Discussion Forums: How To Lose Your Credibility In 10 Ways
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Joining a discussion forum can be very interesting. And amusing at times. Although you really cannot tell at first which of the participants is an expert on the subject matter, if you observe long enough, you would be able to determine which of them would be most credible. On the other hand, you will find those whose points are more likely to be questioned.
I have listed below what I found to be the most common mistakes of forum participants in hopes you can avoid making them if and when you decide to join one.
1. BEING DISRESPECTFUL
In many cases, you would not know the other participant/s in the discussion forum personally, let alone, their circumstances and vice versa. Not giving another person any courtesy or any respect for their opinions will be a sure way for anyone not to gain any respect in return.
2. JOINING A DISCUSSION FORUM THAT YOU REALLY SHOULD NOT HAVE
Not all discussion forums are alike. There are some forums you can just easily participate in for the fun of it. There are others that require more than just a little knowledge of the subject matter - jumping into one and pretending to know when you really don't would only make you look foolish in the end. Guaranteed.
3. NOT STICKING TO THE FACTS
Avoiding the issue is a dead giveaway that someone does not have a valid point. There are some who go as far as bringing up a ridiculous claim that is totally unrelated to the subject matter.
4. ENGAGING IN PERSONAL ATTACKS
A sure-fire way to lose your credibility, it gives the others the impression that you either do not have anything intelligent to contribute to the discussion or you do not have anything to support your claim. Otherwise, why else would anyone have to resort to hurting another participant by personally attacking them?
5. NAME-CALLING
Always uncalled-for in a discussion forum. Just like engaging in personal attacks, it is not necessary and it only weakens the name-caller's credibility/integrity.
6. NOT HAVING YOUR DUCKS IN A ROW
You can easily get your facts wrong if you do not care to do some research or if you are too lazy to thoroughly review an argument. If you do not have time to do so, it is best to stay out and be quiet. Otherwise, you can bet on making a fool of yourself.
7. CONTRADICTING YOURSELF
There is no faster way to lose your credibility than to contradict yourself. You say one thing and then say just the opposite the next - oftentimes, unconsciously. Great if the other forum participants do not catch it, but don't bank on it.
8. NOT KNOWING WHEN TO ZIP IT
Being wordy does not necessarily mean a more intelligent point. Oftentimes it reveals how much a participant knows about the subject matter - sometimes, not really much.
Some forum participants can get uncontrollably passionate in defending their beliefs. They provide extraneous information just to prove their point and then only to commit mistake #7. An amusing moment!
9. BEING TRIGGER-HAPPY
Sometimes being too eager to point out the mistakes of others can easily backfire on you. Just imagine yourself criticizing someone's argument without reviewing your own rebuttal for any errors and then making the same exact mistakes!
10. SAYING SOMETHING THAT DOES NOT CONTRIBUTE TO THE DISCUSSION
Why even bother? If you do not have anything good to say, it is best not to say anything at all.
Avoiding these mistakes will most certainly make a good and healthy discussion. If only all participants would... Wishful thinking? I sure would like to believe everyone values their credibility enough to avoid making these mistakes.
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Thanks much, TPF! I totally agree and I can definitely see that happening, especially on your hubs and those of our friend cjv123. We can only wish ALL hubbers will be mature enough to refrain from doing it!
caltex - I believe that it should be the responsibility of the Hub Page editors to monitor this sort of system abuse. If you vote something down, you should have to provide a reason for doing so which they can review. If it is valid then let it stand but come on children - grow up.
Either that or the vote down button is taken off altogether. The flag button should be sufficient.
caltex = Exactly. If one has to flag an article then you are required to state your reason.
There are exceptions of course, but generally speaking, it is my experience that conservatives try to adhere to your suggestions, while liberals are the very reason you had to write them in the first place.
Will, that is so true. I have been on several political forums, both as a participant and an observer. I have seen that MOST conservatives conduct themselves FAR better than the liberals. Seeing how SOME liberals can be so vicious at times makes me glad I am not one of them.
Thanks for hopping by.
Voted Useful!
A forum is made by people and is a place in wich we must have respect, tollerance, healthy curiosity, open mind.
Thanks for stating the obvious, caltex! Obviously, not obvious to everyone, but they really are just common courtesies. I generally don't comment on controversial topics at all. (I hope this comment isn't too controversial!) Thanks, caltex, for spelling it out:)
Fucsia, thanks! Yes, that is exactly how a forum should be. I appreciate you pointing that out.
Hi, kim039. One would think every mature adult would know about 'common' courtesies, but from what I've seen, there are some who does not seem to which prompted me to write about it.
Thanks for stopping by!
caltex - The problem is that many times the people on these forums aren't mature adults. Maybe adults but with an infantile mentality.
The Frog
TFP - that's what makes some of the forums quite entertaining, like watching the show 'Kids Say The Darndest Things'. :)
The Frog Prince Level 7 Commenter 13 months ago
caltex - Being a blogger of some note, especially since I write in the political arena primarily, I congratulate you on outlining the DON'Ts of blogging and commenting. I believe you covered them all.
Let me add one if I may. Don't "vote down" an article because you personally disagree with the premise of what the author had to say. Many of us do spend time writing our thoughts to share with others.
Well done. Up and awesome my friend.
The Frog