@CatsAkimbo said:
@Kerned said:
I do my best to write carefully and correctly in every situation. The fact that I may be writing on a forum, texting, or chatting with a friend doesn't excuse poor grammar or incorrect spelling. I always proofread, without exception. I think that writing poorly is the quickest way to undermine whatever you are trying to say. Okay, actually typing in all caps in the quickest way to undermine your writing, but whatever.
I think the panel sounds important and useful, and if people choose to ignore it, so be it. It will get through to some people, and that's a good thing.
People might think you're kind of stuck-up in some situations if you write in perfect academic English, though. I know there are people like you out there who use complete sentences with punctuation, and you might actually be miscommunicating more than you think you are.
For example, just today I was talking to someone about where to meet for dinner, and I got a simple three word text reply, "Suggest an alternative." Even though I know this person always does the capitalize and period thing, it just read like he was really pissed at me for not liking the first suggestion restaurant suggest, because of the short message and especially because of the period at the end.
That's not to say I think you're doing it wrong, but I also don't think your method is right for everyone. Nothing's going to go (terribly) wrong if you write sloppy text messages to your friend. You just have to know in what situations to think "ok, I can't be sloppy on this one, let's proofread and make it sound nice."
@Kerned said:
@CatsAkimbo: How you say something is less important than what you are saying. The "how" remains important, however. As a rule you should at least be able to appear that you have enough self respect to have bothered to have learned your native language. It's unacceptable for a native English speaker to communicate they way that some do on these forums (and elsewhere). (Forgive my typos, I have one fewer full bottle of wine this evening.)
Also, if you think my desire to communicate properly makes me stuck up, I believe you may be confusing my motives. No time right now, though. Heading to bed. You'll know where to find me.
Now -this- is a very important topic when it comes to Internet etiquette, and it impacts us all. It's great that you both brought it up. Intent vs Perception.
This is especially relevant to new users just trying to find their voice in online communities they are not accustomed to, but even this slight disagreement showcases it well and represents how universal the issue is for all kinds of users. When going online, people must realize that others won't be seeing you as you; they will be seeing your words and online actions as you. Your intent, while meaningful, pales in comparison to the perception of what you put out there. So, you have to consider ways in which you can better communicate your intent so that it is perceived accurately.
Different places all around the Internet have their own cultures, and just like visiting other regions of the world, you have to take cultural and language differences into account. How you speak one place may not work as effectively elsewhere. Now, this can certainly veer into discussion of online behavior, but if you don't want to go down that road, we can just look at the typed words you share with others. Communication is meaningless if it isn't effective, and unfortunately, formal construction can sometimes be a barrier between relating better with someone else. So, online users should first and foremost be observant. Look at how formal people are being with what they say, and note how someone is talking when people in the community seem to listen. Be aware of whether formality or informality is more appreciated and thus listened to.
For example, Giant Bomb appears to be a place where longer, well-formatted comments are often responded to; though, they do still pale in comparison to short, inflammatory statements. Yet, while short, inflammatory statements do get a higher response online, they also get a dramatically lower quality of response. If you value your time, quality online has to come before quantity. You can have hundreds of quick, meaningless conversations online, but if you put in some effort, you can have a decent number of meaningful conversations, as well. The Internet is huge, and instead of aimlessly wading through endless pages each day, you have to find the gems that are out there. That's certainly one of the reasons I comment on Giant Bomb, as I feel I've found a place where I can reasonably find decent conversation on topics I care about.
Another side of this is realizing that you are also only perceiving someone's words or images, not truly seeing their intent. Everyone on the Internet struggles with this, and it's just a side effect of the abstract nature of the Internet. So, while this is certainly in the realm of online behavior, it does speak to how you talk to others. Consider that your words might be misunderstood simply by how you expressed them, and when misunderstand, don't freak out. Just do your best to calmly explain what you meant in a clearer manner. If people still can't accept that, then just move on, as explaining your true intent is all you can really do in such a situation. And keep that in mind when interacting with others, as well. People will often come off poorly in their remarks or seem to be saying something they didn't really intend to say, and then you just find arguments where it is more about perceptions of the other's argument and not their real positions. This happens every day and is one of the most common Internet experiences amongst those who communicate with others. Don't assume you know absolutely what someone meant, as they may be just like you. Someone just trying to find the best way to express themselves online, and unfortunately, they see the same pitfalls as you do. It's something we must all keep in mind, and in general, if we really try to see the person behind the cold words, we're much more likely to find them.
This is such an important topic for both new and old online users, and once again, I am quite glad that you both mentioned it. Online users are well-served to observe a few simple truths about online communication: People will see words and images, not you, and you will only see words and images, not them. Misunderstandings are natural and something you just have to manage as best you can. Be observant of how others talk to one another online so as to not close the door on a conversation before it ever really began. And remember that most posts have real people behind them with similar concerns over how their words will come off as you do. Always keep these things in mind, and you will find that most online communities are much more accessible than they seem at first.
Thanks to you both for the excuse to talk about something I care about, and, CatsAkimbo, I hope your panel presentation goes well and possibly helps someone get more out of their experience online.
Log in to comment