There has been an in-depth discussion in the forums, where, amongst other things, I’ve discovered that some people do not feel confident or comfortable discussing/debating/suggesting things. They feel they get dominated or bullied, that people are too agressive, and that basically – they’d rather stay away.
This is a shame, and has got me thinking.
We are an artist community. And artists are known especially for two things (aside from being creative :) )
They are sensitive – perhaps, more than average.
They are passionate likely to express themselves.
Put these two together, and it’s no wonder that we sometimes have mis-communications and misinterpretations in the written forums.
Sure, there are bullies everywhere in life, including online. But I think that is an aberration, rather than a normality, and that most issues are due to not being able to see who you are talking to. Visual communication forms a very large part of how we humans relate and react to each other. Without it, we rely on little emoticons or symbols. And when we rush-type – we forget them. Or they aren’t understood anyway.
For example, take this little phrase:
Oh, forget it
Now, lets see how it can be interpreted.
Oh forget it!!!!!
(slightly annoyed)
OH FORGET IT!
(really pissed off)
…oh forget it…
(soft conceding sigh)
Oh, forget it ;)
(in-joke, it’s cool)
Oh, forget it :)
(friendly pass-off)
That’s just off the top of my head with a silly phrase. So – how easy is it to misunderstand someone, who you do not really know – in a forum?
What to do about it? After all, we want to be a healthy, vibrant, expressive community. Help each other out, share ideas, test boundaries, provoke a little, have fun, and generally, have participation from anyone with anything to say, whether we agree with it or not.
I don’t know what the exact answer is. I suppose we need to try and give people the benefit of the doubt. Remember that there is a lot of visual communication lacking. Ask for clarification before getting upset. Be careful when we type/answer quickly, and be sensitive to others’ feelings.
I’m as guilty of the above at least as much as anyone, of course. In person, I talk too much, I talk loudly, I’m passionate and opinionated. But I’m not a bad guy. So I need to remind myself that others do not know me, not really, and be a little more careful when I interact with people online.
Hien Nguyen
more smileys :)
Adriana Glackin
I’ve been reading the forum thread you’re referring to, Mark, and I would have to say that I also feel somewhat uncomfortable spending any time in the gen forums and I limit my contributions over there. I think my issue is that I read far too much in the intent of the words and perhaps misinterpret the meaning, even without th little grammatical symbols. So basically, it’s not them, it’s me. ;P
Debbie Black
that’s the problem with just having the words…. you usually have to know something about the temperament/beliefs of the person you’re in discussion with when you can’t hear the tone they are using to say them.
Unless someone says “ok, i’m fecking annoyed now”, or “joking!” etc etc after they make their point, the smileys can still be misconstrued.
Sandra Chung
I have found many people will miss the iconic ;) and :) and :D all too often. I have taken to typing out ‘just kidding’ or “no problem”.
Mel Brackstone...
You’re right, there are too many bullies in the forums.
Jessica Andrews
I think it’s hard to comunicate over the web, and like you have said, even harder when you are dealing with overly sensitive and overly expressive people.
Perhaps everybody (myself included) needs to not read into things so much, no matter what side of the fence you happen to be on…sensitive, or expressive.
rochelle
I hold back a lot because i am very busy. I also have not in recent months been part of the forums, again because right now i am very busy – so my comments have to be understood in that light. But a general comment in respect to the many discussions over redbubble is that often it is the non-verbals that are just as important as the written words and in these forums that is what we do not have – because it is a written feedback format.
The wonderful thing about redbubble is the opportunity to seek assistance, feedback on our art. some of us are very good artists, others still learning – but my experience is that whenever i have needed feedback i have found eveyone to be very professional, clear, supportive, suggesting a range of other ways of looking, changing etc.
this for me is the important aspect of redbubble – cheers rochelle
Darren Stones
I actually think the worst offenders on this site are women.
Jacqueline Baker
We have to take into consideration different cultures = different humour! If we then follow our comment with a ‘joking LOL’ or ;0) then we know this usually means a tongue-in-cheek comment or pulling ya leg joke! :0)
janpiller
My motto is if you don’t like what somebody says, just go Phhhhtttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (and try not to spit on your keyboard)