
 
Xavier said:
I have 968 posts over 3 years, and I definitely do not spend all of my free time on MacRumors. It is interesting that you point this out.

I don't think its fair to say that just because you have a lot of posts that you have a sad and lonely life.
Click to expand...

However, it's the frequency with which one posts that shows whether somebody's life is sad (if sad is the correct word for this) or not. For example, you've had 968 posts over three years, which I personally think is fine. Whereas I have had 784 posts over 8 months, so in three years that would amount to around 3500 posts. Now that's pretty sad. Although I think originally I posted a lot more than I have been doing recently, not sure why that's changed, but I guess that's a good thing.
 
It doesn't make me feel sad at all. I'm on the road a lot. Of course the boards aren't a replacement for relationships with my friends and family, but they're certainly a better choice than watching Home Improvement reruns in a hotel room somewhere. ;)
 
barr08 said:
I think what's really sad is when people are so uncomfortable with themselves that they can't do what they want because they are afraid what society, or other people, might think of them.

I don't care if you have no idea what a 'forum' is, you aren't living life until you start living to satisfy yourself and not those around you.
Click to expand...

Are you asking this about yourself? If you feel sad for being a frequent poster then do something about it.
 
barr08 said:
I think what's really sad is when people are so uncomfortable with themselves that they can't do what they want because they are afraid what society, or other people, might think of them.

I don't care if you have no idea what a 'forum' is, you aren't living life until you start living to satisfy yourself and not those around you.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Surprised it took so long for someone to say this. OP sounds pretty insecure.
 
My girlfriend gives me crap if she sees me on MR at home (she has an amazing "nasally geek" voice she loves to mock me with) so most of the time I spend here is while I'm at work. After normal business hours (1630ish) it gets pretty slow around here so I kill time by reading, learning and sometimes helping those with issues.

I won't sit and gloat about "popularity" and how fun my life is but I can tell you it's far from sad.
 
I've cut back but I used to spend wayy to much time on my car club's forums. I know it was bad when anytime the local members would meet up to hang out we would speak the same stupid lingo we do online:D (my other friends who tag along think its funny as hell though)
 
stridemat said:
I still don't understand how posting online makes you sad?
Click to expand...
I don't either.

The exception would be if that is your only method of social interaction.

Melrose said:
Coming to a forum and interacting with others isn't bad in itself. If it begins to take precedence over real live interaction with family and friends I can see it being an issue, but in the meantime it's fine.
Click to expand...
Well said.

That's true with many things. Too much of something is not good.

dmr727 said:
but they're certainly a better choice than watching Home Improvement reruns in a hotel room somewhere. ;)
Click to expand...
That''s the truth.

TV, when traveling, can be a bummer. Thank God for laptops and Internet access. :)
 
ss957916 said:
I hate forums. I hate 'net speak' and refuse to do it (all the lol, rofl, lmao etc. etc.). I think people who spend their time on chat rooms, forums, blogs etc. are just sad. When I meet couples who have met online, I shudder. And don't get me started on Facebook.

So I was shocked when I saw that my username had a number after it - and I found out that number was cos I have made over 500 posts. I originally came on here to ask one question.

I don't feel I spend much time one here but now I'm beginning to wonder. Maybe I'm actually just as sad and lonely as the rest of you.
Click to expand...

^So why is that? What's wrong with developing some sort of communication via the written/typed word that develops into something more? Is a random bar meeting random people better? If it works for some why knock it or shudder as you say. What about them are you judging at that moment?
 
When I worked over nights and my post count sky rocketed yes. Nowadays I think I have it under control. I am not on MR for hours at a time anymore. Although I am stopping by at least once a day.

Also, even though I have only been a member for just over 3 years, I have watched MR grow like crazy. That makes me feel good. I can't really tell you why, it's not my site, but I am pleased with the growth of MR.
 
My girlfriend calls me a 'social whore'...I'm quickly comfortable talking to everyone I meet and I have a real need to be with people. Not to the point of obsession but I'm generally happier the more social interaction I get. Posting on here has been my fix when trapped at home in small town New England on school vacations; it's not quite as good as, say, a frat party, but enjoyable anyhow. I do sometimes feel a little weird about it, but I know that the fact that I post on a computer forum does not make me a nerd or change the fact that I'm a normal and very social person. Nobody who knows me knows that I post on this site, though....which may be an indication that I'm still kind of uncomfortable with the idea. :eek:

As for the social stigma of people meeting online: it comes from the perception that people who meet online weren't skilled enough socially to meet their partner in real life. Like many broad generalizations I think there's some truth behind the assessment, even if it is a stereotype.
 
Being particularly unhappy/happy makes you sat/not sad.

Shocker.

I must personally admit though that I'm happier now than I was when I posted here regularly, I just don't have the time anymore, and even if I did I'd dedicate it to other things like my girlfriend, who I met online :p

IMO it only makes you sad if you forgo opportunities to do more fulfilling things for the sake of internet related stuff.
 
Mord said:
IMO it only makes you sad if you forgo opportunities to do more fulfilling things for the sake of internet related stuff.
Click to expand...

So true.

OP, you need to determine what is socially fulfilling to you, don't feel obligated to post here.

I spend a lot of time here because I get the social interaction I look for. Right now, I'm somewhere where I live and work with the same group of people - it can be tiring spending work time and free time together, so I will spend a lot of time here as my way to "get out," especially since I cannot physically go anywhere.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back