Why are you a forum castanutter?

[WhatThe]

I just finnished reading a post about castanet forum contributers and it got me thinking. Why do we gab, debate, joke, fight etc on here? I think I got hooked after registering for the classifieds, having Better access to all the little thingys and exploring. I've found forums to be thought provoking and educational, which I personally like, as well as just plain entertaining. The relative anonymity let's us say our peace without actually offending like if talking to a person face to face. My girlfriend calls me crazy for contributing, "why do you like talking to strangers, you'll never convince them of anything". This may be true, but if I wanted to start a fight I couldn't win I would have started one with her.
So basically I was wondering what made us castanetters tick, why do we spend so much time here, are we actually trying to accomplish something, or, since we are all much more "shut in" has this electronic medium replaced hanging over the neighbours fence and talking?

[sunluvr]

if I wanted to start a fight I couldn't win I would have started one with her.

[Lady tehMa]

I like the exchange of information, of ideas and opinions. There are things I am firmly convinced of, there are things I don't know much about. Reading what others write gives me a chance to look at things from other viewpoints, to challenge myself.

I'm pretty social, and if I don't have enough social contact during the day I tend to get it on the forums On the other hand, if I'm feeling burnt out, I don't have to log on and no one will take offense.

[Glacier]

The relative anonymity let's us say our peace without actually offending like if talking to a person face to face. My girlfriend calls me crazy for contributing, "why do you like talking to strangers, you'll never convince them of anything". This may be true, but if I wanted to start a fight I couldn't win I would have started one with her.

Good topic, whatthe.

I was talking with a couple of people yesterday and the issue of global warming came up. In a face to face situation, I have a very hard time stating my political views without first knowing everyone else's views on the issue first, so I contributed nothing to the conversation. For whatever reason, in an online setting I feel distant enough to comfortably state my opinions without fear of offending others. Even with my friends, if we want to debate issues together, we do it over facebook or email, but seldom in person.

I also find online debates more productive because both parties have time to gather their thoughts and think about what the other person is saying before giving a counterargument.

BTW: your girlfriend is wrong about one thing - "you'll never convince them of anything".
You will never convince us of everything, but you will convince us (or at least some of us) of something. I know I have changed a lot of my opinions since joining Castanet, and some of them resulting from read WhatThe posts.

Another reason I am on here is because I am an information junkie. In the real world we gravitate towards people with a similar age, opinions, experiences, and information to offer. But on here there is a diverse background with a broad spectrum of information to offer.

[Queen K]

Why oh Why do I spend hours of my time on Castanet?

I too got into the Classifieds and started exploring the menu. This "thing" forum came up and one thing lead to another.

Last year an incident happened with the Apple Triathalon. Anyone with time on their hands can go into my post history and see what set me off. I had no one to vent to and Castanet seemed like the perfect answer. Lo and behold there were all kinds of people talking about issues, silly things and not all necessarily politically correct things either. I was hooked. I still am hooked. But I've learned that favourite posters come and go with the wind. My hardest lesson yet is at some point someone has to leave, for whatever reason(s).

I too have learned a great deal from the expertise of others. I hope I have contributed back, however meaningful it has been for someone I'll never know unless they tell me. Sometimes one is just shooting in the dark. The B.C. Fire Threads have proven how tremendously useful a service like this really is, not just to me but for the dozens of personalities who emerged who needed help.

[Nebula]

Everyone has their own motives. I have certainly learned a lot and had my mind changed (or at least my perceptions challenged) on a number of issues. I too am an information junkie on certain subjects and, as much as I like to poke fun at some users, I truly do like to share my knowledge and help people out.

And by the way, I'm not a Castanut, I'm just a nut.

[Bsuds]

I originally joined to place ads in the classifieds and a few years later stepped in and started posting. I enjoy the interaction and learn from the different points of view. It doesn't hurt to be a little nutty too. My wife thinks I'm nuts to be on here, so I guess I fit right in!

[WhatThe]

So it seems we so far share the same appetite for information. Thanks glacier, Same goes for me. I find for me on serious issues all jokes are off, well because they are serious and I gravitate there. Some of the trivial matters I'll leave my two cents and walk away. There's no doubt I've had my perceptions challenged, and interetingly, when I come across something that has been discussed here, all the posts flood back. There are some posters you really want a reply from because you know they will challenge you, then others just to see what hairbrained idea they comeup with. Hopefully I fit in the former but I'm sure I fit into the latter too.

[Captain Awesome]

There are pro and cons when it comes to Castanet.

I find the amount of whining and complaining on forums pretty high. Often times I bite my tongue but then I realize that some people just have nothing else to do than moan and complain about something. In real world I don't associate with people like that, so I had to get used to it.

But what's great here is access to information. I'm somewhat new to Kelowna and finding things here can be tough. All the little secrets like good stores, restaurants, tips and tricks can be found here. From places to get map of Kelowna to the best place for chicken wings I found info here. Not to mention less important things (yes, chicken wings are pretty high up my list of important things).

And some great people that are on here! People full of humour, encouragement, nasty jokes and good advice.

Peace!

[grammafreddy]

I'm bored.















Not really. I am never bored. But everyone already said all the good stuff ....

[sunluvr]

I was introduced by another cast member. He told me and encouraged me to join.

[Queen K]

I was introduced by another cast member. He told me and encouraged me to join.

OOOHHHH, now we're all curious an' all. So once you read us all over, you decided to join and not run away, fast. What's the best part so far?

[sunluvr]

I was introduced by another cast member. He told me and encouraged me to join.

OOOHHHH, now we're all curious an' all. So once you read us all over, you decided to join and not run away, fast. What's the best part so far?

How fast time flies by.

[kgcayenne]

I like to write, learn, & debate; Castanet seemed like a good fit.

[DANSPEED]

I joined because someone told me there's a great porn section ... Now where is it?