I have been a fan of this website since it started up although i have never commented on any of the message boards, nor have i commented on any message boards come to that.
The message boards allow people to have their own say, many can spark of reactions which can even lead to very heated arguments over the message boards. This website is based on celebrity news and many people believe that they know celebrities inside out because they haveseen them photographed all the time, etc. This therefore means that people fel like they can express themselves much more and many give their views on what they think celebrities should do.
In real life would you think it was correct to tell someone what they should do with their life?
For example, on the message board linked to the story about cheryl and ashley coles current relationship, one girl states "I dont think he deservs another chance". This girl doesnt know anything about their relationship other than what she has read in the media. Therefore how does she have a right to make such a comment? The fact is such message boards allow you to say exactly what you think. Your name doesnt need to be shown when you make a comment, therefore, no one knows anything about you which leaves way for you to say exactly what you feel.
On the other hand, you can also say things that you would not normally say. For example you could agree with a certain comment or idea that in real life wouldnt be your way of thinking. But because no-one knows you they dont necessarily think what you are saying is true or false. Therefore as well as being able to express what you really think you can easily express ideas which are totally against what you think in order to be included in certain conversations.
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8 comments:
yeah i agree with your last comment that people may just say stuff to fit in to the forum as they know if they disagree people (especially regulars on that forum) may target them or flame them. So are forums really a true reflection of what these people think? or is it just the opinions of there online personas or virtual selves??
in reflection to alys question i do think that you could look at in a way that these people arn't reflecting their true selves as if it came to having the conversations that they were having on the forum in real life would they have the same opinion or be willing to share their opionion. often enough probably not as they aren't hiding behind a computer screen so have to face the effects of what people would say to them.
yeh people just say things what they think the other people will want to here or respond to.
But then on the other hand, outsiders could come in and say things just to get a rise out of the regulars on that forum perhaps? an is that a form of flaming?
People are entertained by confrontation and argument therefore i also believe that many people start up certains conversations in the aim of attaining such arguments. These such discussions will get more people involved and the bigger the discussion he more likely the 'people' taking part may become known for that certain discussion. It brings about a certain sense of "fame". Someone who may be unpopular in real life may make up a certain persona to entertain on such a message board and may make themselves a popular character in doing so.
yeh, like just do it for a reaction, maybe even just to get people to respond so they feel involved and included
Sarah,
What is it then about messag boards that makes it something that you personally are not interested in commenting on? Looking at the useful discussion that followed from your original post, I think your point about people being entertained by confrontation and argument, can be evidenced by many chat-shows and even soap-operas that seem to attract large audiences.
All the best
Emma
Personally i dont want to get involved as i dont think we have a right to comment on what a celebrity is doing or wearing. Although i read the comments i think it also takes to much effort to sit there and right comment after comment on just a photograph of what is otherwise just a normal person.
In relation to the confronatation and argument discussion i do believe that this is now what our culture is greatly interested in. As you said Emma, shows like Jeremey Kyle and Jerry Springer make for great entertainment have become popular shows. This could be for many reasons but i believe that it is due to people enjoying other peoples misery as it takes them away from problems which they may be havig at the time. Same with the message boards, if for some particualr reason you are feeling donw you may read the board and initially be cheered up by someone making themselves look "not so good" by having a confrontation.
i looked at a message board dealing with Big Brother's Charley being beaten up outside a nightclub, and the abuse she got on the message board was really shocking. Once the insults started coming people just seemed to jump on the band wagon and started flaming themselves. Maybe they actually felt this way or maybe they felt they had to over overly offensive towards Charley or they wouldn't have been accepted into the discussion. Either way, none of them would have written what they had if they had to show their real names and identities. People feel more open only when others don't know who they are.
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